"My surname is Lu, given name Jingming. As for elders, I'm confident enough in my own strength."
Lu Jingming smiled, making a casual gesture as if holding the universe at his fingertips.
Xue Qinghe was briefly taken aback, then chuckled.
Given Lu Jingming's age, probably not yet an adult, how strong could he really be?
But the aura couldn't be faked, and his clothes and storage soul guide were all of the highest quality—on par with royal standards.
Yet, the surname Lu... Xue Qinghe searched his memory but couldn't recall any major family named Lu in the Star Luo Empire.
He guessed Lu Jingming must be from some hidden Sect or sect—a common occurrence on the vast continent.
After a brief but deep conversation, Xue Qinghe confirmed Lu Jingming was traveling alone, with no guards.
From his speech and knowledge—even of secrets known only to top forces—Xue Qinghe was convinced Lu Jingming had a powerful, ancient background.
For example, when Xue Qinghe mentioned an obscure topic only top powers would know, Lu Jingming responded fluently.
That alone proved Lu Jingming's extraordinary upbringing—almost certainly from a hidden Sect in the Star Luo Empire.
Of course, with Spirit Hall behind him, Xue Qinghe didn't think anyone could surpass his own backing.
But that didn't stop him from wanting to win Lu Jingming over—having another potential ally was always good.
Especially after Porcupine Douluo reported that Lu Jingming shrugged off his soul power pressure.
Even if it wasn't full strength, a Titled Douluo's pressure was not something an ordinary youth could ignore.
For Lu Jingming to do so at such a young age showed his confidence had solid backing.
As they chatted over tea, the door was gently knocked.
"Come in!" Xue Qinghe frowned, then quickly regained his gentle demeanor.
A girl with short golden hair entered—the epitome of youthful beauty.
She blurted, "Big brother Crown Prince, I heard there's a contamination zone outside the city, and lots of people are going. I want to go too!"
But when she spotted Lu Jingming, she paused, then blushed, quickly saying, "Sorry, I didn't know you had a guest."
"It's fine, little sister. This is Lu Jingming, my friend—not an outsider," Xue Qinghe said, skillfully closing the distance.
Though they'd just met, he made it sound like they were old friends.
"Mr. Lu, I was rude just now!" Xue Ke recalled her behavior and blushed deeper.
She had been trained in royal etiquette and now greeted Lu Jingming with elegant manners.
"No problem, Your Highness. Your straightforwardness is refreshing," Lu Jingming replied.
He knew Princess Xue Ke was beloved in Heaven Dou Empire—even Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, treated her as a real sister.
He was curious how Xue Ke would react if she ever learned Xue Qinghe's true identity.
Of course, he wouldn't stir up trouble just for fun.
"Since you're my brother's friend, there's no need for formality—just call me Xue Ke," she said sweetly.
Xue Qinghe was surprised—Xue Ke was spoiled by the emperor and could be willful. Few people got special treatment from her.
But seeing Lu Jingming's looks, he understood—even he'd been stunned at first sight.
Xue Ke wasn't just a superficial admirer of beauty, but with Lu Jingming's status and looks, it made sense.
"What have you heard, little sister?" Xue Qinghe asked.
"I heard Skywater Academy lost a Soul Sage in the contamination zone, and the Royal Academy's three deans are involved. Even Ning Sect Master is interested. That's why I wanted to see for myself—I've never seen a contamination zone."
Xue Ke clung to Xue Qinghe's arm, acting cute, making him helpless.
"Since even my teacher is going, let's go have a look. Lu Jingming, would you like to join us?"
"Of course—how could I miss such excitement?" Lu Jingming replied.
He knew things would only get more interesting at the contamination zone.
"Alright, let's go find teacher. Contamination zones can be very dangerous; we must be careful," Xue Qinghe said with a smile.
He knew Porcupine Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo couldn't act openly, or else risk exposing themselves.
It was safer to stick with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect group, protected by Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Soon, Xue Qinghe led Lu Jingming and Xue Ke to Ning Fengzhi, who was about to set out with the Sword and Bone Douluos.
Porcupine Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo didn't follow—they couldn't hide from Sword and Bone Douluo.
Xue Qinghe explained his intention to join, and Ning Fengzhi readily agreed. "Very well, let's go together."
Ning Fengzhi was satisfied with Xue Qinghe as a student.
He'd taken him in as a long-term investment—if Xue Qinghe became emperor, the sect would reap immense rewards.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to get too involved with the empire, but the Clear Sky Sect's actions had forced him to bind the sect more closely to the empire to resist Spirit Hall.
When the previous Spirit Hall Pope was killed by Clear Sky Douluo, Spirit Hall retaliated.
The three great Sects—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and Clear Sky Sect—formed an alliance.
But at the last minute, Clear Sky Sect backed out, closing its doors and abandoning its allies.
This left the other two to face Spirit Hall alone.
Thus, Ning Fengzhi had no choice but to take on Xue Qinghe as a disciple, deepening ties with the empire.
Lu Jingming looked at Ning Fengzhi, the elegant, white-robed man, with a hint of irony.
Ning Fengzhi's luck was truly poor—first betrayed by Clear Sky, then mistaking Xue Qinghe's identity.
The sect pinned all its hopes on Xue Qinghe, never knowing he was actually Qian Renxue.
Ning Fengzhi's judgment was questionable—trusting Clear Sky, taking in Xue Qinghe, later siding with Tang San—each decision seemed flawed.
In the end, the sect paid a heavy price: Sword and Bone Douluo died, and the sect was decimated.
Even a thousand years later, the sect was little more than a footnote—its only legacy was Ning Rongrong becoming a god, but the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's line was lost.
And gods couldn't intervene in the mortal realm, so Ning Rongrong's ascension brought no real benefit.
After their investment in Xue Qinghe, the eventual emperor Xue Beng had no reason to favor the sect.
In short, every choice the sect made was a net loss—Ning Fengzhi's judgment was truly questionable.
Despite their early advantage, losing Sword and Bone Douluo left them weak in a strength-based world.
As for hoping Tang San would repay them—he didn't even care about his own Tang Sect legacy, let alone the sect's fate.
In fact, the secret inheritance was left in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's immortal herbs—and Lu Jingming now had those records, though he wasn't interested.