Qian Renxue's Guilty Conscience! Lu Ming's Easy Grip!

"Brother Lu Ming... forgive my presumption."

Xue Qinghe carefully chose his words and asked, "Why are these students from your academy, and even that terrifyingly powerful Miss Gongsun Li, so... respectful towards you? You could even say overly enthusiastic?"

This was too unreasonable.

In the Soul Master world, strength was paramount.

Gongsun Li was a Six-Ring Soul Emperor, and one with explosive combat power at that. She might not even flinch against a Soul Sage or even a Soul Douluo.

As for Lu Ming before him, although he possessed a unique aura, his soul power fluctuations were not obvious. He looked like a noble young master with a bit of background.

How could those arrogant geniuses behave like this towards him?

Lu Ming picked up the teacup on the table and took a gentle sip. Hearing the question, he put down the teacup, turned his head to look at Xue Qinghe, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Well..."

He tapped the stone table lightly with his long fingers, his tone casual and breezy.

"Perhaps it's because I'm handsome."

"..."

Xue Qinghe was stunned.

She had imagined countless answers.

For example, Lu Ming was the heir of a prominent family, or he had bestowed favors upon them, or perhaps he was hiding his strength.

She had never considered this answer.

Handsome?

Xue Qinghe couldn't help but scrutinize the young man before her.

She had to admit, Lu Ming indeed possessed a handsome face.

Sharp sword-like eyebrows, bright star-like eyes, a high-bridged nose, features as chiseled as if carved by a blade, and fair skin that wasn't effeminate.

Especially his eyes, deep as an abyss, occasionally revealing a hint of laziness, yet exuding an unhurried confidence.

Coupled with his refined aura, he could indeed be called a rare handsome man in the world.

Even Qian Renxue, who was accustomed to seeing handsome men, had to praise him inwardly.

But...

"Just because you're handsome?"

A sense of absurdity welled up in Xue Qinghe's heart.

Could a place like Jixia Academy, where experts were as common as clouds, be so superficial?

Were those terrifyingly powerful female students all just shallow admirers who only cared about looks?

"I don't believe it."

Xue Qinghe shook his head inwardly.

In her eyes, as Qian Renxue, while appearance was important, strength and power were the eternal truths.

She only admired the strong and submitted to greater power.

If these people would bow down merely for looking good, then the caliber of Jixia Academy would be too low.

However, it was ultimately difficult to verify her guess.

Was this Lu Ming truly just a "connected individual" who got by in the academy on a bit of looks and connections?

Upon realizing this, a trace of imperceptible disdain flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, but his face maintained a gentle smile.

He picked up the teapot and, with elegant and proper movements, refilled Lu Ming's cup of tea.

"Brother Lu Ming is joking. I'm sure Brother Lu Ming must have extraordinary qualities."

Xue Qinghe asked tentatively, "Since Brother Lu Ming has such extensive connections within the academy, do you happen to know the Dean of Jixia Academy?"

This was the ultimate purpose of her visit.

To find that mysterious Dean and form an alliance with him.

Lu Ming looked at the rippling tea in his cup and gently shook his head, a perfectly measured expression of reverence on his face.

"The Dean? Your Highness the Crown Prince thinks too highly of me."

He sighed, his tone full of admiration. "What kind of earth-shattering figure is the Dean? A dragon that shows its head but not its tail.

I am but a small figure with a few connections, how could I possibly know such a great person?"

Hearing this answer, a clear look of disappointment flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes.

As expected.

This Lu Ming was merely an outsider and couldn't reach the core level at all.

It seemed he would have to find another way to meet the Dean.

Since the lead had run dry, Xue Qinghe didn't intend to linger any longer.

She took out an exquisite money bag embroidered with gold thread from her embrace, placed it gently on the stone table, and pushed it towards Lu Ming.

"Regardless, thank you, Brother Lu Ming, for bringing me here to visit today. It has opened my eyes."

"Consider this a small token of my appreciation, a tea fee for Brother Lu Ming. Please accept it."

As the Crown Prince, his generosity was naturally considerable. This money bag contained at least several hundred Gold Soul Coins.

Lu Ming did not refuse and reached out to take the money bag.

The moment the money bag was in his hand, his nostrils twitched, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Hmm?"

Lu Ming brought the money bag closer to his nose and sniffed, a hint of confusion on his face.

"Strange, why does this money bag have a peculiar... feminine scent?"

"And it's a high-class perfume, even a bit of... body scent?"

As soon as he said this, Xue Qinghe's originally calm and composed expression froze instantly.

A blush uncontrollably spread across her cheeks, a sign of panic and shyness after her secret was exposed.

This money bag was a personal item, always kept close to her body, and naturally carried her scent.

Qian Renxue rarely used perfume to disguise herself as Xue Qinghe, but this subtle feminine fragrance was impossible to conceal.

"Brother... Brother Lu Ming is joking."

Xue Qinghe nervously picked up the teacup to hide her loss of composure, her voice trembling slightly.

"How could I, a grown man, have a feminine scent? Perhaps Brother Lu Ming smelled something from those two girls earlier and was mistaken."

Lu Ming chuckled inwardly as he looked at her guilty demeanor.

He knew it was Qian Renxue's scent, but he didn't expose her.

The current Qian Renxue was like a startled rabbit. Pushing too hard would make things less fun.

"Oh, I see."

Lu Ming casually put away the money bag, feigning realization. "Perhaps it was indeed A Li getting too close earlier."

Seeing that Lu Ming wasn't pressing further, Xue Qinghe let out a long sigh of relief, feeling a cold sweat break out on her back.

How could this man's nose be so sharp?

To avoid further complications, Xue Qinghe immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

"I've taken up too much of your time today. I still have state affairs to attend to in the palace, so I must take my leave."

A hint of regret appeared on her face, and she sighed, "I had hoped to take this opportunity to meet your esteemed Dean and discuss a sparring exchange between Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Jixia Academy. This would foster goodwill between our institutions and perhaps even lead to an alliance."

"Alas, it seems I am not fated to meet him today. It is truly a pity."

After speaking, she bowed again and turned to leave.

Although she hadn't met the Dean this time, she had at least confirmed Jixia Academy's strength, so the trip wasn't entirely in vain.

Just as Xue Qinghe took a step forward, Lu Ming's leisurely voice drifted from behind her.

"Actually... it's not entirely impossible."

Xue Qinghe's footsteps halted abruptly.

She spun around, her eyes flashing with a surge of delighted surprise, and she asked eagerly:

"Could it be, Brother Lu Ming, that you have a way for me to meet the Dean?"

If she could meet the Dean directly, all her plans could be implemented ahead of schedule!

Lu Ming looked at her expectant gaze, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he drew out his words.

"Of course... that's impossible!"