Li Xin!
This "security guard" of Jixia Academy was currently in Light Faith's high-energy form.
"Jixia Academy. Without permission, no one may approach!!"
Li Xin did not open his eyes, yet his resounding voice exploded beside Qian Renxue and Snake Lance Douluo like thunder.
Boom!
A terrifying pressure descended in an instant.
Snake Lance Douluo's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively wanted to summon his Martial Soul to shield Qian Renxue.
As a Titled Douluo, he had actually sensed a lethal threat from this gatekeeper!
How was that possible?
A mere gatekeeper possessed an aura no weaker than a Titled Douluo's—perhaps even stronger?
Qian Renxue also sucked in a cold breath, her footsteps forcibly halting in place.
So strong!
This aura was violent, sacred, and domineering. It even made her Angel Martial Soul tremble faintly.
As long as this man guarded this place, perhaps no one in the world could force their way even half a step inside.
Jixia Academy truly was terrifying!
Just as the atmosphere between both sides became taut with tension, a sweet and pleasant voice suddenly came from within the gates.
"Oh dear, Li Xin, why are you doing this again! How many times have I told you? Don't scare all the guests away."
As the voice fell, a young girl holding a Flower Parasol lightly skipped out.
She had a pair of adorable rabbit ears and wore a short orange dress. Her beauty was unmatched, and the lively charm she radiated made even Qian Renxue, also a woman, brighten at the sight.
What a beautiful woman.
Qian Renxue praised her inwardly. Even if she returned to her true female form, she might not surpass the other woman in liveliness and delicate charm.
Gongsun Li put away her Flower Parasol and glared at Li Xin with mild reproach.
"Don't mind him. His name is Li Xin, and he's our academy's security guard.
He spends every day guarding the gate until he's gone mad. He wants to slash at anyone he sees."
Gongsun Li turned to Qian Renxue, a warm smile appearing on her face.
"Young master, may I ask what brings you here?"
Qian Renxue quickly composed herself, putting on her trademark gentle smile as she slightly cupped her hands toward Gongsun Li.
"I am Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Having heard of Jixia Academy's great reputation, I have come specifically to visit your academy's Dean."
"So it is His Highness the Crown Prince."
Gongsun Li blinked. She did not seem particularly impressed by the Crown Prince's identity, merely nodding politely.
"You wish to see our Dean..."
"No."
Before Gongsun Li could finish, Li Xin spoke coldly from the side.
"The Dean has ordered that no idle outsiders are to be received. Even if you are the Crown Prince, it makes no difference."
Snake Lance Douluo's brows shot up, and just as he was about to flare up, Qian Renxue raised a hand to stop him.
Qian Renxue was not angry. Instead, she became even more respectful. The prouder the other party was, the more it proved they had confidence.
"This warrior is merely carrying out his duty. Qinghe understands."
Qian Renxue said with a smile, "However, Qinghe truly came in good faith. I hope this young lady can make an exception and announce my arrival on my behalf."
Seeing that His Highness the Crown Prince had a fairly good attitude and was also quite pleasing to the eye, Gongsun Li nodded.
"Fine. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has said so, I'll go ask the Dean. But I can't guarantee whether the Dean will see you. Please wait at the entrance for a moment."
With that, Gongsun Li's figure flashed, transforming into an orange streak of light that instantly vanished into the depths of the academy.
Deep within Jixia Academy, at the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
The scenery here was even more breathtaking.
Lotuses bloomed across the rippling emerald lake, while an exquisite pavilion stood in its center.
Lu Ming sat on a stone bench, leisurely sipping tea.
At his side sat Snow Empress and Ice Empress, the two great sovereigns of the Far North.
Da Qiao was elegantly peeling a Spirit Fruit nearby, while the petite Cai Wenji sat on a specially made high chair, diligently fiddling with a complex set of tea utensils.
"Brother Lu Ming, tea!"
Cai Wenji handed a cup of jade-green tea to Lu Ming, her large eyes filled with expectation.
Lu Ming accepted the teacup and took a light sip.
At once, a cool current flowed from his throat throughout his body. Not only did the fragrance linger on his lips and teeth, even the circulation speed of his Soul Power increased somewhat.
"Excellent tea!"
Lu Ming praised, reaching out to pat Cai Wenji's little head. "Wen Ji's tea-making skills are truly first-rate. The vitality contained in this tea is refreshing."
Snow Empress also set down her teacup, a glimmer of wonder flashing through her beautiful eyes.
"Indeed. Little sister Cai Wenji's tea is not only delicious, but also has miraculous effects in healing hidden injuries and extending one's lifespan.
I can feel that after drinking this tea, my perception of the world's primal energy has become sharper.
I originally had only an eighty-percent chance of overcoming the seven-hundred-thousand-year Heavenly Tribulation. Now, I have complete confidence."
Hearing Snow Empress's praise, Cai Wenji's little face turned red with delight, and her tiny feet swung back and forth in midair.
"Then I'll make tea every day for Brother Lu Ming and Sister Snow Empress!"
Da Qiao, who was peeling fruit for Lu Ming, paused slightly. A faint trace of jealousy surfaced in her lovely eyes.
She brought the peeled Spirit Fruit to Lu Ming's lips and said in a faintly aggrieved tone:
"Dean, have you forgotten about me? You only praise little sister Wen Ji. I've been exhausted these past few days after uprooting and transporting the entire academy here."
Seeing Da Qiao's expression of begging for praise, Lu Ming could not help but laugh.
He opened his mouth and ate the Spirit Fruit, speaking indistinctly:
"How could I forget? Da Qiao, you've worked hard too. Without your Space Power, how could all of us, along with this enormous academy, have arrived in Heaven Dou City in an instant? You deserve the greatest credit."
Only then did Da Qiao narrow her eyes in satisfaction, her gentle smile returning.
At that moment, an orange figure fluttered into the pavilion like a Flitting Butterfly.
"Dean! Dean!"
Gongsun Li put away her Flower Parasol and said slightly breathlessly.
"Someone outside claims to be Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. He says he wants to visit you.
That blockhead Li Xin won't let him in. Should we see him or not?"
"Xue Qinghe?"
Lu Ming's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and his brows furrowed unconsciously.
Qian Renxue?
Why had she come?
A trace of confusion arose in Lu Ming's heart. He had only brought Jixia Academy to Heaven Dou City a few days ago.
And he had kept a low profile the whole time.
Aside from the suddenly appearing academy being somewhat conspicuous, he had not publicized anything to the outside world.
By all rights, he should have been quietly building up his strength. How had this "Crown Prince" noticed him so quickly?
Was this merely a coincidence?
Or was Spirit Hall's intelligence network in Heaven Dou City truly so formidable?
Or perhaps... had the Angel God in the God Realm given Qian Renxue some instruction?
Lu Ming pondered for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the stone table.
He did not want to involve himself too deeply in the current situation, especially with someone like Qian Renxue, whose connections ran too deep.
Although Jixia Academy was powerful now, he had yet to decide how he wanted to enter the fray.
Since he could not determine the other party's intentions, he would leave her waiting for now.
If she had discovered them by chance, she would naturally leave after being kept waiting awhile.
If she had come with a purpose, then this would be a good chance to test this "Crown Prince's" patience.
Before you continue