Princess Vina

No matter what, when asking someone for help, one should pay a personal visit and bring a generous gift to show sincerity.

"Jiujiu, listen to my sophistry—ah, no! Listen to my explanation." Lu Jingming hurriedly tried to defend himself, but he spoke so quickly that he nearly let something slip.

Xu Jiujiu's lips twitched slightly. She seemed to have just heard something rather incriminating.

She rolled her eyes irritably and feigned anger. "Fine, I'm listening. Let's see what nonsense you can come up with."

"Jiujiu, you should know that as the lord of a city, I'm usually overwhelmed with affairs. Matters big and small all need my attention. And I can't slack off in cultivation either. During the day, I have to practice swordsmanship while handling complicated official duties, and at night, I still have to cultivate the Meditation Method to increase my Soul Power. I truly can't spare even a moment of free time, so please forgive me, Jiujiu."

Lu Jingming spoke with complete seriousness, his expression utterly sincere, as though he truly were a busy man crushed beneath endless responsibilities.

Behind Xu Jiujiu stood a golden-haired girl who appeared to be around Lu Jingming's age.

She had a gentle appearance. Upon hearing Lu Jingming's words, she could not help nodding softly, feeling that he was absolutely right.

In her eyes, Lu Jingming had shouldered pressures far too heavy for someone his age. It was truly heartbreaking.

With that thought, the way she looked at Lu Jingming was filled with sympathy and pity.

Seeing this, Xu Jiujiu covered her forehead speechlessly.

She knew quite a bit about Haiyuan City. Cultivation might be true enough, but as for being busy with affairs and official duties—she had heard that most of those were handled by Miss Chang Li!

This little brat was still here, seriously fooling people.

"Forget it. I won't hold it against you, but this time, you have to accompany your sister and have a good look around." Xu Jiujiu waved her hand magnanimously, though her tone left no room for refusal.

Before her words had even faded, she forcefully grabbed Lu Jingming's hand and made to pull him out of the Sky Dome Grand Hotel.

Lu Jingming looked helpless, groaning inwardly. He had only just returned from touring Heaven Dou City and was exhausted in both body and mind, yet faced with Xu Jiujiu's enthusiasm, he really could not bring himself to break free.

Left with no choice, he could only let Xu Jiujiu pull him along. He sighed inwardly, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"Almost forgot, I haven't introduced you yet." Xu Jiujiu seemed to recall something suddenly. She stopped, turned around with an apologetic smile, and looked at the golden-haired girl who had been quietly standing behind her. "This is Vina, princess of the Heaven Dou Empire. Vina, this is my little brother, Lu Jingming. Don't let his age fool you—he's the lord of a city!"

Following Xu Jiujiu's introduction, Lu Jingming's gaze fell on Vina.

In truth, he had noticed this uniquely poised girl from the beginning. He had assumed she was Xu Jiujiu's fellow disciple from the Star Crown Sect, since both of them had striking golden hair. He had not expected her to be Vina.

A princess of the Heaven Dou Empire, bearer of Twin Martial Souls, exceptionally gifted and extraordinarily intelligent—by every measure, she surpassed Xu Jiujiu, who was also a princess of a nation.

Though only nine years old, her thoughts moved far faster than those of her peers, even quicker than some adults.

One of her martial souls was the Body Soul—Brain. It granted her extraordinary intelligence and allowed her to display uncommon maturity from a very young age.

"Princess Vina." Lu Jingming dipped slightly in greeting, his eyes revealing a trace of surprise.

A soft, sweet smile bloomed on Vina's face. In a gentle voice, she said, "There's no need to be so formal. Just like Jiujiu, you can call me Vina."

From the conversation between Xu Jiujiu and Lu Jingming just now, she could tell that Xu Jiujiu cared greatly about this so-called little brother.

Based on that judgment, she also intended to befriend Lu Jingming.

She and Xu Jiujiu were both princesses and close friends who shared everything with each other. She knew Xu Jiujiu's personality inside and out. Ordinary people could never catch Xu Jiujiu's eye, much less make her care so deeply.

A single letter had been enough to make Xu Jiujiu help wholeheartedly, and she had not complained much afterward. That alone showed Lu Jingming's importance in Xu Jiujiu's heart.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Vina, come with us." Lu Jingming did not act coy and openly extended the invitation.

From the look of things, Vina had originally been the one planning to go out with Xu Jiujiu.

Vina lifted her eyes to Lu Jingming and once again confirmed her thoughts inwardly. This young man was not simple.

Though she was a princess, Lu Jingming faced her with complete composure, without the slightest restraint or deliberate flattery. His calm poise secretly amazed her.

Naturally, she did not refuse. She nodded slightly and gladly agreed. The three of them then walked out of the Sky Dome Grand Hotel side by side.

"Is this your pet? What an adorable Little Fox." Vina's attention was drawn to the Little Fox on Lu Jingming's shoulder, and she could not help praising it.

"Her name is Miko. Don't be fooled by her appearance—she's not very well-behaved."

Lu Jingming smiled as he explained, "But if you have offerings, you can play with her for a while."

"Offerings?" Xu Jiujiu and Vina exchanged a glance, their eyes full of confusion.

"She likes Fried Tofu," Lu Jingming revealed.

"Got it! I'll go buy some later." Xu Jiujiu agreed enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming with excitement as though she could hardly wait to win over the adorable Little Fox.

The three chatted as they strolled down the street. Their laughter continued without end, gradually fading into the distance amid a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

"Isn't his luck with women a little too good?" In the distance, Keqing frowned slightly. Her slender fingers tucked a strand of purple hair behind her ear, and an imperceptible flicker of lightning flashed at her fingertips.

"Isn't it perfectly normal for Little Ming to attract girls' attention when he's so outstanding and perfect?" Zhang Lexuan laughed softly, her eyes curving as her tone brimmed with pride. She did not feel the slightest displeasure at Lu Jingming being pulled away by other girls.

Keqing's lips twitched, and she gave Zhang Lexuan a strange look. She could not help grumbling inwardly, You're not normal either!

"You're his fiancée. Aren't you going to do anything about it?" Keqing was utterly bewildered, unable to understand Zhang Lexuan's attitude.

"It's precisely because I'm his fiancée that I hope he can meet more outstanding girls."

Zhang Lexuan remained calm as she watched the retreating figures of Lu Jingming and the other two. "The Lu Family has only him left as its sole heir. On Douluo Continent, martial soul inheritance depends on bloodlines, and high-level bloodlines are already inherently difficult to pass on. For the Lu Family's legacy, I don't mind having more people by his side."