Chapter 1189: In Name
"The Celestial Mirror Pagoda is the true core of the Academic Federation. The mentors of the ancient and sage colleges all see it as a holy land and strive to join it. Those who pass the trials are granted the privilege to become a Celestial Mirror Knight. In fact, most of the Kings from the Academic Federation were Celestial Mirror Knights in the past. Since the creation of the Celestial Mirror Pagoda, the Radiant King also came from the ranks of the Celestial Mirror Knights. Qing'e, your potential is unparalleled, so if you go there, you will find that it will be of great aid to traverse the Path of Ascension." Zhen Mingyu looked at Jiang Qing'e with much anticipation.
Li Luo had originally wanted to say something, but he kept silent in the end. Although he hoped that Jiang Qing'e would return with him to the Dragon's Fang Lineage, if it was as Zhen Mingyu had said—the Celestial Mirror Pagoda would be a wondrous opportunity for Jiang Qing'e. Entering it would be in her best interest as well. Thus, he had no plan to influence her decision. He would always respect her choices.
Either way, it was not like they would be separated forever.
Lan Lingzi crossed her arms as she watched this scene with amusement. She knew that Jiang Qing'e was much too surprising, to the point that even Zhen Mingyu was unwilling to let go of her. The Celestial Mirror Pagoda held a lot of importance to the Academic Federation, and numerous elite Dukes had chosen to set it as their goal, becoming mentors all for the sake of being able to join it. These Dukes had worked hard for decades simply for a chance to join. Meanwhile, Zhen Mingyu had directly offered her entry and even promised to give her the title of Celestial Mirror Knight just to keep her.
Notably, Celestial Mirror Knight was a title that represented utmost glory and status in the Academic Federation. If one had to ascribe a value to it, it would be countless times more valuable than being the top-ranked student of the Heavenly Star Hall.
Of course, it was hard to tell what Jiang Qing'e's decision would be, considering how hard Zhen Mingyu was selling it.
However, it was not only Lan Lingzi who thought this way. Everyone else who heard those words were similarly awaiting Jiang Qing'e's decision.
Ning Meng was included as well. She was planning to enter the Celestial Mirror Pagoda, and if Jiang Qing'e came along too, that would be excellent news for her.
Jiang Qing'e fell silent in deep thought for a moment. Then she lightly replied, "Mentor, thank you for your kind intentions. No matter where the college needs me to be in future, you simply have to send me a message and I will do my best to assist."
These words betrayed Jiang Qing'e's decision.
The crowd looked on with complicated expressions. She was willing to give up the opportunity to become a Celestial Mirror Knight, instead choosing to stay with Li Luo.
A trace of disappointment flickered in Zhen Mingyu's eyes as she lightly sighed and nodded. "Alright, I will respect your decision."
She then turned towards Li Luo and warned him, "If the Dragon's Fang Lineage shortchanges Qing'e in any way, I'll personally trouble Li Jingzhe to settle accounts."
Li Luo nodded immediately. "Third School Master, you can rest assured. I will never allow Sister Qing'e to be slighted in the Dragon's Fang Lineage."
"Rest assured? Has the Dragon's Fang Lineage learned from its past mistake? Tan Tailan was a heavenly genius even amongst geniuses. Yet what happened to her in the end? The only good thing was that Li Taixuan was truly a man with guts. He took his wife away and was unwilling to compromise even in the end." Zhen Mingyusnorted coldly .
Li Luo smiled bitterly upon hearing this. It was not his place to criticize the decisions of the older generation. He knew that Li Jingzhe deeply regretted his decision to step back in the past. This resulted in his favorite son having been estranged and leaving for lands afar.
This was also one of the reasons why the Dragon's Fang Lineage and the Dragon's Blood Lineage did not get along.
Of course, he was not willing to discuss this with outsiders, so he quickly changed topics. "Third School Master, I have a suggestion."
"What?" Zhen Mingyu lazily replied.
"I feel that Sister Qing'e joining the Celestial Mirror Pagoda and her temporarily coming to the Dragon's Fang Lineage with me will not be a problem. Perhaps she can join first in name and when the time comes, I'll accompany her there. What do you think?" Li Luo grinned.
The Academic Federation was a behemoth, and its foundation was far more solid than that of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. The Celestial Mirror Pagoda was its core, and this was a great opportunity. Looking at it from a long-term perspective, Li Luo did not wish for Jiang Qing'e to give up on the opportunity to join.
Zhen Mingyu paused and frowned. "Join in name first? This has never happened in its history."
The Celestial Mirror Pagoda had its own pride, and they had seen countless demonic geniuses throughout the years. However, Jiang Qing'e's three ninth-grade light resonances were exceptionally effective against Others. They were perfectly suited for the Academic Federation's war against them.
Zhen Mingyu thus fell into thought before nodding. "That might be possible. Qing'e, what do you think?"
Jiang Qing'e pondered over this before replying attentively, "Mentor, can Li Luo join the Celestial Mirror Pagoda?"
This was met with a helpless reply. "The two of you come together, is that right? What sort of place do you think the Celestial Mirror Pagoda is? A shop where you can buy one and get one free?"
Li Luo smiled and waved his hand. "Sister Qing'e, there's no need to worry about me."
However, Jiang Qing'e continued to stare unabated at Zhen Mingyu, seemingly waiting for a definite answer.
As her mentor, Zhen Mingyu knew of Jiang Qing'e's personality very well. If she could not resolve this situation, Qing'e likely would not agree to join.
Thus, she bitterly replied, "Li Luo is not a student of the ancient colleges. He is also not a mentor in any other college and thus, it doesn't comply with the rules."
Lan Lingzi, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly grinned sweetly. "Well, I might have a solution. I can let Li Luo join the Heavenly Origin Ancient College in name. What do you think?"
Zhen Mingyu briefly glanced at Lan Lingzi as she commented, "Well, it looks like you know how to take advantage of bargain deals."
Li Luo possessed frightening talent and, most importantly, he would have four resonant palaces once he entered the Duke Stage. In terms of potential, there was a good chance that he would form a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried as well.
Such a perfect seedling would be accepted by basically any ancient college.
"With both our colleges pushing for it, it should ease the resistance in letting them join the Celestial Mirror Pagoda in name early. Otherwise, it would be much more difficult for you alone," Lan Lingzi explained.
Zhen Mingyu paused for a moment before agreeing. Lan Lingzi's suggestion made sense. The Celestial Mirror Pagoda held a special position in the Academic Federation, and with the elders of their colleges pushing things ahead, it would simplify things.
Lan Lingzi then turned towards Li Luo with a sweet smile. "Do you have an opinion?"
He hurriedly shook his head and returned the smile. "Vice Principal Lan Lingzi, you have taken great care of me."
Lan Lingzi tilted her head slightly as she looked at Li Luo with interest. "Oh? Did I take good care of you in the past? Did I promise you something?"
Li Luo felt a little taken aback. Didn't she remember? She had promised him numerous benefits. Had she already forgotten?
Or perhaps he had been tossed away after being used like a rag?
Lan Lingzi leisurely replied, "Brat, the Lan Lingzi you met before was not me. More specifically, it was a skin clone created by the All-Beings Devil King when it took part of my energy. Thus, whatever it promised you was actually a promise from the All-Beings Devil King. It was not me. If you want anything, you can go get it yourself."
Li Luo was a little shocked and creeped out by this. "The Vice Principal Lan Lingzi in the college was a skin clone of the All-Beings Devil King?"
She nodded. "The All-Beings Devil King had wanted to ruin our plans and get the students to enter the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm in advance. You fell for its scheme, but luckily, you overcame it as well."
Li Luo was astonished by this. Just how frightening was the All-Beings Devil King? It was capable of using skin clones to mimic another individual to absolute perfection. It was important to note that Wu Yu and Qing Man, both Kings, were unable to differentiate it from the real one.
However...
Did this mean that the promised Three Dragon's Heavenly Banner Canon and the high-grade Tree of Resonant Power Seed would not be given to him?
This realization left him dazed.
Seeing Li Luo's expression, Lan Lingzi couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, I won't tease you any longer. Although the All-Beings Devil King created a skin clone that could replicate my thoughts and actions, in a certain way, it was not too different from the real me. The decisions it made were probably very similar to what I would do. Thus, I will honor its promises."
This answer made Li Luo heave a sigh of relief. He quickly gave her a thumbs up. "Vice Principal, you are magnanimous! It is no wonder Principal Pang is always thinking of you and asked me to head to the Heavenly Origin Ancient College to find you."
Her eyes flickered briefly upon hearing Li Luo's words, unsure if she could believe him.
After settling all these things, the students from the two ancient colleges began to leave the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm. After which, the Academic Federation would send an exploratory team to gather the resources inside.
Ning Meng and Jiang Qing'e reluctantly bade farewell. "Little Jiang'e, I'll wait for you at the Celestial Mirror Pagoda. You have to hurry over soon."
Jiang Qing'e smiled as she promised.
Yue Zhiyu pouted as she kept her head raised haughtily, walking towards the transportation formation behind Zhen Mingyu.
Wei Chonglou's gaze was dark and gloomy as he glared at Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e. In the end, no words came out of his mouth, and he turned to leave in disgrace.
In the end, the two vice principals activated the transportation formation. A pillar of light shot into the air, enveloping all the students. Everyone vanished without a trace.
With the conclusion of this small matter, the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm regained its calm and quiet.
This brought to an end the mobilization mission in the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm, which had spanned several months.