Lu Jingming truly hadn't expected that this seemingly unfamiliar girl would know Jingliu. While he was still puzzling over this, the blonde girl keenly sensed Lu Jingming's gaze. She turned slightly, looked at him, and gave a gentle, friendly smile. In a soft voice, she said, "You must be Lord Lu Jingming, City Lord of Haiyuan and future Marquis of Haiyuan, right? In a sense, we can consider ourselves on the same side."
"And you are?" Lu Jingming frowned slightly, looking thoughtful.
He was always low-key and rarely showed his face in public. The fact that this girl both knew Jingliu and recognized his identity suggested she was likely from the Star Luo Empire—and not of low status.
"My name is Xu Jiujiu. You've probably heard of me, at least a little," the blonde girl said with a warm, radiant smile like sunlight in spring.
"My apologies, so you are the princess." Lu Jingming realized at once and quickly bowed respectfully.
On the surface, as a subject of the Star Luo Empire, the royal family was his legitimate superior. Even if he didn't truly hold the royals in high regard deep down, he knew the proper etiquette and respect that was due.
Seeing this boy, so young yet so formal and proper, Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. She suddenly found this very young city lord quite amusing.
Off to the side, Ma Xiaotao gave Lu Jingming a disdainful glance. She muttered to herself, Where did that overbearing attitude from earlier go? Just a princess and he's so respectful? Thinking of how brashly he'd spoken to her, but how deferential he was to Xu Jiujiu, she felt a pang of irritation.
"So it's Senior Xingyun and Her Highness the Princess," Yan Shaozhe said with a smile.
To be honest, if Xu Jiujiu hadn't stepped in at just the right moment, Yan Shaozhe was about to put his pride aside and yield to Jingliu—an embarrassing prospect for the Martial Soul Department Head of Shrek Academy.
"Oh, please, no. I may be older, but I'm no match for Dean Yan in strength," said the elderly woman beside Xu Jiujiu, waving her hand humbly.
On the Douluo Continent, strength determined titles and status between soul masters. Though she was older, she was only a rank 93 titled Douluo, while Yan Shaozhe was 95—a clear difference. She couldn't accept being called senior.
Yan Shaozhe smiled and let it go; his address had mostly been to show goodwill to Xu Jiujiu.
Being born royal, Xu Jiujiu was clever and perceptive. She easily saw the deeper meaning in Yan Shaozhe's gesture and cast a thoughtful look at Jingliu, reassessing her strength.
The reason she knew about Jingliu and Lu Jingming was that her imperial brother often had her handle empire affairs to hone her political skills. While reviewing documents, she had come across information about the two.
After all, the Star Luo Empire was vast and full of strong people, but there were only a dozen or so titled Douluos. Haiyuan City was a key stronghold, so any change in city lord would attract royal attention. In their investigation, the royal family noted that Jingliu was likely a titled Douluo, making her an instant focus for the court.
That's why Lu Jingming was able to become city lord at such a young age. To the royal family, so long as Jingliu wasn't from the hostile Sun-Moon Empire, she was someone they wanted to win over. Even if she was, they wouldn't mind trying to recruit her.
In this world of the strong, no nation would turn down more titled Douluos—more power meant more security.
Yan Shaozhe's attitude made it clear that during the earlier standoff, he had been at a disadvantage. Shrek Academy was known for being forceful, and if not for the situation and Xu Jiujiu's timely intervention, Yan Shaozhe might not have been so polite.
Xu Jiujiu had already recognized Jingliu—her appearance was unique and easy to identify. The royal family had also used soul tool crystals to record images of powerful figures to avoid offending them unknowingly.
Now that a potential ally—and titled Douluo—had clashed with Shrek Academy, Xu Jiujiu naturally had to step in as mediator.
After all, if either side lost out, it wouldn't benefit the Star Luo Empire. If she could smooth things over, she could gain both goodwill and valuable connections.
Yan Shaozhe's changed demeanor was proof that her intervention worked.
"So you're from the Star Luo Empire. This was just a misunderstanding—a mere thousand-year soul beast. I'll simply find another one. I was indeed a bit out of line just now."
With Xu Jiujiu's intervention, Yan Shaozhe had a graceful way to back down. He did so naturally, with sincere apologies.
He did this not just because Jingliu was powerful, but also because he needed her help for Ma Xiaotao. Shrek Academy didn't fear strength alone, but Yan Shaozhe's behavior made Xu Jiujiu's people look at Jingliu with new respect. Not knowing about his favor request, they thought Jingliu's power alone had awed Bright Phoenix Douluo.
As a result, their attitude toward Jingliu became even more respectful.