Another world? Ten thousand years in the future? The Lu Jingming before them, and his companions with their extraordinary auras, were actually travelers from another world.
And those powerful figures who had suddenly appeared were also people from other worlds.
"Wait, you just said... Shrek Academy?"
Huo Wu abruptly rose from her seat, her beautiful eyes wide with shock, her voice unconsciously rising an octave.
"Is it the Shrek Academy I'm thinking of? The one with... only a few teachers, dilapidated school buildings, the one that looked shabby even when participating in the Soul Master Grand Competition?"
She repeated the name in disbelief, as if trying to chew and swallow the words, yet still unable to digest their meaning.
"But you said that ten thousand years later... it is the Number One Academy on the continent?"
Although the previous All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition was forced to halt due to Lu Jingming's intervention, Huo Wu naturally knew the name of Shrek Academy.
It was precisely because she knew it that she found it so hard to imagine—that seemingly inconspicuous, even run-down academy, had not only managed to survive the long river of ten thousand years but had grown into a behemoth standing at the peak of the continent?
Feng Xiaotian and Shui Bing'er also completely reacted at this moment, their faces similarly filled with disbelief.
Feng Xiaotian's usual carefree smile had vanished, replaced by deep contemplation.
Ripples suddenly broke out in Shui Bing'er's icy blue eyes. Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened, gripping the armrest of her chair.
Ten thousand years of inheritance, the Continent's Number One Academy.
The legacy, glory, and resilience represented by these few simple words were enough to make any Soul Master family, any powerful force yearn for it, and at the same time, feel a sense of inexplicable awe.
Even the Spirit Hall, which was as powerful as the noonday sun, was founded only a few thousand years ago. Who would dare to claim it could continue its brilliance for ten thousand years?
Yet, Shrek, that seemingly unremarkable academy, had done it.
Lu Jingming watched the spectacular expressions on the trio's faces, a subtle smile flashing across his eyes.
He even had the mischievous thought that if he told them that, in the original historical trajectory, their statues would also stand in the square of Shrek Academy ten thousand years later, revered by future students, he wondered what kind of commotion that would cause.
However, considering that Shrek Academy, ten thousand years in the future, was now destroyed, and those statues were likely... he suppressed the thought. Mentioning it now was meaningless.
"So Spirit Hall's meticulously planned Soul Hunting operation was repeatedly thwarted, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was preserved, and the Heaven Dou Empire was allowed a slim chance of survival on the brink of collapse."
Huo Wu murmured, trying to untangle the confusing threads, finally arriving at a conclusion that left even her stunned.
"The root of all these variables... is actually the interference from Shrek Academy, ten thousand years in the future, from a parallel world?"
This conclusion was too bizarre, yet it logically explained all the anomalies perfectly.
Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy seas within his heart. As the most composed among the three, he grasped the core issue, his gaze sharp as he looked at Lu Jingming.
"Brother Lu, you would not reveal such a shocking truth to us on a whim. May I ask, what is your purpose?"
He believed that Lu Jingming's action must hold profound meaning.
Lu Jingming gave Feng Xiaotian an approving look, his expression turning sincere and solemn.
"The reason is simple. The space-time barrier connecting the two worlds has been greatly weakened due to certain changes. The appearance of Xuan Zi and the others is merely a beginning, by no means the end."
He glanced over Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian, his tone steady:
"The intersection between the two parallel worlds will become more frequent and deeper. Continuing to hide the truth from you is no longer necessary, and could instead leave you passive in future changes."
He paused, allowing the three to digest the weight of his words.
He was well aware that the space-time channel in Mingdou was stable. Although the Sun and Moon Empire was currently preoccupied with internal integration and war preparations, exploring the world on the other side of the channel was only a matter of time for them.
When that happens, the knowledge, technology, power, and even conflict from that world will continuously pour into this one.
"Since you have chosen to follow me and join the Jade Pavilion, you are people I, Lu Jingming, acknowledge."
Lu Jingming said calmly, "I hope you can know all this in advance and be fully prepared psychologically. This is not just a crisis; it is an unprecedented opportunity."
His eyes shone with light.
"In this great trend sweeping across two worlds, those who stick to the old ways will be eliminated, while those who can see the direction and bravely embrace change will ride the waves."
"I hope you can seize this opportunity, utilize the resources and experience brought by this intersecting space-time, and continuously improve yourselves. In the future, Sea Abyss City will need powerhouses who can stand on their own, pillars who can support a new order, and you have that potential."
"Sea Abyss City...?"
Feng Xiaotian repeated the unfamiliar name in a low voice, a flash of realization crossing his deep eyes.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the enormous shock caused by hearing about the parallel world. His rationality quickly returned, and he inquired in a deep voice:
"Brother Lu, is this the name of the faction you truly belong to?"
"That is correct."
Lu Jingming smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the three young Soul Masters before him,
"From the moment you decided to join the Jade Pavilion, your fate became connected with Sea Abyss City. You could say you have long been members of my Sea Abyss City; you only truly learned the city's name today."
His words were peaceful, yet carried a peculiar weight.
Among the three, Shui Bing'er was the first to completely calm down.
The ripples in her icy blue eyes gradually subsided, regaining their usual clarity and wisdom.
As the strongest, most talented, and most leadership-potential-possessing member of the trio, she completed a full re-evaluation of the situation in a very short time.
Elysia's private guidance had not only enhanced her strength but also broadened her horizons.
She nodded slightly, her voice clear and firm:
"I understand, Young Master Lu. Please rest assured, having received the protection and resources of Sea Abyss City, we shall naturally do our utmost to live up to your expectations and cultivation."
Her thoughts were quick and clear.
In the midst of this overwhelming surge where the continent's balance was drastically shifting and god-level powerhouses were personally taking action, their academies and families were originally like small boats in a storm, their fate uncertain.
However, reality provided the best answer—even the newly ascended Goddess, Qian Renxue, chose respect and even concession when facing the Jade Pavilion and its associated forces related to Lu Jingming.
Tian Shui City changing hands, yet the status of the Tian Shui Academy and the Shui family remaining unshaken, was in itself silent proof.
Even a God showed him respect.
This realization completely settled Shui Bing'er's heart.
Following Lu Jingming was not only the wisest choice now but also the only path to a broader world.
Moreover, looking back, the benefits they had gained since cooperating with the Jade Pavilion were tangible and groundbreaking.
The powerful Soul Tools, the rare and priceless Soul Bones, and the Stigmata that could replace Soul Beasts... these resources not only nourished their personal growth but also caused a qualitative leap in their family's foundation.
Some elders in the family, who had been stuck at a bottleneck for years, even saw the dawn of challenging the Titled Douluo realm because of this.
All of this was brought by Lu Jingming.
With this knowledge, the powerful strength to entrust their future, and the kindness of recognizing their talent, what was there to hesitate about?
Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian exchanged glances, seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.
Although Huo Wu's personality was fiery and direct, she was not ignorant of reason. With immense benefits and a clear future laid out before her, she naturally knew how to choose.
Feng Xiaotian was even more insightful, immediately grasping the crucial points.
Following a powerhouse who could traverse space-time and be wary of even a God was, in itself, a stroke of immense luck.
"Brother Lu, rest assured, we will definitely strive hard."
The two of them pledged solemnly, almost in unison.
At this moment, they were no longer just talented academy students, or the future hope of their families, but members of Sea Abyss City.
Lu Jingming looked at the three young people who quickly adjusted their mindsets and whose eyes became resolute, and nodded with satisfaction.
Heroes emerge in troubled times, and the stage he could provide was far wider than anyone in this era could imagine.
He brought them under his wing, giving them resources and protection, hoping that they would quickly grow in this cross-temporal wave into the capable pillars he needed.
"Very good."
Lu Jingming's voice carried a hint of encouragement.
"Remember today's choice. The future of Sea Abyss City needs your strength, and your names will be passed down through the ages because of Sea Abyss City."
Not long after Lu Jingming revealed the truth of the world to Shui Bing'er and the others, a sacred and majestic aura descended upon Tian Shui City without warning, heading straight for the Jade Pavilion without any concealment.
Everyone in the Pavilion felt it. Gu Yuena was about to rise, but Lu Jingming waved his hand, a smile playing on his lips, "No worries, an old friend has arrived."
Before his words faded, the door to the reception hall was gently pushed open.
A stunningly beautiful figure bathed in the faint light filtering through the window entered. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, her eyes were like stars, and she radiated an indescribable nobility and majesty. It was Qian Renxue, now the Angel God.
She had clearly come in haste, her divine armor not fully concealed. The faint, God-level pressure caused Shui Bing'er and the others to feel a spontaneous palpitation, and they quickly rose to salute.
Qian Renxue's gaze swept past the others and landed directly on Lu Jingming in the main seat. A complex emotion flashed across her eyes, which held a divine radiance—there was anticipation, and there was joy.
She had been waiting for him to return, and the informers she had placed in Tian Shui City had finally brought the most definite news of him.
"Brother Lu."
Qian Renxue's voice was still pleasant, but it carried a newly acquired etherealness and distance befitting a God. However, this distance was visibly diminished when facing Lu Jingming.
"You're finally back."
Lu Jingming appraised the old acquaintance whose demeanor had changed so much with interest, a teasing smile appearing on his face. He did not stand up, but instead joked with a familiar tone:
"Oh my, this is truly... when one has been away for three days, one must be looked at with new eyes. Since our parting, Brother Xue has become the esteemed Angel God. I wonder what I should call you now? Should I continue to call you Brother Xue, or perhaps Miss Xue, or... a more respectful title befitting your current status?"
He deliberately emphasized the words 'Brother Xue,' his eyes filled with playful mischief, clearly reminding her of their first meeting when Qian Renxue was the gentle and virtuous Prince Xue Qinghe.
Upon hearing this, a trace of an almost imperceptible blush quickly flashed across Qian Renxue's fair cheek, but it was soon replaced by helplessness and a hint of reproach.
She naturally heard the mockery in Lu Jingming's words. If anyone else dared to mention her past disguised identity, they would have already incurred a God's wrath.
But facing Lu Jingming, she couldn't muster the slightest anger, instead feeling a long-lost sense of ease.
In front of this person, she didn't seem to need to maintain the perfect facade of the Angel God forever.
"Brother Lu!"
She slightly frowned, interrupting Lu Jingming's teasing with a hint of exasperation.
"Call me whatever you wish. After all... you've never truly bothered with these formalities."
Although Qian Renxue had become a God, she still couldn't see through Lu Jingming. Coupled with her previous goodwill, she did not face Lu Jingming with the rigid identity of a God.
In her heart, Lu Jingming was one of the very few people who allowed her to partially lower her guard and face him with a relatively genuine demeanor.
Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian held their breath on the side, their hearts churning.
They personally witnessed a God showing such a... human-like side in front of Lu Jingming.
Not only did Lu Jingming dare to tease a God, but this Angel God genuinely didn't mind.
This further confirmed their previous judgment—following Lu Jingming was absolutely the right choice.
Lu Jingming knew when to stop, and laughed heartily: "Just kidding, Xue... I'll call you Sister Xue. Congratulations on becoming the Angel God and transcending mortality."
His tone became more sincere.
Upon hearing Lu Jingming's sincere congratulations, Qian Renxue's beautiful face showed no joy, but was instead overcast by a shadow that was hard to dissipate.
A bitter arc curved at her lips, and her eyes, which contained a sacred golden light, dimmed slightly.
"Congratulations?"
She repeated in a low voice, a subtle tremor in her voice.
"Brother Lu, the price for this God position... was too great."
She seemed to have finally found someone she could confide in, dropping the high-and-mighty demeanor of a God, her tone revealing exhaustion and sorrow:
"I lost too much for the inheritance of the Angel God."
Qian Renxue's expression was bleak, her eyes showing sadness. The grandfather who had given her the most care and support since childhood had resolutely sacrificed himself for her path to godhood—this was the deepest pain in her heart.
Even though she was reluctant, she had to become the Angel God to counter the continuously strengthening negative energy entity, to checkmate Bibi Dong, and for the sake of Spirit Hall.
Only by achieving godhood could she stop Bibi Dong, who had become the Rakshasa God, from doing evil and harming the Douluo Continent, and only by achieving godhood could she cleanse the increasing number of negative energy spots.