Chapter 1320: The State-Protecting Heavenly Prodigy Title Granted! No Punishment!

"What? Xu Jingming is number one?!"

Noah suddenly rose from the Wang Zuo.

The fluctuations of his cosmic laws caused the palace's light to flicker wildly.

This founding emperor, who had ruled the empire for endless eons, had now lost his composure so badly his voice cracked.

The immortal gods around him, including Lu Wen, also wore expressions of shock.

"Absolutely true."

Hei Yu flicked his hand, and the official Eternal Star Alliance ranking instantly appeared before them.

Xu Jingming's name glowed faintly with Jin Guang, positioned at the very top of the list!

"Good! Good! Good! Xu Jingming lives up to being my Noah's first heavenly prodigy!"

"He actually has the strength to claim first place!"

Noah was overjoyed, "Grand reward! Issue my decree: grant Xu Jingming the title 'State-Protecting Heavenly Prodigy'!"

"Grant him the privileges of a Cosmic-Level powerhouse!"

"No, not just him—his family must be rewarded too!"

"I recall his family members are all training at the Imperial Academy, right?"

"Yes."

Hei Yu quickly replied, "His companions are all training at the Imperial Academy, and their talents are quite decent."

"Transfer them all to the Noah Sacred Land, and allocate resources as if they were Level-One geniuses!" Noah immediately ordered.

The Noah Sacred Land!

A cultivation holy land so coveted that countless star systems across the Noah Empire went mad trying to enter it.

Yet here, the Emperor casually promised it as if it were nothing.

"Yes."

Hei Yu nodded slightly and immediately activated his authority to arrange it.

"Xu Jingming's talent is already this strong."

"His companions probably aren't weak either. Later on, I might as well take a few as students."

Hei Yu smiled as he spoke, but Niki cut him down without mercy:

"Are you really judging them by their talent? You're just after Xu Jingming's talent!"

With that, Niki crossed her long legs, openly declaring:

"I'm different—I'm here for Xu Jingming himself."

"When the time comes, I'll take a few direct disciples and imprint them with the Law Seed."

"You two."

Emperor Noah shook his head with a smile, though his own heart stirred with similar thoughts.

Champion of the region!

Such talent, even within the Torch Empire, was among the absolute pinnacle.

And this might not even be his limit.

If he could break into the top ten thousand across the entire universe and join the Eternal Star Alliance, that would be extraordinary.

For a prodigy like this, one must befriend, never antagonize.

"Lu Wen, you're lucky—you're already Xu Jingming's teacher."

Including Niki, the immortal gods all looked at Lu Wen with unmistakable envy.

Taking Xu Jingming's companions as students was merely a remedial measure.

Only Lu Wen, who had taken Xu Jingming as his disciple, had truly gained the greatest advantage.

"I never expected him to reach this point."

Lu Wen laughed heartily, his face beaming with joy.

"By the way, Lans, continue—who killed my son?"

After his joy subsided, Emperor Noah remembered this matter, his cheer dimming slightly.

Lans glanced at the dazzling Xu Jingming on the ranking, then at the Emperor.

He felt it would be awkward to name Xu Jingming now.

But if he didn't speak, Ethan would eventually find out on his own—and that would make things far worse.

After a brief hesitation, he spoke:

"Confirmed by the Prophet's Sanctum."

"The one who killed Di'er was not a Demon Clan member, but a human."

"And he's from our own Noah Empire..."

"It's someone from our own empire?!"

Emperor Noah snorted coldly, "Who? I'll make him pay with blood!"

The imperial dignity cannot be defiled!

"Xu Jingming."

Lans cleared his throat and replied.

The moment he spoke, the entire palace fell silent.

Even Emperor Noah looked stunned.

Had this conclusion not come from the Prophet's Sanctum, he would have suspected a mistake.

"Are you certain it's Xu Jingming? Why? Why would Xu Jingming kill my son?" Emperor Noah frowned slightly.

According to my investigation, Xu Jingming and Di Er did have some conflict.

But logically, that minor conflict alone gave Xu Jingming no reason to kill him.

Based on my own judgment, it was Di Er who first made covert moves.

And they were serious ones—so serious they provoked Xu Jingming's retaliation.

Though no corresponding evidence was found, Lance offered his own analytical conclusion.

Killing a prince carries too great a cost.

Unless driven to desperation, he believed no one would do such a thing.

"During his time in the Sacred Ground, Di Er indeed grew arrogant."

Noah, who understood Di Er's nature, gave a slight nod—acknowledging this answer:

"But there's another question: back then, Xu Jingming was only Starlight Seventh Stage—how could he kill Di Er, a Star Stage One?"

Even though Di Er's Star Stage was forcibly stacked through resources.

But it was still Star Stage!

The gap between Starlight and Star Stage was like a chasm between heaven and earth.

"I once gave Xu Jingming a Thunder Talisman for self-preservation; after activation, it grants Star Stage power," Lu Wen said after a pause.

"Then everything fits."

Lance nodded and turned to Noah:

"My lord, how should we proceed with this matter?"

"Honorable Pillars of the Nation, what are your opinions?"

Noah did not answer immediately; instead, he looked toward Niki and the others:

"I've had more contact with Xu Jingming—I know his character.

He always acts with composure; unless pushed to the brink, he would never do such a thing.

As for that fellow Di Er, his arrogance and recklessness have reached even my ears.

This is his own doing—he brought it upon himself. I see no reason to punish Xu Jingming."

Niki spoke first, snorting coldly.

Though Ye Lan had never told her these details.

Yet as someone who cared for her students, she was well aware of Di Er's shameless, thuggish tactics.

"I have no objection," Lu Wen immediately nodded.

After him, the remaining Immortal Gods either agreed or remained silent.

This is the advantage of a prodigy!

Had Xu Jingming been merely an ordinary Sacred Ground prodigy, they wouldn't have cared at all.

Even Lord Noah would not have asked for their opinions—he'd have handed it straight to the Guard Corps.

"Since all the Lord Pillars share this view, then this matter is settled.

Lance, reply to Yisen directly."

Noah said gravely.

Di Er was one of his favored descendants.

But over countless eons, his descendants were simply too numerous.

Subordinates like Di Er appeared once every one or two thousand years.

Yet Xu Jingming, who won first place in the Star Torch Empire's regional tournament, appeared only once in a hundred thousand years!

Compared to Xu Jingming, Di Er was utterly insignificant.

Moreover, Di Er was clearly at fault.

Had he not feared Yisen's feelings, he would have already made the decision—not to punish Xu Jingming.

Asking the opinions of the Lord Pillars was merely giving himself a face-saving excuse.

"I worry Yisen my lord may not accept this resolution," Lance said hesitantly.

He could see how much Yisen valued Di Er—otherwise, he wouldn't have spent great effort sending someone from the Prophet's Sanctum to investigate.

"Then I will explain to him myself," came Noah's low voice.

In reality, his true body had already set out toward Lance's palace.