"The Duke of Light? Isn't that a little ostentatious? Who would dare to give himself that title?" When Li Luo heard of his title, his eyebrows inadvertently jumped in surprise. Even Jiang Qing'e with three ninth-grade light resonances and two Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds did not address herself as such. Just what did this Diwu Mingxuan have to give himself such a grand title?

"Diwu Mingxuan is from the Divine Sun Ancient College. He's been a mentor for ten years and can be considered quite qualified. He has a very good reputation amongst the mentors in the Academic Federation as well," Vice Principal Lan Lingzi explained.

Chi Chan, Cao Sheng, and Mi Er all nodded. Even they had heard of him as sage college mentors from an outer divine continent.

"It's said that he has a middle ninth-grade and a lower ninth-grade light resonance," Chi Chan explained.

"A middle ninth-grade and a lower ninth-grade light resonance, huh? He does have some ability!" Li Luo said in surprise. This was indeed quite amazing, but when compared to Jiang Qing'e, he was barely worth mentioning.

Lan Lingzi glanced at Li Luo before adding, "Diwu Mingxuan is a fifth-grade Duke at the moment. Three of his Duke Bergfrieds are nine-pillars and the remaining two are Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds."

"Oh?" Li Luo nodded.

Having two Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds at the Fifth Duke Stage meant he truly was capable. Li Luo now had a good understanding of the might of a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried. If Diwu Mingxuan had such a foundation, his battle strength would allow him to dominate even a seventh-grade Duke. With the aid of high-grade Mythic Armaments and a Destiny-grade Duke Art, he could probably even contend against eighth-grade Dukes. The reason why this was only a possibility was because being a Transcendent allowed one to surpass an opponent up to three grades higher. However, every step taken had to be a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried. Thus, Li Luo with two ten-pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds had the ability to triumph over a fifth-grade Duke. If his third Duke Bergfried was not a ten-pillar, his ability to leap three grades would drop, resulting in him only being able to surpass opponents merely two grades higher and then eventually just one grade higher if the following Duke Bergfried was not another ten-pillar. If he continued to be unable to forge ten-pillars, it would mean that his journey on the Path of Ascension had failed.

This was because a Duke's grade went up, the gap between each grade was like a humongous chasm, and it was hard to overcome it. This was clearly seen in the Treasure Domain, where Qin Lian had easily overwhelmed the remaining Dukes. A first-grade challenging a third or fourth-grade was already deserving of praise. However, it was not that surprising. A fifth-grade beating an eighth-grade or a sixth-grade overcoming a ninth-grade... now those were feats that would shock the world. After all, such Dukes were peak experts just beneath the King Stage. As a result, Li Luo's battle achievements had truly sent ripples throughout the entire Heavenly Origin Divine Continent.

Some had speculated that the only reason why Li Luo had succeeded was because Qin Lian had simply chosen to give up in the end. Regardless, such an achievement was incredibly difficult to replicate, and even if Li Luo used all of his strength now, it was quite unlikely he could do it again. Furthermore he couldn't destroy another Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried. As he thought about all this, Li Luo steered the conversation back into the original topic. "Vice Principal Lan Lingzi, are you saying that Diwu Mingxuan is also looking for a Light Transcendent Art in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda?"

"Which talented and ambitious prodigy wouldn't wish to find one?" Lan Lingzi asked rhetorically. "I'm just telling you that if your goal is a light Transcendent Art, then you will likely have to clash with Diwu Mingxuan. He is an experienced and well known Duke. You and Jiang Qing'e might have greater potential than him, but you are still developing and your foundation is slightly inferior to his. Thus, you have to act cautiously when you meet him."

Li Luo nodded in appreciation before smiling. "Vice Principal Lan Lingzi, who will be the strongest person there? A ninth-grade Duke?" This was an important question as the answer would set his expectations. If there were ninth-grade Dukes around, he would have to lower his profile.

After all, they weren't known as Lesser Kings for nothing. Low-grade Dukes had no option but to surrender before them. Even though Li Luo was a second-grade Transcendent, he wouldn't be able to take a single blow from one.

Even in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, Li Jiluo and Li Qingpeng of the older generation were still stuck at the upper eighth-grade. Thus, it could be seen just how difficult reaching the Ninth Duke Stage was.

Luckily, Lan Lingzi shook her head. "Strictly speaking, ninth-grade Dukes do not make an appearance at the Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange. Those individuals are very close to the King Stage, and they have more suitable opportunities elsewhere."

Li Luo heaved a sigh of relief. "No ninth-grade Dukes means that things are still alright."

Chi Chan, Cao Sheng, and Mi Er then glanced at him momentarily with complicated looks. What did he mean by "things are still alright?" Even a seventh or eighth-grade Duke was an opponent beyond their reach. If anyone else had said those words, they would have assumed he was a madman. However, the fact that Li Luo had killed an eighth-grade Duke meant that he truly had the right to make such a bold claim.

The youth who had barely grown any facial hair had now grown a full set of wings and was ready to showcase his abilities.

His radiance had already outshone his previous mentors.

"It might be a bit bold of me, but I hope you'll be able to make a name for yourself in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda. I've heard that Jiang Qing'e has already created quite the stir."

Li Luo wasn't surprised. With Jiang Qing'e's talent and potential, she was surely the most outstanding individual amongst that congregation of geniuses.

"She has already entered the third-grade, and her third Duke Bergfried is also a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried," Lan Lingzi said to Li Luo with a smile. "She's once again surpassed you by a single step on the Path of Ascension."

"Sister Qing'e already has a third Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried?" Li Luo was absolutely taken aback by this, and he inadvertently revealed a look of happiness. That said, this wasn't unexpected. She was already an upper second-grade Duke half a year ago. Since she had been cultivating while he was in seclusion, it was natural that she had broken to the third-grade. This was within expectations. This meant that she would be able to defeat anyone beneath the seventh-grade. �

"Jiang Qing'e has become a Seedling Candidate for the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College, and she is the youngest among them." Lan Lingzi smiled. "It looks like I've been taken advantage of by that woman Zhen Mingyu."

Zhen Mingyu was Jiang Qing'e's mentor, the Third School Master of the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College.

Li Luo nodded. Based on Lan Lingzi's words, it seemed that one had to have the ability to defeat seventh-grade Dukes to be considered a Seedling Candidate. The Celestial Mirror Pagoda was truly a place where experts were like clouds.

Meanwhile, he estimated that he was invincible against anyone at the fifth-grade or lower. He could probably put up a fight against someone at the sixth-grade, but he would definitely be at a disadvantage against anyone higher. In that case, he was still a step beneath the Seedling Candidates.

However, if he was able to obtain opportunities within the Celestial Mirror Pagoda and increase his strength yet again, that would change.

"When do you plan to depart for the Celestial Mirror Pagoda then?" Lan Lingzi asked.

"The earlier the better." Li Luo smiled. He had newfound interest in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda and how boisterous the place would be.

"So, now would be great."