Chapter 292: Chapter 190: All Acquaintances

The two entered the back courtyard and made their way into the living room.

Meng Tong looked at Lu Yuan and asked, "Have you really reached Transcendence?"

In response to her doubt, he made a slight movement with his palm, and a majestic aura began to spread out, surging through their surroundings.

A smile bloomed on Meng Tong’s face when she saw this.

’This really is the power of the Transcendence Realm.’

She was overjoyed. It was astonishingly fast. Lu Yuan had reached Transcendence just over ten days after being teleported here. As far as she knew, there had only been a handful of people in the entire history of the Evergreen Sect with such talent.

Although Lu Yuan seemed to specialize in archery, it was still astounding.

Meng Tong looked at him and said, "With your talent, getting into the Evergreen Sect will be very simple. I have something to take care of this morning. You should come with me. Then, this afternoon, I’ll take you to the Outer City and help you with the sect registration procedures.

Once that’s done, you can live in the Outer City. It’s much better and safer than the shantytowns."

Having learned of Lu Yuan’s breakthrough, Meng Tong’s girlish nature came out. She seemed much more enthusiastic and spoke with a cheerful grin.

She even invited Lu Yuan to accompany her on her errand.

"I’ll follow your arrangements," Lu Yuan nodded.

Although he was curious about what Meng Tong was going to do, he didn’t ask any further questions.

However, she explained anyway, "It’s nothing major, really. A disciple from a family outside the city is about to enter the Outer Sect. My family has some connection with them, so we received an invitation.

No one at home could get away, so they sent me. There should be quite a few people there today. It wouldn’t hurt for you to go and meet some of them."

Hearing Meng Tong’s words, Lu Yuan nodded, "Thank you."

"What’s there to be so polite about? We’ll be fellow disciples soon. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll become an Inner Sect Disciple, and I’ll be the one counting on you for help," Meng Tong said with a grin.

Although it was a joke, if Lu Yuan continued to progress at this rate, it really did seem possible.

The two then sat and drank tea in the living room for a while.

After Lu Yuan asked Meng Tong a few things about the sect, they saw it was getting late and left the residence together.

When they reached the front courtyard, many Outer Disciples cast curious gazes their way. Their expressions were a bit strange when they looked at Lu Yuan.

They didn’t understand why he hadn’t been punished and was instead allowed to go out with Meng Tong.

Lu Yuan, however, paid them no mind. He simply followed Meng Tong out of the mansion, left the shantytowns, and headed toward a massive manor.

To call it a manor was an understatement; it was more like a small city.

It was enormous, with people constantly coming and going.

But the plaque above the entrance made Lu Yuan’s brow furrow: "Zhang Mansion".

The two words made him feel a sense of resignation. He never expected to end up at the Zhang Family’s home after all this.

’The reason their family’s disciple can enter the sect is probably because of that talisman I gave them.’

He found the thought amusing. But since he was already here and had promised Meng Tong, he might as well go in and see it through.

As he entered the mansion, he saw many servants bustling about.

Meng Tong’s status was clearly quite distinguished, as a member of the Zhang Family actually came out to greet them personally and lead the way.

It all seemed very formal.

They were even quite polite to Lu Yuan.

Many people around them also offered greetings.

They were all quite elderly, and their words included inquiries about Meng Tong’s grandfather.

As they were being shown to their seats, Meng Tong was led to a table inside the main hall.

Lu Yuan, on the other hand, was seated outside, but his table was quite close to the hall. This was clearly a show of great respect.

He glanced around and saw that those seated nearby were all elders of various families who had brought their younger disciples.

Before they separated, Meng Tong told him to be sure to wait for her after the meal.

However, Lu Yuan had just sat down when he saw a familiar face at the next table.

He couldn’t help but give a wry smile. He never thought he’d run into that person here.

It was actually the Yong Emperor, Zhao Li.

At this moment, he was beside an old man, whispering in his ear.

His gaze, however, kept drifting over to Lu Yuan. He had clearly spotted him as well.

His eyes were filled with venomous hatred.

After all, setting aside everything else, the Yong Emperor’s favorite son had died at Lu Yuan’s hands.

Even if the son had made grave mistakes, the bonds of family remained.

Especially now, after he had been teleported here, the members of the Dayong imperial family were still being hunted down in their original world.

Every time he thought of this, his heart ached fiercely.

A while ago, after constantly proving himself, he was finally formally accepted into the family by the Zhao Family Ancestor. Now that his position was stable, he had been thinking of getting revenge on Lu Yuan and the others.

He never expected to actually run into him now.

However, he didn’t act immediately. After exchanging a few words with the Zhao Family Ancestor, he left the table.

He began to ask around about Lu Yuan.

Zhao Li was no fool. The people seated here today might not be much within the Evergreen Sect, but in the shantytowns and outside the city, they were all influential figures.

After all, the Zhang Family wouldn’t have invited them if they didn’t have some connections.

But after asking around, he found that no one knew Lu Yuan. They had only seen him arrive with Meng Tong and guessed he was an Outer Disciple.

Just as he returned to his seat before the Zhao Family Ancestor, the old man said in a low voice, "Why were you asking about that young man? I’ve already had someone inquire. He was just teleported here a few days ago and is currently an Outer Disciple, a subordinate of one of the Meng Family’s younger generation. He’s not an important figure."

"Ancestor, didn’t I tell you that in the small world, our family once had an Imperial Dynasty? It was destroyed by that young man over there. My son died at his hands. Even now, in that small world, our family members are being hunted by his subordinates.

Forced to hide and flee every day," Zhao Li said softly.

A trace of hatred was in his eyes.

The Zhao Family Ancestor signaled for him to be quiet, then continued, "The banquet is underway. We won’t speak of this for now. We must show the Zhang Family some respect. After it’s over, you can go find him. I’d like to see for myself what’s so special about this young man."

After the Zhao Family Ancestor finished speaking, he raised his cup with a chuckle and began toasting the others at his table.

Zhao Li waited on him by his side. The reason the Zhao Family Ancestor had brought him today was clearly to have him get acquainted with people.

At the same time, inside the main hall, the Zhang Family’s ancestor, Zhang Heng, also noticed Lu Yuan, and his brows furrowed.

’I didn’t invite him, so how did he end up sitting in my mansion?

And in such a prominent seat, too.’ Thinking this, he sent a mental message to a servant to inquire, preparing to give his subordinates a stern lecture after the banquet and ask them just how they handled things.

Then, with a broad smile, he turned to Meng Tong and said, "Miss Meng, it’s been some time since your grandfather was promoted to Inner Sect Disciple. This old man hasn’t had the time to pay a visit, which is truly rude of me.

Since you’ve come today, I have prepared a generous gift for you to take back when you leave. Please also give him my regards."

Meng Tong’s grandfather had also been an Outer Disciple, but some time ago, he reached the True Spirit Realm and was thus promoted to the Inner Sect.

As for why Zhang Heng hadn’t visited, it wasn’t because he lacked the time, as he claimed, but because he was no longer qualified.

In a place like the Evergreen Sect, the hierarchy was extremely strict.

The gap between an Outer Disciple and an Inner Sect Disciple seemed as thin as a line, but in reality, it was a vast chasm.

Many Outer Disciples would remain in the Outer Sect for their entire lives, completely unable to take another step forward.

This was especially true for someone like Zhang Heng, whose lifespan was nearly at its end.

He had even less of a chance to speak with an Inner Sect Disciple.

His greatest hope now was for an Outer Disciple to emerge from his family, someone who could support the family after he passed away and prevent its collapse.

Now that someone from his family could finally enter the Outer Sect, a great weight had been lifted from his mind.

Meng Tong nodded gracefully. "Yes, I will be sure to tell my grandfather."

As her words fell, Zhang Heng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

If he could further improve his relationship with the Meng Family’s ancestor, then his family’s disciple would have a backer within the sect.

Then, as if unintentionally, he added, "I heard Miss Meng brought a companion today. Why not invite him over to sit with us?"

He had just sent someone to find out why Lu Yuan was here. After learning that Meng Tong had brought him, he asked cautiously.

His words were clearly a test of Meng Tong and Lu Yuan’s relationship.

"Ah, that’s not necessary. He holds a position among the Outer Disciples and had other business today, so he just came along with me. He doesn’t know anyone here," Meng Tong replied with a smile, not suspecting a thing.

After all, the Zhang Family hadn’t invited Lu Yuan, so she felt it would be inappropriate to have him join them for the meal in the main hall.

Besides, Meng Tong knew what these people were like. If they found out that Lu Yuan was about to become an Outer Disciple right after being teleported here, he probably wouldn’t be able to eat his meal in peace.

’And we still have things to do this afternoon.’

In truth, she was also being a bit selfish; she didn’t want others to know too much about Lu Yuan.

After all, he was a talent she had discovered herself.

As for Zhang Heng, his mind was now at ease.

’So Lu Yuan became an Outer Disciple. It’s not strange for him to be running errands with Meng Tong, then.’

He said with a beaming smile, "I see. In that case, let’s drink."

At this moment, Lu Yuan was unaware of all this, but he understood in his heart that some things today might not end well.

If nothing else, Zhao Li’s gaze was growing increasingly venomous.

However, the current Lu Yuan wasn’t afraid. He had already broken through to the Transcendence Realm.

And he had advanced his Mysterious Skill.

He no longer needed to fear those Outer Disciples.

’If worst comes to worst, we’ll just have a fight.

They’re just a bunch of old geezers whose lifespans are about to run out anyway.’

Just then, he noticed someone approaching. He didn’t know when they’d started walking over, but it was Meng Ke, the Emperor of Xirong.

He was now dressed in a brocade robe and reeked of alcohol.

His face lit up with pleasant surprise when he saw Lu Yuan. "It really is Prince Qin! I thought you looked familiar. Please forgive my rudeness for only greeting you now."

Lu Yuan smiled when he saw him and said, "We’ll have to get a drink together some other day."

Knowing that Meng Ke had intended to help Xiao Gu and the others, Lu Yuan was quite friendly toward him.

After all, their relationship with Meng Ke hadn’t been very good in the beginning.

For him to be willing to look after everyone after arriving in the Ancient Wilderness was already quite remarkable.

"Deal. The old man has been dragging me around to meet all sorts of people in the Outer City lately, so I really haven’t had the time. I’ll definitely come find you all in a couple of days." As he spoke, Meng Ke raised his cup and clinked it against Lu Yuan’s.

"Sounds like your family values you highly."

"Hehe, I do have a little talent, and the old man treats me well," Meng Ke said with a cheerful grin.

But then his expression turned serious. "You remember the Yong Emperor, Zhao Li, right? The Zhao Family’s old man has taken a liking to him recently. I just heard he was asking about you. I’m afraid he’s planning to make a move against you.

I’ll try to keep my old man here a little later, but he might not step in to help. The old fellow is very pragmatic. But don’t worry, if the Zhao Family goes too far, I’ll take action.

At that point, the old man will have to get involved whether he wants to or not."

Meng Ke’s words warmed Lu Yuan’s heart.

After chatting for a moment, Meng Ke left.

Just then, the banquet began to wind down, and many people had already left.

Only those with an agenda lingered, unwilling to depart.

The people at the main table also delayed things by repeatedly toasting Meng Tong.

However, everyone had an unspoken understanding about those who hadn’t left. In the past, whenever a family held a banquet, conflicts were bound to break out.

As long as no one made a move at the very beginning of the feast, it was considered showing respect.

As for the end of the banquet, if someone couldn’t hold back any longer, the host family wouldn’t say anything.

At that moment, an attendant from Zhao Li’s side began to slowly approach Lu Yuan.

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