Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Receiving the Banquet
In the dream realm, Qiong Meng doesn’t have much to do.
His body has been asleep for years, and his consciousness can only move here, having passed dozens of years in such boredom.
For him, time is the least valuable thing.
So in the dream realm.
He can only idly observe Baiyu’s progress.
Then he discovers that this kid is terrifyingly exceptional.
"This kid isn’t afraid of mutation?
The pollution level doesn’t seem to have risen much, and facing whispers, he seems to have little reaction either...
Could he be mentally ill?
No, how could someone mentally ill attain the top scorer in the college entrance exam."
Qiong Meng shakes his head, dismissing this strange thought from his mind.
However.
Baiyu has been consistently practicing Spirit Technique for over twenty days, without sleep or rest. Although this is in the dream realm, a person’s spirit also feels weary.
But this guy’s learning ability is simply outrageous.
And Baiyu’s progress is alarmingly fast.
Qiong Meng is even ready at any moment to assist, as such overloaded cultivation of Spirit Technique can easily cause problems.
Now the Qiong Family has placed heavy stakes, and naturally, they cannot afford any issues with Baiyu, especially on their turf.
However, Qiong Meng is clearly overthinking.
Baiyu’s spirit resilience, his resistance to the mysterious and to pollution, is simply beyond his imagination.
Perhaps this is the martial prodigy the Qiong Family has been seeking, a rare talent encountered once in a century?
...
Dream realm time swiftly passes.
Soon.
The cultivation in the dream realm reaches its conclusion.
Qiong Meng’s eyes show an expression of satisfaction: "Not bad, in just more than ninety days, most of the Spirit Technique has been mastered. However, these techniques still need practical combat to hone, but now time is running short."
"The remaining Spirit Techniques, I’ve largely memorized them, and can continue cultivating after leaving."
Baiyu lightly crushes the two scrolls of Spiritual Technique Book in his hand.
These are products of the dream realm and cannot be taken out.
"Hmm, once you fully comprehend all the Spirit Techniques, you can ring the Dream Bell again to enter this place, and I will continue to teach you the subsequent techniques.
Each entry grants you only a hundred days.
So you must seize every opportunity.
Fortunately.
Your learning speed is not slow.
Even the most gifted individuals in Qiong Family’s history could barely reach your pace."
Qiong Meng’s eyes held a hint of faint nostalgia, he chuckled: "That’s it, oh, by the way, the baron’s status will make many things easier for you.
However.
According to Qiong Family’s information, the Third Prince is the most scheming among the royal princes.
You should be more cautious.
If there’s a chance, it would be best to have some preparation against him in the end.
Now the old emperor is aging, and the new emperor has not yet been established.
The East Prosperity Imperial is at war with the Demon Race, causing upheavals at the top.
The princes will have many concerns about various issues, so you don’t need to worry for now, but having early preparations is never wrong.
If necessary, the Qiong Family will assist you."
The two discussed some trivial matters.
Soon after, the environment around Baiyu started to ripple, just like when entering this place, with waves undulating.
After a brief moment of disorientation.
He opened his eyes.
He was in a room.
Qiong Xue lay on the table, sound asleep, revealing a large portion of creamy skin. Her lazy demeanor was vividly displayed.
The surface of the bell placed on the table hadn’t changed.
However, at its base.
There was already a slight crack.
"Is there a limit to the number of uses?"
Baiyu put away the bell.
The morning light was faint.
The sky was already lit up, and the sounds of busy servants could be heard outside.
Qiong Xue yawned and opened her eyes, staring at Baiyu for a while: "How was it?"
"Not bad, gained quite a lot."
"That’s fine, the Dream Bell’s usage isn’t unlimited. Every time it’s used, it’s best to maximize the benefits." Qiong Xue grabbed the wooden sword next to her and stood up wearily: "The banquet is about to start, let’s go."
...
The Qiong Family has prepared a grand banquet today.
Firstly, it’s because of Baiyu’s ceremonial reception, and it also serves as an announcement that the Qiong Family is Baiyu’s supporter.
Secondly, it’s because they’re facing the entire noble society of Zenith City.
For such aristocratic families, the appearance is extremely important, and cannot fall short at critical moments.
Servants hurriedly moved along the corridor.
Arriving at the main hall, Qiong Wencai was already entertaining important guests, who were mostly prominent figures of Zenith City.
Baiyu wasn’t idle after he arrived.
Qiong Wencai introduced him to various nobles.
As a newly established baron, he certainly couldn’t avoid such social engagements.
But with an old high society noble like Qiong Wencai around, Baiyu didn’t need to say much, just follow along with a few polite exchanges.
Two hours later.
This cumbersome formality finally ended.
But following that, there was a ball held in the hall behind the Qiong Family main hall.
Baiyu simply couldn’t understand the mindset of these nobles.
Clearly, the architecture had a retro style, and clearly, there was no electricity in other areas.
Yet somehow they managed to create ballrooms and social lounges.
Moreover, they carried a strong postmodern style.
The dances at the ball were mostly the widely-spread "Harmony Dance" from the East Prosperity Empire, a form of social dance. Of course, if someone found a person of interest, they could invite them to a "String Harmony Dance," symbolizing pursuit of the invitee.
Baiyu didn’t know how to do either of these dances.
During the event, quite a few noble maidens and ladies approached to invite him, but he refused them all.
As a newly minted noble with such strong ties to the Qiong Family.
Add in Baiyu’s good looks.
Becoming the focus of unmarried young women is perfectly normal.
Some noble ladies were even eager to close in, desperately wanting to press their whole selves against him.
The ball.
More than anything, it provided the younger generation opportunities to meet and connect, for them, it was about finding a likable other half.
Time slowly drew to noon.
At this moment.
Led by Qiong Wencai, a cane-bearing elder walked in slowly.
The music in the main hall abruptly stopped, and every eye in the venue turned towards this person.
This was an old man nearing the end.
His face was marked by age spots, his hair was grey, his beard was meticulously shaved, but his cheeks were covered in wrinkles.
He was dressed in a meticulously tailored white suit, a pen clipped to his chest.
"That’s Count Nanmu, the most prestigious noble in Zenith City," Qiong Xue whispered in his ear.
Behind Count Nanmu and Qiong Wencai.
Were several familiar faces Baiyu had seen before.
Zenith City Lord Yuwen Ba and his daughter Yuwen Yundie.
An Ruyi from Maple Leaf Martial Arts University and Lin Qingsong from Celestial South Martial Arts University, both deans.
Anomaly Bureau.
Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics.
Bounty Hunter Association.
These forces all sent heavyweight figures.
Count Nanmu proceeded to the center of the main hall, his cloudy eyes swept around the room, then he walked with his cane towards Baiyu.
"Are you the young Baiyu?"
"Greetings, Count Nanmu."
"Ha ha, no need for such formalities."
Count Nanmu set down his cane and sat next to Baiyu on the sofa: "Today, you are the protagonist of the banquet, rarely have we seen such an outstanding young generation like you."
The expressions of all the nobles present showed slight subtlety in their changes.
Count Nanmu, honored as a count.
Even at a ceremonial reception, there’s no need to lower his status to reach out to a newly inducted baron.
The only explanation.
Is that Baiyu has an unusual relationship with Count Nanmu!