102: The Yao family's banquet at night caused a stir in all directions.

When the vehicle drove into the Yao Family ancestral home, the sight before Lu Yuan once again astonished him.

The entire Yao Family was brightly lit and festively decorated, many times grander than last night, almost like a major holiday celebration.

Other families were still arriving at the entrance to pay their respects, bringing generous gifts.

As soon as the car stopped, Yao Zhenchuan, the head of the Yao Family, led a large group of people out to greet him, his face beaming with joy.

“Lu Yuan! Welcome home!”

“Lu Yuan!”

“The champion is back!”

Inside and outside the hall, the elders and disciples of the Yao Family swarmed out, each person’s face filled with excited pride.

This was a heartfelt welcome and recognition.

The lavishness and warmth of the celebration banquet far exceeded Lu Yuan’s imagination.

The long dining table was laden with delicacies from mountains and seas, exotic fruits and rare treasures; he couldn't even name many of the ingredients, but they all exuded tempting aromas and rich Source Power fluctuations.

Yao Zhenchuan, the Yao Family Ancestor, sat at the head of the table, his face glowing. He personally raised his wine glass, his gaze sweeping across the room, finally resting on Lu Yuan, and said proudly:

“Today, this old man wants to propose a toast!”

“To our Yao Family’s prodigy, the future star of the Region, Lu Yuan! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“To Lu Yuan!”

“To the Yao Family!”

The entire hall responded, glasses clinking one after another, the atmosphere reaching its peak of excitement.

Lu Yuan held his wine glass, clinking it with everyone in turn.

During the banquet, Yao Xiao practically clung to Lu Yuan the entire time.

She gazed at Lu Yuan without blinking, her cheeks still flushed with excitement.

“Lu Yuan, try this; it’s Empty Valley Orchid Fish, it’s so delicious!” She eagerly placed food on Lu Yuan’s plate, her small mouth as sweet as honey.

“And this, Jade Marrow Bamboo Shoots, it’s very good for Source Power recovery!”

Yao Xiao explained to him as she served food:

“Are you a bit unaccustomed? This is a provincial capital tradition; the Prodigy Competition champion will have a champion’s banquet, a grand scale, and all the guests want to share in the good fortune.”

“The Yao Family hasn’t had a champion in nearly ten years, so naturally, they have to make it a grand event.”

Lu Yuan nodded, he was indeed a bit unaccustomed. He had only been in the provincial capital for two days, yet he had already attended several banquets.

Fortunately, he was thick-skinned, and for a while, he was clinking glasses and laughing joyfully with the people around him.

A beautiful woman, probably one of Yao Xiao’s aunts and of a similar age to Tianbi, covered her mouth and chuckled, “Oh, our Yao Xiao, she hasn’t even married in yet, and her elbow is already turning outwards?”

“Pfft—”

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted around them.

“Eat, eat, everyone eat...”

...In the infirmary, De Xiner was submerged in a medicinal tub, the short hair newly grown on her head was fluffy, like the down of some young bird.

And it was, surprisingly, quite cute.

“Hair lost can regrow. Cultivation damaged can be recultivated.”

“But this humiliation must be washed away with blood!”

“Xin'er, don’t worry, this revenge will surely be exacted.” The old woman’s hand gently stroked De Xiner’s new short hair, “Within the Lost Water Realm, Deyun Hall will let him experience what true Myriad Poisons Devouring Heart feels like!”

De Xiner suddenly looked up, her voice sharp: “Master! I want him to wish for death but not find it, to wish for life but not attain it! I want him to pay the most agonizing price for ruining my appearance and disgracing my name!”

“I want to feed him the Mother-Child Heart-Locking Gu!”

The old woman paused slightly, then finally nodded: “As you wish.”

At the same time, various major forces, families, and the “Kindling” organization in the provincial capital, both within and outside the Region, were urgently updating their intelligence files on Lu Yuan.

“Kindling” intelligence is as follows:

“Target: Lu Yuan. Gender: Male. Age: Eighteen. Cultivation: Second-Tier Card Master.”

“Core cards: [Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon] (gold high-quality, lightning attribute, extremely fast, strong attack power), [Raging Waves Sea Soul] (gold high-quality, water attribute, extremely terrifying defense, suspected to possess counter-shock characteristic, once withstood an attack from Fifth-Tier Card Master Zhou Wanxiong and injured him), [Unnamed Bird Beast] (suspected gold or higher grade, ice and fire dual attributes, once instantly purified De Xiner’s potent poison and severely wounded her, specific abilities unknown, requires key attention).”

“Achievements: Canglan Province Prodigy Competition Champion. Actual combat power at mid-Fourth-Tier level.”

“Potential Assessment: Unlimited. Recommended to be listed as a highest-level target of concern, closely monitoring his movements.”

“Note: President Sun had brief contact, rated him excellent, extremely fast growth rate! Closely related to the Yao Family, suspected future son-in-law of the Yao Family. The Zhou Family holds deep animosity towards him; according to reliable sources, Zhou Wanxiong has already set up a killing trap in the Lost Water Realm.”

...Late at night, the boisterous celebration banquet finally dispersed.

Hosts and guests alike were thoroughly pleased.

However, Yao Zhenchuan kept Lu Yuan behind alone and led him to his study.

Inside the ancient study, there was an aroma of ink and tea.

Yao Zhenchuan personally brewed a cup of tea for Lu Yuan and gestured for him to sit down.

“Lu Yuan,” the old man looked at him, his eyes complex, “your achievements today, to be honest, far exceeded all of our expectations.”

Lu Yuan picked up the teacup, took a light sip, said nothing, and quietly waited for him to continue.

“Do you know why Zhou Bufan, De Xiner, and others, including our Yao Family’s Yao Yong and Yao Cheng, can reach Third-Tier at such a young age, and even Duan Mo is already near the peak of Third-Tier, just one step away from Fourth-Tier?” Yao Zhenchuan slowly began, his tone profound.

Lu Yuan’s heart stirred, vaguely guessing a few things.

“Among these people,” Yao Zhenchuan continued, “except for that Sun Ke, who is a true ascetic cultivator, relying on his own perseverance and talent to hone his blade techniques step by step in adversity and reach his current realm. The rest, including Yao Yong and the others, to a large extent, rely on the family’s massive resources, forcibly piled up.”

“Source Crystals, high-quality beast cores, rare cards, one-on-one meticulous guidance from famous teachers... These things are perhaps unattainable for ordinary Card Masters even if they strive their entire lives. Many of them have never truly set foot in those perilous secret realms, or even been to the Beast Hunting Zone! Their practical combat experience, their experience in life-and-death struggles, are far inferior to yours.”

Yao Zhenchuan looked at Lu Yuan, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: “You, with your Second-Tier cultivation, were able to defeat Third-Tier opponents and defeat Sun Ke, who has rich practical experience, relying on your wisdom, combat talent far exceeding your peers, and those few trump cards in your hand that even this old man finds astonishing.”

Lu Yuan was silent; these words undoubtedly revealed a cruel and realistic aspect of the Card Master world.

“The Lost Water Realm is about to open, with less than three days left.” Yao Zhenchuan concluded his preamble and changed the subject, “Time is too pressing. To allow you to improve your strength as much as possible before entering the secret realm, the Yao Family will spare no expense to provide you with enough Source Crystals and high-quality beast cores to help you raise your Source Power cultivation to Third-Tier as quickly as possible!”

“Thank you, Old Master,” Lu Yuan said sincerely.

“This is what you deserve.” Yao Zhenchuan waved his hand, “But you must remember, a secret realm is different from an arena. On an arena, there are still rules to speak of, and beyond victory or defeat, life and death are controlled by judges. Inside a secret realm, however, it is truly lawless and fraught with danger!”

The old man’s recollection carried a chill:

“In the history of Canglan Province, there have been quite a few times when organized teams entered new realms for exploration, but among them, twice, there was a complete annihilation! Not a single person who entered came out alive! The danger level inside far exceeds your imagination.”

Lu Yuan’s heart tightened. Complete annihilation?

“The Lost Water Realm is estimated to be regulated… and will only last for one week!”

Yao Zhenchuan looked at him, saying earnestly:

“Don’t think I’m being long-winded; it’s just that when one gets old, one tends to remind things over and over again.”

“In this one week, what you need to do is not just seek opportunities and improve your strength, but more importantly, preserve your life! Coming out of there alive is more important than obtaining any treasure! Do you understand?”

Lu Yuan nodded heavily; he could feel the concern in the old man’s words.

This old man truly treated him as one of his own.

Yao Zhenchuan sighed, “A tall tree in the forest will be toppled by the wind. Your current fame is both an honor and the center of a storm.”

Lu Yuan was silent for a moment, then looked up, his eyes clear:

“Old Master, I understand. I will be careful.”

“Alright, I won’t say any more unnecessary words; Nickname is still waiting for you in the living room.”

“You two Little Fellows go play. Grandpa has had too much to drink, I’m going fishing.”

...