59: Yao Family Manor

The morning light dispelled the last trace of night covering Jiangcheng.

The third day arrived as scheduled.

Lu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a long, turbid breath.

After a night of cultivation for someone with OCD, coupled with the pure energy feedback from synthesizing the Nine-Tailed Illusion Heart Fox through Guaranteed Gold Drop, his Source Power was once again full and had broken through.

It finally reached 130 points!

He had firmly stepped into the threshold of a Two-Star, Second-Tier Apprentice Card Master.

After washing up, he changed into a clean school uniform.

The morning theory class was still boring; Sun Libang was explaining the evolution of card combination styles, and Lu Yuan was listening distractedly.

Lin Dong's seat was still empty.

The bell for dismissal sounded like a horn of liberation.

Lu Yuan did not delay, walking straight to the school gate.

A familiar private car was already waiting quietly there, and by the car door, Nickname stood gracefully.

Today, she wore a light pink dress, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, making her less lively than usual and more demure.

Seeing Lu Yuan appear, her eyes brightened slightly, then she somewhat unnaturally shifted her gaze, stepping forward to open the rear car door.

"Get in."

Her voice was softer than usual.

"Good evening, Miss Yao," Lu Yuan greeted, getting into the car.

Nickname also followed, sitting next to Lu Yuan instead of in the passenger seat.

She gently closed the car door, shutting out the outside noise.

The street view outside the window rapidly receded.

Nickname placed her hands on her lap, her fingertips unconsciously picking at the folds of her skirt.

She hesitated several times before finally turning her face to look at Lu Yuan, the setting sun outlining her delicate profile.

"Lu Yuan..."

Her voice carried a hint of hesitation.

"Have you... really decided?"

"That’s a gold card... I mentioned it to my dad yesterday, and he said... maybe... maybe we could think of other ways..."

"Like using rare materials of equal value, or other high-tier cards to offset the five million star coins, it doesn't necessarily have to be..."

Her voice grew softer and softer.

Of course, she yearned for a gold card; it was a symbol of family strength and a guarantee of her own future power.

But... thinking that Lu Yuan would lose a powerful trump card and suffer a decrease in strength because of it, she felt inexplicably uneasy.

Especially after seeing him sweep the field with just one Hellhound during yesterday's confrontation, she felt even more that those two gold cards would be truly meaningful only if they stayed with Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan looked at the girl's flickering eyes, the struggle clearly written on her face.

He smiled calmly, his gaze clear and open.

"A word once spoken cannot be overtaken by a team of four horses."

"Uncle Yao saved my family and me; this is a life-saving grace."

"A mere card is nothing."

Nickname looked at his frank demeanor, and her heart warmed slightly.

This guy, sometimes unexpectedly reliable and... principled.

A gold card... that was something that could change a Card Master's destiny.

If he gave it away so easily, his strength would definitely be greatly reduced, right?

What if... what if he encountered a stronger enemy in the future... Lu Yuan seemed to read her mind, a slight curve forming on his lips.

He subtly leaned closer, whispering into her ear.

"Besides, I’ve already decided which one to give you."

He paused intentionally, a playful smile on his lips.

"I guarantee you’ll like it."

This slightly double-edged remark was like a feather, gently tickling her heart.

"Eh?"

Nickname felt her cheeks instantly flush, her heart rate suddenly accelerating, skipping a beat.

Like it?

How... how does he know which one I’ll like?

Could it be... She abruptly lowered her head, not daring to look into Lu Yuan's eyes again, feeling her earlobes burning.

Her mind was a mess, and for a moment, she even forgot how to respond.

Lu Yuan watched the girl's ears instantly turn crimson, chuckling inwardly.

Teasing her was indeed very interesting.

He timely withdrew his gaze, leaning back against the seat, no longer speaking.

The private car left the bustling city, flying towards the outskirts of Jiangcheng.

The scenery outside the window gradually changed from towering buildings to lush green trees.

Finally, the car slowly landed in front of the grand gates of a magnificent manor.

What came into view was a huge alloy gate, similar to those used for city defense, flanked by towering walls covered with Source Power array patterns.

Behind the gate was a wide, tree-lined avenue leading deep into the manor.

Looking from afar, one could see elegant villas nestled among the green trees, and a shimmering artificial lake.

This was the Yao Family's main base in Jiangcheng.

Its grand scale and imposing atmosphere were far beyond what ordinary wealthy residences could compare to, everywhere showcasing the profound heritage and powerful strength of a long-established Card Master family.

The guards confirmed the vehicle information, and the alloy gate silently slid open to both sides.

The hovercar smoothly drove along the avenue, entering the manor.

As they proceeded, Lu Yuan subtly observed his surroundings.

Inside the manor, the environment was beautiful, like a giant ecological park.

But beneath the meticulously manicured landscapes, there was omnipresent vigilance hidden.

At the edge of the lawns, in the shadows of trees, and around building corners, one could vaguely see guards in uniform patrolling and standing watch.

Open and hidden sentries were everywhere.

Compared to the ragtag army in the Black Water Gang's abandoned factory, the Yao Family's defense system was worlds apart.

This was what a truly prominent family should look like.

The hovercar finally stopped in front of the main villa, which occupied the largest area and had the most elegant style.

White marble steps, imposing columns, and two majestic stone lion statues at the entrance.

The car door opened.

Yao Tianxiao's hearty laughter had already preceded him.

"Haha! Young Friend Lu, I've finally waited for you!"

Yao Tianxiao personally stood at the villa entrance to greet him.

Today, he wore a fitted casual outfit, looking less like a shrewd businessman and more like a family patriarch, radiating warmth; one might even think he was welcoming a son-in-law.

And beside Yao Tianxiao stood a middle-aged beauty with noble and elegant demeanor.

She wore a well-tailored aquamarine cheongsam, her figure graceful, her face beautiful, with some resemblance to Nickname in her eyes, but with an added mature charm refined by years.

Her gaze towards Lu Yuan carried the kind benevolence of an elder looking at a junior, very polite.

This should be Nickname's mother, the mistress of the Yao Family.

"Uncle Yao, Auntie," Lu Yuan stepped out of the car, greeting them neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Oh, quickly come in, quickly come in!" Yao Tianxiao stepped forward, affectionately patting Lu Yuan's shoulder, "A humble banquet has long been prepared to welcome you!"

Mother Yao also smiled and spoke, her voice gentle and pleasant.

"Nickname often talks about you; seeing you today, you are indeed a talented young man. Please come in and sit, dinner will begin soon."

She proactively invited Lu Yuan into the villa.

The spacious and bright living room, decorated luxuriously yet tastefully.

Will this be... a Hongmen banquet?

...