79: When you're sleepy, bring a pillow.

Two days later, it was moving day.

All the way, his parents were still uneasy.

"Xiao Yuan, this, how can this be! A villa worth tens of millions, we, we can't accept it!"

"Yes, son, one shouldn't accept reward without merit. This gift from the Yao Family is too heavy; we can't take it."

Seeing this, Lu Yuan patiently took his parents' hands and said warmly, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. The reason the Yao Family gave us this villa isn't for free. They value my potential; this is a kind of investment, hoping I can achieve greater things in the future and remember their kindness."

He paused and continued to describe, "Moreover, Yujing Garden is the safest community in Jiangcheng. With you living there, I can also venture out with more peace of mind. When I become successful in the future, you can also enjoy your old age in the best environment, without having to worry anymore."

Lu Yuan's heartfelt persuasion finally made the uneasiness on the old couple's faces recede a little, but the shock and daze in their eyes remained.

"Investment..." Old Lu murmured to himself.

"Yes, it's an investment." Lu Yuan smiled and nodded, "Just settle in with peace of mind. Your son will be even more successful in the future."

Early in the morning, several luxury cars were parked outside the lakeside villa in Yujing Garden.

Yao Tianxiao, Mother Yao, and Nickname all personally came to greet them. The scene was arranged to be both warm and grand, making Lu Yuan's parents even more overwhelmed.

As soon as Mother Yao saw Lu Yuan, she affectionately took his hand, asking about his well-being. Her gaze was exactly like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, growing fonder the more she looked. Throughout their conversation, she often said things like, "We're family now," and "Xiao Yuan looks more energetic every time I see him," which made Lu Yuan feel a "sweet burden" in addition to his gratitude.

Lu Yuan's mother was pulled by Mother Yao, and the two quickly started chatting, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

"Lu Yuan, come on, come on! I'll give you a tour!" Nickname seemed more excited than anyone, pulling Lu Yuan's arm and excitedly chattering as she began to introduce every corner of the villa.

From the fully intelligent voice-controlled smart home system to the constant-temperature swimming pool, and then to the panoramic viewing terrace, the little girl enumerated them like treasured possessions, her excited face flushed.

Lu Yuan cooperatively let out a few exclamations, and their interaction was natural and intimate.

Mother Yao saw it, her face beaming with joy, and she quietly gave Yao Tianxiao beside her a "you know what I mean" look.

Yao Tianxiao smiled slightly and nodded, his satisfaction with this "investment" rising another notch in his heart.

After everything was settled and everyone dispersed, only Yao Tianxiao and Lu Yuan remained.

The two came to the viewing terrace on the third floor of the villa, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance, with the lake and mountains in full view.

"Xiao Yuan," Yao Tianxiao handed Lu Yuan a bottle of iced drink and casually asked, "Now that the Prodigy Competition is over and you've settled into your new place, what are your plans next? Especially your university goal, have you thought about it?"

Lu Yuan took a sip of his drink, feeling the gentle breeze, his gaze fixed on the distance, his eyes sparkling with longing for a broader world.

He didn't hesitate for a moment: "Uncle Yao, I want to get into Kyoto University."

"Kyoto University?" Yao Tianxiao was startled at first, then his eyes showed admiration, "Good boy, ambitious!"

But immediately after, the admiration on his face turned bitter. He heavily slapped his thigh and recalled, "Back then, your Uncle Yao also enthusiastically participated in Kyoto University's martial arts exam. The result... sigh, it's all tears when I bring it up! I was beaten into a pig's head by a fierce person with a few punches and kicks right at the start, and I lay in the medical pod for more than half a month!"

He shook his head, his tone tinged with regret, "Those guys are not human at all! To get into Kyoto University, your strength must at least reach the level of a third-tier Card Master, plus barely passing grades in theoretical courses, then there's a slim chance. If you go through the independent martial arts exam, it's even more hellish difficulty. You need to win all three matches to be exceptionally admitted. You'll be facing true prodigies selected from all over the country, completely not on the same level as these small fries in Jiangcheng!"

As Yao Tianxiao spoke, his tone suddenly shifted, and he scrutinized Lu Yuan up and down with sharp eyes, letting out a surprised "Eh" and an incredulous expression on his face.

"Something's not right! This kid's Source Power fluctuations... What's going on?! It's only been two days since I last saw him, how did he jump directly from second-tier four-star to... second-tier six-star?!"

Lu Yuan was already prepared. He scratched his head, feigning shyness, and explained, "Uncle Yao, the stone tablet I got in the municipal resource secret vault last time was a bit special. After I pondered over it when I came back, I had a small epiphany, and I broke through without realizing it."

Yao Tianxiao: ...Epiphany? A small epiphany allowed you to jump two levels?

Yao Tianxiao's mouth twitched. He clearly didn't quite believe this explanation, but since Lu Yuan didn't elaborate, he couldn't press him.

"Alright... good luck."

He suppressed the doubts in his heart, took a deep puff from the cigar in his hand, and amidst the swirling smoke, his expression gradually became solemn.

"Your current total Source Power might give you some competitiveness in the upcoming Canglan Province Prodigy Competition, but to challenge Kyoto University, you're still far from enough!"

"However," Yao Tianxiao changed the subject again, "there's an opportunity now that can significantly boost your Source Power accumulation and combat experience in a short period. It's just... a bit dangerous, the kind where survival is a slim chance! Do you dare to go?"

Lu Yuan seemed to have already guessed something.

Yao Tianxiao's eyes sparkled with shrewdness, and he slowly said with a tempting tone, "Our Yao Family went through a lot of effort this time to snatch a secret realm quota from above."

He looked deeply at Lu Yuan, enunciating each word: "I plan to give it to you! Do you dare to venture into it?"

Secret realm! The Lost Water Realm?!

Lu Yuan's heart swelled with joy; it was truly a pillow delivered when he was sleepy!

He was just wondering how to bring it up, and unexpectedly, the other party proposed it first.

Now, the opportunity was right before his eyes!

He suppressed his inner excitement, but on the surface, he showed contemplation: "Uncle Yao, this... this secret realm quota is too precious. How can a junior like me be worthy of accepting such a generous gift?"

Seeing his demeanor, Yao Tianxiao knew perfectly well that this kid was overjoyed but deliberately putting on an act. He couldn't help but laugh heartily, waving his hand grandly, and said, "You little rascal, don't give me that pretense! You're worth this investment! Don't be wishy-washy, a man of character must seize opportunities!"

"Uncle Yao, then what kind of place is this secret realm exactly?" Lu Yuan asked, naturally showing appropriate curiosity.

Yao Tianxiao began to explain in detail: "It's said to be called the Lost Water Realm. According to the intelligence we currently have, it's a newly formed secret realm."

"Its laws are chaotic, and its energy is unstable. A new secret realm, after all, needs a process. Precisely because of this, the Alliance strictly prohibits Card Masters of Tier 5 and above from entering, because the Source Power fluctuations of high-tier Card Masters could very likely trigger an explosion of the law's energy, leading to its complete annihilation."

"Currently, the highest allowed level to enter is a peak Tier 4 Card Master."

Yao Tianxiao took a puff from his cigar, slowly exhaling smoke rings: "Quotas for such new secret realms have always been the focus of fierce competition among the major powers in the Region. Each activation means immense opportunities, but of course, it also comes with equally immense risks."

He looked at Lu Yuan meaningfully: "Remember, inside, opportunity and death are often separated by only a thin line. Treasures are everywhere, but it could also be a grave at every turn!"

This statement was somewhat similar to what Sun Libang had described, but the official wording was more grandiose.

"Uncle Yao, such a valuable quota, the Yao Family this time..." Lu Yuan probed.

A complex look flashed in Yao Tianxiao's eyes, and he snorted, "Our Yao Family obtained a total of ten quotas this time. But regarding allocation, hehe..."

He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction... or rather, a helplessness at the fringes of power:

"According to the rules, on the direct lineage side, my elder brother Yao Tianqi and fourth brother Yao Tianxiao, their two branches each took three quotas. Your third uncle, Yao Tianbi, as the main person in charge of card-related affairs in Canglan Province, also took three."

"As for my side..." Yao Tianxiao gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Hmph, only one."

Lu Yuan was extremely intelligent and immediately keenly grasped the deeper meaning in Yao Tianxiao's words.

This quota was not just about valuing and investing in his own potential; on a deeper level, it was probably a crucial chess piece for Yao Tianxiao in the complex internal power struggles of the family, attempting to cultivate a force belonging to his own lineage, outside of the direct line!

The better he performed, the more Yao Tianxiao's influence and status in the family would naturally rise.

Having understood this, Lu Yuan no longer feigned modesty. He solemnly clasped his fists towards Yao Tianxiao and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Uncle Yao, for your trust and cultivation! Lu Yuan will not fail your expectations and will surely achieve something in the Lost Water Realm to bring glory to Uncle Yao!"

...