80: The Provincial Capital is in Turmoil

That phrase, "To bring glory to Uncle Yao," made Yao Tianxiao's smile a bit more genuine.

"Good boy! With that, the spot I gave you is well worth it!" Yao Tianxiao nodded in satisfaction, then his expression turned serious. "The Lost Water Realm is fraught with danger. Not only will you face unknown exotic beasts... well, not necessarily exotic beasts, but you mainly need to guard against competitors from other factions!"

"Those guys won't talk about rules with you. To compete for resources, dirty tricks are commonplace. Even..."

"They'll team up to take out the strong ones first! Once you show extraordinary strength, you'll become a target!"

Lu Yuan's heart tightened.

"Therefore," Yao Tianxiao's tone became incredibly serious, "in the secret realm, all actions must prioritize preserving your own life! Only by living can you have a future and acquire more resources! Understand?"

"This junior understands!"

Yao Tianxiao nodded, took out a uniquely shaped card from hisHuai and handed it to Lu Yuan: "This is a specially made Yao Family signal card. If you encounter a fatal danger in the secret realm that you cannot solve, crush it immediately. Your third uncle, Yao Tianbi's people, will have arrangements within the secret realm, and they will do their best to assist you."

He emphasized: "But this signal card can only be used once, and assistance also takes time and cannot guarantee foolproof safety. So, unless absolutely necessary, remember not to use it easily!"

Lu Yuan took the signal card and sensed a special Source Power fluctuation within it.

"Thank you, Uncle Yao."

Just then, Yao Xiao's voice came from downstairs.

"Dad! Lu Yuan! What are you two talking about?"

Looking at their serious expressions.

She rolled her eyes, then, as if remembering something, she scurried back to her room. A moment later, she returned, holding a small, exquisite jade pendant woven with red silk thread, emitting a soft white glow.

She slipped the jade into Lu Yuan's hand. Two charming blushes rose on her fair cheeks, and she shyly lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Lu Yuan, you... you must be careful! This is a protective amulet I asked a master from Deyun Hall to make from Moonstone. It can block one fatal attack!"

The girl's affections, like tender sprouts in early spring, quietly blossomed.

Lu Yuan felt the warmth emanating from the jade and Yao Xiao's sincere and pure concern, and his heart warmed.

This girl, though sometimes spoiled and willful, had a very good heart.

He solemnly put on the jade, keeping it close to his body.

Yao Tianxiao watched the scene before him, a satisfied smile appearing in his eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he said to Lu Yuan and Yao Xiao:

"By the way, besides participating in the Region's Prodigy Competition and the secret realm, there's another very important purpose for this trip to the provincial capital."

"That is, to take you two to meet the true pillar of the Yao Family—my father, who is also your grandfather."

"Old Master of the Yao Family?" Lu Yuan's heart stirred.

Yao Tianxiao nodded, a hint of reverence in his tone: "The Old Master, he has a very discerning eye. Ordinary geniuses simply don't catch his attention. You two boys, make sure you perform well!"

He specifically looked at Lu Yuan, emphasizing his words: "Especially you, Lu Yuan! If you can earn a favorable glance from the Old Master, whether it's developing in the provincial capital or looking at the entire Card Master Alliance, you will benefit immensely! The advantages are far beyond what you can imagine!"

"Fifth-tier and sixth-tier are a watershed. When you reach sixth-tier, you'll be ranked across the entire Alliance!"

Lu Yuan understood in his heart that this was both an opportunity and a test.

Yao Tianxiao finally said quietly, "The waters of the provincial capital are much deeper and murkier than those of Jiangcheng."

"The Lin Family's matter is probably not truly over yet. They suffered such a huge loss in Jiangcheng, and those who supported them behind the scenes are not to be trifled with."

"Be careful. Well, it's getting late. Xiao and I will head back first."

"We'll depart for the provincial capital early tomorrow morning. Get some rest."

...At this moment

Canglan Province City.

The Canglan Province Card Master Association, also the headquarters building of Zhou Corporation, stood like a sharp giant sword, piercing the clouds and overlooking this bustling provincial capital city.

Top floor, President's office.

The interior was lavishly decorated, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of towering skyscrapers.

Zhou Wanxiong was leaning back in his leather chair, his legs crossed.

He held a specially made cigar, smelling it but not smoking, the lingering smoke adding to his imposing aura.

At this moment, he was listening to a report from a trusted subordinate about the recent resource output from several major secret realms within the province.

"...The output of the Obsidian Ore Vein increased by seven percent compared to the last quarter. A nest of rare Gale Wolf cubs was discovered in Wind Whisper Canyon, assessed as blue card resources, with a small amount of purple cards also present. People have already been dispatched to secure the area, and they are currently being captured."

Zhou Wanxiong nodded slightly, seemingly accustomed to such reports.

Outside the thick oak door of the office, in the assistant's area.

Lin Haige looked haggard. His once meticulously neat and luxurious clothes were now wrinkled, even stained with some unknown grime.

His eyes were bloodshot, his lips chapped, a stark contrast to the spirited and arrogant President Lin he was in Jiangcheng.

He was dispirited, like a stray dog.

In reality, it wasn't that bad; he had deliberately "dressed up" this way.

He paced anxiously in the assistant's area, several times wanting to force his way through the large door of the President's office, which symbolized power.

But each time, he was politely stopped by a tall Female Secretary.

"Director Lin, please bear with us. The President is currently handling urgent matters."

"Urgent matters? How long has it been? I've been waiting for half a day!!!"

The Female Secretary remained expressionless: "Please wait patiently. The President will see you after he finishes his business."

Lin Haige leaned against the wall in despair, a hint of powerlessness flashing in his eyes.

The difference between Jiangcheng and the provincial capital was truly heaven and earth.

Even he, a city association president, was nothing here.

Time ticked by, minute by minute.

Finally, the intercom in the office lit up. The Female Secretary answered it, then nodded to Lin Haige.

"Director Lin, the President invites you in."

Lin Haige's spirits lifted. He quickly made his clothes even more disheveled, took a deep breath, and pushed open the heavy oak door.

Inside the office, there was a strong smell of cigar smoke.

Zhou Wanxiong was still leaning back in his chair, eyes closed in contemplation.

He didn't even look up at Lin Haige as he entered, his tone flat and tinged with disdain.

"Director Lin, Jiangcheng affairs are busy. What matter has caused you to travel all the way to the provincial capital overnight?"

"Thud!"

Lin Haige's knees buckled, and he fell straight onto the marble floor with a dull thud.

"President! President, you must do me justice!"

He cried, snot and tears streaming down his face, recounting his woes.

"My son, Lin Dong... my son Lin Dong, he... he was crippled by that little bastard Lu Yuan from Jiangcheng!"

"His card slot was destroyed, his Source Power dissipated. Now he's living a life worse than death, a complete cripple!"

Lin Haige beat his chest and stomped his feet, his voice mournful, like a cuckoo weeping blood.

He exaggerated and distorted the truth, portraying Lu Yuan as a disrespectful, authority-defying, indiscriminate killer, a savage with extremely cruel methods!

"That Lu Yuan, relying on some talent, openly committed violence in the Newcomer Competition, using ruthless and inhumane methods!"

"Not only did he severely injure my son, but he also publicly humiliated my Lin Family and trampled on the dignity of the Jiangcheng Card Master Association!"

"If this child is not severely punished, where will the authority of the Jiangcheng Association be? And where will the face of our Canglan Province Card Master Association be placed?!"

Lin Haige kowtowed until his forehead collided with the hard floor, making thudding sounds.

"I implore the President to investigate thoroughly, uphold justice for the Jiangcheng Card Master Association, and severely punish this scoundrel! Avenge this blood feud for my son!"

Listening to Lin Haige's wailing, Zhou Wanxiong slowly opened his eyes.

His mind, however, was rapidly calculating.

Lu Yuan, a dual gold card genius.

He had indeed heard of that name recently.

No, it should be that the entire high-level provincial capital had heard of it.

That good-for-nothing Yao Tianxiao of the Jiangcheng Yao Family seemed to value this child highly, even going so far as to pay a hefty fine for him and openly taking his side.

Moreover, the main branch of the Yao Family had been making increasingly significant moves in the Region recently, subtly showing a tendency to overshadow their Zhou Family.

If he could use this incident to curb the Yao Family's arrogance and diminish their prestige, it wouldn't be a bad choice.

Furthermore, a young genius with dual gold cards.

Zhou Wanxiong licked his lips, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

He was also greedy for it!