139: The City Lord's Banquet, a Blind Provocation

Lin Tian ignored the fervent adoration that surged like a tsunami outside the spaceport and led his team directly to the magnificent building that floated in the very center of the city, symbolizing the highest authority there—the City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord of Guixu City, City Lord, was a renowned and powerful Martial Artist whose strength had reached S-rank Peak. He had received favor from the Dragon Family in his early years, and thus, he displayed ample enthusiasm and respect for the arrival of Lin Tian, the Dragon Family's "Alpha."

The two parties held a brief yet friendly meeting in the reception hall of the City Lord's Mansion. Lin Tian stated his purpose for the trip was solely to explore the Eye of Guixu, with no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Guixu City. City Lord reciprocated, promising to provide all necessary conveniences and intelligence support for Lin Tian's exploration journey.

The initial, official contact was thus established.

That evening, the City Lord's Mansion was brightly lit, and a grand welcoming banquet, specially organized for Lin Tian and attended by all the prominent figures of Guixu City, was solemnly held in the main hall.

At the banquet, fine wine and delicacies, fragrant clothes and beautiful women, and clinking glasses created a scene of peace and prosperity.

Lin Tian was seated at the most honored main table, with City Lord City Lord personally accompanying him. During the meal, City Lord enthusiastically introduced the representatives of Guixu City's major local powers to Lin Tian.

"Your Highness Lin Tian, this is Wang Chongshan, the president of the 'Iron Arm Chamber of Commerce,' which controls seventy percent of Guixu City's mineral resources."

"This is Li Kui, 'Blood Axe,' the president of the Mercenary Guild, who commands tens of thousands of fearless mercenaries."

"And this is..."

Lin Tian listened distractedly, conversing in low tones with Elizabeth beside him, occasionally raising his glass in a gesture, a perfectly polite yet distant smile on his face.

However, at this moment, a gaze filled with disdain, jealousy, and intense hostility shot over from the next table, like a venomous snake.

Lin Tian didn't even bother to look up, knowing the source of that gaze.

It was Ao Tian, City Lord City Lord's most beloved nephew, and the acknowledged number one Genius among Guixu City's younger generation. At only thirty years old, he had already reached A+ rank Peak and was famous for his overwhelmingly powerful [Raging Waves Qi].

At this moment, Ao Tian was staring intently at the main table, his eyes practically spitting fire.

Why?

Why could that effeminate-looking young man, who appeared even younger than himself, sit at the most honored main seat, receiving universal reverence, with even his own uncle smiling deferentially at him?

Why could he be surrounded by so many exquisite women, like goddesses descended to the mortal world, each one's beauty and temperament far surpassing those common women he usually encountered?

Just because his surname was "Dragon"?

Ao Tian's heart was filled with resentment and jealousy. He prided himself as the foremost among Guixu City's younger generation, arrogant and never putting anyone in his eyes. In his opinion, Lin Tian's so-called "achievements" at The Peak of the Forbidden City were merely exaggerated and inflated boasts by the media and noble families. How strong could a fifteen-year-old boy be? Most likely, he relied on his bodyguards and the Family's trump cards to create an "invincible" illusion.

He decided to personally expose this "effeminate man's" hypocritical mask and show everyone who the true Genius was!

He picked up a glass of "Abyssal Fire," a top-grade strong liquor concocted from dozens of high-concentration energy liquids, enough to make an A-rank Martial Artist instantly drunk with a single sip. With a false smile on his face, he walked to the main table.

"I have long heard that Your Highness, the Dragon Family's 'Alpha,' is an unparalleled Prodigy who has suppressed an era. Seeing you today, your demeanor is indeed extraordinary." Ao Tian first spoke some polite words, then raised the wine glass in his hand high.

"I, Ao Tian, am a few years older and humbly serve as a representative of Guixu City's younger generation. Today, I specially come to offer Your Highness a toast, to show Guixu City's welcome to you!"

His words were impeccable, leaving no room for fault.

However, Lin Tian's terrifying Divine Thought, which had already surpassed the Demigod Rank, clearly perceived that hidden within that amber-colored strong liquor, emitting a fatal aroma, was an incredibly domineering and impactful Mental Energy undercurrent, like a raging storm!

Once he drank this wine, this Mental Energy undercurrent would instantly erupt within his body! While it wouldn't cause him severe injury, such a sudden Mental Energy impact would be enough to make him instantly lose his composure and make a fool of himself in public!

What a "show of force"!

However, facing this "toast" filled with malicious intent...

Lin Tian didn't even lift an eyelid.

He still had his head turned, looking at Elizabeth beside him with great interest, as if admiring her exquisitely beautiful face, which appeared even more charming with a slight flush. He completely ignored the jester-like presence before him.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Everyone's eyes in the entire hall converged here. They watched Ao Tian, holding his wine glass, his smile gradually stiffening, and then looked at Lin Tian, who had not even given him a direct glance the entire time. The atmosphere instantly became incredibly awkward and... tense.

Ao Tian's face instantly turned a liver-like purple!

Ignorance!

This was more blatant than any counterattack... utter ignorance!

He felt like a jester who had painstakingly prepared a performance for half a day, but the audience couldn't even be bothered to look at him!

An unprecedented sense of humiliation, enough to completely consume his reason, surged into his heart!

"Lin Tian! You..."

He was about to erupt and splash the wine in his glass directly onto Lin Tian's face.

Just then...

A low growl, deep, impatient, and like a king of beasts awakened from its nap, slowly emanated from Lin Tian's feet.

"Roar..."

The sound was not loud, even a little lazy.

But the absolute pressure of an S-rank Peak Beast Emperor, originating from a higher life-level, contained within that roar, instantly swept across the entire hall like the most terrifying Mental Energy storm!

Ao Tian bore the brunt of it!

He felt as if he was being stared at by a terrifying behemoth, awakened from primordial chaos, capable of devouring stars! That absolute fear, originating from the deepest part of his Soul, like an ant facing a Dragon, instantly shattered his courage, preventing even a trace of resistance from forming!

His overwhelmingly powerful Mental Energy impact, hidden in the wine glass, was instantly shattered like paper under the sound waves formed by that low growl!

Immediately after, the invisible sound wave, its momentum undiminished, fiercely slammed into him!

"Pfft—!"

Ao Tian was struck as if by lightning, a mouthful of fresh blood gushed out, and he flew backward like a kite with a broken string! He successively knocked over seven or eight tables and chairs made of heavy alloy, finally landing with a "bang" in the corner of the great hall, utterly disheveled, twitching all over, frothing at the mouth, having suffered no minor internal injuries.

The entire hall was silent.

Everyone, as if petrified, stared blankly at the "Big Golden Retriever" that slowly raised its head from Lin Tian's feet, yawned, then lay back down to continue its feigned sleep... Golden Lion, Simba.

Only then did Lin Tian seem to notice what had happened, slowly turning his head to glance at Ao Tian, who was like a dead dog in the corner, and then at City Lord City Lord, whose face had already become incredibly grim.

He frowned slightly, a perfectly appropriate hint of "apology" on his face.

"My apologies, City Lord."

"My pet is a little... shy with strangers."