178: Chapter 178 Going Home for Dinner!

Evening. Nanling City Airship Port.

The setting sun shone obliquely from the end of the port, dyeing the entire docking area in a layer of pale gold.

Lu Cheng stood outside the waiting area, looking up at the airship that was about to return to Navigator Academy. He was finally going back.

From start to finish, the business with the Qian Family hadn't actually taken many days, but Lu Cheng inexplicably felt as though half a year had passed.

Almost all the Qian Family members had come.

Qian Fuyun's body hadn't fully recovered, and his complexion was somewhat pale, but he still came to the port in person to see them off.

As for Qian Shiweng.

The old man's energy was absurdly good.

He patted Lu Cheng on the shoulder.

"Good lad."

"Cultivate well after returning to the academy, and come play at the Qian Family whenever you have time."

Lu Cheng nodded.

"Rest assured, Old Qian."

Qian Shiweng chuckled.

"Why call me Old Qian? That's too distant. Calling me Grandfather is fine too."

Lu Cheng: "..."

Qian Shuying: "..."

Qian Fuyun coughed lightly from the side, as if wanting to remind his old father to mind his image.

But Qian Shiweng didn't think there was any problem at all.

He turned his head and grabbed Qian Shuying, pulling her to the side.

Qian Shuying frowned.

"Grandfather, what are you doing?"

Qian Shiweng lowered his voice.

"Little Ying."

"Did you two make any progress last night?"

Qian Shuying was stunned for a moment.

The next second, the tips of her ears turned bright red.

"What are you talking about?"

Qian Shiweng looked exasperated, as if she were failing to meet his expectations.

"Grandfather is just concerned about you."

"That kid Lu Cheng is not bad; he has courage, strength, and knows how to save people. The key is that he's also not bad-looking."

"You need to tone down that cold demeanor of yours."

"Be a bit more proactive when you're at the academy."

Qian Shuying took a deep breath.

"Grandfather."

Qian Shiweng didn't stop at all.

"Look, there are so many young ladies in the academy—the little girl from the Xia Family, the little girl from the Su Family, and this one and that one. If you don't hurry up, someone else will snatch him away."

"Listen to Grandfather's advice."

"Try your best to win him over while you're at the academy."

Qian Shuying's face flushed as if it were about to bleed.

She wouldn't necessarily frown even if she were slashed on the arena, but facing such shameless remarks from her own grandfather, she almost lost her composure on the spot.

"Get lost!"

Qian Shuying lowered her voice, gritting her teeth.

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll go back to the Qian Family to enter seclusion right now and won't go to the academy!"

Qian Shiweng immediately toned it down a bit.

"No, no, no."

"Grandfather won't say anything more."

Although he said that, the smile on his face didn't fade at all.

Qian Shuying turned and walked back, the flush on her face still not fading.

Lu Cheng happened to look over.

Their gazes met.

Qian Shuying immediately looked away.

The boarding announcement sounded.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Lu Cheng and the others boarded the airship.

The cabin door slowly closed.

Accompanied by a low vibration of Source Power, the airship slowly ascended.

The lights of Nanling City gradually shrank beneath their feet; the Qian Family's villa, the port, and the distant high-rises slowly turned into a cluster of light points in the night.

...

Two hours later.

Navigator Academy.

The airship had just landed, and a large crowd had already gathered outside the docking area.

"They're here, they're here!"

"Is that Lu Cheng?"

"Duh, didn't you watch the live stream yesterday?"

"A high schooler who can rival a War General... this is just too absurd."

...

As soon as Lu Cheng stepped out of the cabin door, he was locked onto by this sea of gazes.

He rubbed his nose.

"This turnout..."

Chu Xiuxiu hid behind him and whispered: "Brother Lu Cheng, you're like a celebrity right now."

In the distance.

President Ji Guyan stood by the high platform outside the training area.

He didn't crowd over like the others, but simply watched Lu Cheng walk off the airship from across the crowd.

The night wind blew over, lifting the hem of his clothes.

President Ji Guyan's expression was somewhat complex.

Previously at Shengwu Society, he had always felt that Lu Cheng was very strong.

But that strength was still strength within the same generation.

It was a strength that could be chased, compared, and narrowed with effort.

But now... after the battle at the Qian Family, Lu Cheng was no longer just a genius of his generation.

President Ji Guyan slowly exhaled.

"I didn't expect... the gap to be this large already."

After he finished speaking, his gaze sank again.

Complex as it was, he felt no jealousy.

It was more of a silence after being stimulated and... a strange feeling... *cough, cough*... he let go of that feeling...

If he didn't even have the courage to catch up, then he wasn't worthy of being the president of Shengwu Society!

On the other side, Lu Cheng had just finished dealing with a circle of onlookers when he was called away by Mei Wushuang...

Mechanical Institute.

Inside the office.

Mei Wushuang projected a file onto the light screen.

"After the business with the Qian Family, the Black Seed side has already started to stir."

Lu Cheng sat in the chair, his expression instantly becoming a bit more serious.

Mei Wushuang looked at him.

"During this period, apart from interacting with those exchange students, don't run around everywhere."

Lu Cheng nodded.

"Understood."

Mei Wushuang raised her hand to switch the file.

The first photo appeared on the light screen.

In the photo was a blonde youth, tall and slender, wearing light platinum armor with a silver bow strapped to his back.

His pupils were a very pale silver, and there was a crescent-moon-like mark on his forehead.

"Nordic God-child, Reinhardt Moon-Hunter."

"Male, eighteen years old."

"Meridian Opening Realm peak."

"Rumor has it that he obtained the power of the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon, Artemis, and possesses extremely strong long-range sniping ability and night combat capability."

"In the records, he once killed a peak Hua Hai Realm exotic beast alone."

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"Meridian Opening Realm peak, killing a peak Hua Hai Realm?"

"He's got some skills."

Mei Wushuang nodded.

"So don't underestimate him."

"He isn't some show pony propped up by reputation."

She switched to the next one.

In the photo was a black-haired, grey-eyed youth with pale skin, wearing a black combat suit specially made by the Eagle Country.

The surface of the combat suit had many silver interfaces, and a device resembling metal nerves was embedded along his spine.

"Eagle Country cyborg, Adam Gray."

"Male, nineteen years old."

"Early Hua Hai Realm."

"Rumored to be a product created through secret cooperation between the Eagle Country government and Black Seed..."

Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes.

"The government and Black Seed?"

Mei Wushuang's voice was slightly cold.

"It's just a rumor."

"There is no evidence."

"But many times, no evidence doesn't mean it didn't happen."

She continued.

"Adam Gray has a record of killing high-level Hua Hai Realm monsters, and his recovery ability is very exaggerated."

"If you run into him, don't drag it out."

"If you can crush him, do it all at once."

Mei Wushuang ignored him and continued switching files.

On the third photo was a young girl wearing a white and red shrine maiden outfit.

Her black hair reached her waist, her features were cold, and she held a slender divine sword in her hand.

She stood under a cherry blossom tree, with faint white talismans floating around her.

"Sakura Island shrine maiden, Jinguji Ayane."

"Female, eighteen years old."

"Mid-stage Meridian Opening Realm."

"Her battle record is also very exaggerated, with a record of killing a mid-stage Hua Hai Realm exotic beast."

"Her power system is not quite the same as ours; it leans towards barriers, spirit control, sealing, and soul-slashing."

This time, there was no photo on the light screen.

There were only seven blurry silhouettes.

"In addition, the Tianlan Ancient Kingdom, which has been sealed off, has also sent seven young people around twenty years old this time."

"They say they want to come out to see the world."

Lu Cheng looked at those seven black shadows.

"What about the files?"

"None."

Mei Wushuang frowned.

"We haven't obtained the relevant files yet."

"Tianlan Ancient Kingdom has been sealed for too long; there is almost no record of the strength of their younger generation in the outside world."

"But to be sent out at this time, they definitely won't be weak."

Lu Cheng leaned back in his chair.

"In other words, none of the people coming this time are simple characters."

"Correct."

Mei Wushuang nodded.

"These people are quite a bit stronger than the previous batch."

"They are coming this time, on one hand, to suppress the momentum of the younger generation of the Dragon Nation."

"On the other hand, it is for the distribution of access rights to several public area ruins."

Lu Cheng thought for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Why didn't the Bear Nation come?"

Mei Wushuang explained: "A large ruin appeared within the Bear Nation this year; the safety factor is high, and it's suitable for newcomers to explore."

"Most of their newcomers have been thrown in there."

"So they didn't send anyone over this time."

Lu Cheng nodded.

Mei Wushuang continued: "The exchange time is officially set for next Wednesday."

"Five days left."

"The location is still in the Imperial Capital."

"Besides you, the Dragon Nation will also send three disciples from aristocratic families, as well as three geniuses selected by the academy."

She looked at Lu Cheng, her tone pausing slightly.

"As for you."

"Do whatever you want."

Lu Cheng was stunned for a moment.

"Do whatever I want?"

Mei Wushuang nodded.

"Just don't beat anyone to death."

"Sure."

Mei Wushuang raised her hand, and the mechanical cabinet beside the desk opened automatically.

A silver-grey box popped out from inside.

The box wasn't large, its surface engraved with extremely fine Source Array patterns, with a pale blue crystal embedded in the center.

"At the same time, the academy has prepared this for you."

Lu Cheng took the box.

"What is this?"

"Foundation Stabilizing Source Marrow," Mei Wushuang said.

"Your realm and combat power have improved too quickly, and the academy is worried that your foundation is unstable."

"This thing can help you organize your blood energy and Source Power, consolidate your foundation, and reduce hidden dangers during subsequent breakthroughs."

Lu Cheng opened the box and took a look.

Inside was a translucent crystalline object, like solidified water, or like a piece of pale blue amber.

Just by being near it, one could feel a gentle energy flowing slowly.

"Good stuff."

Lu Cheng closed the box.

"Thank you, Aunt Mei."

Mei Wushuang looked at him.

"Causing less trouble is more useful than thanking me."

Lu Cheng: "I'll try."

After coming out of the Mechanical Institute, Lu Cheng put the box into his system space.

But to be honest, this thing wasn't particularly useful to him.

Improving with pills—how could that be as practical as adding points with his own system?

Lu Cheng walked towards the villa area while opening his system panel.

[Host: Lu Cheng]

[Blood Energy: 940 He]

[Source Power: 2980 points]

[Current Entries: War Treasure, Audience Rewards, Dangerous Investment...]

Lu Cheng looked at the panel and rubbed his chin.

His blood energy was almost at 1,000 He.

His Source Power was also approaching 3,000 points.

One more step forward, and he would be at another level. He could see who around him might need the thing in his hand...

While thinking, he had already walked to the villa entrance.

The villa was lit with warm yellow lights.

Lu Cheng had just placed his hand on the doorknob when he heard a very faint movement inside.

He raised an eyebrow.

What was going on?

He pushed the door open.

The next second.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

Several party poppers exploded at the same time.

Ribbons and sequins flew out from the doorway, smearing all over Lu Cheng's face.

Chu Xiuxiu stood at the very front, holding a party popper in both hands, her eyes sparkling.

Qian Shuying stood beside her, holding a plate of freshly made snacks, the expression on her face somewhat unnatural, as if she had been dragged over by Chu Xiuxiu.

Su Wan sat on the sofa, holding a teacup, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth.

The few members of the Shengwu Society were all there too.

President Ji Guyan, Chen Zhanfeng, Li Huayi, Bai Zhou, Lin Yifang—not a single one missing.

The table was covered with food.

There were small dishes made by Qian Shuying and Chu Xiuxiu together, desserts brought by Su Wan, and a whole roasted spirit bird that someone had swiped from the cafeteria.

Chu Xiuxiu took a deep breath and shouted with all her might:

"Welcome..."

"Hero Lu Cheng home!"

The others also started shouting along.

"Welcome hero home!"

Lu Cheng stood at the door, a ribbon hanging from his head, and sequins still stuck to his face.

He looked at these people in the room and suddenly froze...

feeling that the exhaustion of the past few days had vanished...

The villa was filled only with light.

Steaming hot food.

And a group of people who were a bit noisy but made one's heart feel very warm.

Lu Cheng was silent for two seconds.

Then he reached out to take the ribbon off his face and smiled.

"This turnout of yours..."

"It makes me not know what kind of expression I should show; I didn't do anything big~"

Chu Xiuxiu blinked.

"Brother Lu Cheng can show whatever expression he wants~"

Qian Shuying gently placed the snacks on the table, turned her head away, her voice not loud.

"At least... to me, it is a big deal..."

Su Wan sipped her tea and added faintly.

"So, hero, wash your hands first."

"Then eat."

Lu Cheng looked at them, the corners of his mouth curling up bit by bit.

"Sure."

"Going home to eat."