10: Chapter 10 The Banquet, A Test

"There's a gathering. I've sent you the virtual coordinates. Come with me."

After giving instructions to Wang Tao and Su Xue, Lin Xiao's figure vanished. He appeared inside a luxuriously decorated private room.

The two men and three women who had been chatting in the room stopped their conversation and stood up one after another. A sunny and handsome-looking man walked over.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Lord Lin. Let me introduce myself. I am Chen Liang from a branch family of the Chen clan, and this is my younger brother, Chen Xing."

As for the other three women, Chen Liang did not introduce them. It appeared they were likely service staff.

"I've long heard that the Chen clan is prosperous. Seeing you two today, I finally understand what young heroes are. As for 'Lord,' there's no need for that. We are all classmates; just call me by my name or call me classmate."

Looking at Lin Xiao, who wore a faint smile and spoke kindly, Chen Liang was somewhat surprised. Given how aggressive the other party had been yesterday, he had thought he would be difficult to approach.

Meanwhile, seeing Lin Xiao like this, a flash of hidden disdain crossed the depths of Chen Xing's eyes.

Some third-generation illegitimate child of Xuanyuan Star—an illegitimate child is just an illegitimate child. Having drifted in Anping County for so many years, isn't he just revealing his identity now to scam some benefits?

He hadn't wanted to come to this gathering today, but his brother had forced him to come. When introduced, he just nodded casually and sat back down to eat the fruit platter.

Just as Chen Liang was feeling a bit awkward and wanted to explain something, two more figures appeared in the private room.

After Wang Tao and Su Xue saw the surrounding environment clearly, they immediately walked behind Lin Xiao with respectful expressions, standing silently like two door gods.

"Let me introduce them. Wang Tao and Su Xue are subordinates I just took in."

"Wang Tao and Su Xue greet Student Chen."

Although they were only from a branch family, no one attending the First High School was unfamiliar with family members from top noble clans like the Chen clan.

On one hand, these people disdained to hide their identities; on the other hand, it was a matter of self-preservation for ordinary students like them who lacked backgrounds.

Starting from their freshman year, they had begun to inquire about which people in the school could not be offended.

"You two certainly have courage. To be able to make such a decisive choice in such a short time—following Student Lin, becoming a demigod is just around the corner. Since everyone is here, let's serve the dishes."

Following Chen Liang's instruction, as if by magic, exquisite dishes appeared in the hands of the three attendants. They announced the names of the dishes as they served them.

[Cloud Mist Spirit Pig Soup (E-Rank)] [Spirit Pattern Braised Pork (E-Rank)] [Cangyan Roasted Beef Tendon (E-Rank)] [Moon Dew Roasted Spirit Rabbit (E-Rank)] ...

Although this was a virtual world, high-end restaurants like Manyue Restaurant were almost identical to the outside world, including the prices, except for the fact that one could not absorb the spiritual energy from the dishes.

Soon, various dishes were piled up like a small mountain on the dining table. The rich aroma and spiritual energy made Lin Xiao's mouth water.

Compared to these dishes, the Spirit Fruit he had been eating became insipid.

Although Su Xue was also incredibly tempted, she was still barely able to maintain her composure. Wang Tao, on the other hand, could not stop swallowing his saliva; he had never even dreamed of such a spread.

E-Rank ingredients! Even on special holidays, his family would only manage to get an F-Rank dish to satisfy their cravings.

And the whole family would share one plate. The portion was smaller than what a chicken would eat. It was really just for a taste—or rather, a lingering aftertaste.

"Student Lin, and the other two classmates. I hope we can keep in touch and visit each other often in the coming year. I'll finish a cup first. Cheers!"

Chen Liang yielded the main seat to Lin Xiao, while he sat in the secondary seat and downed the Spirit Wine on the table in one gulp.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao did not stand on ceremony. He went to the main seat, picked up the Spirit Wine on the table, and toasted from afar.

"We're meeting for the first time, yet Student Chen is spending so much. In the future, when I am better off, I will certainly find an opportunity to treat you back. I hope Student Chen won't pretend not to know me then."

Wang Tao and Su Xue also hurriedly came to the end of the dining table and raised their wine glasses, bowing with respectful expressions on their faces. The height of their glasses was far lower than everyone else's at the table.

After drinking the wine, Lin Xiao couldn't wait to pick up his bowl and chopsticks to pick up a piece of meat to taste. Just as his eyes looked toward a certain dish, a small piece from that dish immediately appeared in his bowl.

This scene made him pause slightly; he hadn't expected this virtual world restaurant to be so intelligent.

"Pfft~" A snicker came from somewhere at the table. Chen Xing wiped the mocking smile off his face and ate the dishes in his bowl, self-absorbed. He gave an internal assessment: "Country bumpkin."

Chen Liang really regretted bringing his brother this time; this meal cost fully over 200,000 faith points.

As a result, his laugh had caused all that money to go down the drain, and he might even be resented by Lin Xiao. If the occasion wasn't inappropriate, he would have made his brother learn what it means to respect the order of seniority!

"Ahem, I don't know what plans Student Lin has for the future? Is what you said at the Awakening Ceremony yesterday true? Um, don't misunderstand. I mean, you said yesterday that you don't look at talent or strength. Wouldn't it be too rash to accept just anyone like that? After all, if the talent is poor, it might take dozens or even hundreds of times more resources to cultivate them. Wouldn't that kind of investment be too much?"

Lin Xiao acted as if he hadn't heard the brat's snicker on the side. He ate a bite of that braised pork; it was dense, soft, and glutinous in his mouth. After swallowing the food, he smiled and replied.

"What was said on that occasion yesterday naturally counts. As for the strength and talent you mentioned, given my situation, if I were to be picky, no one would be willing to agree to my conditions, right? Fortunately, I took in two subordinates today, so my insignificant reputation is preserved. At least I won't be laughed at."

Hearing this, Chen Liang shook his head slightly, appearing filled with emotion. "Student Lin is just experiencing a moment of bad luck. When he returns to the main family someday, those who missed the opportunity will only regret it for the rest of their lives."

Lin Xiao smiled and raised his glass upon hearing this. "The star river is vast and ethereal; I don't know if I will be able to return to the main family in this lifetime. But I still thank Student Chen for your auspicious words."

By the end of the meal, apart from Chen Xing, who was somewhat unhappy, the rest of the guests were pleased, smiling and waving goodbye to Lin Xiao.

The moment the three figures disappeared, Chen Liang turned around and slapped his brother hard across the face. Instantly, a bright red palm print appeared on half of the other's face.

"How did I instruct you before we came? We spent over 200,000 faith points today, and because of that laugh of yours, it all went down the drain! Do you think I have too many faith points and nowhere to spend them?"

Covering his face, Chen Xing looked at him in disbelief. "You hit me? Just for such an unacknowledged country bumpkin?!"

"Smack!" Another hard slap was delivered. Chen Liang's expression was cold. "Even if we are in private, you better keep that broken mouth of yours in check. The blood of the Lin family flows in his veins!"

"In this little patch of land called Anping County, even if it's just an illegitimate child from a branch family of my Chen clan, that is not someone ordinary people can bully!"

"By the same token, even if he is just an illegitimate child forgotten and unacknowledged by the Lin family, that is not someone our Chen clan can afford to offend."

"Whether they forgot him or don't acknowledge him, that belongs to their family affairs. But if we outsiders dare to bully him, that is slapping the Lin family in the face!"

"If you want to die, don't drag the entire Chen clan down with you. Since you can't control your broken mouth, then from now on, you will take a detour whenever you see him. Do you understand?"