The old man ascended the high platform, took out an embroidered box, and opened it. Inside was a crystal ore the size of a thumb, glowing with a faint azure radiance. The light shimmered as if burning like a flame, containing a special spiritual aura.
Those in the audience who knew their goods immediately recognized the origin of this crystal ore—it was a Jade-Eye Crystal Ore.
This thing belonged to a Mystic-grade resource, extremely valuable.
One must know that in the desolate northwestern borderlands, the so-called inheritance hearts of many small sects and factions were nothing more than Mystic-grade crystal ores.
Even though this was the prosperous Yanluo Kingdom, a single Mystic-grade crystal ore was still a precious treasure of great value in the eyes of many.
The crowd couldn't help but wonder: which family's Young Lord was so extravagant and lavish as to gift a Jade-Eye Crystal Ore?
Just as everyone was puzzled, a window opened in a private room on the second floor, and a young man appeared in everyone's sight.
This young man, though not handsome and dashing, possessed an extraordinary bearing.
A further look at his robes revealed they were Mystic-grade treasure garments.
Whether it was the belt at his waist, the folding fan in his hand, the pendant hanging from his waist, or the thumb ring on his finger, all were crafted from valuable Mystic-grade resources. One could say he was adorned head to toe in Mystic-grade spiritual treasures.
Such people were often called Mystic Noble Young Lords.
They either came from great families or major sects.
And indeed, that was the case.
Many in the audience recognized this noble Young Lord. He was Young Lord Mei Yuanhua of the Mei Family.
The Mei Family was a renowned and prestigious clan within the Yanluo Kingdom, also hailed as the number one family of the Jinxiu Grand Domain.
Although its reputation wasn't as resounding as the Four Great Families, its existence was still not something ordinary people could afford to provoke.
Putting aside other matters, just this single Jade-Eye Crystal Ore gifted by Mei Yuanhua was enough to make many of the so-called second-generation heirs in the audience pale in comparison. Moreover, this Mei Yuanhua was famously known as a creation genius of the Mei Family. Leveraging the Great Natural Spirit Mutation nine years ago, both his Primordial Spirit and Dharma Form had reached Great Perfection. Such cultivation could rightfully be called a genuine Dharma Form Daoist. As this level of cultivation meant one foot had already stepped into the immortal gate, he was also called a Half-Immortal.
"Miss Xiang'er, we meet again."
Mei Yuanhua, holding a jade fan, greeted with a faint smile.
On the high platform, Miss Xiang'er sat sideways on a soft chair, one hand holding a wine cup, the other admiring the Jade-Eye Crystal Ore. A bewitching smile hung on her enchanting face as she said softly, "Young Lord Mei is too courteous."
"A mere trifle," Mei Yuanhua said, his implication obvious—a Jade-Eye Crystal Ore was nothing to him. He smiled and asked, "I wonder if Miss Xiang'er likes it?"
"Hehe."
Miss Xiang'er chuckled, then placed the Jade-Eye Crystal Ore back into the embroidered box.
"What?" Mei Yuanhua was visibly displeased. "Does Miss Xiang'er not like it?"
"Mei Yuanhua, you really have no discernment. What spiritual treasure hasn't Miss Xiang'er seen before? Do you think gifting a measly little Jade-Eye Crystal Ore can win Miss Xiang'er's favor? Hehe... Isn't that a bit too childish?"
The speaker was not Miss Xiang'er, but someone else.
Who was it?
Who dared to challenge someone of Mei Yuanhua's status and background in public?
In response appeared another young lord.
Seeing this person, the audience erupted in an uproar.
They also recognized this young lord. His surname was Xiao, given name Ziying.
And the Xiao Family was one of the Four Great Families within the Yanluo Kingdom.
Although everyone knew Xiao Ziying was not a direct descendant of the Xiao Family but merely from a branch line, even as just a branch member of the Xiao Family, his status in the Yanluo Kingdom was incomparably noble. If not for this, Xiao Ziying wouldn't dare challenge Mei Yuanhua in public.
"Oh? I was wondering who it was. So it's the Young Master of the Xiao Family!"
In the Yanluo Kingdom, whether in terms of power or influence, the Mei Family could not compare to the Xiao Family of the Four Great Families. If today's visitor were a direct descendant Young Lord of the Xiao Family, he might have had to swallow his anger. But as for this branch-line Xiao Ziying, he did not fear him.
"Since Young Master Xiao looks down on this Young Lord's Jade-Eye Crystal Ore, you must surely have some precious gift for Miss Xiang'er, right? Why not let us broaden our horizons?"
"Hehe." Xiao Ziying smiled faintly. "Even the most beautiful crystal ore in the world cannot compare to one ten-thousandth of Miss Xiang'er's beauty. Gifting crystal ore is simply too vulgar, and moreover, an insult to Miss Xiang'er. Because in my heart, Miss Xiang'er is not a musician, but a goddess. If Miss Xiang'er were to ask, I would gladly give my very life to her."
One had to admit, this Xiao Ziying was quite the smooth talker.
With these words, he not only insulted Mei Yuanhua and elevated himself, but also subtly praised Miss Xiang'er.
Compared to his speech, the Jade-Eye Crystal Ore Mei Yuanhua had just gifted became both a vulgar object and an insult to Miss Xiang'er.
Mei Yuanhua hurriedly explained, "Miss Xiang'er, that's not what I meant, I just..." Before he could finish, Miss Xiang'er, sitting on the high platform, interrupted him. Looking at Xiao Ziying, she smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise, Young Lord Xiao. However, I'm afraid I must disappoint you. I, Lin Xiang'er, am indeed a musician, and moreover... a very, very vulgar person."
"Oh?" Xiao Ziying seemed not to have expected Miss Xiang'er to answer this way. After a brief moment of surprise, he responded, "Miss Xiang'er is too modest."
Miss Xiang'er's words instantly extricated Mei Yuanhua from his awkward predicament. He glared at Xiao Ziying, sneered, and was about to say something when music suddenly began to play. Looking up, he saw Miss Xiang'er holding a pipa, already starting to play.
...
Linglong Mountain Villa was bustling with a constant stream of people coming and going.
In a pavilion within the mountain villa, three people were currently seated.
Two appeared to be handsome men, and one was a mighty, imposing man with a broad back and towering stature.
One of the handsome men, dressed in white, sat upright, his brow seemingly troubled by something.
The handsome man in green, while watching the endless stream of men in the mountain villa, rolled his eyes as if in utter disdain.
As for the mighty, imposing man with the broad back, he seemed to be visiting this kind of Fengyue Manor for the first time. Ever since entering, he had been utterly dazzled by the villa's alluring maidservants. His originally dark complexion was flushed with waves of bashful redness.
"I say, Gu Zhenyuan, you big oaf, today I brought you out to broaden your horizons, not to gawk at these seductresses."
The handsome man in green said disdainfully, "Usually you seem honest and simple, but coming to a place like this, your true colors show immediately. Hmph! Men really are no good!"
"Miss Shui'er, I... I... I'm not... I didn't... I..." Whether out of guilt or something else, Gu Zhenyuan stammered, even daring not to meet Shui'er's eyes.
"Shui'er, don't blame Zhenyuan too much. Food, drink, and lust are human nature. Since ancient times, it has been so. It cannot be called filthy, nor is it related to one's character."