Chapter 107: The Prodigy of the Lu Family

East Pole City. The northern district.

The bustling streets are lined with rows of orderly, magnificent mansions. This is the most prestigious part of the city, home to high-ranking officials and prominent, wealthy clans. Among them sits the Lu family, one of the two dominant powers of East Pole City.

Inside the Lu estate at this moment, the flow of people is constant. The halls are decorated with festive lanterns and colorful banners, and every Lu family member wears a look of immense pride and arrogance. Tomorrow is the day of the political marriage between the Lu and Yao families. Though it is called a marriage alliance, everyone knows the Yao family has already been largely swallowed up by the Lu clan; this union is merely a convenient pretext for the Lu family to cement their control.

Soon, the entire structure of East Pole City will change. The Yao family will exist in name only, and within a decade, they will be completely wiped from memory. From then on, the Lu family will be the sole hegemon, basking in boundless glory. Furthermore, everyone in the city knows that the Yao family’s eldest daughter is a prodigy of the Only-I Sect, a beauty of peerless grace who has been famed as the "First Beauty of the East Pole Realm" since the age of ten. The Lu family takes great pride and face in marrying her.

Consequently, the entire estate is immersed in joy. From time to time, carriages pulled by exotic beasts arrive at the gates, from which distinguished figures of the city emerge to deliver their congratulatory gifts. This is merely the prelude; as the wedding begins tomorrow, even more dignitaries will appear, placing the Lu family at the very center of attention.

Amidst the festivities, in the back garden, a young master in fine silk robes strolls with his hands behind his back. His face bears an arrogant expression, and his stride is full of a self-important air.

"Congratulations, young master! After tomorrow's wedding, the Lu family shall honor you above all others," a burly man following him says with a slight bow.

The young master chuckles, a smug look crossing his face. "To be honest, I am more interested in that eldest daughter of the Yao family. Such a beauty is a rare sight, even within our Hongyuan Sect." He licks his lips with a trace of greed in his eyes.

The burly man quickly cups his hands, fawning, "It is her great fortune to be a match for you, young master." The young master laughs heartily at this.

His name is Lu Qiming, the eldest son of the current generation of the Lu family. He holds a significant position within the clan and is a talented disciple of the Hongyuan Sect, currently standing at the half-step Golden Core stage. It is said he entered the Hongyuan Sect at eight and reached the Foundation Establishment stage at nineteen. His cultivation path has been smooth; at twenty-six, he is already a half-step Golden Core cultivator with many followers even within his sect.

In his view, returning to East Pole City is an act of condescension, like an emperor traveling incognito. He holds the entire city in contempt. The only thing that piques his interest is the eldest daughter of the Yao family, whom he hears is a true disciple of the Only-I Sect with a Golden Core cultivation—a true dragon among humans. However, the young master of the Lu family still looks down on her. To him, his background in the top-tier Hongyuan Sect makes him superior; even if her cultivation is higher now, he believes he will inevitably surpass her once he reaches the Golden Core stage.

It must be said that the young master of the Lu family is a classic example of someone with high expectations but low ability. Accustomed to arrogance, he appears to be above everything, but in reality, he is a fool. Even Ling Tianchen would never dare to underestimate Yao Jianjia, so one must wonder where Lu Qiming finds such misplaced confidence.

Ignoring this, the young master hums to himself as he walks toward the gate, contentedly accepting the sycophantic smiles of those he passes.

"Haha, Ming'er, come here," his father, a middle-aged man sitting in a pavilion in the front courtyard, calls out with a grin.

"Father." Seeing his father, Lu Qiming softens his arrogant expression slightly and steps forward with a respectful bow.

The pavilion is crowded with people of considerable cultivation. If any youth of the Yao family were here, they would be shocked to recognize these figures as the prominent cultivators of East Pole City—many of whom were formerly employees who helped run the Yao family’s businesses. Now, they have all defected to the Lu family, their fawning behavior truly despicable.

"Greetings, Young Master Lu," an old man in yellow robes says, stepping forward to cup his hands. His wrinkled face is full of smug satisfaction, showing no shame for abandoning the Yao family.

Lu Qiming nods slightly, his gaze aloof. His father smiles. "Ming'er, this is Uncle Zhao. From now on, they are the trusted confidants of our Lu family. You must treat them well."

"The Patriarch is too kind," the old man in yellow says flatteringly. "We have long admired the young master's unparalleled cultivation in the Hongyuan Sect. Why not show us a trick or two so we may broaden our horizons?"

"Ming'er, go ahead and show them," his father adds.

"Yes, Father." Lu Qiming steps forward, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, a powerful, surging spiritual energy erupts, forming two tornadoes that spiral into the sky, scattering the clouds and dimming the sun. The entire world seems to wail under the force of this technique, and it is only after a long moment that the terrifying pressure dissipates.

Having finished, Lu Qiming folds his hands behind his back, acting as if it were nothing. The crowd, led by Uncle Zhao, looks on in terror, wiping sweat from their brows.

"The young master's strength is extraordinary! We have truly been enlightened!"

"With such a prodigy helping the Lu family, our prosperity is guaranteed!"

"Congratulations to the Patriarch!"

The dignitaries offer their loud, fawning praise, leaving the Lu Patriarch beaming with joy. It seems the day of dominating East Pole City is right before his eyes.

...

Meanwhile, not far from East Pole City, a black streak of light flashes across the horizon at an astonishing speed, creating a series of sonic booms that send birds and beasts fleeing in terror.

"Senior Sister, you are familiar with East Pole City. You know where the Lu family is, right?" Wang Ran stands on a giant black brush, his robes fluttering in the wind, his expression sharp.

Yao Jianjia, sitting cross-legged on the shaft of the brush, brushes a strand of hair behind her ear and nods. "I do. They are in the northern district."

"Good. I hope those bastards don't get wind of this and run off, or I'll have to chase them to the ends of the earth," Wang Ran says, relieved.

"Xiao Ran, as far as I know, the Lu family head is a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator. You are only at the peak of Foundation Establishment; are you sure you can handle him?" Yao Jianjia says, her eyes filled with worry. "Perhaps we should return to the sect and have Master undo my seal so I can return to take my revenge personally?"

"How could we do that? As the saying goes, a gentleman should not delay his revenge for even a day. It is decided. Don't worry, Senior Sister. If I can slay the Sky Demon Queen Bee, am I afraid of a mere human Golden Core cultivator?" Wang Ran dismisses her concerns immediately.

He is joking—if he left now, wouldn't he be wasting a perfect opportunity to earn Enlightenment Points? Earning such points is difficult these days, and opportunities to show off don't come around every day!

Afraid that Yao Jianjia might try to persuade him again, Wang Ran immediately pushes the black brush to its maximum speed, streaking toward East Pole City. Today, no one can stop him from destroying the Lu family!