Chapter 684: Chapter 406: Different Lifestyles
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Seeing Yan Xiaobao’s transformation, Cai Jie raised his eyebrow in surprise. The once nervous and excitable young man, now with his gray hair, seemed calm and collected; instead of being anxious, he wore a faint smile. His gaze was steady and filled with etiquette as he politely nodded at the guards who had let them in. Yan Xiaobao said nothing, but his entire demeanor had undergone such a profound change that Cai Jie couldn’t help but feel astonished. He smiled softly again, feeling increasingly satisfied with his decision to follow Yan Xiaobao.
Yan Xiaobao felt the monk’s personality taking over. The countless memories of diverse lifestyles from the monk made it difficult to truly feel at ease in Yan Xiaobao’s own body. Though these memories and personalities had merged within him, they occasionally emerged and took control of his actions. Usually, this would be troublesome, but today the young man was grateful for the monk’s calm influence, as it steadied him and cleared his mind. This allowed him to observe his surroundings more clearly, and his prior worries vanished entirely. Cai Jie had made a good point earlier. Wearing a gentle smile, Yan Xiaobao followed Cai Jie into the main hall.
The main hall was an enormous structure, and as they entered, they encountered a grand entrance chamber with a staircase that extended five levels high. The handrails of the staircase were made entirely of pure gold, while the stairs themselves were carved out of exquisite marble. At the sight of this, Yan Xiaobao felt as if his breath was taken away.
In front of them, the guard proceeded toward the staircase, and both Cai Jie and Yan Xiaobao followed closely behind. Neither of them outwardly showed any astonishment at the sheer display of wealth flaunted before them. Though they both wore the finest garments made with the best materials, their appearances still paled in comparison to the magnificence of their surroundings. Despite their amazement, it was clear neither man was overwhelmed by the grandeur. Their eyes remained composed; their breathing steady. Yan Xiaobao raised an eyebrow briefly, while the gray-haired young man seemed entirely indifferent. The guard began to feel uneasy. Could it be that these experts had seen splendors far surpassing even those of the City Lord’s mansion? Were they beyond being impressed? The guard knew his master, the City Lord, relished in using his wealth to humble and awe his guests as they were ushered to the lavish banquet table.
The guard led them down an expansive corridor on the banquet floor until they reached their destination. In front of them stood an imposing wooden door, thick and adorned with gold. One of the guards knocked, and it slowly creaked open before them. Stepping aside, the guard motioned for the two guests to enter; Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie complied seamlessly.
Yan Xiaobao had no idea what awaited him in the room ahead, but judging from the other parts of the mansion, he anticipated something extravagant. As he entered, he confirmed his expectations—the room didn’t disappoint. At its center was a massive table crafted from heavy wood, surrounded by enough chairs to seat fifty people. The table was arrayed with rare and exquisite delicacies. Countless plates contained every imaginable type of meat, a wide variety of vegetables and salads, as well as an array of fruits and nuts.
Some chairs were occupied, while others remained empty. Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie approached the table, intending to seat themselves wherever seemed appropriate.
"Come, come! Sit with me!" boomed a burly, towering man. Seated at the head of the table, he was unmistakably the City Lord. His gold-embroidered robe complemented the splendor of the mansion’s golden and marble design. His massive belly protruded so dramatically that it seemed his robe might burst from the strain. This man was enormous—not just in girth but in stature. Both Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie were taken aback. Though he exuded the pleasure of carefree indulgence, the aura of power surrounding him was unmistakable. It was so intense that they immediately realized the man was akin to an Emperor.
The two guests had no intention of conversing with this imposing figure; instead, they nodded courteously as they made their way to the other end of the table. The chairs toward the nearer end, where the City Lord sat, gradually gave way to an arrangement occupied by experts from varying families and sects. All present seemed intrigued by Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie. Some guests widened their eyes in astonishment, while others struggled to contain their reactions. Most dared not look directly at Yan Xiaobao, yet they couldn’t resist sneaking furtive glances. It was clear that Yan Xiaobao’s involvement in the reputed "Beast Wars" had reached their ears.
Upon arriving at the seat adjacent to the City Lord, they discovered two empty seats reserved on either side of him. Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie understood the intent and quietly sat down. Together, they raised their glasses to toast their host, offering a polite nod.
Seeing this, the City Lord broke into a beaming smile and stood, spreading his arms wide. "Welcome to my humble abode!" he declared. His voice was thunderous, reverberating throughout the room. Wine glasses trembled, and the floor seemed to quiver under his resonating words. "Today, we are fortunate to welcome two distinguished guests. Both of them are adventurers who have been traveling for days on end." He then turned to the two experts seated beside him, signaling for them to rise and introduce themselves.
"A fine day to you all. My name is Yan Xiaobao. I was born in a small village outside Liluo City," Yan Xiaobao began. His voice was steady, his smile warm and charismatic. "I have journeyed across the globe. From the furthest reaches of the Sun Kingdom, crossing into the Divine Domain, and eventually following some emigrants to return to my homeland—a land that once belonged to the Spanish Empire." Yan Xiaobao spoke with sincerity, his recounting straightforward and unguarded. Those present already knew his identity, and he saw no need for pretense—a candid account of his life’s journey was enough. His words elicited varying reactions among the guests: some choked on their wine, eyes widening to their limits, jaws dropping in shock. Several glasses slipped from trembling hands, crashing to the floor.