"Going to the Nangong Family and they even sent a motorcade to pick us up? That's truly extravagant."
Sitting in the car, Lin Tian could not help recalling how dumbfounded he had been when he saw the Nangong Family's motorcade outside Magic City University's gates.
Having a special car come pick them up would have been one thing, but he had never expected an entire motorcade.
Every vehicle in the convoy bore the Nangong Family crest.
The passersby had all been stunned at the time, recognizing the Nangong Family's motorcade.
"The Nangong Family is Magic City's foremost aristocratic family. Its prestige in Magic City is second only to Magic City University."
"Huh?"
Hearing Martial Saint Yuanming's words, Lin Tian looked utterly bewildered.
Magic City University's influence was enormous. As one of Dragon Country's Four Great Universities, it was known throughout the entire Dragon Nation.
As for its reputation within Magic City itself, there was even less need to mention it. It was a place every Magic City resident longed for.
Yet the Nangong Family's prestige was actually second only to a place like Magic City University.
"Don't be so quick to be surprised. There's more waiting to surprise you."
Martial Saint Yuanming smiled.
"There's more?"
"Is the Nangong Family really that outrageous?"
"I suddenly don't want to go anymore. How about we head back?"
Lin Tian regretted his decision. A Nangong Family this terrifying seemed like somewhere he ought not to visit.
"What are you afraid of? Just go."
Seeing Lin Tian at a loss for words, Martial Saint Yuanming nearly laughed.
"The Nangong Family differs from the aristocratic families in the Imperial Capital. Most of its powerful experts have gone to guard various places across Dragon Nation. Only a few Transcendent Realm experts, or one or two Martial Saints, remain to guard the Lineage."
"Really?"
Lin Tian wore an unconvinced expression.
"It's true. Only one Martial Saint ancestor is currently stationed in the Nangong Family, so relax."
Nangong Ya said helplessly.
"You weren't even this scared when you met us. Why are you so frightened now that you're about to enter an aristocratic family? Are you worried we'll harm you?"
"With your level of cultivation, if we wanted to make a move, we would've done so long ago."
Martial Saint Yuanming found it strange.
This kid Lin Tian had dared to talk back to him the moment he met him. Why had he become so afraid just because he was about to enter the Nangong Family?
Hearing that, Lin Tian began muttering to himself inwardly.
I only have Vancang, one Martial Saint, protecting me. The Nangong Family is Magic City's foremost aristocratic family. What if they have several Martial Saints? I wouldn't even be able to run away.
Five hours later, Lin Tian looked on the verge of collapse.
"Five hours, five whole hours! Do you know how I spent those five hours?"
"Magic City is a province. Qing Province, where you're from, is already so large. Even if Magic City can't compare to Qing Province, it's not going to be small. Reaching the Nangong Family after five hours of driving is already very fast."
"After all, you can't drive a hovercar out from Magic City's urban district."
Seeing Lin Tian like this, Martial Saint Yuanming laughed.
"There, take a look. Not many people in all of Dragon Nation get to enter the Nangong Family."
Urged on by Martial Saint Yuanming, Lin Tian looked out the window. The lavish gate instantly drew his attention.
I have a subordinate like Vancang, yet I've seen so little of the world. What a failure.
Lin Tian could not help sighing inwardly at the sight before him.
He had obtained the system only half a month ago and had seen far too few things.
If he wanted to broaden his horizons, he still needed time to settle and accumulate.
Once Heavenly Palace had enough members, he would definitely turn its location into the most luxurious place imaginable.
"Do you see those people guarding the gate?"
"The weakest among them are Martial Dao Seventh Level grandmasters. They're considered external members of the Nangong Family, yet even that status is something countless people would fight until their heads bled for."
Martial Saint Yuanming pointed at the guards standing before the gate.
The moment those people saw the Nangong Family vehicles, they opened the gates.
"Once we enter the Lineage, security won't be this tight. It's mainly to keep outsiders from entering."
Nangong Ya explained.
Lin Tian nodded and waited for the vehicles to stop.
Ten minutes later, Lin Tian looked at the sight before him in great shock. He had still underestimated the Nangong Family's extravagance.
"It took ten minutes by car just to reach the Nangong Family's residential area. How massive is this estate?"
"And the pillars supporting these buildings—if I'm not mistaken, they're made of jade, right? Does Dragon Nation have that much jade?"
Lin Tian looked toward the two of them and asked.
He had never imagined a scene this luxurious.
"Jade preserves spiritual energy more easily, so many aristocratic families choose to do this."
"There truly isn't much jade circulating on Dragon Nation's market, because it has all been collected by these aristocratic families."
Martial Saint Yuanming shook his head.
"Can you feel the spiritual energy here?"
"A massive Spirit Gathering Array lies beneath the Nangong Family's residential district. Spirit Gathering Arrays are also installed in the rooms of certain special family members."
"This is what a top aristocratic family in Dragon Nation is like."
Lin Tian nodded upon hearing this, not knowing what reaction he ought to have toward all this.
"With an environment like this, it's no surprise they produce so many powerful experts."
"Dragon Nation's top aristocratic families all have their own missions, even those few families in the Imperial Capital."
"You'll learn about these things later."
"While aristocratic families possess the finest environments and resources, the risks they shoulder are beyond anyone else's imagination."
"Over the past thousand years, three top aristocratic families have declined."
Martial Saint Yuanming sighed deeply and said no more.
"Lord Yuanming, young friend Lin Tian, my name is Nangong Sheng. The family head has been waiting for you for quite some time. Please follow me."
At that moment, a middle-aged man approached Lin Tian and Martial Saint Yuanming.
"Sorry for the trouble!"
Martial Saint Yuanming nodded in thanks, and Lin Tian followed his example.
"Third Brother, I'll head back first."
"I promised this kid I'd introduce Qingwan to him."
After saying that to the middle-aged man, Nangong Ya immediately ran off in a cloud of dust.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Sheng's mouth twitched. He then said apologetically.
"Please forgive the spectacle."
"Let me make this clear first: I never said I wanted to meet that Nangong Qingwan. Teacher Nangong made that decision on her own."
Lin Tian hurriedly waved his hands, clearing himself of any involvement. This matter had nothing to do with him.
Nangong Sheng nodded.
"I know my little sister's temperament well. This matter has nothing to do with you, young friend."
"This way, please!"
While following Nangong Sheng onward, Lin Tian felt quite puzzled and quietly asked Martial Saint Yuanming.
"Why aren't there any of those black technologies in the Nangong Family? A top aristocratic family like this should have them too, shouldn't it?"
"Young friend Lin Tian, those black technologies you speak of are Dragon Nation's deepest secrets. They cannot exist anywhere except designated locations."
"The Nangong Family is an aristocratic family. If aristocratic families possessed such power, they might very well slip beyond Dragon Nation's control."
Walking ahead of them, Nangong Sheng explained it to Lin Tian.
"You brat, do you really think people can't hear you just because you lower your voice?"
Martial Saint Yuanming looked helpless.
Lin Tian shrank his head after hearing that. This was Magic City's foremost aristocratic family, a place where powerful experts gathered like clouds.
As the three of them passed a small garden, a voice caught Lin Tian's attention.
"Qingwan, I only need fifty more points of vitality and blood to reach the Martial Dao Second Layer Late-stage. Then I'll be in the same realm as you."
"Qingwan, I obtained a sword technique a couple days ago. It suits you very well. Would you like to take a look?"
"Qingwan, I heard there'll be a longsword at the auction half a month from now. I'll bid on it and give it to you."
In the garden, a young man was professing his feelings to a cold-faced young woman.
The young woman's face was somewhat angry at the moment, and she spoke displeasedly.
"I told you I don't want anything from you, and I've never accepted anything from you. Whatever I need, the Nangong Family will buy for me."
"I've said this many times already. Can you stop pestering me?"
"Qingwan, if you don't like any of those things, I can give you something else. There has to be something you like."
Seeing the girl grow angry, the young man hurriedly spoke up, but this only made her even more furious.
"Damn, where did this simp come from? She's already rejected him clearly, yet he still shamelessly clings to her. A simp, a simp—doesn't he know that after simping to the end, he'll have nothing at all?"
Hearing those words, Lin Tian's mouth twitched endlessly. Wasn't this practically a replica of his former self?
He did not realize that he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud.
Not only had Martial Saint Yuanming and Nangong Sheng heard him, but the man and woman in the small garden had heard him as well.
Especially the young man—his face instantly flushed red after Lin Tian said those words.
Before you continue