Tang San's Shock! The Mansion's Extravagance!

The hundred-meter-high city walls towered majestically, built from enormous blocks of granite that gleamed with a dark bluish metallic sheen beneath the sun.

At the city gate, two rows of gold-armored soldiers held long spears as they sternly inspected the identities of passing travelers.

Yet today, the city gate was unusually congested.

That was because more than half of the previously broad official road had been cleared.

From afar came a dull rumble of hooves, like rolling thunder, making the ground tremble faintly.

"They're here! Lord Blue Silver King's carriage has returned!"

Someone shouted.

On the horizon, a vast army swept forward like a torrent of steel.

It was the Royal Knights.

At the very center of the formation, a massive carriage drawn by eight Dragon Scale Horses with Soul Beast bloodlines slowly approached.

The carriage was crafted entirely from agarwood and inlaid with countless precious gemstones. A huge canopy covered its roof, its hanging tassels fluttering in the wind.

Tang San rode an ordinary warhorse at the rear of the procession.

Looking at the magnificent giant city before him, the moat dozens of meters wide, and the imperial banners snapping atop the battlements, his heart was filled with awe.

This was the real world.

By comparison, Nuoding City truly seemed like a dilapidated little village.

Yet what shocked him even more was still to come.

When the procession reached the city gate—

The richly dressed nobles gathered on either side of the gate, people who normally held themselves high above all others, bowed in unison.

"Welcome back to the capital, His Highness the Blue Silver King!"

"Long Live His Highness!"

Their voices rang out in perfect unison, soaring into the heavens.

Among them were counts and viscounts with noble titles, wealthy merchants with vast fortunes, and even several imperial ministers clad in official robes.

In the eyes of ordinary people, they were all great figures who could only be looked up to.

Yet now, like humble servants, they lowered their noble heads toward that carriage, their faces full of reverence and flattery.

Sitting on horseback, Tang San watched the spectacular sight of countless nobles bowing their heads. As he watched the carriage slowly pass through the city gate amid their praises, his heart suffered an unprecedented shock.

This was power.

This was being beneath one person, yet above ten thousand.

This was his elder brother.

Tang San clenched his reins, his gaze fixed firmly on the carriage. A flame called ambition burned in his eyes.

I want to become stronger too.

Only by becoming stronger would I be qualified to stand in such a position—to stand at his side!

Blue Silver King's Mansion stood in the most central district of Heaven Dou City, adjacent to the imperial palace. It was a princely residence specially bestowed by Emperor Xue Ye.

The estate covered an immense area, its walls alone stretching for several li.

The moment Tang San followed the procession through the mansion gates, he froze.

Rich.

Far too rich.

The air was filled with a life aura so dense it was almost impossible to disperse. Every breath felt as though he were drinking sweet spring water, and every pore in his body rejoiced.

The Blue Silver Grass martial soul that had been quietly residing within him began to tremble softly beyond his control, conveying emotions of longing, joy, and filial attachment.

It was like a wanderer returning to his mother's embrace.

Tang San looked around.

Inside the mansion, pavilions and towers were arranged in an elegant pattern, their carved beams and painted rafters exquisitely crafted.

Amid the artificial hills and flowing streams grew countless strange flowers, grasses, and trees.

Every plant here grew exceptionally luxuriantly, their leaves a verdant green as though they contained boundless vitality.

Even the weeds by the roadside looked a hundred times more vigorous than those outside.

What Tang San did not know was that, in order to build this mansion, Tang Yuan had not only expended enormous financial and material resources.

He had also planted an offspring plant with the bloodline of the Blue Silver Emperor at the heart of the mansion and set up a Spirit Gathering Array.

Cultivating here was practically heaven for Plant System Soul Masters.

Especially for Tang San, who possessed the Blue Silver Grass martial soul, his cultivation speed would be at least dozens of times faster than it was outside!

"Ying Qi, take him to the west courtyard."

Tang Yuan stepped down from the carriage without lingering, merely giving a calm instruction.

"Yes."

Like an emotionless machine, Ying Qi led the still-shocked Tang San through layer after layer of corridors until they reached a secluded courtyard.

"This will be your residence from now on."

Ying Qi pushed open the door.

The room was spacious and furnished with exceptional elegance.

Most eye-catching was the independent cultivation platform at the center of the room. Beneath it was evidently connected to some kind of array, continuously releasing pure Soul Power.

Besides that, several exquisite boxes had been placed on the table.

Ying Qi pointed at the table.

"These were specially prepared for you by Prince."

"A set of Soul Tool crafting tools, as well as several auxiliary Soul Tools."

"There are some medicinal herbs in the cabinet over there that strengthen one's foundation and nourish one's vitality."

"And this..."

Ying Qi picked up a small jade vial from the table and handed it to Tang San.

"This is Spring of Life that Prince brought back from the Far North. Though it has been diluted, a single drop is enough to restore all your Soul Power at your current level, and may even improve your physique."

Tang San accepted the jade vial with trembling hands.

He pulled out the stopper. Merely catching a whiff of the fragrance that spilled out caused the Mysterious Heaven Skill within him to circulate on its own, instantly restoring his somewhat weary mind to full vigor.

He then looked at the Soul Tools on the table.

Though he did not recognize their exact models, their exquisite craftsmanship and the Soul Power fluctuations they emitted made it clear that every single one was worth a fortune.

And those medicinal herbs...

Several of them were actually identical to the rare medicinal ingredients recorded in his Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record!

Tang San felt his vision blur.

At Nuoding Academy, he had been a Work-Study Student. He still had to sweep the floors every day, and all he ate were leftovers.

After taking Yu Xiaogang as his master, what had the man given him besides the belt called Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges Night and a few carrots?

He even had to rely on the Dean's connections just to hunt Soul Beasts.

Yu Xiaogang had even treated him like a lab rat.

But here...

He had only just joined, and had not even made any contribution yet.

Yet Tang Yuan had given him such precious resources.

A top-tier cultivation environment, rare medicinal herbs, Soul Tools worth a fortune, and Spring of Life, divine water in all but name.

The difference between them was greater than heaven and earth.

"Master..."

Tang San clenched the jade vial tightly, his voice choked with emotion.

He turned around and looked at Tang Yuan, who had appeared in the doorway at some point.

"Master, these are far too precious..."

"Tang San is unworthy of receiving them."

Tang Yuan had changed into casual clothes. Standing with his hands behind his back, he looked at Tang San, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

He stepped into the room. Rather than showing much warmth, he carried a trace of sternness.

"Since you call me Master, then this is what you deserve."

"Anyone under me, Tang Yuan, must never be inferior to others."

"I gave you these things not to move you, nor for you to squander them."