Matriarch

Inside the Virtual Universe, the Luo Clan Hotel was brightly lit and packed with guests.

Luo Kedi wore a bright red brocade robe, his face square and set with a perfectly measured expression of amiability as he wove through the guests, greeting them one by one.

He knew clearly that many of the people attending the banquet looked down on him from the bottom of their hearts. After all, aside from his ability to sire children and his backing from the Luo Family, he possessed neither the elegant cultivation of the upper class nor any impressive strength, and even his basic etiquette appeared stiff.

But so what? A faint, imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of Luo Kedi's mouth.

These people still had to surround him and curry favor, didn't they? They were terrified that with a single word from him, his descendants—who were spread across every department of the Luo Family—would trip them up or strangle their progress at work.

Heh heh heh~

Just then, he caught sight of Tang Ping in black robes walking over slowly in the distance, and his eyes lit up instantly.

Luo Kedi had an exceptionally deep impression of this former superior and brother-in-law.

It wasn't because Tang Ping was willing to give gifts at every banquet regardless of whether Luo Kedi was at a low point or in his glory days, but because back in the Lost Desert, he had seen Tang Ping more than once willingly activate 100% sensory input to endure inhuman torture within the Ice Cold Cavern just to improve his strength.

He had once curiously tried it himself, activating 100% sensory input, but after a mere 10 seconds, the bone-chilling cold and excruciating pain had nearly caused him to collapse. Even now, the mere memory made him shudder; he felt it would take a lifetime to heal from that trauma.

From that moment on, Luo Kedi understood that someone like Tang Ping, who could be so ruthless to himself, would only be even more ruthless to others. As long as he didn't die, and given the Luo Family's emphasis on talent, he would surely rise to the top in the future.

Right now, this was merely a temporary slump.

It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow.

Luo Kedi calculated in his mind and quickly trotted over to meet him, his tone warm: "Brother Tang Ping! I've invited you so many times, and today you finally have time to come! Come, I've reserved the best seat for you!"

This scene, witnessed by the guests present, instantly sparked hushed discussions.

One had to know, the last person Luo Kedi had personally gone out to greet was the Minister of Energy for the Black Dragon Empire, a Domain Lord-level powerhouse who was also the direct superior of the Luo Family's rising genius, Luo Fuxin.

Everyone began to speculate about the background of this young man in black.

Walking into the hotel, Luo Kedi continued to be a social butterfly, chatting with guests one by one, and Tang Ping did not feel out of place in the slightest.

He was now a core member of the Ganwu Secret Realm; in a few years, these people before him might not even have the chance to see him even if they knelt. Furthermore, in unfamiliar settings, as long as you don't feel awkward, it is others who will feel the awkwardness.

Soon, some guests discovered Tang Ping's identity: he was merely an obscure son-in-law of the Luo Family. Although his wife, Luo Xiaoyu, had been an outstanding direct descendant over a decade ago and had reached the peak of the Planetary Rank in her youth, many of the current Luo Family juniors were already Star Rank by their teens. Coupled with the fact that Tang Ping and his wife never appeared in family competitions or rankings, they had long been forgotten.

It wasn't until someone heard that Tang Ping had once been Luo Kedi's old boss in the game that everyone began to praise Luo Kedi: "Mr. Luo is truly a man of character who hasn't forgotten his old friends despite his high status; he is a kind man who values loyalty!"

The two walked all the way to the third floor from the top, the highest level accessible to ordinary members of the Luo Family for banquets.

Luo Kedi led Tang Ping to a VIP seat and introduced him enthusiastically to those present. However, those people had already received the "lowdown" on Tang Ping and merely offered symbolic smiles, too lazy to even stand up to offer a greeting.

Tang Ping didn't mind and returned a faint smile. Who didn't know how to put on a show?

A moment later, the banquet officially began.

Tang Ping silently picked up his chopsticks to eat, watching the people around him clinking glasses and laughing. Since no one took the initiative to toast him, he was happy to enjoy the peace and couldn't be bothered to join the crowd.

Only when it was Luo Kedi's turn to toast him did he take a symbolic sip.

The food in the Virtual Universe was exquisite; any delicacy one could imagine could be tasted here, and the texture was indistinguishable from reality.

Some women who were conscious of their figures would even soak in nutrient fluid in reality to sustain their lives while indulging in gourmet food in the Virtual Universe.

Tang Ping also noticed that the scale of the banquet was much higher than before. Previously, it had been ordinary chicken, duck, fish, and meat, but now everything on the table was a rare treasure containing Origin Force. Clearly, Luo Kedi had put a lot of thought into this.

After a round of drinks, Luo Fuxin, who was sitting at the head of the table, suddenly slammed his glass onto the table. The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to make the surrounding noise instantly die down.

Luo Yanchang, sitting to the side, quickly put on a smiling face and asked with feigned concern: "Brother Xin, what's wrong today? Who upset you?"

Luo Fuxin raised his eyes to scan the room, his gaze finally landing on Tang Ping, who was buried in his food. His tone carried obvious mockery: "Some people really don't understand what it means to respect their superiors!

I specifically pushed aside energy business for eight thousand star systems today—that involves trillions in travel and living resources!—to come here and congratulate Brother Kedi. And what happens? As a member of the Luo Family, he can't even be bothered to lift his glass!

What, is the burden on his shoulders heavier than mine?"

"Haha! Calm down, Brother Xin!" Luo Yanchang, who managed dozens of life-bearing star systems, quickly patted Luo Fuxin's shoulder to smooth things over, though his eyes swept toward Tang Ping with a casual, unmistakable command in his tone: "Many family members are addicted to games these days, detached from reality, and have forgotten basic etiquette. A little teaching is all they need.

Little Tang, hurry up and stand up, toast Brother Xin three times!

Do you know that Brother Xin is currently in charge of the energy business for the Silver Blue Empire? All the star systems under our Luo Family are under his jurisdiction! Without his approval, that little star system of yours won't even be able to exchange for Universe Crystal in a few years, and it might even be shut down tomorrow for failing a safety inspection!"

Tang Ping put down his chopsticks, feeling speechless.

These people had gained a little power and brought the bad habits of the Earth era—fawning over the powerful and trampling the weak, forcing people to toast—into the universe.

If it were before, for the sake of his and Luo Xiaoyu's situation in the Luo Family, he might have endured it and stood up to toast. But now, he was a Star Rank special-class student of the Ganwu Secret Realm. Were these two guys even worthy?

He looked up at Luo Fuxin and Luo Yanchang, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable confidence: "I'm sorry, but Xiaoyu and I are currently preparing for pregnancy and need to abstain from alcohol. As for the star system I previously managed, Xiaoyu and I have already submitted our resignations to the Luo Family, so you won't need to worry about it in the future."

"Uh~" Luo Yanchang, who had always been a social butterfly with a pleasant demeanor, saw the smile on his face instantly freeze.

Then, his heart skipped a beat. Tang Ping and his wife had no jobs and no assets, relying solely on family relief funds each month. Such people were known in the Luo Family as "invincible men."

After all, everyone was a member of the Luo Family and saw each other constantly; such people had nothing to lose. If they were offended too deeply, they might actually dare to strap on a bomb and take someone down with them.

More importantly, Tang Ping and his wife were still considered direct descendants of the Luo Family. He couldn't treat them like ordinary people, finding an excuse to lock them up for a beating or simply "disposing" of them.

After a brief moment of awkwardness, Luo Yanchang quickly piled the smile back onto his face and smoothed things over: "Hahaha! Little Tang is truly interesting! But what I admire most is people like you who are willing to suffer for the sake of the family!

How about this, Brother Xin, I'll toast you on behalf of Little Tang; please don't take it to heart!" As he spoke, he quickly raised his glass and handed it toward Luo Fuxin.

Luo Fuxin was no fool; he naturally understood the terror of an "invincible man." With his noble status and control over a massive energy business, it wasn't worth risking his life against someone like Tang Ping, who had nothing to lose.

Following Luo Yanchang's lead, he picked up his wine glass, his tone softening: "Since that's the case, I'm not an unreasonable man."

As his voice fell, the atmosphere at the table became "lively" once again, as if the previous unpleasantness had never occurred.

The next moment, the hotel's heavy alloy doors were pushed open from the outside. Steady footsteps approached from afar, each step landing like a strike against everyone's heart, instantly drowning out the noise of the banquet.

Everyone instinctively looked up to see a figure in a cyan alloy combat suit walking in slowly. His entire body was covered in cyan scales that shimmered with a cold light, with energy flowing faintly between the gaps, outlining explosive muscle lines. A curved, blade-like black horn protruded from his forehead, so sharp it seemed to slice through the air. The dual curved blades held on his back hung silently, the blood-red patterns engraved on the scabbards gleaming with a heart-stopping luster under the lights.

"It's the captain of the Luo Family Enforcement Team, Baikaluo!" someone whispered in shock, their tone filled with dread.

Almost everyone present had heard of Baikaluo. This commander of the enforcement team was a genuine Universe Level peak powerhouse. His dual-blade technique was legendary, and he was known for being impartial and ruthless.

Over the years, the Luo family had maintained strict discipline, and countless clansmen—even high-ranking members of collateral branches—who had violated family rules had been apprehended and brought to justice by the team he led. The bloody legends surrounding the enforcement team's interrogation rooms remained a taboo that many still dared not mention in private.

As Baikaluo approached, an aura as heavy as a mountain slowly spread out, and the temperature in the banquet hall seemed to drop by several degrees.

The previously noisy guests instantly fell silent, their breathing becoming shallow and involuntary. Luo Fuxin, who had just been high and mighty, ordering Tang Ping around, now sat bolt upright, his hands resting unconsciously on his knees, his eyes devoid of any previous arrogance.

Luo Yanchang had wiped away all traces of his smile, his face filled with tension. He stared fixedly at Baikaluo, wondering why this god of death had suddenly arrived.

Everyone knew that the enforcement team never appeared without cause, especially when the captain, Baikaluo, moved in person. It must be a matter of immense importance—either someone had committed a grave crime, or he had received an urgent order from the family's upper echelons.

But the scene that followed left everyone in the room stunned.

Baikaluo walked straight through the crowd, step by step, until he stood before the ignored Tang Ping.

Under the gaze of countless shocked eyes, this enforcement team captain, known for his cold, hard nature—a man who dared to directly detain even Star Rank powerhouses—slowly bent his straight back. With his hands hanging naturally at his sides, his tone was so respectful it bordered on humble: "Lord Tang Ping, Matriarch Xu Xin requests your presence."

"Huh?"

After a brief silence, the banquet hall erupted in a chorus of gasps.