Hu Yanbo

The banquet hall was ablaze with lights, yet the atmosphere carried a subtle solemnity.

When Qin Ming entered the hall flanked by the three department heads, the previously murmuring conversations instantly dropped in volume. Countless gazes—direct or veiled—converged on him like spotlights.

Qin Ming wore a tailored black suit, simple in design but accentuating his upright, pine-like posture.

Facing a hall full of Immortal Gods and regional titans, his expression was calm as still water. His eyes swept the crowd coolly, betraying neither the unease of a newcomer nor the arrogance of youthful success.

That composure and restraint, far beyond what his apparent age suggested, earned silent nods from many seasoned powerhouses present—while also sharpening their wariness.

This young Inspector Envoy was likely not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

"Everyone." Purple Lightning Marquis, head of the Martial Department, stepped forward. His voice boomed, carrying an undertone like rolling thunder, instantly suppressing all noise.

"Let us raise our glasses together to welcome Lord Qin Ming as the officially appointed Inspector Envoy of the Virtual Universe Company's Ganwu Universe Kingdom branch!"

"Welcome, Lord Qin Ming!"

The crowd echoed in unison, raising their glasses in salute. The sound nearly lifted the dome.

Whatever their inner thoughts, no one dared slack on appearances.

Qin Ming accepted the wine glass handed to him by a timely attendant, nodded slightly to the entire hall, but only took a shallow sip—no more.

He neither rushed to warm up to the various factions nor put on the stern airs of a newly appointed Inspector Envoy.

This elusive, unfathomable attitude only made those with guilty consciences or those trying to gauge his temperament feel more unsettled.

After the simple welcome ceremony, the banquet entered a freer networking phase.

The three department heads naturally stayed by Qin Ming's side throughout, introducing him to the most outstanding or uniquely positioned figures of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom.

"Your Lordship, this is the Grand Elder of the Ganwu royal family, Qianlong King."

Golden Feather Marquis introduced an elder in dark gold robes, whose aura was deep as an abyss, his face kindly.

"Lord Qin Ming, your reputation precedes you. His Majesty the Kingdom Lord holds you in high regard and has sent me to convey his greetings."

Qianlong King's smile was warm, his eyes concealing sharp light, his words flawless.

"Please convey my thanks to His Majesty for his concern." Qin Ming replied politely, neither humble nor arrogant.

Originally, Qin Ming and the Ganwu Kingdom Lord called each other brothers—at this moment, even addressing him as "big brother" would not have been out of place.

However, the Ganwu Kingdom Lord was ultimately a Venerable. In private, such address was fine, but in a formal setting like this, Qin Ming had to show due respect.

Yet Qin Ming had no idea that the Ganwu Kingdom Lord had already spread word of their relationship.

Ordinary Immortals and even typical Kings might not know, but Venerables and Kings with Venerable connections were all aware of it.

"And this is 'Extinction Blade King' Moro, one of the pillar commanders of our Ganwu Universe Kingdom's military, in charge of the Third Star Sector Army."

Black Annihilation Marquis pointed to a middle-aged man standing straight as a spear, his face cold and hard as iron, bearing a scabbardless dark red longsword on his back.

This man's Evil Aura was dense and unyielding, his gaze sharp as a blade—clearly a hardened warrior forged through seas of blood and mountains of corpses.

Moro merely nodded at Qin Ming, saying nothing.

Then, several more renowned figures of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom were introduced—Marquis-level Immortals wielding great power or formidable strength.

Qin Ming maintained his composed and proper demeanor throughout, his speech concise yet watertight, leaving others completely unable to gauge his depth, temperament, or future style of conduct.

Many who tried to get a face in or probe his stance were skillfully blocked by the experienced three department heads, unable to truly approach Qin Ming.

As the three department heads pointed in another direction, Qin Ming's gaze followed—and he saw someone both familiar and unfamiliar.

A man about three meters tall, with two flexible antennae on his forehead, his face highly similar to that of an Earthling.

He stood alone in a slightly secluded corner, not actively joining any circle, exuding an aura of isolation and strength.

Yunmo Marquis, Hu Yanbo.

Luo Feng's future cheap teacher, and a legendary figure in the original story who could be called a "life winner."

Though his method of "winning" was rather unique.

Qin Ming's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained calm.

This one... was a "key figure."

He wondered exactly when he would fall... After all, according to the original story, Luo Feng would be born on Earth about fifty thousand years after his death.

At this moment, Hu Yanbo naturally had no idea that this young, illustrious Inspector Envoy was silently "looking forward" to his "fall."

Through a soul link, he was secretly communicating with his intelligent assistant, "Babata."

"Master, I never expected it—that insignificant kid from a minor Windfall Empire family back then has risen to such a grand figure! Inspector Envoy, with all these Marquis-level Immortals fawning over him... tsk tsk." Babata's tone carried its usual mix of mockery and amazement.

"Given the talent he displayed, reaching this point isn't surprising." Hu Yanbo wasn't surprised by that.

"What does strike me as odd, though... is that his breakthrough to Domain Lord seemed too fast. And if my perception is correct, his current aura is already at Domain Lord Ninth Stage."

"Domain Lord Ninth Stage?" Babata was somewhat startled.

"How long has it been? The Genius Tournament ended only about two hundred years ago, right? Could the Virtual Universe Company have other means to quickly raise one's rank?"

"Perhaps."

Hu Yanbo's gaze cut through the crowd, landing on Qin Ming from afar once more.

"Or perhaps he has encountered other opportunities. That young man is shrouded in no small amount of mystery."

"Whatever, it's got nothing to do with us anyway." Babata said carelessly.

"But, Master, now that he's an Inspector Envoy with great authority, we could find a chance... hmm, to get a little closer? Maybe there'll be something we can borrow his strength for down the line?"

Hu Yanbo was silent for a moment, offering no response to Babata's suggestion. He was reclusive by nature, disliking to associate with the powerful, let alone actively curry favor.

He merely watched the youth who had once participated in the Genius Tournament, now standing at the pinnacle of power in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom, and could not help but feel a sense of the vicissitudes of life.

Qin Ming seemed to sense Hu Yanbo's gaze. From afar, he raised his glass in a slight gesture, his manner calm—neither warm nor dismissive—as if offering an ordinary salute to an Immortal whose strength was acknowledged.

Hu Yanbo was momentarily startled. He raised his own glass in return, then quickly averted his gaze, sinking back into his own world.

To be honest, when reading the original story, Qin Ming had also felt that Hu Yanbo was rather a pity.