Long Xiao and the others made their way slowly to the top floor, where everyone was drinking and chatting merrily.
"Oh, our guest of honor is here." Seeing Long Xiao enter, Mang Qianchi stroked his beard and smiled.
Looking around, Long Xiao saw that apart from Lei Dong and Lei Ritian, everyone present was a senior member of the academy.
Lei Dong looked at him as well, then set down his wine cup. "Brother Long Xiao, please take a seat."
Long Xiao dispensed with the formalities and sat straight down. Bai Ling'er sat beside him, while Xiao Huohuo sat with Curly.
Mang Qianchi looked at Long Xiao, his face full of pride and satisfaction.
"Ah, I never imagined the world held such an unparalleled prodigy. This old man's horizons were far too narrow."
Lei Dong smiled in agreement. "Indeed. I thought few people on this continent could stand shoulder to shoulder with me, but Brother Long Xiao has shown me what a true prodigy is."
His words were sincere. Had anyone from the ancient clans ever lacked exceptional talent or failed to lead others by a hundred strides? Besides, he had reached one-star Dou Sheng at fifty, making him the Lei Clan's greatest prodigy in nearly a thousand years.
Yet what of Long Xiao? He was only around twenty, and already so unfathomable. What background did he have? If he was an independent cultivator, that would be even more terrifying.
And according to Elder Su Qian, the girl in white beside him was also immensely powerful. Lei Dong could not see through her either. Where exactly had these people come from?
"You're too kind."
Long Xiao replied casually, then picked up his wine cup and drained it. He seemed unconcerned with their praise.
Something weighed on his mind.
"By the