At the grand banquet hall, Liang maneuvered through the crowd, mingling with numerous members of the Dong Clan, most of whom were aligned with the Heaven Faction.
The air buzzed with snippets of fervent discussions—words like "secret realm" and "competition" floated about, piquing Liang’s curiosity.
"Elder Hua, might you tell me more about this secret realm competition everyone is discussing?" Liang asked, leaning closer to make himself heard over the din.
Elder Hua paused thoughtfully before speaking. "Every five hundred years, the clan opens the gates to the Primordial Rune Secret Realm, Although this realm was only uncovered recently, eight experts have already ascended to Divines after emerging from it."
Liang’s eyes widened, his interest now thoroughly captivated. "A secret realm that can produce Divines?"
Elder Hua nodded gravely. "Indeed. The Primordial Rune Secret Realm is a place shrouded in mystery and teeming with opportunity. It is said to be a repository of ancient runes and incomparable treasures, each capable of propelling a cultivator toward greatness."
"And how does one gain entry to this secret realm?" Liang eyes flickered thoughtfully.
"Entry is highly coveted and strictly limited," Elder Hua elaborated. "Only twenty slots are granted each time it opens. The clan will hold a competition to decide who will be the fortunate few."
As Elder Hua prepared to elaborate further, he suddenly halted, his gaze shifting to the side. Following his line of sight, Liang saw Dong Rui approaching. Elder Hua offered Liang a respectful nod and said, "It appears our conversation must pause here. Excuse me, young master Liang."
Liang acknowledged Elder Hua’s departure and turned to face Dong Rui, who now stood beside him. Her presence was imposing, her aura remarkably intensified compared to the last time they met.
"A True Paragon," Liang remarked, raising his cup in a toast. "Congratulations."
Dong Rui’s brow furrowed, her voice dripping with skepticism. "The old man is probably lying, right?"
Liang responded with a serene smile, refusing to let any more words escape his lips.
Dong Rui chuckled, her tone light and teasing. "Here I was expecting something significant, but it seems you only took out the old witch while she was barely clinging to life."
Liang’s eyes darkened, narrowing as he fixed his gaze on her. "Even at her end, Red Lotus was a formidable force. I had to detonate my void essence to emerge victorious."
"I still killed a Divine Paragon. Who have you killed or let’s say sacrificed? Some novice cultivators?" His voice was icy, the words a pointed blade.
"You… How dare you bring that up!" Dong Rui’s eyes flashed with anger, flicking around to ensure no one overheard their tense exchange.
"Amusing," Liang’s mocking smile only deepened her scowl.
Dong Rui’s face clouded with a dark emotion, feeling like Liang was deliberately toying with her.
"Brother Liang, if you don’t want me dead, please refrain from mentioning this again," she pleaded, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.
Liang acknowledged her plea with a nod, shifting his gaze to Dong Tian Di, engaged in lively conversation with another person. "Your father is quite the character. It’s been a while since someone has taken me for a ride."
"Oh?" Dong Rui’s lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Is Brother Liang, displeased with my father?"
She leaned in close, her whisper a soft caress against his ear. "Do you want me to avenge this slight for you?"
Liang shook his head slowly. "There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Your father knows this well." A gleam of curiosity lit his eyes. "I’m intrigued to see what he’ll offer in exchange."
Dong Rui’s eyes flickered with contemplation. "Father may be crafty, but he ensures thoroughness in everything. He will compensate you, rest assured."
Liang nodded, a thought crystalizing in his mind. "Elder Hua approached me with a request yesterday."
Dong Rui tilted her head thoughtfully. "The old man must’ve asked for Dong Wang’s lineage token, correct?"
Liang affirmed her guess with a nod.
"You didn’t hand it over, did you?" Her question carried a hint of anxiety.
Liang’s eyes glinted with confusion. "Why wouldn’t I?"
Dong Rui’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Do you even realize the immense value of this token?"
Liang shook his head, his expression puzzled but indifferent. "Whatever its worth, it means nothing to me. It’s useless in my hands."
Dong Rui leaned closer, her voice a mix of incredulity and excitement. "The lineage token grants you the power to choose any girl from Elder Hua’s family as your bride. Not only that, but it also offers you a path to becoming an elder of the family. Think of the vast resources and authority that would be at your disposal!"
Liang’s eyes widened in astonishment, and his usually calm demeanor faltered. For the first time in a long while, his face flushed a deep, uncomfortable green. He realized he had been deceived not once, but twice in succession.
Dong Rui’s curiosity was piqued, and she couldn’t contain her intrigue. "Tell me, what did he offer you in exchange for the token?"
Liang’s eye twitched with barely concealed frustration. He remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin, stubborn line.
Seeing his reluctance, she chose to shift the conversation to a less personal matter.
"What are your thoughts on the Dong Clan?" she inquired, her voice measured and calm.
Liang pushed the frustration to the back of his mind and responded thoughtfully, "Very complicated." His gaze then drifted to the distance, as though sorting through a labyrinth of thoughts. "Two main factions vying for power, numerous collateral factions, and a strict bloodline-based hierarchy."
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Dong Rui nodded, her expression growing grave, "Even though my father is the current head, all his decisions must first be approved by the council of elders."
She sighed, her eyes reflecting the gravity of her next words. "It’s a delicate balance of power. The elders are influential and vastly experienced, but their traditional views often clash with my father’s more progressive stances."