Chapter 93: Chapter 93: A Gathering of True Geniuses
The night passed uneventfully. The next day, a knock came at Lin Yun’s door early in the morning. Lin Yun, who had been in the middle of his cultivation, rose and went to the door to find a middle-aged man standing outside.
The man’s aura was deep and powerful; he was undoubtedly a Qi Sea Realm expert. Finding it strange that an expert of this caliber whom he didn’t know would come looking for him, Lin Yun asked, "How can I help you?"
"You’re Lin Shan," the man stated coldly, ignoring Lin Yun’s question.
"That’s right."
"This is an invitation. My young master is hosting a banquet at Yunlu Tower tonight. He has ordered me to deliver this invitation personally, and he hopes Young Master Lin will do him the honor of attending." The man’s words were polite, but his tone remained consistently cold.
"Your young master? And who might that be?" Lin Yun had no acquaintances in the County City, so he had no idea who would invite him.
"You will find out when you arrive, Young Master Lin. Anyone who can fight Wu Ze to a standstill is worthy of being called a genius." With that, the man turned and left the inn without another word.
Back in his room, Lin Yun examined the invitation. At the bottom, a signature was written in two powerful, vigorous words.
’Tang Wushuang... The Young Prince of Yunlu County.’ He never imagined the banquet was being hosted by Tang Wushuang, the universally acknowledged number one prodigy of Yunlu County’s younger generation. His fame was immense.
’Well, it couldn’t hurt to go see what it’s about.’ Lin Yun wasn’t particularly opposed to the idea; in fact, he was quite happy for the chance to meet the so-called geniuses of Yunlu County.
The Yunlu Tower itself was also an attraction for Lin Yun. As the premier establishment in the entire county, it was the subject of many rumors.
It was common knowledge that everyone who dined at Yunlu Tower was a person of standing. You either had to be exceptionally powerful or come from an influential background. Ordinary people had no hope of ever setting foot inside, as the cost was far beyond what a typical Martial Artist could bear.
At the appointed time, Lin Yun arrived outside Yunlu Tower with Qin Feng. After presenting his invitation, a sweet-faced maid led him to the third floor.
Yunlu Tower was only three stories high. The third floor, being the highest, was always reserved for true nobles and powerful experts.
Judging from the arrangements for this gathering alone, Tang Wushuang truly lived up to his reputation as the top talent of Yunlu County’s younger generation.
"This way, Young Master Lin." The maid showed Lin Yun into the main hall and then withdrew. More than a dozen youths were already scattered across the third floor, talking in small groups of two and three.
From their auras and attire, it was clear that none of them were ordinary. They were all young masters from prominent families.
Little Ape was asleep in his arms. Lin Yun had let it eat its fill before they came. After all, having Little Ape devour an entire Tier Two Demon Beast in front of this crowd would undoubtedly cause unnecessary trouble.
Knowing no one, Lin Yun and Qin Feng found an empty table and sat down. However, just as they did, Lin Yun felt a wave of battle intent directed at him.
’Wu Ze...’ Watching the approaching youth, the corners of Lin Yun’s mouth lifted into a slight smile.
"Hmph. I’m not here to fight you," Wu Ze said with a cold snort. "Someone of your strength shouldn’t be sitting out here. You should be with us."
Lin Yun shrugged. ’Looks like he still can’t let our fight go.’ He followed Wu Ze across the hall and into a private room.
Qin Feng did not follow, as Wu Ze had declared that only true geniuses were allowed inside, and Qin Feng was not qualified. Lin Yun didn’t press the issue, simply telling Qin Feng to wait outside and call for him if needed.
The private room was spacious, but including Lin Yun, there were only five people inside. ’The other four,’ Lin Yun mused, ’must be the top four geniuses of Yunlu County.’
"So you’re Lin Shan?" a youth with a sickly pale complexion asked, looking at Lin Yun.
"I am," Lin Yun replied with a smile. "But isn’t it customary to state your own name before asking for another’s?"
"Haha, don’t mind him, Brother Lin Shan. That’s just his nature. Allow me to make the introductions." As soon as Lin Yun finished speaking, a young man with an extraordinary bearing approached him with a laugh.
The young man was dressed in magnificent robes, and his bearing was exceptional. Even among the five geniuses present, he radiated an air of proud distinction.
"This is Yue Xiuchuan," he said, gesturing to the young man who had spoken first—the one with the sickly pale skin, the genius of the Yue Family.
"And this is Chen Tianlong." The man in question was two meters tall, packed with muscle, and wore a tight-fitting black uniform. He was the genius of the Chen Family.
After introducing the two, the young man smiled. "And I assume there’s no need for an introduction to Wu Ze?"
Finally, only the host himself remained. In truth, Lin Yun didn’t need to be told his identity. ’Who else could it be but Tang Wushuang, the foremost genius in all of Yunlu County?’
Once the introductions were complete, Lin Yun took his seat. Everyone present, Wu Ze included, was intensely curious about him. They all wanted to know how an unknown person could fight Wu Ze to a draw, and perhaps even gain a slight upper hand.
"Fifth Layer of Opening... His cultivation is too low. Hey, Wu Ze, have you gotten weaker lately?" Chen Dalong was a boorish man. One look at him told you he was all brawn and no brains. The first words out of his mouth left everyone at a loss for words.
Wu Ze’s expression darkened. He glared at Chen Dalong and said angrily, "Chen Dalong, why don’t you come and find out for yourself if I’ve gotten weaker?"
"Bring it on! You think I’m scared of you?"
Chen Dalong never backed down from a fight. He was the type who would be just as direct even with Tang Wushuang. That was simply his nature.
"That’s enough," Tang Wushuang interjected. "Today isn’t the day for fighting. If you’re itching for a brawl, you’ll have plenty of opportunities at the Academy."
Then, he turned to Lin Yun. "Brother Lin Shan, please don’t take offense. Brother Chen is just blunt and speaks his mind; he bears no malice."
Lin Yun nodded. This was his first time meeting the four great prodigies of Yunlu County, and setting Wu Ze aside, he found himself quite surprised by the other three. None of them were mediocre in the slightest.
Yue Xiuchuan looked like an invalid, but his Elemental Power carried a frigid chill that Lin Yun could feel even from ten feet away.
One look at Chen Dalong was enough to tell he was a Body Refining Martial Artist. His physique had been tempered to an incredible degree of toughness; he must have practiced some special Body Refining Technique.
And finally, there was Tang Wushuang. He was the one person Lin Yun couldn’t see through. Though a smile was ever-present on his face, Lin Yun couldn’t sense even a trace of his aura.
He was like a common man, leaking not a single shred of an aura.
’The inability to see through someone is what makes them truly terrifying.’ In his mind, Lin Yun’s evaluation of Tang Wushuang was already far higher than his assessment of Wu Ze and the other two.
The four people before him, in terms of both bearing and strength, were far beyond what someone like the Iron Blood Young Master could compare to. These were the true geniuses of Yunlu County.
Furthermore, Lin Yun knew that the true strength of all four, Wu Ze included, was far greater than what appeared on the surface. Of course, the same could be said for himself.
