Cultivating Through The Game-Chapter 670 - 359: The Villa in the Imperial City_2

"The invitation said the banquet would be held at Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate. Do you know where that is?" Lu Yu asked Kui Defa.

When Lu Yu first saw the location, he thought it was somewhere outside the imperial city, but after finding a map of the imperial city, he realized that the estate was actually inside the city.

That's right, there is a mountain inside the imperial city, called Celestial Scenery Mountain, and on it, there is an estate called Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate.

Moreover, the vast imperial city, spanning thousands of miles, has more than one mountain.

Almost every prince's residence has a mountain in the backyard, and especially so in the imperial palace.

In a place as valuable as the imperial city, owning a mountain is simply incredible.

Kui Defa had heard of Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate; as the only natural mountain forest within the imperial city open to the wealthy, it was well-known.

It was said that the estate was connected to the royal family, otherwise, it would be impossible to have secured a mountain within the imperial city.

Kui Defa and Lu Yu arrived at the foot of Celestial Scenery Mountain.

There was a wide avenue within a hundred meters of the mountain gate; on one side, the bustling streets, and on the other, Celestial Scenery Mountain, enclosed by walls.

Standing outside the gate, Lu Yu could feel the movement inside the walls; it was truly a natural mountain forest.

Inside, there were chirping birds and fragrant flowers, lush greenery, the buzzing of insects, roaming exotic beasts, and heavenly spiritual treasures...

Outside, it would just be an ordinary mountain forest with mystical beasts, but within the imperial city, it was paradise, a miracle, an unbelievable existence.

Even the gate had a palace-style structure, with a grand hall welcoming guests in the front, and entering the backyard was the true entrance to Celestial Scenery Mountain.

When Lu Yu took out the gilded jade invitation, the guards at Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate respectfully led him into the backyard, through the backyard gate, and into Celestial Scenery Mountain.

A broad staircase of white jade led all the way to the top of Celestial Scenery Mountain, where the mountain estate was perched, overlooking the entire mountain and much of the imperial city.

As he climbed the white jade steps, Lu Yu saw exotic beasts occasionally appearing outside the steps, watching them from the forest.

He also saw a golden horned giant python devouring a colorful deer. The guard, seeing this, explained calmly to Lu Yu, "Please refrain from leaving the white jade steps to avoid dangers."

"There are arrays and restrictions set up by array masters all over Celestial Scenery Mountain, separating the mystical beasts. Both the white jade steps and the mountain estate are safe zones."

Lu Yu nodded, indicating he understood.

As they walked further up, Lu Yu saw a young man and woman, who seemed like siblings, stopped by the steps, watching a black and white spiritual beast inside.

Seeing Lu Yu approaching, the elder brother smiled and nodded in greeting, leaving Lu Yu momentarily stunned. By the time he came to, he had already passed by them.

The spiritual beast they were watching was a giant panda.

The giant panda sat in a bamboo grove, chewing on bamboo, appearing cute and playful.

Lu Yu turned back, not thinking the panda was merely cute, because he recognized the bamboo it was chewing on.

It was Grade Six Blue Steel Bamboo, difficult even for a Martial Cultivator in the Qi Sea Realm to break, but in the panda's mouth, it was like a crisp carrot, easily chewed and swallowed.

Lu Yu thought the giant panda's strength was at least in the Demon Core Realm.

Otherwise, it couldn't chew and swallow the tough Blue Steel Bamboo so effortlessly.

Within Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate, famed talents from all over the Zhou Dynasty gathered. Most were from aristocratic families, skilled in social interactions, engaging in conversation.

A few aloof individuals occupied their own spaces, either too formidable to provoke or completely ignored.

Despite different approaches to socializing, they all shared a common goal: Zhou Hong of the Zhou Prince's Mansion.

Although many were chatting, they kept an eye on the staircase at the hall's center, having heard that Zhou Hong was above.

Yet, no one had seen Zhou Hong so far.

Many eagerly anticipated seeing Zhou Hong in person; this was his domain, naturally drawing everyone's attention.

Footsteps echoed, and the conversations in the hall quickly quieted down, with everyone turning to look at the staircase.

Zhou Hong descended the stairs unhurriedly, each step exuding an overwhelming pressure and a noble aura that stirred feelings of inadequacy among the onlookers.

He wasn't deliberately projecting his presence; it emanated naturally.

In their eyes, Zhou Hong was like a celestial general, peerless and beyond compare.

Zhou Hong glanced at the crowd with a smile and walked toward the main entrance; he had known of Lu Yu's arrival the moment he stepped into Celestial Scenery Mountain.

Or rather, he knew when Lu Yu entered the imperial city.

Seeing Zhou Hong heading toward the entrance, everyone exchanged looks, following Zhou Hong's steps.

"Welcome, Divine Weapon Pavilion Saint Heir, to our gathering. Your presence brings great joy to Bo Yuan," Zhou Hong announced loudly.

His words set off a wave of astonishment as the crowd displayed shocked expressions. The Divine Weapon Pavilion's Saint Heir?

"Which Saint Heir might it be?" someone quietly asked their companion.

"I'm not sure. I heard the Zhou Prince's Mansion is connected to the Heaven-rising Saint Heir. Could it be him this time?" someone speculated.

"The Heaven-rising Saint Heir... unlikely to appear at our gathering…" someone replied uncertainly.

As the crowd anticipated eagerly, Lu Yu's figure gradually emerged in their view, his unfamiliar face leaving everyone puzzled. Was it him?

Nobody recognized Lu Yu.

Seeing the distinguished man standing out in the crowd, Lu Yu instantly knew this was Zhou Xiao Wangye, Zhou Hong, who had invited him.

Before coming, Lu Yu had learned some things about Zhou Hong, knowing that "Bo Yuan" was his style name, akin to ancient name and style conventions.

After listening to Zhou Hong, Lu Yu clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for the warm welcome, Little Prince."

The crowd, observing Lu Yu's response to Zhou Hong, silently remembered his face. They guessed this was the new Saint Heir announced by the Divine Weapon Pavilion a short while ago.

Indeed, very new—they hadn't seen Lu Yu before.

Those present were all Martial Cultivators in the Core Formation Realm; not recognizing Lu Yu was normal.

[System notification: Reputation exceeded 10,000, completing the achievement — Renowned Worldwide]

[Current reputation level experience bonus 400%, effective only in domains such as otherworldly battlefields, void, starry sky, etc.]

Lu Yu unexpectedly received a system notification, his expression shifting slightly.

Zhou Hong, mistaking Lu Yu's reaction for awe at his presence, smiled and extended an invitation to Lu Yu, saying, "Brother Lu, don't just stand there, please come inside. We've all been waiting for you."

These words made some feel uncomfortable, as if they had become mere foils to Lu Yu. Their gazes on Lu Yu were tinged with personal emotions.

Elsewhere, they were the center of attention, but here they felt like supporting characters, a reversal anyone would find unsettling.

Zhou Hong noticed the subtle changes in their expressions, yet remained impassive.

Hearing his voice, Lu Yu shifted his attention from the attribute panel and followed Zhou Hong into Celestial Scenery Mountain Estate.

The crowd gathered around them, heading toward the estate. Kui Defa, having somehow blended into the crowd, drew attention once people learned he was a Three-Star Artifact Refining Master and young at that, garnering increased respect.

Their attention shifted from Lu Yu to Kui Defa, all eager to befriend him.

A Three-Star Artifact Refining Master meant Kui Defa could create Three-Star Divine Artifacts.

Such a master would command respect anywhere.

Three-Star Divine Artifacts—who wouldn't want more, especially life-preserving types analogous to Three-Star Divine Weapons?

At the Core Formation Realm, Spiritual Weapons and Spiritual Treasures become less significant to Martial Cultivators, replaced by Divine Weapons and Divine Artifacts.

The former allows only one refinable weapon for each Core Formation Realm cultivator, while the latter requires the strength of an Artifact Refining Master.

As for pseudo divine weapons, few Core Formation Realm cultivators craft them, most of which were painstakingly made by elders for younger generations, consuming resources and time.

The siblings, who had stopped to watch the giant panda, ascended to the mountaintop, seeing Lu Yu surrounded by the crowd entering the estate. The sister curiously asked, "Brother, who is he? Do you know him?"

The brother shook his head, saying, "I don't know him."

"Then why did you greet him halfway?" the sister asked.

The brother, helplessly looking at her, patted her head and said, "Let's go in."

The two followed the crowd into the estate.