As Zhu Qingyu's words fell, the entire square fell completely silent.
Everyone turned their heads. Those who did not know Chen Song looked around in confusion, while those who knew him wore looks of utter shock as they stared at him and one another.
After that brief moment of shock passed, overwhelming envy involuntarily surfaced on their faces. As for allowing Chen Song to directly enter the Heavenly Court, virtually no one raised any objection.
This was an order issued personally by King Lu—the Lord of the Heavenly Court. Furthermore, it did not take up any of the thirty-six slots.
That meant the fairness of this selection remained unaffected. Of course, what everyone present cared about even more was not merely Chen Song joining the Heavenly Court.
It was the opportunity to speak with King Lu in private. In private! To anyone, such an opportunity was the stuff of dreams.
Even setting aside any potential rewards, simply having close contact with him was extraordinary. Thus, as Chen Song stepped forward, he drew the gaze of nearly every person present, all brimming with immense envy.
Chen Song himself had never expected Lu Yuan to still remember him.
"King Lu is waiting for you at the foot of Mount Tai. You may head over directly," Zhu Qingyu said with a nod, speaking in a gentle voice as she saw him step out.
Hearing this, Chen Song did not hesitate and walked straight off the square. The eyes of those still waiting for testing and selection followed him as he went.
"Very well, the selection continues," Zhu Qingyu spoke again, her expression turning stern once more. The students said no more, taking deep breaths to calm their turbulent emotions.
At the foot of Mount Tai, Chen Song walked forward with an uneasy, nervous heart. Before long, he finally spotted a figure standing not far off.
With hands clasped behind his back, the man possessed an extraordinarily remarkable bearing, yet not the slightest intimidating aura could be felt emanating from him.
"King Lu." Chen Song walked over, bowed slightly, and adopted an exceedingly cautious posture.
Back in the old days, they had been classmates. Though there had been a gap in their family backgrounds, Lu Yuan had never felt so utterly out of reach. But things were different now. Lu Yuan had become King Lu, the foremost figure on Earth, an existence at the sixth stage of evolution.
As for Chen Song himself, he was completely ordinary in the New Era. The Mount Tai Trial Academy was full of people like him. No matter what relationship two people once shared, when the gap in status became so vast, one could not help but grow cautious and deferential.
"We were classmates back in the old era; there is no need for such formality." Lu Yuan turned around with a warm smile, seeming much as he always had, wishing not to place too much pressure on him.
However, it did not appear to help very much, and there was little Lu Yuan could do about it. If he acted overly enthusiastic, it would only produce the opposite effect.
"How is your father doing?" Lu Yuan asked, inquiring about his family. Back in the old era, he knew Chen Song's father suffered from a chronic ailment, so asking about him was a way to ease the tension.
"After taking some spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs, he fully recovered. His health is very good now," Chen Song replied. "I must still thank you, King Lu, for the guidance you gave me back then. Otherwise, my father's illness could never have been cured, nor would I ever have set foot upon the path of evolution.
"In fact, when the cataclysm first began, my entire family likely wouldn't have survived to this day without your help. I owe you a great debt of gratitude." With that, he bowed slightly once more in thanks.
"It was only what I should have done," Lu Yuan said, shaking his head. "You probably know as well that the small cauldron I purchased from you back then was a secret treasure. I won't hide it from you—it truly aided me tremendously. In all things under heaven, every sip and peck is governed by cause and effect."
"I figured King Lu summoned me here because of that matter." Chen Song smiled. "Back then, I gave that small cauldron to you entirely of my own free will. Besides, even if I hadn't sold it to you, someone else would have gotten hold of it. What's more, someone like me could never have unleashed its true might. Meanwhile, after the cataclysm, King Lu protected the super cities and kept the strange beasts from wreaking havoc. That is a monumental service to me and to everyone else."
In truth, a year or two after the cataclysm, Chen Song had realized how extraordinary the small cauldron was. Yet he had never once regretted it. What could he have done with it even if he had kept it? Chen Song had witnessed firsthand the chaotic turmoil at the start of the New Era.
Sometimes, an ordinary man incurs guilt simply by harboring a jade treasure.
Hearing these words, Lu Yuan was somewhat surprised. He had never imagined that someone who had seemed so thoroughly ordinary during college could possess such an open-minded and magnanimous perspective.
"I understand what you mean. In the future, if you ever need help, feel free to come find me at any time." At this moment, Lu Yuan decided that regardless of Chen Song's innate talent, his mindset was leagues ahead of most people.
If cultivated attentively, his future accomplishments would certainly not be meager. Naturally, Lu Yuan would not be stingy in supporting him. Just as he had said, in all things under heaven, every sip and peck was governed by cause and effect.
"Thank you, King Lu." A look of excitement surfaced on Chen Song's face upon hearing this. He understood the immense weight behind those words, so he did not refuse.
Every person had their own self-interest. Being broad-minded did not mean one had to be indifferent to everything. If one could grow stronger and obtain better resources, why refuse?
"Good," Lu Yuan nodded, understanding what he was thinking.
The two chatted a bit longer, mostly about matters from the old era, such as how their former classmates were faring. It was not a long conversation. In the end, Lu Yuan instructed Chen Song to seek out the Young Celestial Master Chunyang afterward to enter the Heavenly Court, as he had other arrangements in mind for him.
Hearing this, Chen Song nodded excitedly. To him, even the Young Celestial Master Chunyang was a colossal figure within the Trial Academy.
Soon, the two parted ways. Lu Yuan watched Chen Song's retreating back thoughtfully. Then, shaking his head, he took a single step forward.
His entire figure vanished on the spot, his speed simply too fast to perceive.
Shortly afterward, he appeared atop Mount Tai's Jade Emperor Peak. The ruins of the Heavenly Palace still stood here, covered in crumbling walls and shattered pillars.
Now, however, Lu Yuan could be certain this was not the true Heavenly Court. Perhaps, like the imitation of the Netherworld within the Kunlun Secret Realm, this place was also a replica, though which era it originated from remained unknown.
Opening his Martial Dao Heavenly Eye, he observed it for a moment. Seeing that everything remained unchanged from before, he turned and walked toward another area.
Over there stood the figures of beast kings including the Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Peacock King, the Nine-Tailed Fox King, and the Spirit Monkey. In addition, dozens of other beast kings were present, every one of them at the Sovereign King Realm.
Excluding the extraterrestrial beings, they constituted nearly the most powerful cohort of creatures in the contemporary world—the mightiest force within the entire Heavenly Court.
"King Lu!" Seeing Lu Yuan, the beast kings immediately stepped forward. Many had assumed human forms and bowed in greeting, emulating human customs.
"You are all too polite." Lu Yuan smiled and waved his hand dismissively. Then, looking toward the Golden-Winged Great Peng, he spoke slowly, "I have a matter of great importance that I need you to handle."
Chapter 230