Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Invitation

Euro Fook had underestimated him! He never imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that a martial artist of such tender age could possess such terrifying spiritual energy.

To use an imperfect analogy, it was as if a burly man in his thirties had bullied a ten-year-old child, slapping him across the face with no attempt at defense, simply because it seemed unnecessary. The Euro family was renowned for their mastery of spiritual arts. In Euro Fook’s mind, this entire domain belonged to his clan. Even if his opponent were a practitioner of mental cultivation, he would not have cared. How formidable could a youth not yet twenty be?

So that metaphorical slap was delivered in full force, with no restraint whatsoever, meant to leave the recipient dazed, swollen-faced, broken, sobbing, and begging for mercy. Yet, unexpectedly, the opponent had cultivated the Iron Shirt and Golden Bell, and not only did he not reel from the blow, but he drew a blade and thrust it deeply into Euro Fook’s heart!

Such a thing would never happen under normal circumstances. As a grand master specializing in spiritual cultivation, Euro Fook could have easily defended himself. No matter how advanced Song Yue’s spiritual arts were, they would scarcely have posed a threat. He had weathered countless storms, only to capsize in a shallow ditch—such is fate.

Everyone else was dumbstruck, staring wide-eyed at the unfolding scene. None believed Song Yue had anything to do with it; all thought Euro Fook had gone mad, that the problem lay with him. Even the Euro family themselves assumed it was Euro Fook’s own issue, or perhaps Song Yue carried a powerful artifact capable of spiritual backlash.

Song Yue, like the bullied child, wielded the Celestial Lord’s spiritual arts, forging his mental power into a blade that stabbed repeatedly at Euro Fook’s spiritual sea. Though not fatal—Song Yue’s cultivation was limited—the damage was immense nonetheless. The spiritual realm, unlike the physical body, was terribly hard to heal once wounded without defense.

Euro Fook screamed in agony, a dignified grand master now rolling on the ground in misery. Fortunately, other members of the Euro family reacted, some attacking Song Yue in rage, others dragging Euro Fook away.

Little Seven saw Song Yue about to be attacked and promptly summoned a verdant bronze turtle shell, releasing a green radiance that intercepted an incoming Euro family spell. Lin Huan quickly stepped in front of Song Yue, frowning, “Aren’t you overdoing it? So many bullying a young man?”

Little Mo, a bit slower to react, also stood before Song Yue, saying nothing, but her cute face wore a fierce expression.

Song Yue still looked innocent, gazing at the Euro family with concern, “Is this elder alright? How did he suddenly become like this? Is it some latent mental illness flaring up?”

You’re the one with a mental illness! The Euro family members were beside themselves with frustration. This brat’s words were outrageous, insinuating Euro Fook was mentally unstable—a slap in the face for those renowned for spiritual mastery.

At that moment, a grand master representing the Hua Xia authorities approached, frowning slightly, “Is this appropriate, gentlemen?”

When Euro Fook tried to suppress Song Yue with overwhelming spiritual energy, this grand master had intended to intervene. He could not stand by and watch an Eastern cultivator being bullied in the Western secret realm. Had Song Yue not rushed in earlier, he would have kept the boy close. These Westerners were far too reckless—chasing and killing as soon as they entered the secret realm. Now, with Song Yue surviving by luck, the Euro family blamed him for their loss, seeking to pin their misfortune on him. It was injustice he could not abide.

Yet the next scene stunned even him. He did not believe Euro Fook was at fault, but suspected Song Yue possessed a formidable artifact capable of spiritual retaliation.

This was the consensus among the experienced cultivators present. None believed a young martial artist could counterattack with his own mental power—that was too fantastical, something only heard of in ancient myth.

Even Song Yue himself had not expected the outcome. When Euro Fook could not find Euro Yong and had lost twelve grand medicines, he was nearly hysterical. He attacked Song Yue in public, seeking answers by forcibly suppressing him with spiritual energy. Song Yue felt as though a mountain had crashed down upon him—unless he fought back, his spiritual sea would shatter.

He had not anticipated such remarkable results. Listening to the Celestial Lord’s teachings in the underground palace, he had only felt an indescribable grandeur, as though the mental force could pervade any corner of the world, but without any sense of oppression. Thus, though he knew the Celestial Lord’s arts were formidable, he had no idea of their true strength or level.

This encounter with Euro Fook brought him some clarity. On the spiritual plane, he was no longer the novice bullied by even Euro Ping.

The atmosphere was eerily quiet. The portal had opened, but aside from those who had already left, the rest remained, watching the spectacle. Most did not know Euro Fook nor his strength, but his earlier pursuit of Song Yue had exuded power and authority—clearly a master. Now, he was suddenly deranged, his dignity shattered. Though dragged away by his kin, he still clutched his head and wailed.

The Euro family ignored Lin Huan and Little Seven, but were wary of the grand master representing the Hua Xia authorities. With faces full of resentment, they retreated to Euro Fook’s side.

Someone fed Euro Fook a pill to restore his mind. Though he tried to compose himself, his spiritual sea was too badly damaged to control his reactions. If one could see his spiritual sea, it would appear riddled with wounds—non-fatal but countless. Who knew how many times Song Yue had struck him in that brief moment?

The Giant Lobster stood among the crowd, eyes flickering. He suddenly recalled the Orca Demon’s furious tirade upon returning to the North Sea.

“Lu Shengfu, that old dog, suffered a wound that will never heal, yet he still dared to attack me... Is he mad?”

“What does it matter if he was once a warrior? The North Sea demon clan has had warriors too!”

“Damn him! One day, I’ll tear him to pieces!”

Lu Shengfu was a warrior, and this Song Yue who had made Zhang’s kill list... was Lu Shengfu’s disciple. No wonder he possessed such terrifying artifacts. Euro Fook, that little dog, had paid dearly—I had no reason to wade into this mess. Once I’m out, I’ll return Zhang’s money—I want no part of it.

Now, someone from the Western faction spoke up to smooth things over, using fluent Hua Xia language, “Let’s disperse, it’s just a misunderstanding. Nothing to see here. If you delay, you’ll have to stay.”

With that, many snapped out of it and began to leave. Yet the scene they had just witnessed was etched in their minds, along with Song Yue’s name. Should they ever encounter him again, they would never use mental attacks.

Song Yue smiled and thanked Lin Huan and Little Mo, “Thank you.”

Lin Huan’s gaze brimmed with undisguised admiration, “You truly surprised me!”

Little Mo blushed shyly, “I didn’t do much. What they did was wrong.”

Little Seven chimed in, “Hey, what about me?”

Song Yue glanced at him, “That turtle shell was impressive.”

Little Seven: “...”

Damn it, turtle shell! That’s a Xuanwu artifact, you rotten Song, how hateful! He rolled his eyes madly and fell silent.

Then Song Yue approached the grand master from the Hua Xia authorities and thanked him sincerely, “Thank you for your righteous help.”

The grand master shook his head gently, “Last time in the Kunlun secret realm... you caused quite a stir, didn’t you?”

Song Yue nodded sheepishly, “I didn’t mean to.”

The grand master smiled kindly, “It’s nothing. If you’re bullied, fight back. But you must learn to protect yourself—a wise man does not stand beside a wall about to collapse. Until you have absolute strength, best to avoid such things.”

Song Yue nodded, “Thank you for your guidance.”

The grand master smiled, “Guidance is too strong a word. I have much respect for Mr. Lu. Take care—perhaps someday soon, we’ll be colleagues!”

Song Yue replied with a modest smile, thinking that he already was, in a sense. The Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs was also an official department. Yet unless necessary, he would not reveal this identity lightly.

He joined the crowd as they exited the secret realm. Little Seven claimed urgent business and left immediately, not even returning to the hotel, calling a car and fleeing with his phone in hand. Song Yue guessed he might have discovered a grand tomb in the Western secret realm; otherwise, he would not have left so abruptly, especially since he had previously begged Song Yue to help him pursue Little Mo.

Lin Huan and Little Mo rode with Song Yue to their hotel. The Euro family were taken away by a fleet of luxury cars, Euro Fook carried aboard; recovery would not come easily.

Back at the hotel, Lin Huan did not return to her own room but dragged Little Mo with her to Song Yue’s suite. After securing the door, Lin Huan produced a magical artifact and checked the room for anomalies. Finding none, she sat on the sofa and spoke earnestly, “I want to invite you to come with me to Tianyue Star.”

Interstellar travel?

Song Yue was a little bewildered. But he did not ask why, instead looking at Lin Huan.

Lin Huan spoke candidly, “I want to take you to meet my family first...”

Song Yue stared at her, “Wait... meeting your family already? Isn’t it a bit early?”

Lin Huan’s fair brow was streaked with dark lines, but she threw him a flirtatious glance, “I think the time is about right...”

Song Yue pursed his lips.

Lin Huan laughed, then grew serious, “No jokes, let’s talk business. Recently, a palace was discovered on Tianyue Star. It has been confirmed to be the domain of a supreme ancient human powerhouse—some say its owner is a mythological figure, the Second Son God... Yang Jian!”