Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 945 - 945 0568 The Last Dignity_2

Chapter 945: Chapter 0568: The Last Dignity_2 Chapter 945: Chapter 0568: The Last Dignity_2 In this period, Qi Tian had also met with Xiang Bo a few times, but this was the first time he had met with these three guest officials in a while. After not seeing them for almost half a month, the three guest officials had undergone significant changes.

The guest officials had handled their accompanying study permits in the Imperial College, and with these permits, they could enjoy, to a certain extent, the treatment that Xiang Bo received; they could use the resources of the Imperial College for cultivation to a certain extent as well.

To enjoy these privileges and resources, the three guest officials had signed new contracts with Xiang Bo, significantly extending their employment period at the Xiang family’s City Lord’s Mansion. Of course, the contracts they signed were not for nothing. During this time, they had made good use of all the cultivation resources available to them in the Imperial College, and as a result, they made considerable progress. Although they were still a distance away from breaking through to the next minor realm, it was no longer a distant dream but a foreseeable future.

After seeing Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei, the three guest officials took the initiative to nod and greet them. Even though they all lived inside the Imperial College, Qi Tian and the others could only find houses outside, they were very clear about the large gap in strength between themselves and Qi Tian’s group, not to mention Gao Jinmei, who was enigmatic and possessed unfathomable means; they dared not show any negligence.

When Xiang Bo saw Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei, he greeted them very warmly.

“Master Qi, Master Gao, have you arrived first? My fault, I should have come out earlier.”

Qi Tian replied with a faint smile, “We just arrived too. By the way, Sir, what do you need us to do this time, for calling us here?”

Xiang Bo said, “I am taking you to a banquet. When we get there, I may need to trouble you to stay close to me at all times.”

Qi Tian nodded, “No problem.”

The banquet Xiang Bo mentioned was held in a large Quadrangle Courtyard, not too far from the Imperial College. When Qi Tian’s group arrived, they found the roads leading to it were sealed off, barring entry to anyone except those with invitations or those of a particularly special status.

Upon their arrival, Xiang Bo waved his hand, signaling the three guest officials to go wait somewhere else while he, holding the invitation, led Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei towards the gatekeepers.

The invitation in Xiang Bo’s hand was essentially the lowest tier, but even so, Xiang Bo could bring two people into the Quadrangle Courtyard to attend the so-called banquet.

The banquet’s Quadrangle Courtyard was vast, and over two hundred people had already gathered inside, yet it still seemed spacious. The banquet was buffet-style, with a variety of foods piled high on the tables for all the guests to help themselves to. However, for an attendant like Qi Tian, this meant only being able to watch. According to the rules of the banquet, they were not qualified to dine there.

This was Xiang Bo’s first time attending such an event, but he had heard about this banquet for quite some time. He pointed to a building at the back of the Quadrangle Courtyard and said, “See that? That’s the heart of this event. The real power players don’t dine outside in the open but go into that room to socialize with the influential, to eat better food, drink finer wines.”

As Xiang Bo spoke, he smacked his lips, his words filled with envy. Back in his small city, Xiang Bo felt quite remarkable, as if he were second to none. However, once he entered the Imperial College, he was startled to discover that being the son of the City Lord did not amount to much. There were many with far deeper backgrounds than his family. Comparing himself to them, Xiang Bo was left with nothing but envy.

Through the Heavenly Dao Engine’s sensitivity to Spirit Qi, Qi Tian could clearly see the scene within the room. At that moment, the room was not yet full, and those who had entered earlier were young people whose age and cultivation realms were not much different from Xiang Bo’s.

Qi Tian smiled at Xiang Bo and said, “Young Master, do you really want to enter that room and join the banquet? If you do, I can think of a way for you?”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Bo looked somewhat tempted, but then he shook his head and said, “I’m well aware of my limitations. With everything I currently am, I indeed don’t qualify to enter. Even if you and Master Gao forced me in, once the people inside realize I’m not on the list, they would surely laugh me to death. It’s best for me to just stay outside honestly.”

Qi Tian inwardly nodded in approval. Xiang Bo was not a bad person, and he could keep his feet on the ground and see reality clearly. He would not covet things that didn’t belong to him; these traits were quite rare.

Perhaps Xiang Bo was worried that he could eat while Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei couldn’t, which might upset them, so he only symbolically took some food at the dining table. Holding a plate, he then started to stroll around the banquet hall with Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei. During this time, Xiang Bo ran into several classmates. Each time, he enthusiastically went up to greet them, but most of the responses he got were cold looks or perfunctory nods—none as enthusiastic as Xiang Bo’s own greetings.

“Young Master, it seems that your status in your class isn’t very high, is it?” Qi Tian said quietly.

Xiang Bo gave a bitter smile and replied, “There’s nothing I can do about that. I don’t know what my father was thinking, enrolling me in the noble class at the Imperial College. The people there are either princes or the offspring of high officials like great generals and commanders. My father is just a small city’s City Lord; it would be a miracle if they valued me.”

Qi Tian smiled and patted Xiang Bo on the shoulder, saying, “Their loss for not wanting to make friends with you. Sooner or later, they will change their roles with you, and by then, they will be the ones thinking of ways to please you.”

Xiang Bo just smiled bitterly. He didn’t believe a word Qi Tian said. Considering his own background and his family’s heritage, it would be a stroke of great fortune for the old Xiang family if he could branch out and establish his own city as a City Lord in the future.

These were thoughts Xiang Bo didn’t dare to voice out—mainly because they were too disheartening. He didn’t want to lose his last shred of dignity in front of Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei.

Qi Tian exchanged a glance with Gao Jinmei, conveying that they needed to think of a way to help Xiang Bo build enough confidence.

Gao Jinmei, too, had a certain fondness for Xiang Bo. She had seen plenty of officials’ children, but few had a disposition like his, making Xiang Bo’s character seem all the more precious.

Of course, character alone was never the main consideration for Gao Jinmei. The world was full of good-natured people, plenty of whom were better than Xiang Bo; Gao Jinmei wouldn’t reach out to help them just because of their good characters. She was a cultivator, not a messenger sent to reward virtue and punish vice.

There were only two reasons why Gao Jinmei would seriously consider helping Xiang Bo. One was that it was Qi Tian’s wish, and any command from Qi Tian, even unspoken, had to be executed seriously by Gao Jinmei. The other reason was Gao Jinmei’s desire to repay Xiang Bo. She knew that in Xiang Bo’s eyes, she was valued even more than Qi Tian. If forced to choose between her and Qi Tian, Xiang Bo might very well take her side.

Although Gao Jinmei didn’t care much for Xiang Bo’s appreciation, objectively, Xiang Bo had indeed helped her and Qi Tian a lot. These debts of gratitude had to be repaid; otherwise, she would feel uneasy in the future, and such feelings could become obstacles on the path of cultivation. This was especially true for a killer like Gao Jinmei, who needed to repay these favors to remain ruthless and unsentimental in her deeds.

As they conversed, Xiang Bo led Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei towards a tall and beautiful woman. Qi Tian noticed a hint of pain and struggle in Xiang Bo’s eyes as he looked at the woman.