Hearing Tingyun's explanation, Herta raised an eyebrow, clearly dissatisfied. "So, Tingyun, you're saying that unless you're from one of those noble families, it's nearly impossible to buy a proper estate on the Luofu?"
Tingyun nodded helplessly. For ten thousand years, these families have lived for millennia. Some of their elders have even used unmentionable secret arts to forcibly prolong their lives.
Herta smiled coldly. "And if I were to persuade them with reason—no, persuade the noble families with reason—would that break through these rules?"
Tingyun lowered her head and sighed. "Madam Herta, you are unmatched throughout the universe, your reputation known far and wide. Few would dare provoke you. But this is the Xianzhou—a powerful dragon does not crush a local snake. Beyond the Six Edicts of the Luofu and General Jing Yuan, the generals, edicts, and noble families of the other Xianzhou ships are all interconnected. The Xianzhou is not about fighting and killing; human relationships and connections matter more."
Herta's brow furrowed. She had lived for countless Amber Eras, yet on the blue planet, in Herta City, at the space station, she had never heard of noble families or social graces. Arriving on the Xianzhou, even buying a non-pocket-realm estate was hindered by these so-called families.
"If these families refuse to show me, the great Herta, proper respect, they are slapping my face. In this entire universe, no one—except Ruan Mei—can slap my face!"
Ruan Mei, who had been standing aside with her eyes closed, said nothing but couldn't help feeling a flicker of surprise. Herta actually said that? Still, a Xianzhou estate being subject to so many family rules was indeed irritating.
"Tingyun, bring the heads of the Luofu's noble families to the Ruomu Pavilion in Changle. I'll have a proper talk with them and show them my rules."
Tingyun was about to explain further, but she caught a glance from Ruan Mei. Resigned, she nodded and left.
---
Ten minutes later, at the Ruomu Pavilion.
Ruan Mei and Herta sat drinking tea.
"Herta, this human world of the Luofu isn't as wonderful as I imagined," Ruan Mei remarked.
Ruan Mei took a bite of plum blossom cake. She had studied the past of many Aeons, including the Reignbow Arbiter. Most believed that the endless curse of Abundance's Arbor blessing had driven Them to seek revenge and ascend. But behind that history of endless curses lay a group of noble families who, even after taking ninety-nine percent, were never satisfied. They wanted two hundred percent, even a thousand percent.
The Abundance's blessing was not wrong. What was wrong was human greed. When infinite lifespan and absolute greed intertwined, only disaster remained.
"Everything has another side," Ruan Mei said. "Before the Reignbow Arbiter's emergence, the noble families were even more unrestrained."
"Ruan Mei, Herta, I heard you were looking for me?"
Both turned at the familiar voice. Fu Xuan had arrived.
"Fu Xuan? Yes. Your Star-Gazing Terrace and that grand vermilion estate—that belongs to your Fu family, doesn't it?"
Fu Xuan tilted her head, sensing that Herta's intentions were not entirely friendly. "What about it? That estate, named Star-Gazing Manor, was purchased by my Fu ancestor in his youth on the Luofu. Is there a problem?"
Herta smiled faintly. "No. Let's wait—Tingyun is still looking for a few others."