A Top Scholar in Everything Chapter 281: Qiong Family

Baiyu was naturally unaware of what was happening in the office.

Now, he was sitting in a steam carriage, resting with his eyes closed.

"The current power structure of the Qiong Family is dominated by my father, Qiong Wencai, in a traditional patriarchal centralized family," Qiong Xue forced herself to stay alert, explaining the structure of the Qiong Family to Baiyu.

"Other than that, there’s nothing much to be cautious about, except for the elders of the Qiong Family."

I’ve never seen them.

From what my father says, these elders are probably on the verge of mutation, having sealed themselves away, and won’t awaken unless sothing major happens.

Let’s go et Erza first."

Qiong Xue was polishing a wooden sword.

The fifth underground level of Zenith City is the educational district, which is also the base for Maple Leaf Martial Arts University and Celestial South Martial Arts University. Essentially, the cornerstone of the fifth-tier societal structure is built upon these two universities, along with nurous middle schools and other institutions.

The sixth underground level is the territory of noble families.

The aristocratic families and dignitaries of Zenith City mostly reside on the sixth level.

The transition from the fifth to the sixth level is quite complicated.

First, you must go through multiple inspections.

Then, you need to present an invitation from the sixth layer or possess a sufficient identity that allows you access to the sixth layer.

Ordinary students generally cannot enter.

Both the entrance and exit of the Heavenly Elevator are guarded by martial artists of noble families who conduct inspections.

With the Qiong family badge, Qiong Xue effortlessly brought Baiyu into the sixth layer.

And here.

The architectural style is entirely different from the previous levels.

On both sides of the street are fluorescent fruit trees, with artificial light overhead. The pathways on both sides are surprisingly filled with vibrant flowers and greenery, resembling a natural path in spring.

The surrounding buildings have a strong vintage style.

With carved beams and painted rafters.

The mansion gates are painted vermilion, with either two stone lions or stone tigers placed at the entrance.

Under the wooden door beams hang exquisitely crafted red lanterns.

Mansion nas are inscribed on plaques, hanging high at the entrance.

Hardly any electrical appliances are visible.

Nor are there any electrical devices.

Even steam machinery is quite rare on this layer.

The carriages are either pulled by racing beasts or galloping horses, all tad exotic beasts known for their gentle temperant and excellent footwork.

In a mont, Baiyu felt an illusion, as if he had traveled back to ancient tis.

Qiong Xue’s eyes showed a hint of amusent, "Almost everyone is surprised the first ti they co here. These architectural styles are all imitations of Eternal Sleep City, because the big figures love this kind of atmosphere."

"You know Eternal Sleep City?"

"Just heard about it, never been. Not everyone can go there," Qiong Xue shook her head.

They moved slowly along the street.

Apart from aristocratic children, there were also many ordinary people.

They were truly ordinary people, as Baiyu could see that there was no Blood Qi fluctuation on them.

"These people live on the sixth level relying on various noble families, considered the family servants of our lineage."

Qiong Xue explained.

The life of ordinary people on the sixth layer wasn’t bad, except for the absence of electricity.

Passing through several streets.

An imposing and spacious vermilion gate appeared.

In front of the gate was a square, where each soldier patrolling was a Tier Nine Martial Artist, with Blood Qi like a bright lamp, extrely vigorous.

"Greetings, Miss."

The supervisor sitting before a stone bench in the square hurried over, addressing respectfully.

"Hmm."

Qiong Xue lazily acknowledged, leading Baiyu to the vermilion gate.

On the plaque hanging above the door beam.

Two dramatically bold characters written, "Qiong Mansion."

All the way inside.

The entire Qiong Mansion was vast in size.

Besides the front courtyard, central courtyard, and rear courtyard.

There was also a flower-viewing garden, Moon Viewing Lake, a sumr retreat garden, and curves and twists everywhere, with antique alleyways connecting the courtyards of various rooms, magnificent and luxurious.

Servants and maids passed by from ti to ti.

When they saw Qiong Xue and Baiyu, they all stopped to salute, not daring to raise their heads to leave until the two of them completely disappeared.

This...

Was entirely the courtyard of ancient royalty.

No wonder the noble families of East Prosperity Imperial are so adept at this.

"Let’s see Erza first, the Heart of the Dance within has started responding."

As soon as Baiyu entered the sixth layer, the Heart of the Dance in him began to react, and upon entering Qiong Mansion, the Heart of the Dance was officially activated.

That ans, it has entered Erza’s sensing range.

However, the environnt is different, and Erza’s sensing range seems to vary as well.

Back in Linjiang City, Baiyu was able to connect with Erza through the Heart of the Dance within the entire city.

But now.

In Zenith City, just due to the different layer numbers, he couldn’t sense Erza’s presence through the Heart of the Dance.

Or rather.

Is there mystery contained within the seven underground layers of Zenith City?

Qiong Xue yawned, leading the way ahead.

After passing through several corridors, they successfully arrived at a large lake.

The scene was extrely breathtaking.

A waterfall cascaded down from the sky at the center of the lake, rushing into the water with a crash, while the lake surface was shrouded in dense white mist.

The water seed like the galaxy from the sky flowing into the mortal world, the scene was astonishingly beautiful.

The two stood by the lakeshore, gazing beneath the water surface.

Beneath the deep dark waters, faint red lights flickered.

If one’s eyesight was sharp enough, they could see beneath this water surface lay an enormous chanical monster.

Gurgle.

Suddenly.

The center of the lake began to bubble, a large whirlpool ford out of thin air, and from the center of the whirlpool, a figure erged from the water.

Seeing those eerie green eyes, Baiyu knew who it was.

"Lady Erza."

Qiong Xue clutched her wooden sword, knelt down on both legs, bending her body at ninety degrees, and softly greeted.

Erza, as Qiong Yue’s partner and comrade, was a senior of seniors to Qiong Xue, addressing her as "Lady" was quite reasonable.

"Hm, not bad."

"Only two months have passed, and you’ve already reached the peak of Tier Eight. Breaking through to Tier Seven is just around the corner."

Erza’s eyes displayed satisfaction as she looked at Baiyu.

"Don’t act like so senior, you idiot. Your ntal age is at most sixteen."

Baiyu couldn’t help but retort.

Erza’s green eyes flickered, "There are still descendants of the Qiong Family here, mind your words."

"She’s already asleep."

Baiyu glanced at the side, speechless.

Qiong Xue, half-kneeling on the ground, still maintained a posture of greeting, her eyes unknowingly closed, her chest rising and falling evenly, rhythmically breathing.

Erza opened her mouth, wanting to say sothing, but felt she had nothing to say.

Nonetheless, she dispatched two chanical scavengers to escort Qiong Xue out of the lake center range.

"Your spiritual growth is rapid, already reaching about 400 Pa. Many Tier Seven martial artists don’t have as much spiritual power as you."

Though my days at the Qiong Family are good, they’re extrely dull."

"I hear from the Qiong Family that you have connections with the Third Prince?"

Once Qiong Xue left, Erza’s words increased, her green eyes flickering, contemplating sothing unknown.