Gao Wu: I became the minor villain that the protagonist was about to destroy.

After the guests finished presenting their gifts, it was finally the Chu family's turn.

Chu Yuntian calmly rose, and with a flick of his right hand, a precision constant-temperature box made entirely of dark silver memory alloy steadily rested in his palm. The surface of the box was shimmering with faint blue runes, highlighting the extraordinary value of its contents.

"Old Master Luo."

Chu Yuntian's calm and clear voice echoed throughout the silent hall: "Chu Group respectfully presents a small gift—'Kui Marrow,' the original model of our company's sixth-generation gene evolution fluid."

The moment the words "Kui Sui" were uttered, the air in the huge banquet hall seemed to freeze.

The entire room was filled with guests, regardless of their status, whose eyes instantly locked onto the box. Shock, greed, disbelief… a myriad of emotions flashed across countless faces. Mastering the "Kui Marrow" meant possessing the key to unlocking the next era—a technology powerful enough to drive any force mad.

Ye Ming looked at Chu Yuntian with some shock, wondering what he was up to by bringing out the gene serum in such a setting.

Chu Yu handed the box containing the medicine to Luo Lingfeng. Luo Lingfeng looked at the box in his hand and was somewhat dazed. It was the first time he had ever felt that wealth was so close to him.

Even someone as experienced as Luo Huaiyuan, who had seen many storms, couldn't quite figure out Chu Yuntian's plans at this moment.

After Luo Huaiyuan took the box, he slowly opened it. Inside were four vials of red liquid radiating powerful energy. It should be noted that the gene potion used to be blue, and the purer it was, the darker the color.

When Luo Huaiyuan took out the gene serum, all eyes were on his hand.

Chu Yuntian stepped forward at the opportune moment, his voice deep and composed: "Elder Luo, everyone, 'Kui Sui' will be officially released nationwide in two days. These four first-generation serums represent the purest and most powerful effects. With this, I wish Elder Luo a long and healthy life!"

Luo Huaiyuan picked up a vial and examined it closely under the crystal chandelier. The dark red light reflected in his deep pupils, shimmering with an unfathomable brilliance.

After a moment, he slowly put down the potion, a genuine and meaningful smile blooming on his face. His voice was loud and clear: "Excellent! This breakthrough by the Chu family is a blessing for humanity, and even more so for China! My Luo family will certainly do everything in our power to support the emergence of 'Kui Marrow'!"

"Thank you, Elder Luo!" Chu Yuntian bowed slightly, his posture respectful, but a hint of smugness played on his lips.

Luo Huaiyuan's undisguised declaration of support was like a bucket of cold water poured into boiling oil, causing Chen Qingyuan and Lei Laohu at the table to turn ashen-faced.

Lei Laohu ("When did the Chu family get involved with the Luo family?")

("Could it be that this old dog Chu Yuntian's backing isn't the Black Dragon Society, but the Luo family?!")

("Impossible. Judging from Elder Luo's reaction just now, he clearly doesn't know either.")

("Two days from now, it seems the plan will have to be moved up.")

Lei Laohu gave Chen Qingyuan a look, and Chen Qingyuan nodded.

After Luo Huaiyuan placed the potion, everyone's eyes turned to Ye Ming. Everyone present knew that Luo Huaiyuan hated people from the underground forces, which was why Ye Ming, the newly crowned underground emperor, was ignored.

Because none of them dared to offend Luo Huaiyuan.

Ye Ming slowly stood up. Just as Ye Ming was about to speak, Luo Lingfeng whispered something in Luo Huaiyuan's ear, and Luo Huaiyuan's expression instantly turned serious.

Luo Lingfeng immediately inquired, "It seems our Luo family did not invite you. Is it inappropriate for you to come uninvited?"

Ye Ming looked at Luo Lingfeng: "But I did receive an invitation from your Luo family. Are you suggesting the Luo family is playing me for a fool?"

"Or is the Luo family provoking my Black Dragon Society?"

These words shocked all the guests present. No one in the entire Luoxia City dared to speak to the Luo family like that; it would undoubtedly be tantamount to courting death. In their eyes, the Black Dragon Society would follow in the footsteps of the Wang family.

"presumptuous!!"

Luo Lingfeng unleashed his full power as a peak-level cultivator, pressing down on Ye Ming, but Ye Ming was completely unaffected by it.

"Having lived to such an old age, he's still only at the peak of the county-level realm. As expected, the Luo family's reputation as a waste is well-deserved."

"Buzz~~"

A crimson aura, resembling that of a demon, pressed down on Luo Lingfeng from Ye Ming's center. Although this aura did not target anyone else, its residual power alone was enough to chill the hearts of those around them.

Luo Lingfeng, who was locked on, was directly overwhelmed by this aura and forced to the ground.

"What's wrong, Mr. Luo? Is there money on the ground?"

Upon seeing this, Luo Xuanche rushed towards his father, but with just one glance from Ye Ming, Luo Xuanche, like his father, was pinned to the ground.

Ye Ming's taunts enraged Luo Lingfeng, his face turning bright red. He had lost face in this situation, but Luo Lingfeng had no chance to resist Ye Ming's oppressive aura.

"Dare to cause trouble at the Luo family's residence? You... your Black Dragon Society... are finished!"

At that moment, Luo Huaiyuan waved his hand, directly shattering Ye Ming's aura—a crushing blow from their different realms.

"Lord Ye Ming, haven't you gone a bit too far?"

Ye Ming laughed, "What, are you preparing a big show for the old one? Will you bring out someone from behind the Luo family later?"

"Arrogant!"

Luo Huaiyuan swung his right palm out suddenly, and an invisible palm energy rushed towards Ye Ming. Upon seeing this, Ye Ming gathered spiritual energy in his right hand, covered it with armor, and threw a punch.

"Bang--!!"

The moment their fists and palms collided, a deafening sound was produced, and the aftershocks overturned the entire banquet hall, causing Ye Ming to stagger back dozens of steps.

Chu Yuntian hurriedly stepped in front of Ye Ming.

"Mr. Luo, the young man was ignorant and offended you. Please forgive him."

Luo Huaiyuan looked coldly at Chu Yuntian: "What, is your Chu family planning to protect him? To act so presumptuously in a setting like my Luo family, you really have the nerve!"

"You are not qualified to speak to me!"

"Today is my birthday banquet, and I have no desire to see blood. Please, gentlemen, leave."

Luo Lingfeng hurriedly cried out, "Father, are you just going to let this beast go like this?!"

Luo Huaiyuan's icy gaze fell on Luo Luo Lingfeng: "Aren't you embarrassed enough already?!"

When Luo Lingfeng met his father's gaze, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave and immediately shut his mouth and stopped talking.

At this moment, Luo Junheng stepped forward: "Grandpa, I invited them!"

"Fine, you dare to interfere with my birthday celebration? Does that mean you should take my place too?"

"Your grandson wouldn't dare."

"snort!"

Luo Huaiyuan snorted coldly at Luo Junheng and left the banquet hall. For a moment, the entire banquet hall was silent. A perfectly good banquet had turned into a disaster so quickly.