"Welcome, my son!" A burly man roared in joy as he pulled Krune into a bear hug, cackling as he faced all the guests seated in the room. "Everyone, this is my pride, Liu Heng!"
"So, that's Young Master Liu!" Someone from the audience stood up and cupped his fists, taking a second glance at Krune.
With a casual sweep, Krune noticed that the seated people consisted of many dignitaries from the Iron Peach County. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't just them that had arrived, but they had also brought in their respective daughters.
It was apparent as to what they hoped for.
It was a prospective marriage.
After all, Krune had displayed exemplary performance in the County Academy. So, everyone of respect had already heard about him. They wished to rope such an individual into their fold.
It was not to mention that he hailed from the Liu Family, one that garnered tremendous influence in Iron Peach County. So, marrying their daughters into the Liu Family would gain them powerful connections.
No matter what, it was a profitable deal.
The reason Krune had been high-profile in the County Academy was because he needed an invitation into the Imperial Academy. Only from there would he be able to work in solving the issues.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter all, the Demon's aim was also the capital. With the royal family destroyed, those capable of opposing the Demon would be gone, allowing it to rule the world.
In short, its scheme was pretty obvious.
Krune politely greeted every guest, also exchanging a couple of pleasantries with each. Some of the daughters brought by the guests were also from the County Academy. So with them, he exchanged some academy knowledge.
However, in actuality, he didn't even recognize anyone from them, internally sweating all the time.
After all, in class, he didn't do anything beyond sleeping or meditating. Not to mention the names of his classmates or other students, he didn't even know the name of the teacher that had taught him for five years.
If anyone else came to know of it, he would be placed in an embarrassing position. Then again, he had no time or mental strength to do so, having to spend all his energy into meditation so that he could integrate the memories of everyone into himself.
That had taken him five years to do so, allowing him to say with assurance that his mind would no longer be affected by the memories of the other characters he had reincarnated into. Though, Krune realized that he himself had changed somewhat.
In fact, the changes in some places were too drastic. He himself wasn't sure of the exact specifics, only capable of knowing the changes when placed in various situations and observing how he faced them.
It was a troubling situation.
'Nevertheless, this change would allow me to cultivate faster.' Krune understood the pros and cons of his current experiences. With that, he wasn't worried. 'I just hope Feifei doesn't alienate me saying that I have changed too much.'
Sighing for a moment, he continued to exchange words with everyone. After seeing his exhaustion, Liu Heng's father said to everyone, "He's just come from a journey, so he's a little tired. Please excuse him."
"Of course!"
"He's a young hero, so resting is necessary."
As everyone politely replied, Liu Heng's father whispered, "Get some rest for now. Your mother is waiting inside."
"Alright." Nodding in response, Krune headed inside, conversing with his mother a little. As they were pretty much considered the royalty of the County, the interaction between him and his mother was pretty formal.
Beyond that was nothing. No familiar bonds, no close interactions. Krune did have some memory of her, so he expected as such.
After that, he introduced Wang Hao and Chen Xue to his family as his close friends. The two of them were received pretty warmly, especially Chen Xue as his mother seemed rather interested in her.
Massaging his forehead, Krune turned in for the day, beginning to rest as he thought of his subsequent plans.
He had to head towards the Imperial Academy after five months. So now was the best time to rest a little and then plan accordingly. 'But first things first, I must obtain the Imperial Arms.'
The next day, a servant beckoned him to arrive at the family hall where Krune's father, mother, siblings, and relatives were gathered. All of them stared at him as if he was an exhibit.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLiu Heng's father looked at him, stating solemnly, "Today, we'll see whether our family's Imperial Arms can recognize you as its wielder or not."
"Alright!" Krune nodded, watching his father place a large box on the floor before him, opening it to reveal a tiny ring within.
Sun Ring!
That was the name of the Liu Family's Imperial Arms. Once activated, it condensed three rings of fire that could be used for attack or defense. On top of that, they were also able to expand or shrink in size.
As they were pretty versatile, the Liu Family had become as powerful as it had to reach its current might.
"Now, drip a drop of your blood on it. Whether it recognizes you or not would become apparent with that," Liu Heng's father said.
Nodding in response, Krune used a needle given to him to gently prick his index finger, dropping a drop of his blood on the Imperial Arms. His heart thumped in response as his forehead was filled with sweat. If it failed to recognize him, then his situation would become tougher as he would have to collect materials and forge his own Imperial Arms.
The moment the droplet of blood fell on the Imperial Arms, a clear sound resounded throughout the place as the surrounding temperature increased all of a sudden, causing everyone to sweat profusely.
In response, the Sun Ring hummed, taking off to the air as three rings of fire appeared around it, rapidly increasing in size as they slammed into the ceiling, forming three concentric circles that constantly revolved around one another, rotating at the same time.
The scene caused everyone to stare at it, flabbergasted as Krune gently extended his hand. With the sense of connection he felt just now, he understood that, from now on…
He was an Imperial Meister!