The buffet dinner for the top one hundred universities before the annual freshman exchange competition had long been a tradition.
While it was inevitable that sparks would fly when so many arrogant young geniuses were gathered together.
No host university would ever forgo this banquet.
This had also always been one of Dragon Country's principles for cultivating talent—to grow through conflict and competition.
After all, this world, ravaged by war, required universities to cultivate capable warriors, not delicate hothouse flowers.
This was especially true for Dragon Country, whose current situation was far from optimistic.
The mindset of the strong was also forged through interactions with others and repeated tempering...
To not provide these prodigies with a platform for schemes and struggles would actually be harming them!
Early maturity was necessary, and experiencing setbacks sooner was also a blessing.
Those who were too naive would inevitably be crushed into pieces under the pressure of fearsome organizations like fierce beasts, alien races, hostile nations, fallen ones, and Nightfall.
Compared to that, it was better to fall at the hands of their own people.
At least it wouldn't be as dire, wouldn't cost them their lives, and they could still gain experience...
When Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan arrived at the grand hall, it was already filled with students of all sorts.
They were conversing in groups of a few, or in clusters of a dozen, with many animatedly discussing and beaming with joy.
"It's so lively..." Luo Qingyan remarked.
Lin Ran nodded. "I didn't expect them to be so familiar with each other."
"They shouldn't have much interaction normally, yet they're chatting so happily upon their first meeting..."
Luo Qingyan chuckled. "You wouldn't know this, would you?"
"Most of the people who can get here are from affluent families."
"While they might not know each other well, they've likely heard of each other from their elders or through news reports."
"Besides, it's not impossible that they've met before..."
"After all, the social circles of these wealthy families tend to be quite exclusive."
"There are at most a few dozen families in Dragon Country that are truly renowned..."
"As for those families of the next tier, they have their own circles."
"Many prominent families even have a tradition of intermarriage across generations, so their relationships would naturally be closer."
"For example, the Bai family and the Lu family, who jointly dominate the magical capital, are like this."
"If my guess is correct, Bai Ziye and Lu Qianqian from our team are betrothed through a childhood engagement..."
"As for Lu Yuan of the Weiyang Lu family, who you've defeated multiple times, I heard his mother was a concubine from the Qingjing Qin family. She became the head of the Lu family by climbing the ranks, which is how Lu Yuan became the legitimate heir!"
"This is why Lu Yuan always colludes with Qin Tian..."
"Only us unfortunate common folk wouldn't be able to mingle with them."
Lin Ran looked at Luo Qingyan with some surprise. "How do you know so much about these wealthy families?"
"Moreover, you even know about the marriage traditions of the two major families in the magical capital, and the family secrets of concubines rising to power?"
Luo Qingyan realized she had spoken too freely out of enthusiasm and quickly laughed.
"As girls, we tend to be more interested in gossip related to these matters..."
"When I have free time, I enjoy reading about the scandals of wealthy families!"
"Isn't that normal?"
Lin Ran rolled his eyes and didn't press further.
The two quickly navigated through the crowd and reached the large, circular buffet area in the center, where they collected their trays.
Due to her twin angel talents and angelic bloodline abilities, Luo Qingyan normally had a prodigious appetite, capable of matching ten strong men.
Lin Ran, after awakening his Golden Dragon martial spirit, had also developed an even greater appetite, surpassing Luo Qingyan by a small margin.
They were both known for their voracious eating habits in private.
However, this time, with so many people watching, they had to maintain a dignified demeanor.
Luo Qingyan's eating became extremely ladylike, and Lin Ran began to chew his food slowly.
"This is truly extravagant... The cost of this one meal alone is likely hundreds of millions of Dragon Coins."
Luo Qingyan remarked as she ate.
The ingredients used in this meal were predominantly sourced from various rare and exotic beasts and prestigious plants. They were not only delicious but also possessed tonic properties, maximizing the culinary experience.
"After all, the guests here are all prominent figures. It would be too embarrassing if it weren't done properly."
"In any case, Xiangchu University is a top ten institution in the country, so they're definitely not short on money. We should just eat our fill."
Lin Ran, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased.
He and Luo Qingyan never dined so lavishly in their daily lives.
Given their appetites, even if they worked tirelessly to earn money, it would be difficult to cover such expenses.
These children of wealthy families clearly weren't here primarily for the food, so why should Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan be polite?
This was, in fact, their main objective for coming here—to eat!
Having such a rare opportunity to enjoy so much delicious food for free, they, with their innate foodie dispositions, certainly wouldn't pass it up.
If it weren't so crowded, that would be even better.
Otherwise, they would inevitably be disturbed by others.
As expected, just as Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan had barely eaten a tenth of their fill, an impolite individual approached them.
A tall, handsome young man, dressed in a flowing purple robe, with a faint smile, approached them.
"Excuse me..."
"May I ask if this beautiful lady would do me the honor of accompanying me to the dance floor for a dance?"
"I do not wish to hear a refusal or any words of difficulty from you..."
"Otherwise, I will be very upset."
Saying this, he unceremoniously extended his gloved hand towards Luo Qingyan in a show of courtesy, completely ignoring Lin Ran beside her.
Lin Ran's eyebrows shot up, and he was about to react.
He was currently unafraid of causing trouble.
With the Divine Might Space at his disposal, he always held an insurmountable advantage over the people of this world.
Moreover, he now had the intact body of the Black Dragon to control...
Let alone these arrogant children of wealthy families.
Even if their fathers and grandfathers came, Lin Ran had the capital to beat them soundly and retreat without a scratch.
Furthermore, the oily and affected demeanor of the purple-robed man, his ostentatious display of coolness, was rather disgusting to him.
It would almost be a disservice not to slap that guy across the face for his speech!
However, to Lin Ran's surprise, Luo Qingyan reacted faster than he could.
*Slap!*
Luo Qingyan, who had nothing in her hands, suddenly produced a sturdy folding fan from somewhere. She snapped it shut and struck the purple-robed man's outstretched hand.
"Bad luck!"
"Do you really think you're handsome? You're so disgusting I feel like throwing up."
"Didn't your parents teach you basic etiquette?"
"Your nauseating lines would be better suited for coaxing a dog, and even a dog would probably spray your greasy, powdered face..."
"Scram, and don't disturb my meal!"
With that, Luo Qingyan abruptly opened her fan and fanned herself with disgust.