Nina didn't want to sit at the table Yates arranged for her, so, she led her friends over to the table where
Zen and the others were seated. There they all chatted amicably.
Sean, Nory and Wurth talked with them joyfully.
Females weren't allowed to be too close to men in Eastern Region, but they didn't need to be
restrained at a reunion for the noble clans. The tinkling laughter resounded from their table now and
then.
It had to be said that Nory was a perpetual optimist. Even after being bullied by everyone after coming
back home, he still talked and laughed happily. It was as though he'd forgotten the distasteful events
from just a few moments ago. From time to time, he shared a joke that made one or more of the female
disciples double over in laughter.
In no time at all, after greeting other guests at several tables, James led Yates over to the ladies.
James smiled at Nina as he greeted her, "Miss Zhu, I am honored that you were able to attend the
feast of Mo Mansion today!"
James' polite pretensions towards Nina were excessive.
As the head of the Mo Clan, James was a formidable man, and along with the influence his family
wielded, he was also quite important within the ranks of the Illuminating Soul Realm. So, even though
Nina was the beloved daughter of the Zhu Clan, there was no need for him to be this polite.
When someone was overly courteous to others to this degree, there was an ulterior motive.
In this case, a blind man could have seen the reason.
He knew his son, Yates was infatuated with Nina.
News of this sort was handled delicately between the noble clans. James was clear that although the
Mo Clan had declined, if they could claim kinship ties to the Zhu Clan, it wouldn't be too difficult to
imagine how it would benefit the Mo Clan in future.
But, if Nina wasn't a direct line descent of Zhu Clan, James wouldn't humble himself in this gallant
manner by treating a woman of this younger generation so well.
However, having worked in the Imperial Capital for many years, James was not only sophisticated but,
he was privy to the same intelligence Wurth had access to.
Through his sources, James knew that Nina's position within the Zhu Clan was special. If his son
married Nina, they would have the powerful Zhu Clan backing them.
James knew it would be challenging, but he realized if he were successful, James would be fulfilling his
son's wish while at the same time, he'd be ensuring that the Mo Clan came through a difficult time more
prosperous and stronger. The benefits were so great that he'd decided he would help his son.
Although Nina appeared pure and innocent, she was born into a famous family, and from early
childhood, she was subjected to social situations of this nature, so she was adept at dealing with
people like James.
Nina rose hurriedly and replied, "Hello Uncle Mo, you are too kind. It's a great honor to be here at the
request of Yetta."
James chuckled and responded, "Whatever brings you here, Nina, your attendance has raised Mo
Mansion's fame. You're a good friend to Yetta, and as her uncle, I need to give you a gift to welcome
you."
With that announcement, James pulled a small brocade box out that he'd hidden in his sleeve. Then,
he lightly shook the container, and it fell spontaneously revealing a little bracelet delicately lying in the
box.
The bracelet was entirely blood red, and while the color wasn't dazzling, it gave people a feeling of
warmth after they saw it. The intricate piece of jewelry was quite extraordinary.
"Please, accept this gift of the Mixed Element Blood Bracelet in commemoration of our first meeting,
Nina," stated James slowly and formally.
Gazing down at the Mixed Element Blood Bracelet, Nina's lips curled into a smile.
With her unique insight, Nina saw, at first glance, that the Mixed Element Blood Bracelet was
extraordinary.
If she was correct in her assessment, the Mixed Element Blood Bracelet was created using a mixed
element blood jade, which was a kind of jade produced in the east.
It was rumored that over in the east there was a mountain range called Snow Mountain that remained
covered in ice and snow year round. When seen from far away, there was nothing peculiar about the
mountain, and it looked like any other snow-covered mountain.
However, every year around March or April, Snow Mountain erupted. Any ordinary volcano spat lava,
but when Snow Mountain erupted, fresh red liquid spewed forth.
The fresh red liquid looked like human blood, giving Snow Mountain the nickname Blood Mountain.
Before Snow Mountain exploded, many people traveled to it, but, they didn't go there for the fresh,
blood-like liquid.
Rather than being helpful, the liquid was instead harmful to humans. The poison was hidden inside the
red fluid. If a human was near it for any length of time, the toxin would affect him. A victim's face
blackened, boils festered covering the body before an agonizing death. So, any ordinary people
wouldn't dare go to Snow Mountain when it was due to blow its stack.
Only a nature creature could procure the fresh red liquid while avoiding the lethal toxins.
These nature creatures risked life and limb travelling to Snow Mountain to acquire the mixed element
blood jade, which spurted from deep within Snow Mountain when it erupted.
But, the mountain didn't give the treasures up easily, and there were only a few dozens to a few
hundred of the mixed element blood jades to be found when the Snow Mountain erupted each year.
Most nature creatures just relied on good fortune, determining that if none were found, it was simply
poor luck, but, if one or two mixed element blood jades were found, it was very lucky. The cost of mixed
element blood jades was so steep, that if only one were found, the nature creature would become
wealthy overnight.
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