As the most powerful noble family in Zone 011, the Werna Family naturally hosts a banquet that no family misses. To emphasize the importance of this gathering, the manor chosen is one of significant relevance to the Werna Family, quite representative.

Xu Huo contacted Lady Lily in advance. After she learned he was invited to the New Year’s Eve party, her previously warm attitude shifted to a polite and reserved refusal to accompany him, and she informed him that those qualified for this party are now officially registered in Zone 011, no longer marginal figures. He could share in Zone 011’s benefits in the future, but would also have to contribute if Zone 011 faced hardships.

Regarding entrance, Lady Lily advised him not to arrive too early due to his low rank. Although he had impressive capability and was a new noble, he still had to adhere to Zone 011’s noble traditions, ensuring no mistakes in the visible etiquettes.

"At that time, the Werna Family’s butler will inform you on-site so that guests won’t be embarrassed."

Xu Huo expressed his thanks and then entrusted Angel to deliver a small box of gemstones to Lady Lily.

After Xiao Yuan and Tan Qi left, Angel’s home tutor lessons basically concluded, leaving her unemployed once more, so she was happy to assist Xu Huo in running errands and took the opportunity to build rapport with Lady Lily.

Upon hearing Xu Huo received an invitation from the Werna Family, she sincerely congratulated him, bringing along some homemade snacks as a gift.

Time quickly arrived on the day of the party, and Xu Huo put on a newly tailored gown, driving alone to the Werna Family’s manor.

The attendees today were numerous. Out of respect for the Werna Family, once entering the manor grounds, guests stopped flying and queued to enter a specially designated guest villa. This is merely a transit point; most cars were parked here, with only high-ranking nobles driving directly to the main building. Others entered per the butler’s arrangements.

Once his car was driven away by a servant, Xu Huo entered the villa to wait.

There were already quite a few people in the villa’s resting area, with several familiar faces not surprisingly present, along with regular guests who frequently attended various parties. The second floor housed successors from families like Kage Herta’s who were closely acquainted with Ashis Verna.

The last time they met was also at a banquet where Jin Feixue led the Guile Sound Knights to avenge Yuguo, causing trouble for Zone 011. Xu Huo was only a Level D Player back then. Back on the Rong Xin Group’s ship, Ashis Verna and Kage Herta had already become Rank-A Players.

When a servant brought tea inviting Xu Huo to sit, upon noticing the upstairs gaze, he lifted the teacup in a distant gesture.

Kage Herta’s player level was high, but he was a junior in the family. Until his elders concluded their conversations, it wasn’t his turn to debut, so he too could only wait here.

However, there were barriers between the second and first floors. Those upstairs clearly had their own circle and didn’t communicate much among themselves, while those downstairs were keen on making friends, warmly greeting others from the moment they arrived.

Lady Lily was among them, though she didn’t come over to converse with Xu Huo, only nodding from afar as she continued chatting with other noblewomen.

"Mr. Xu." A young noble offspring actively greeted Xu Huo. "We met at Lady Lily’s party last time."

This young noble acting as his family’s authority wasn’t a player, while the player in his family wasn’t particularly outstanding. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"You can call me Roy." Roy Clements smiled.

They engaged in normal social discourse, discussing the prior charitable party. The Clements family had also hosted such an event where Xu Huo showed face, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Soon others joined, gradually blending into common noble socializing.

Shortly afterward, the Werna butler started summoning people, first those upstairs, then those downstairs.

Seated in the Werna’s designated vehicle, they bypassed half of the manor to finally reach the main building. The pure white construction exuded radiant light, the casted golden glow imparting an air of mystery and mist, as though stepping forward meant reaching dreamed-of power and wealth, rendering those ascending its front steps more proud.

Behind the grand doors was the core of this prosperous division. 011’s rise and fall were tied to those inside this door, symbolizing ultimate authority and representing the division’s fate for upcoming centuries.

This was not an ordinary cocktail party but a rather formal meeting, informing noble acquaintances of each other while summarizing the old year and anticipating the new year. Therefore, rows of long tables were arranged in the middle of the great banquet hall, the central table obviously reserved for core noble family members. Position near the edges implied weaker family strength.

As the doors of the banquet hall swung open, the crowd gradually quieted, directing their attention toward the entrance.

The first to emerge were essential players of the Werna Family, walking on both sides, followed by the family patriarch, Ashis Verna’s father, a former player turned sage who managed family affairs, leading Ashis Verna and other siblings, totaling nearly twenty individuals.

These twenty notable Werna youth couldn’t all sit at the main table. Their seating was at two staggered small tables behind the main one, separated from other nobles.

Everyone found their positions, Xu Huo blending into the second-to-last table on the right, raising his glass with others, and downing it after Elder Werna’s toast.

Next came the official banquet. The Werna Family exhibited rare ingredients procured from various divisions as a year-end benefit for all nobles. Additionally, anyone seated had a gift package under their chair, rumored to be aristocratic business dividends, a drop in the pool for lesser nobles following the substantial returns enjoyed by Werna and similar top-tier nobles.

"You might even receive shares distributed by the Werna Family for attending this party." Roy Clements whispered. "Pure shares from Werna’s widespread business across Zone 011, with quarterly dividend settlements and year-end accounting. Fortune might bring you mining shares, extremely lucrative."

In essence, the Zone 011 nobles controlled most resources, slicing them into segments for lesser nobles below. The more capable, the larger the share, abiding by upward mobility rules. Those strong enough could partake in sharing the cake, with the vast noble framework and the sole Super Player securing continued authority.

As the banquet concluded, the Werna patriarch led family leaders to exit, leaving subsequent activities to Werna members:

"Everyone, tonight we’ve prepared a special gift."