Chapter 124: Chapter 124 - Spiritual Transformation
The spiritual energy inside the Water Dragon Cave felt uniform throughout, giving everyone submerged in the water an incredible sense of pleasure.
Upon entering the water, I experienced an indescribable warmth flowing through my body.
"This must be a Qi-gathering formation," I thought silently.
A natural Qi-gathering formation concentrating all surrounding spiritual energy here—this explained why the Water Dragon Cave remained legendary and timeless!
With this realization, I immediately plunged deeper into the water.
I closed my eyes slightly, opened all the pores across my skin, and tried to absorb the spiritual energy contained within the water.
Soon, I noticed the water around me slowly moving toward my body, only to scatter quickly after touching my skin.
"Just as I suspected!" I felt a surge of excitement.
This place truly housed a natural Qi-gathering formation!
If I could absorb all the spiritual energy in this water, breaking into the Foundation Establishment Stage wouldn’t be challenging at all!
With that thought, I decided not to waste any time. I shut my eyes completely, fully opened every pore on my body, and began absorbing the spiritual energy surrounding me.
Instantly, all nearby water flowed toward me, dispersing rapidly upon contact.
Whenever the water’s spiritual energy touched my skin, it vanished completely, channeling directly into my body instead.
Soon, a small vortex formed around me!
People nearby couldn’t help glancing in my direction, their faces displaying obvious shock.
But I remained completely unaware of the outside world, desperately absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy like someone starving.
As time passed, the water currents within the Water Dragon Cave accelerated noticeably.
The concentration of spiritual energy here far exceeded my wildest expectations!
The Water Dragon Cave had accumulated countless years of spiritual energy, and now I inhaled it all at once!
From midday until nightfall, tourists gradually left the cave.
In the darkness, a faint light began glowing from my body.
"Buzz!"
At two in the morning, my body erupted with bursts of radiance!
Instantly, my cells transformed as though undergoing metamorphosis!
Even my skin changed—becoming delicate and shimmering, radiating an aura so divine it seemed I had descended from heaven!
Victor Green, standing guard nearby, stared in complete shock and disbelief!
This process lasted a full thirty minutes.
Throughout this time, I remained entirely unresponsive.
"Bang!"
Thirty minutes later, a surge of dark energy abruptly erupted from my body!
At that same moment, I suddenly opened my mouth, expelling puffs of murky black air!
As the air dissipated, I stood quietly in the Water Dragon Cave, a youth with perfectly proportioned stature.
My expression remained calm, showing neither joy nor sorrow; the muscle lines on my body appeared as if carved by gods, absolutely flawless.
"E... Mason Raymond?" Victor called hesitantly.
I slowly turned my gaze toward Victor.
"Foundation Establishment Stage. Finally, I’ve reached the Foundation Establishment Stage." I clenched my fist tightly, feeling as though the spiritual power flowing through my body might explode!
Compared to the Qi Refining Stage, my spiritual power felt several times stronger!
My mindset transformed entirely at this moment—a shift so drastic, it felt as though I were a true deity gazing down upon the world.
"Mr. Raymond, are you alright?" Victor asked, his tone revealing concern.
I walked out of the water. With a slight shake, the droplets on my body instantly evaporated.
"I’m fine, better than ever." My lips curled into a faint smile.
This power exceeded my expectations!
If I encountered Bernard Colton again now, I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to defeat him!
"Apollo Leah, Zachary Ortega—they’re nothing worth mentioning," I said quietly.
I picked up a water droplet and flicked it forward with ease.
"Bang!"
The droplet, enveloped by spiritual power, shot out like a bullet!
Nearby, a large pit appeared instantly on the mountain stone it struck!
"Let’s go." I turned to the slack-jawed Victor Green and said with a smile.
Victor dazedly nodded, then followed as we left the Water Dragon Cave together.
That night, I slept exceptionally soundly. This reassuring sense of stability brought me tremendous peace.
I slept all the way until the next afternoon.
When I awoke, it was already three in the afternoon.
Upon waking, I noticed several missed calls on my phone—all from Marshall Clive.
I dialed Marshall back and asked, "Mr. Clive, is there something you need?"
Marshall replied politely over the phone, "Mr. Raymond, I wonder if you’re free tonight. I might need your help with something."
"Sure." I agreed, not even bothering to ask what the matter was.
The reasons for my quick agreement were twofold: first, I owed Marshall a favor. Second, my overwhelming inner self-confidence.
Marshall was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "Alright, I’ll pick you up tonight."
By evening, Marshall’s Range Rover pulled up downstairs.
Upon seeing me, Marshall greeted warmly, "Mr. Raymond. Long time no see."
I nodded and got into the car. Afterward, I casually asked, "Mr. Clive, what exactly do you need my help with?"
Marshall explained with a laugh, "Mr. Raymond, you know how I made my fortune—it’s inevitable that I’ve angered some folks over the years."
"An old enemy of mine, whom I drove out of South City, has recently returned. Tonight, we’re meeting him face-to-face."
I immediately understood.
Perhaps this was why Marshall Clive spent so dearly to keep skilled allies.
"I’ve heard he trained overseas with a master these past years, picking up some skills. Just to be safe, I asked you to come along," Marshall continued.
I didn’t say anything more.
Now, having just reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, I sought someone to test my newfound strength against.
"I hope he doesn’t disappoint me," I said coolly.
Marshall, hearing this, remained silent.
Truthfully, Marshall hadn’t invited me primarily for my skills, but rather to leverage the Sean family should any serious trouble arise.
If it were simply a matter of strength, Apollo Leah would have been sufficient.
Soon, we arrived at a relatively secluded restaurant.
Stepping inside, I saw that Marshall’s entourage from the other day was already present, with Apollo Leah maintaining his signature lofty demeanor.
"Why is he here too?" Seeing me, Apollo voiced his displeasure.
Marshall quickly explained, "The more people we have, the better our odds."
Apollo scoffed and said, "I’m more than enough. I don’t need anyone else interfering."
Since our last encounter, Apollo hadn’t been able to stand me.
Now seeing me again, Apollo was naturally annoyed.
Fortunately, my mindset had shifted dramatically. In my eyes, Apollo was as insignificant as grass; not worthy of acknowledgement at all.
