Chapter 27: Chapter 27 - Karmic Return
Jasper Thompson burst into laughter, his voice thick with disdain.
"Mabel, do you honestly believe that? If you’re so confident in him, why not step aside and see what he accomplishes without your help?"
Jasper’s animosity toward Mason Raymond stemmed not only from his contempt but also from a personal matter. His old friend’s son had carried a torch for Mabel Sean for years, yet she had consistently rebuffed him. Now that she suddenly showed such concern for an ordinary man—a divorced one, no less—Jasper naturally felt irritated.
Mabel remained quiet momentarily before letting out a soft chuckle. "Uncle Jasper, if anyone tries to harm him, I won’t show leniency to anyone."
Her tone was measured yet unmistakably threatening, clearly directed at Jasper Thompson.
Jasper wasn’t foolish; he understood her meaning perfectly. He snorted derisively, "So you also believe Mason Raymond can’t match Xavier Hill. Otherwise, why wouldn’t you allow them a fair competition?"
Xavier Hill was the son of Jasper Thompson’s longtime friend.
Mabel couldn’t suppress her laughter upon hearing this. "So you’re talking about Xavier Hill... I have no objections to that." She shook her head slightly.
Jasper stared at her, stunned. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely," Mabel smiled confidently.
"Mason Raymond certainly doesn’t qualify to be compared with those polished young men from Capital City, but someone like Xavier Hill... he can serve as a mere stepping stone." Mabel giggled softly.
This comment undoubtedly infuriated Jasper Thompson.
"So you look down on Xavier too?" he snapped. "Fine! I’m eager to see how Mason Raymond compares to Xavier Hill!"
With that, Jasper turned to leave.
"Uncle Jasper, it’s not time yet. Mind your health," Mabel reminded him.
Jasper paused, sneering. "My health is excellent. Mason Raymond needn’t concern himself with it."
After delivering those parting words, Jasper climbed into his car and headed toward Chuzzle.
"You’ll return begging for his help," Mabel whispered to herself.
***
At home, I sat reviewing the memories stored in my mind—the inheritance my father left behind, a genuine treasure trove.
"Besides relying on qi and Pills, formations offer another method," I contemplated quietly.
In today’s world, qi had become extraordinarily scarce, particularly in urban areas. My only option was to use formations to concentrate the surrounding qi in one location, which would significantly accelerate my cultivation speed.
However, creating such formations now seemed nearly impossible, like reaching for the sky.
Taking a deep breath, I murmured to myself, "I will stand at the pinnacle."
Throughout my life, nobody had ever believed in me or offered encouragement. Now that Mabel Sean placed such faith in me, I couldn’t disappoint her.
As dusk approached, I rose and left Dragon Rising Community, journeying to the base of a mountain. This area featured natural terrain, water, and sparse population. The qi density here surpassed the city significantly.
"This is perfect," I declared, settling beside a small stream.
Closing my eyes slightly, I began absorbing the surrounding qi. With each breath, the ambient energy gradually gathered, swirling around me and forming a miniature vortex. Any passerby might have noticed a gentle breeze in the vicinity.
***
Meanwhile, Jasper Thompson’s vehicle steadily departed River City.
"Hmph, I’m curious what sort of impact this Mason Raymond can possibly make," Jasper remarked bitterly.
His companion forced a smile. "Mr. Thompson, while Mason Raymond may be insignificant, antagonizing the Sean family seems unwise..."
Jasper dismissed this with a wave. "I know my limits. The Hill family already knows about this situation, and I expect Xavier Hill will arrive in River City shortly."
"Xavier outshines Mason in every aspect. Mason will soon realize when to concede!"
In Jasper’s estimation, Mason stood no chance against Xavier Hill.
During their conversation, Jasper suddenly experienced a sharp pain in his chest. Though brief, it provoked an involuntary cough.
"Perhaps I should reduce my smoking," Jasper reasoned, attributing the discomfort to his recent tobacco consumption.
Just as he extinguished his cigarette, the stabbing sensation returned to his chest with greater intensity.
Jasper clutched his heart, wincing. "What... what’s happening?"
Before he could process this, another wave of severe pain struck him. It felt as if countless arrows were piercing his heart—painful and irritatingly uncomfortable.
Jasper’s face contorted with agony. Gripping his chest, he struggled to speak. "No... something’s wrong..."
Suddenly, Mason Raymond’s warning flashed through his mind.
"Quick! Return to River City!" Jasper shouted urgently to his driver.
