Chapter 339: Chapter 339 - Rival Revealed
Upon hearing this news, Vance Johansson’s expression shifted dramatically.
An uneasy sensation crept through his chest.
"Got it." Vance dismissed the matter with a wave.
Yet the steward remained rooted in place, wearing an uncomfortable grin.
Vance’s brow furrowed as he snapped, "I said I got it. Are you deaf?"
The steward stammered awkwardly, "The master... demands your immediate presence."
"I fucking heard you!" Vance snatched a decorative piece from the table and hurled it!
Given Vance’s Peak Grandmaster Realm strength, even his casual throw packed devastating force!
The steward’s face went white. His abilities couldn’t handle dodging such an attack!
Suddenly, a brilliant flash erupted and pulverized the ornament completely.
"What’s this? Can’t follow my orders anymore?" A man in his forties materialized at the doorway.
At the sight of this figure, Vance scrambled to his feet, stammering anxiously, "Dad..."
This was Vance’s father, Klein Johansson, among the genuine power brokers within the Johansson family.
Klein approached Vance with measured steps, gestured dismissively, and addressed the steward, "Leave us."
"Yes, master." The steward bowed deeply before hurrying away.
The door clicked shut, leaving only Klein and Vance in the vast room.
Though Vance strutted arrogantly in public, before Klein he cowered like a frightened kitten.
"Dad..." Vance began, but Klein’s palm cracked across his face!
The blow launched Vance across the room!
"Pathetic! You’ve brought shame to the Johansson name!" Klein snarled.
He jabbed at the phone screen’s contents and demanded, "What’s this garbage? You’ve destroyed our family’s reputation!"
Vance hauled himself off the floor, clutching his cheek, and mumbled, "Dad, I’ll fix this immediately..."
"Fix? You can’t fix anything!" Klein roared.
"Some lowlife scum is humiliating our distinguished Johansson family. Is your skull stuffed with dog crap?!" Klein raged.
Vance protested pitifully, "Dad, I never anticipated his shamelessness. I... I’ll go eliminate him right now!"
"Kill your ass! What’ve you been doing this whole time?" Klein planted his boot in Vance’s gut.
"As the Johansson family heir, aren’t you embarrassed betting against some River City nobody?"
Vance picked himself up again, not daring to utter a word.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Klein studied Vance and asked icily, "This Mason Raymond character, he’s tight with Mabel Sean, correct?"
"Absolutely! He visited the Sean household recently! Word is Jerry Sean thinks highly of him..." Vance replied eagerly.
At this revelation, Klein slapped Vance’s face again.
"Why didn’t you remove him sooner? Letting such a dangerous threat survive this long!" Klein said coldly.
"Now everyone’s watching our Johansson family, and it’s too late for action. You’re worthless!"
Klein’s fury exploded.
But Vance didn’t dare argue back, silently enduring the abuse.
"Dad, what... what’s my next move..." After hesitating briefly, Vance finally whispered.
Klein declared grimly, "We wait. Wait for Jerry Sean’s death. His health’s supposedly deteriorating badly and he’s been hospitalized."
"Really?" Vance perked up excitedly.
Klein nodded and stated, "Remember, the Johansson-Sean marriage alliance must succeed, not fail."
"As for Mason Raymond, you must eliminate him."
Vance nodded rapidly and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll dispatch people immediately..."
"Screw dispatching people!" Before Vance finished, Klein flicked his cigarette butt at Vance’s face.
"If you send assassins after him now, does the Johansson family want any reputation left?"
Vance’s expression soured as he whispered, "Dad, I get your point, don’t worry, this Mason Raymond is just a Grandmaster, killing him would be effortless for me..."
Hearing this, Klein’s expression finally softened slightly.
"During this period, you must lay low completely," Klein commanded coldly.
"Jerry Sean has several devoted followers; I expect you to eliminate them personally when the time comes."
"Yes, father," Vance whispered.
——
While the outside world buzzed with activity, I remained completely unbothered.
I spent my days training, capitalizing on the Divine Alchemist Pavilion’s abundant spiritual energy.
Sure enough, under these conditions, my cultivation speed accelerated dramatically.
Within just three days, I successfully broke through to the second level of the Monastic Stage.
"With the Divine Alchemist Pavilion’s support, the resource gap between the Johansson family and me isn’t so massive," I mused.
Right then, Fifth Elder walked in from outside.
He looked at me and asked, "Mason Raymond, are you prepared?"
I stood up quickly and replied, "Fifth Elder, I’ve been ready."
Fifth Elder nodded, then said seriously, "Here’s some troubling news - there’s another candidate in this Elder competition."
"Another person?" I felt slightly taken aback.
Fifth Elder confirmed and explained, "Whenever an Elder position opens, there will be applicants, not just from the Divine Alchemist Pavilion; prominent outsiders also seize the chance to enter the Divine Alchemist Pavilion."
Fifth Elder paused before continuing, "This person represents the Johansson family."
"Johansson family?" My expression shifted slightly.
I asked earnestly, "The Pavilion Master’s intention... isn’t for me to deliberately lose to him, is it?"
After all, I had injured Johansson family members, and the Pavilion Master had promised to provide the Johansson family with an explanation.
Handing them an Elder position might be the optimal solution.
However, Fifth Elder shook his head and said, "No, the Pavilion Master wants you to win."
This caught me off guard.
I never imagined the Pavilion Master’s character would align so closely with mine!
"Mason Raymond, your mission is crucial," Fifth Elder emphasized.
I stood up and declared, "Fifth Elder, don’t worry, I won’t disappoint the Pavilion Master."
"Good, then prepare yourself and meet at the Great Hall at two this afternoon," Fifth Elder rose, then turned and departed.
"The Johansson family people..." I chuckled to myself.
Perhaps the Johansson family also assumed the Divine Alchemist Pavilion would show them respect?
"Too bad you Johansson family members are about to be sorely disappointed," I sneered.
——
That afternoon, I arrived at the Great Hall at the appointed time.
Many alchemists had gathered there early, including Mya Winona and Victor Green.
"Mason Raymond, you cannot lose," Mya urged.
I smiled, "Don’t worry, I won’t lose."
As soon as I finished speaking, a young man entered through the doorway.
The young man wore robes that gave him an ominous appearance.
However, it was his face that truly shocked me.
"It’s you?!" Upon seeing the young man’s face, I couldn’t help but display complete astonishment.
