Chapter 55: Chapter 55 - Hollow Invitation
I spent the entire night awake at my residence in Dragon Rising Community. After consuming two Qi Gathering Pills, the spiritual energy expanded rapidly within my dantian. It took all night for my body to completely digest the spiritual energy from those pills.
At nine o’clock in the morning, my eyes flew open. The internal energy coursing through my body had increased significantly, and even my mentality had shifted subtly. Cultivation wasn’t merely about physical strength—it equally involved mental transformation. According to ancient texts, true mighty realm cultivators eventually abandoned their seven emotions and six desires. Though I was only beginning my cultivation journey, my mentality had already undergone notable changes. My heart felt more resolute than before.
"Fifth-Layer Qi Refining Stage, jumping two levels directly," I thought to myself, feeling the abundant power flowing within my body. A smile crept across my face as I realized Foundation Establishment Stage was just around the corner.
Just then, Kenneth arrived at Dragon Rising Community.
"Mr. Raymond," he called out as he approached, and I immediately suspected why he’d come.
"What, is your master looking to challenge me?" I asked, my tone deliberately indifferent.
Kenneth quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, my master heard about this matter and has specially arranged a dinner to apologize."
"Oh?" This surprised me. Quinn O’Connor being so polite? How could his daughter be so rude and arrogant if her father was this courteous?
"My master has also prepared a ten-year-old ginseng for you," Kenneth continued, retrieving a gift box from his car.
I opened the box to find it indeed contained a valuable ten-year-old ginseng. The gesture made me feel somewhat awkward. Quinn O’Connor was being excessively polite.
"Alright, when?" I couldn’t decline such politeness.
"Tonight at seven o’clock, I’ll come to pick you up," Kenneth replied.
"Alright." I nodded in agreement.
——
At the Sean family’s estate, Mabel Sean hadn’t ventured out recently, but she kept a vigilant eye on everything happening in River City. She held a Soul Nourishment Pill in her hand, smiling confidently.
"This pill is enough to crush the Hill family," she declared.
Her secretary responded with concern, "Miss, you’re underestimating the Hill family too much..."
"It’s not that I’m underestimating them," Mabel shook her head. The Hydrating Pill Mason had given her previously had astonished her. After taking it, her skin became more delicate and flawless than ever before. Even in Capital City, she’d never encountered such a miraculous medicine.
"By the way, send out all the bodyguards by my side and closely protect Mason Raymond’s safety," Mabel suddenly instructed.
The secretary looked puzzled. "Is someone trying to harm Mason Raymond?"
Mabel smiled faintly. "A distressed dog might leap over a wall. We don’t know what might happen when the Hill family collapses."
"And what about you?" the secretary asked with concern, immediately realizing how unnecessary the question was. If anything happened to Mabel Sean, her father Jerry would probably level the entire River City to the ground.
Subsequently, the secretary dispatched the bodyguards responsible for secretly protecting Mabel, following her precise instructions.
——
As night fell, I followed Kenneth to the O’Connor family residence, arriving precisely on time. The family had set up an elegant banquet in the courtyard, clearly awaiting my arrival.
Before I arrived, Nola O’Connor had been arguing with her father. "Dad, what do you mean? He bullied your daughter, and you still invite him to dinner and give him gifts?" she said indignantly.
"And what about that ginseng? What are you giving it to him for? It’s so precious, does he deserve it?" she continued resentfully.
Quinn O’Connor responded helplessly, "Daughter, we need his help for something, I have no choice."
"So I just get beaten up for nothing?" Nola retorted coldly.
After considering for a moment, Quinn offered, "How about this—after he helps us, I’ll teach him a lesson for you, okay?"
"Well, you better keep your word." Nola finally relented somewhat.
Quinn nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay, definitely!"
When I arrived with Kenneth, Quinn O’Connor hurried forward to greet me. "Mr. Raymond, you’re finally here!"
Facing his polite demeanor, I responded with equal courtesy, "Mr. O’Connor, you’re really too kind!"
"Quick, take a seat!" Quinn enthusiastically led me to the dining table.
Nola glared at me before dramatically slamming her chopsticks and bowl onto the table. "Seeing certain people makes me lose my appetite!" she remarked with obvious disdain.
"Mr. Raymond, I’m sorry, my daughter has been spoiled by me, don’t mind her," Quinn said, smiling apologetically.
I smiled back. "I don’t mind." Though I said this, I clearly noticed that Quinn had no real intention of rebuking his daughter for her behavior.
After several rounds of drinks and multiple courses, Quinn finally revealed his true intentions. "Mr. Raymond, actually, I invited you here to ask for a favor."
Hearing this, everything suddenly made sense to me. No wonder Quinn had been so extraordinarily polite—he needed something from me.
"Since I have accepted Mr. O’Connor’s gift, just tell me what you need," I nodded.
Quinn quickly explained the situation to me.
After listening, I asked seriously, "Mr. O’Connor, why don’t you participate yourself?"
Before Quinn could respond, Nola sneered, "Do you have a problem with your comprehension? It’s a competition between disciples, my dad can’t participate, or I wouldn’t need you."
Ignoring Nola’s comment, I considered for a moment before saying, "Okay, I agree." Having accepted his gift, I couldn’t simply take it without offering something in return.
"Thank you so much!" Quinn raised his wine glass with a smile.
"Uncle O’Connor!" A voice suddenly called from outside.
Turning to look, I saw a handsome young man in his twenties standing at the doorway, resembling a character from a television drama.
Seeing this young man, Nola excitedly jumped up and ran over. "Luka, how come you’re here!" She leaped into his arms.
The young man, evidently named Luka, smiled warmly. "I heard Uncle O’Connor will be competing with the Gutierrez family soon, so my dad asked me to come and help."
Hearing this, Quinn quickly stood up. "Luka, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, but... the Gutierrez family is not easy to deal with. I heard they invited a master."
Luka smiled confidently. "Uncle O’Connor, don’t worry. I’ve already developed Inner Strength a month ago."
Quinn appeared stunned before excitedly asking, "You’re serious?"
"Of course, I’m now a First-rank Inner Strength expert," Luka announced proudly.
"Oh, that’s wonderful!" Quinn enthusiastically approached Luka, shaking his hand vigorously. "A truly promising young man, a genius who has developed Inner Strength at just over twenty years old!"
At this point, Nola suddenly rushed in front of me and arrogantly declared, "My Luka is here now, and we don’t need you, the waste, anymore. You can leave!"
I frowned slightly but remained silent, instead looking toward Quinn for his response.
To my surprise, Quinn also smiled and said, "What Nola said is right. Since Luka is here, we won’t trouble you anymore."
