Mabel stared at her secretary, who stood frozen in confusion. Though he didn't fully grasp her intentions, he dared not question further.
"Understood, Miss. I'll cancel the Brown family's invitation right away," the secretary replied obediently.
His fingers began tapping across the keyboard when Mabel suddenly raised her hand.
"Wait." A change of mind flickered across her face.
Cunning sparkled in her eyes as she spoke. "Send the invitation as planned."
"Huh?" The secretary's confusion only deepened.
Mabel's bright eyes gleamed with mischief as she whispered, "I'm curious to see their expressions when they spot Mason Raymond at the banquet..."
----
Dragon Rising Community stood as River City's most prestigious neighborhood.
I gazed around the luxuriously decorated apartment Quillen Sean had gifted me, feeling like I'd stepped into someone else's life. The opulence surrounding me seemed unreal against the backdrop of my recent circumstances.
"I still can't figure out Mabel's true identity," I muttered with a bitter smile tugging at my lips.
Deep down, I understood that favors eventually expire. Only by building my own strength could I earn genuine respect from others.
I wasted no time getting started.
Sitting cross-legged on the plush sofa, I closed my eyes and focused. Golden rays of light began bursting rapidly through my mind.
These luminous beams carried medical knowledge beyond imagination and cultivation techniques that defied conventional understanding.
I absorbed this information hungrily. Soon I realized these healing arts surpassed anything previously conceivable!
At their highest level, they could not only cure ailments but potentially resurrect the dead!
And those cultivation methods? They left me completely astounded!
Even the preliminary Qi Refining Stage would grant me freedom to move unchallenged through the mortal realm!
Reaching Foundation Establishment would render me virtually invincible, with centuries added to my lifespan!
The more I learned, the more excitement built within me, my eyes brightening with each revelation!
"Once I begin cultivating properly, the Brown family will mean absolutely nothing," I declared, clenching my fists as confidence surged through me!
"Harvey Brown, Lyla Lucas, just wait!" A flash of determination crossed my face.
Without further delay, I began drawing in nature's spiritual energy using the techniques now embedded in my memory.
Spiritual energy from across the entire community slowly converged toward me at its center.
The power seeped through my pores, flooding into my body before merging with my breath in my dantian.
Only when dawn broke the next morning did I finally open my eyes.
I exhaled a breath of impure air, feeling not fatigue but overwhelming vitality!
"So this is what the first layer of Qi Refining feels like," I breathed deeply.
I flexed my fingers, sensing the abundant strength flowing through my body, my smile widening with each passing second.
Compared to my former powerless self, this transformation felt nothing short of miraculous.
Testing my newfound strength, I threw a punch at a nearby decorative boulder.
With a thunderous "bang," the stone instantly crumbled to powder!
I couldn't help gasping in amazement. To possess such power at merely the first layer of Qi Refining—what heights could further advancement bring? The thought alone exhilarated me!
"Too bad the spiritual energy here is so thin," I sighed softly.
Just one night had depleted the surrounding energy reserves. Advancing further would prove extremely challenging.
According to my newly acquired knowledge, besides absorbing natural spiritual energy, herbs offered another path forward.
The older the herbs, the more spiritual energy they contained.
After brief consideration, I decided to visit a pharmacy to purchase some herbs.
Checking my pockets, I pulled out exactly $132.
The sight prompted a bitter chuckle from me.
Since marrying Lyla, every dollar I earned went straight to her. Even my monthly allowance depended entirely on her whims.
A thirty-year-old man with barely over a hundred dollars to his name—the mere mention would invite mockery.
"Seems that even on the path of cultivation, money remains essential," I remarked wryly.
Pocketing the cash, I headed out the door.
Just as I reached the community entrance, a Mercedes-Benz pulled up, blocking my way.
The vehicle stopped abruptly, and Harvey Brown stepped out with Lyla Lucas following closely behind.
"Mason, how disgusting can you be? Following us around?" Lyla spat venomously the moment she emerged.
"We've already signed divorce papers! Why keep clinging to me? What's your problem?" Her face twisted with contempt.
I cast her a cold glance. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Flatter myself?" Lyla jabbed a finger toward her chest, nearly laughing. "You show up first thing in the morning just to block us, and I'm flattering myself?" Her expression hardened to ice.
Beside her, Harvey stepped forward, clapping his hand onto my shoulder.
"Listen, kid. Lyla belongs to me now. Harass her again and I'll break your legs. Understand?" His smug grin oozed confidence.
Watching this contemptible pair, nausea rose in my throat.
How did I ever share three years of my life with someone like her? The question baffled me completely.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke coldly, "Don't worry. I have zero interest in garbage like her. She's all yours."
"What did you just say? Who are you calling garbage?" Lyla shrieked, her face contorting with rage.
Harvey immediately stepped forward, blocking my path.
His expression darkening, Harvey growled, "Mason, tired of living? Kneel down and apologize to my wife right now, or I'll shatter your legs."
I swatted his hand away, clenched my fist, and replied icily, "Let me give you a chance: kneel down and apologize to me, and maybe I'll let this slide!"