The secretary froze. Although he didn't quite understand, he dared not ask further questions.
"Understood, Miss. I'll cancel the Phillips family's invitation immediately," the secretary replied.
Then, he began typing away on the computer.
"Wait." At that moment, Sarah Anderson suddenly changed her mind.
A glimmer of cunning flashed in her eyes. "Send the invitation as usual."
"Huh?" The secretary looked even more confused.
Sarah blinked her bright, watery eyes and murmured softly, "I really wonder what kind of expressions they'll have when they see Tyler Thomas at the banquet..."
...
Phoenix Ascent Community was the most upscale area in Crestview City.
The property that Sally Anderson had gifted Tyler Thomas was situated right in its center.
----
As I gazed at the luxurious decorations inside the room, I couldn't help but feel like it was all a little surreal.
"I really can't figure out what kind of identity Miss Sarah could possibly have..." I muttered with a bitter smile.
But deep down, I was very aware that favors would eventually run out. Only by having enough strength myself could I earn true respect from others.
I didn't waste any time.
I sat cross-legged on the sofa, closed my eyes slightly, and golden rays of light began to burst forth rapidly in my mind.
These golden rays carried medical arts beyond imagination and cultivation methods that defied belief.
I devoured the information eagerly. Before long, I realized that these medical arts far exceeded anything I had ever imagined!
At their pinnacle, not only could they heal ailments, but even bringing the dead back to life wouldn't be out of reach!
And the cultivation methods? Those left me utterly stunned!
Even the earliest levels of the Qi Refining Stage allowed one to move unopposed across the mortal world!
Reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage rendered one nearly invincible, with a lifespan extending several hundred years!
The more I read, the more thrilled I became, my eyes lighting up with excitement!
"As long as I embark on the path of cultivation, the so-called Phillips family will mean absolutely nothing," I said, clenching my fists, my confidence surging instantly!
"Randy Phillips, Elizabeth Wright, just you wait!" A trace of madness flickered in my eyes.
Wasting no more time, I began absorbing nature's spiritual energy using the methods recorded in my memory.
The spiritual energy from across the entire community slowly converged toward me at the center.
The energy surged through my pores, flooding into my body before finally merging with my breath in my dantian.
It was only at dawn the next morning that I slowly opened my eyes.
I exhaled a mouthful of impure air, and not only did I feel no fatigue at all, but instead, I was brimming with energy!
"So this is the first layer of the Qi Refining Stage?" I took a deep breath.
I clenched my fists, feeling the abundant strength coursing through my body, the smile on my face growing broader.
Compared to my previous powerless self, this was nothing short of a transformation.
Attempting to test my strength, I threw a punch at a nearby boulder.
With a resounding "bang," the boulder instantly turned to dust!
I couldn't help but take a sharp intake of breath. *To possess this much power at just the first layer of the Qi Refining Stage—what would even greater strength feel like?* This thought only exhilarated me further!
"It's a pity the spiritual energy around here is far too thin," I sighed lightly.
In just one night, the surrounding energy had been depleted. Advancing further would be incredibly difficult.
According to the knowledge stored in my memory, apart from absorbing nature's spiritual energy, there was one more method: using herbs.
The older the herbs, the more spiritual energy they contained.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to head out to a pharmacy to buy some herbs.
I rummaged through my pockets and pulled out a total of $132.
This sight made me chuckle bitterly.
Ever since marrying Elizabeth Wright, all the money I earned had gone straight to her. Even my monthly allowance depended entirely on her mood.
A thirty-year-old man only having just over a hundred bucks to his name—just mentioning it would likely make people laugh their heads off.
"It seems even on the path of cultivation, money is still a necessity," I said with a wry smile.
Pocketing the money, I stepped out the front door.
Just as I reached the entrance to the community, a Mercedes-Benz pulled up and blocked my path.
As the car came to a stop, Randy Phillips and Elizabeth Wright stepped out.
"Tyler, aren't you disgusting? Following us around?" Elizabeth cursed at me the moment she got out of the car.
"We've already signed the divorce papers! Why are you still clinging to me? What's the point?" Elizabeth said with a face full of disdain.
I cast her a cold glance and said, "Don't flatter yourself."
"Flatter myself?" Elizabeth pointed at her own nose, nearly bursting into laughter.
"You show up here first thing in the morning just to block me, and you say I'm flattering myself?" Elizabeth said with a frosty expression.
Off to the side, Randy Phillips stepped forward, clapping me on the shoulder.
"Listen, kid. Elizabeth's my woman now. If you dare pester her again, I'll break your legs. Got it?" Randy said with a smug grin.
Seeing this despicable pair, I felt a wave of nausea.
*How did I ever share three years of my life with someone like her?* I thought to myself, unable to comprehend it.
Taking a deep breath, I said in a cold voice, "Don't worry. I have no interest in garbage like her. You can keep her."
"What the hell did you just say? Who are you calling garbage?" Elizabeth shrieked, her face contorting with rage as she shouted like a madwoman.
Randy immediately stepped forward, blocking my path.
With his face darkening, Randy said, "Tyler, are you tired of living? I'm warning you, kneel down and apologize to my wife right now, or I'll break your legs."
I swatted Randy's hand away, clenched my fist, and said coldly, "Let me give you a chance: kneel down and apologize to me, and maybe I'll let this go!"