Could the rock actually be a treasure, but Frank was just trying to play down its value so that the other guests would not compete?With that in mind, everyone was suddenly interested, while Travis was delighted.Frank's move was basically promoting the rock!Beaming, he asked, "Forgive my ignorance, Mr. Lawrence, but I've always treated it as a red gemstone. Would you mind telling me what it is, if it's not a gemstone?""It really is just a normal rock," Frank said calmly, despite the troubled look in his eyes. "However, it holds a special meaning to me, which is why I will buy it.""Pfft."Hugh was snickering—did Frank really take them for fools?Whether it was really a gemstone or not, the fact that Frank tried to disparage it while trying to buy it meant there was something fishy going on.He must be worried that the others would compete with him.With that, Hugh looked up and grinned. "Since Mr. Lawrence is interested, there has to be something special about it, and I'll
And the blood on that rock was the essence of Mystic Sky Sect's chief, failing his transcendence as mobs of martial artists attacked him.Despite his failure, the chief of Mystic Sky Sect—Frank's mentor—had vaguely cultivated a strand of sage aura.And the blood on that rock contained it.Be it from a standpoint of principle or sentiment, Frank refused to let the rock fall into anyone else's hands.The blood on that rock was a representation of his mentor's resentment.A representation of the tragedy that was the fall of Mystic Sky Sect.A representation of the three years Frank spent adrift.Therefore, that rock was priceless for Frank—he would even buy it for a trillion, let alone five billion.Once Frank made payment, he was given the stone as he wished.It felt warm in his hand, as if the blood on it had yet to dry.Frank almost could not stop his tears just then, but he ultimately did."Just watch, master," he vowed in his mind to the rock. "One day, I will restore Myst
"Oh, right…"The stewardess appeared troubled, but since Frank said nothing, they had no choice but to pick up the shards around him, putting everything in a bag before giving it to him."Thank you." Frank thanked them.The stewardesses were flustered, since they presumed Frank would be angry, only for him to thank them instead."Alright, I'm sure Mr. Lawrence has his own considerations, and it won't matter even if it's just shards." Travis quickly tried to make an excuse for Frank, considering the awkwardness.The rock shattered in Frank's hands, after all—that was enough for him to defend himself if Frank pressed the issue.Still, he had to be considerate for Frank, and he quickly presented the next item in his collection.On the other hand, Frank was focused completely in his own body, completely uninterested in anything Travis had to show from that point on.The skies were dark by the time Travis presented everything he had, with Hugh buying a vase of purest jade for 500 mi
Frank was idling over the following week, guiding Terry Cotton from his Lanecorp office to assimilate what remained of the Blood Wolves.At the same time, he was training diligently, acclimating to his changing physique.He was now an equal of the martial elites across Draconia. While the Lionhearts' retainers and stewards were a threat to Frank before, they were now simply insignificant.Now, only the Transcendent ranks who stood at the pinnacle of the country—Simon Lionheart, the head of the Lionheart household, and Frank's own father, the Lord of the Southern Woods—would stand a chance against FrankAnd as his strength improved, the air around him changed too.While he was vaguely mesmerizing before, he also carried the presence of a maestro, as if he had transcended beyond worldly matters.It was certainly unprecedented for anyone this young to carry such a powerful presence.It also took a while for Frank to realize that his almost frightening ascension was because he absor
"Okay, got it." Frank smiled in wry amusement and asked seriously, "So? Have you fully recovered?""Yeah, but there are traces." Vicky snorted. "I refuse to let Helen see it. So if you miss me, you'd just have to wait another few days.""Okay," Frank said and hung up in thought.He would go with Helen but decided not to impose since she was so busy.He then called Trevor Zurich. "Get me a car."Trevor appeared at a loss for once. "I don't have a branch in Zamri, Mr. Lawrence. I don't think I have anything that suits you—""It's just so that I don't have to walk. Just get me one soon.""Alright…" Trevor replied, and soon, an Audi arrived downstairs.Frank did not mind the modest vehicle.After bringing along the present Vicky sent, he thought about it and brought the jade fox he received from Travis too.It was a flawed sculpture, but after detailed observation, Frank discovered its true worth—a thumb-sized jade marrow inside the sculpture.The jade marrow was a unique natura
Gene was assuredly above the rest, but one could expect nothing less of the richest man of the east coast.The bigwigs who attended the charity auction were authorities in politics, business, or even the military. They were either rich or powerful, their authority extending over the country.Frank also spotted representatives from illustrious families such as the Soranos, the Lionhearts, and the Jankos. They were all mingling cordially in the lobby, and the vibes were cheerful with endless laughter.Still, Frank did not get involved and started looking for a place to sit and wait for Gene, when a security guard intercepted him. "Greetings, sir. Would you mind showing your invitation?""Invitation?" Frank did a double take, only to remember that he had left in a hurry since Vicky was urging him.The invitation was left in his desk drawer because of that.What should he do now? He would not make it back in time if he returned now.After musing to himself for a while, he looked up
Hugh certainly would not give up on a chance to add insult to injury, and he chuckled coolly. "Heh. Never heard anything about that—he's just Vicky Turnbull's sugar baby. Someone like him attending a charity auction of such prestige?" "If I were you, Frank, I'd be hiding my face and running away instead of standing here and being stubborn. What an embarrassment to my family."The crowd turned toward Frank at that, laughing in disdain when they noticed that Frank's suit was just barely worth a few grand."No way… Someone name-dropped the Turnublls?""Didn't you hear what Mr. Turnbull said? He's Vicky Turnbull's sugar baby.""Tut, tut… No wonder."Ned was quickly glowering darkly when he heard them and stood in front of Frank as he snapped, "Mr. Lawrence is my friend. Anyone who messes with him, messes with me!"The laughter subsided a little, but the crowd was soon talking about something else."No way! Standing up for a sugar baby?! The rumors about Ned Janko must be true!""
"What?!"Hugh turned in shock toward Amber, the woman at his side.He found her at a nightclub, and she said she needed the job and had no choice. The reason was that her family circumstances were tragic—her father was a gambler, her mother walked out on them, and she had two brothers who were still in school Naturally, Hugh did not believe Amber, but he still did not mind keeping her around for his amusement over a few days with her pretty face. It naturally shocked him that Frank said she was sick, and he was at once unsettled.Amber was panicking after what Frank said too, as everyone was now watching her and Hugh after what Frank said.Still, her first response was to snap at Frank. "That's bullshit! You're the one who's sick!"Frank simply chuckled coolly. "Hehe, I can tell right away if there's something wrong with you—I'm the one who cured Gene Pearce, after all. You really don't have to question my abilities."The hall was left in an uproar right then."What?! He cured