Please be my partner.

Page 501

Thinking of this, Chi Xiao's father couldn't help but say, "Xiao Xiao, if you can't stand the atmosphere here, you should go back first."

"I..." Chi Xiao opened her mouth, not knowing how to explain.

Just then, a cheerful voice came from afar: "Brother Chi Wei, you're here! I've been looking for you everywhere."

Chi Wei turned his head and asked, "General Manager Gao? You wanted to see me?"

Gao Weixiang, the general manager of Tenglong Group's Hanjiang City branch, is someone Chi Wei can't even touch normally. Chi Wei doesn't understand why the former came to him in such a familiar tone, but it doesn't seem like a bad thing.

In fact, Gao Weixiang was also somewhat cautious.

Don't be fooled by Uncle Zhong's usual butler-like demeanor in front of Mei Lun and Zuo Qiu Shi Yu. In the past, he was the head of Tenglong Group. It was only because Shi Wusheng and Song Jiajing later gave up martial arts and began to devote their energy to the business field that Uncle Zhong gradually relinquished his power.

Even so, given Uncle Zhong's position in Tenglong Group, getting Gao Weixiang fired would be as simple as saying a word.

Moreover, as an insider of Tenglong Group, Gao Weixiang naturally knew a lot of inside information, and he understood even better how drastically the young master of the group would change his status after today's banquet.

Therefore, after receiving Uncle Zhong's instructions and quickly clarifying the cause and effect, Gao Weixiang immediately came to personally invite them. On the way, he even temporarily looked up relevant information about Chi Wei and his two sons.

Gao Weixiang said with a smile, "Gentlemen, please come with me to the banquet upstairs."

Upon hearing this, not only did Chi Wei become dizzy, but the others around him who were intentionally or unintentionally eavesdropping also showed expressions of shock.

Chapter 631 Divine Sharpness Without a Shadow, Hidden Dragon in the Heavens

As a successful businessman, Chi Wei quickly calmed down and understood the meaning behind Gao Weixiang's public statement that a distinguished person had invited them upstairs.

Although the floor they were currently on was the lowest tier of the Tenglong Group's three-tiered banquet, Chi Wei's status made him just a nobody among those present.

For the people present, the purpose of the banquet itself was irrelevant; networking was the main objective.

Previously, if Chi Wei wanted to build connections in this circle, he had to be polite and courteous, and for some people of higher status, he even had to fawn over them with a smile.

There's nothing that can be done about it. As businesses have developed to the level of Chi Wei, it's no longer important whether ordinary business transactions make a lot or a little money, or even whether they lose a lot or a little. What really matters is the intricate network of personal connections.

But at this moment, with Gao Weixiang's words, Chi Wei realized that everyone around him was looking at him with kindness, which made him realize that the network of relationships he had been dreaming of had been established with just a few words from that unknown benefactor.

In fact, the reason Gao Weixiang personally came to invite him and took the initiative to give him face was all because of a single word from that important person.

But the more this was the case, the more apprehensive Chi Wei became. He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Mr. Gao, may I ask about this distinguished person..."

Gao Weixiang glanced at Chi Xiao and smiled, "Brother Chi Wei, don't worry, you'll know once you go up."

This behavior caused a series of images to flash through Chi Wei's mind, quickly settling on one in particular: his second son seemed to have seen someone and then became distraught.

Could it be that……

Time was of the essence for Chi Wei. He regained his composure and followed behind Gao Weixiang.

On the way upstairs, Gao Weixiang casually remarked, "Old Wei, if I remember correctly, your company competed with Jiangtian Yipin for building materials supply before, right?"

Chi Wei was taken aback. Jiangtian Yipin was the largest construction project in Hanjiang City in recent years, led by Tenglong Group. Chi Wei's company mainly dealt in building materials and had previously competed to become one of Tenglong Group's suppliers.

To reiterate, making money isn't important; what's crucial is being able to connect with Tenglong Group.

Unfortunately, the competition was too fierce, and Chi Wei ultimately only received the message to go back and wait for news, which naturally meant he was eliminated.

Hearing Gao Weixiang ask this question, Chi Wei immediately had an idea and said, "Mr. Gao..."

Gao Weixiang waved his hand and said, "Old Wei, you're being too formal. I'm a few years older than you, just call me Brother Gao."

Chi Wei seized the opportunity and said with a smile, "Alright, Brother Gao, I naturally want to participate in a project led by such a large company as Tenglong. Our company has been busy with this matter recently, just to ensure that the quality is up to standard."

He didn't mention being rejected, as that would have been too tactless.

Gao Weixiang smiled and said, "That's perfect. With you overseeing things, I can feel more at ease. Let's go out for tea sometime. Besides Jiangtian Yipin, we can talk about other things too."

Chi Wei immediately replied, "Yes, yes, I'm free these days. I also have an appointment at Fangjia Old Shop on Pingxin Road. I just need to know when you're free to come and do me the honor."

Gao Weixiang's smile widened, and he said, "Then let's do it tomorrow afternoon. Besides, your son is clearly an outstanding person, so why not come along?"

Chi Wei, equally beaming, replied, "Definitely! Definitely!"

Arriving at the second floor of the banquet hall, it was much quieter compared to the noisy and bustling third floor. The room was filled with familiar faces who frequently appeared on political and economic channels.

They paid some attention to the three people behind Gao Weixiang, but didn't show it much until the four of them passed them and continued walking towards the banquet hall on the third floor, at which point they showed a little surprise.

Under the curious and scrutinizing gazes, Chi Wei and his two sons unconsciously became tense. But after they had passed through this section of the road, a sense of satisfaction suddenly arose in their hearts. It was the kind of emotional satisfaction that naturally arises from being the center of attention, especially from so many important figures.

On the third floor, there were even fewer people, and the atmosphere was more casual. Everyone's clothing and behavior were also more relaxed. In comparison, the three members of the Chi family, dressed in formal attire, seemed somewhat out of place.

Despite the harmonious atmosphere, Chi Wei and his two companions felt an inexplicable sense of tension, as if they couldn't breathe. They didn't know most of the people here, and only a very few occasionally appeared on CCTV.

Finally, when they saw Mellen standing in the center of the hall, clearly the focus of the banquet, all their previous experiences converged and erupted at that moment, deeply imprinting this scene in their hearts, leaving an indelible mark that they could never forget.

When Chi Xiao and his two sons arrived at the third floor of the banquet hall, Mellen had already sensed their arrival. However, he did not go out of his way to greet them. After all, too much of a good thing can be bad. With the previous arrangements, he believed that it would be enough to pave the way for their future.

Under Zuoqiu Wudi's guidance, Mellen met some senior figures in the martial arts world. These senior figures were all kind-faced and praised Mellen as someone who was rare in heaven and unparalleled on earth.

Mellen felt they were telling the truth, so she accepted it calmly.

This composure drew praise from everyone, and for a moment, the entire banquet hall seemed to have turned into a praise cult.

Because Zuoqiu Wudi disliked all the formalities, he skipped the toasting and tea-serving rituals and went straight to the banquet!

At the main table, Zuoqiu Wudi sat in the head seat, with his four disciples, including Mei Lun, lined up to his left, and the guests to his right.

After a round of toasts, at the suggestion of her fourth senior sister Song Jiajing, Mei Lun stood up to toast Zuo Qiu Wudi. Zuo Qiu Wudi laughed and accepted, thus completing the main purpose of the apprenticeship banquet.

Next is... eating!

The dishes at the banquet were naturally not ordinary; they were all treasures from the border region. This one meal alone was enough to save martial artists who had reached the minor level of martial arts a lot of time in their training. If they had not reached the minor level of martial arts, they might not be able to withstand the nourishment if they ate too much.

Mellen glanced around and suddenly realized that Zuoqiu Shiyu was nowhere to be seen in the banquet hall on the third floor. However, he didn't care. Judging from Zuoqiu Shiyu's behavior at school, he knew that she didn't want others to know her true identity.

After the banquet ended, the people in the banquet hall began to chat amongst themselves. After all, given their status and position, it was not an easy thing for them to gather together. This offline meeting was a good opportunity to resolve many issues.

After listening for a while and finding it uninteresting, Murren went to a corner of the banquet hall and admired the view outside through the huge window.

Just then, a voice suddenly came to his ear: "How do you feel standing on the summit, looking down at the masses of people below?"

Mellen was slightly startled and looked to his side, where there was someone who had appeared without his prior notice.

The man appeared to be a young man in his twenties, but his eyes held a world-weary look. He had a head of white hair that reached his waist, making him quite striking. However, it seemed that Mellen had not seen him when he was searching for Zuoqiu Shiyu.

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Soon, he was drawn to the white-haired youth's question. Looking at the people coming and going outside, he said, "I don't feel anything. Even if you stand at the pinnacle, aren't you just one of the masses?"

The white-haired youth chuckled and continued, "If you were given a chance to escape this cage, would you take it?"

Just as Mellen was about to answer, he suddenly sensed something was wrong. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he abruptly turned to look at the white-haired youth, shouting, "Who are you?!"

This loud shout was actually a reminder to Zuoqiu Wudi.

The white-haired youth chuckled again and said, "Interesting. You actually managed to break free from my mental influence? In that case, let me see if you're qualified to join us!"

Time seemed to slow down suddenly at this moment, and everything around was stretched out to an extreme length. The ground beneath the white-haired youth's feet rippled like the surface of water, and wherever the ripples passed, everything in the world was stained blood red.

The world seemed to have been refreshed. Mellen appeared on a battlefield, where limbs and broken armor were everywhere. Dried blood stained the earth crimson. A white-haired youth stood on a low hill, with a huge blood moon hanging in the sky behind him.

Mellen looked at the white-haired youth and asked, "What is this?"

The white-haired youth laughed, "This is the manifestation of your heart. Unleash your full potential! If you cannot withstand this attack, you will die! Moon Dance Blood Wheel!"

As the white-haired youth raised his hand, a beam of blood-red light converged and transformed into a wheel, shooting towards Mellen.

Zuoqiu Wudi, who was chatting and laughing with his old friends with a smug look on his face, suddenly changed his expression. Only then did he sense the discord in the banquet hall. He shouted, "How dare you!"

The sound waves swept through the banquet hall like a hurricane. Ordinary people felt dizzy and unable to control themselves, and even martial arts experts were shaken until their vision blurred.

A corner of the banquet hall was suddenly enveloped in a faint red light, something no one had noticed before.

Zuoqiu Wudi's expression became even more unpleasant, because he had sensed a very familiar aura from the red light. What concerned him even more was that his newly accepted disciple, Xiao Jiu, was also trapped inside.

Zuoqiu Wudi shouted again, "Stop! What are you trying to do?!"

As he spoke, he transformed into a phantom and pounced forward, but Zuoqiu Wudi's heart sank. He understood the methods of the person who had come; if he truly harbored murderous intent, Xiao Jiu would probably already be...

As the red light appeared, everyone in the banquet hall was pulled into the blood-red battlefield. Some were terrified, some were solemn, and they all saw the white-haired youth high above, as well as Mellen, who was about to be torn apart by the blood wheel.

At this moment, Mellen sensed a life-or-death crisis and realized that everything before him was real. He abandoned all distracting thoughts and focused his mind on martial arts. The meal he had eaten earlier was quickly digested and transformed into tangible power, causing his life field to surge in a short period of time.

Stimulated by the powerful life energy, Mellen's spirits soared to an unprecedented level.

"Sing!~"

Mellen's figure became blurred, as if he had transformed into a divine dragon, with dark clouds rolling in the sky, occasionally revealing a scale or claw.

Suddenly, the dragon's tail, carrying swirling clouds of mist, slammed down and collided with the blood wheel.

Heaven and earth were enveloped by rays of brilliant light.

This is the ultimate technique of the Divine Dragon Style... Divine Sharpness Without Shadow, Dragon Hidden in the Sky!

As the light and shadows faded, everyone returned to the banquet hall. There was no longer any blood-red battlefield, no longer any blood moon in the sky, and no longer any rolling dark clouds or soaring dragons.

That scene just now was like two gods fighting for their lives, as if they had returned to ancient times.

But looking at it now, it seems like a flower in a mirror, the moon in the water, like a dream or an illusion.

Zuoqiu Wudi had already blocked Mellen's path. Ignoring his astonishment at his disciple's performance, he looked at the white-haired youth with a serious expression and demanded, "What are you doing here?!"

The blood moon in the white-haired youth's eyes gradually faded, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips as he said, "Since Master has just accepted a new disciple, of course I had to come and see this junior brother, and also bring him a gift."

Zuoqiu Wudi sneered, "You've already been expelled from my sect, yet you still dare to appear before me?!"

Upon hearing this, Mellen thought of the seventh senior brother that Zuoqiu Wudi had mentioned before.

Senior Brother Zhang Wei said, "Shijie, you..."

The white-haired youth suddenly interrupted, "Senior Brother, I've changed my name. Now I'm called... Li Xunhuan."

Upon hearing this name, Zuoqiu Wudi and his disciples' expressions darkened slightly, and the anger and hostility on Zuoqiu Wudi's face also subsided somewhat.

Meanwhile, a question mark slowly floated out above Mellen's forehead.

Zhang Wei sighed, "You went too far back then. Today is not the time to talk. You should leave now!"

Li Xunhuan said, "Senior Brother, you are right, but I do not regret what happened back then."

These words reignited Zuoqiu Wudi's anger, who roared, "You still haven't learned your lesson?!"

Li Xunhuan said, "Master, I didn't come back this time to argue with you. Besides seeing Shiyu and Junior Brother, I also came to tell you that I have found the 'path'. Just you wait and see, one day I will bring Huan'er back!"

Mellen blinked. Although he still couldn't figure out the cause and effect, he understood why the white-haired youth had changed his name to 'Seeking Pleasure'.

It startled him; he thought he had encountered that incredibly handsome man who never missed a shot.

Zuoqiu Wudi stared intently at Li Xunhuan, demanding, "What did you find?! You haven't gotten involved with those things again, have you?! Do you know how dangerous this is?! Wasn't the price you paid last time enough?!"

Li Xunhuan closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, they were calm and indifferent: "Those were all necessary costs. I can only apologize to those who sacrificed their lives, but I will not stop until I find Huan'er."

"All the blame, may fall upon me!"

Zuoqiu Wudi laughed in anger: "Very well! You wicked disciple, today I will capture you, break your limbs, and escort you to the graves of my old friends so that you can kowtow and apologize to them!"

Chapter 632 'The Road' and the Answer

"Boom!~"

Two invisible yet substantial forces collided, instantly unleashing countless dazzling lights.

The people in the banquet hall seemed to see a shower of flowers from the sky, golden lotuses emerging from the ground, blood mist filling the air, and evil spirits running rampant.

This constant barrage of information forces the brain to become numb and sluggish due to receiving too much information in a short period.

Li Xunhuan's voice gradually became ethereal, as if it came from an extremely distant place: "Master, as I said, I didn't come here to fight you this time. Now that the matter is settled, I will take my leave."

May you enjoy eternal happiness, longevity, and good health.

A fierce wind howled, and only then did everyone see that the row of glass on the outside had shattered, and Li Xunhuan was nowhere to be found.

The mess in the banquet hall will be cleaned up by others. Fortunately, the main purpose of today's apprenticeship banquet has been achieved, so there is no need to worry about the remaining minor details.

In a spacious room, Mellen and Zhang Wei, along with two others, rested, while Zuoqiu Wudi had a private conversation with several old friends in another room.

Zhang Wei asked with concern, "Junior Brother, are you alright? Did Xiao Qi hurt you?"

Mellen shook his head and asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Shi Wusheng and Song Jiajing exchanged a glance, and the former said, "Senior Brother, why don't you tell us? You were there at the time, so you should know more about it than we do."

Zhang Wei said with some helplessness, "As you all know, Xiao Qi is following the path of being trapped in a cage. Originally, with Xiao Qi's talent, there was nothing to worry about, but..."

"Ever since Xiao Huan was trapped in the border area, Xiao Qi has become a completely different person. He has been frantically pursuing power and researching everything about the border area, hoping to find Huan'er one day."