31: Dinner

Outside Oak Tree City, an inconspicuous carriage was slowly moving along the snow-covered road.

Hatties was driving the carriage.

The young man, who was once skin and bones, was now stout and long-limbed.

Sitting in the driver's seat, his back was straight, and his eyes were intently focused on the road ahead.

Li Ke sat inside the warm carriage.

Through a gap in the curtain, he saw a strange Spiral Force slowly rotating within Hatties, forming tiny black Qi vortexes that subtly emitted a fierce fluctuation.

Nine Lives Spiral Skill, First Life Realm.

Hatties seemed to be very compatible with this Demonic Technique, progressing even faster than Li Ke had anticipated.

According to Li Ke's estimation, Hatties's current strength should be comparable to the Black Iron Tier Clairvoyance of this world, and perhaps even surpass them.

However, Hatties himself was still oblivious to this, acting Li Ke an ordinary person.

Li Ke withdrew his gaze.

The Nine Lives Spiral Skill progresses rapidly in the early stages, but the further one goes, the more perilous each life becomes.

Without external assistance, cultivating to Major Achievement in the Nine Lives would probably require nine lives to fill.

However, if Hatties truly had the Luck to Breakthrough to the Third Life or above...

Li Ke could offer him an Opportunity.

The carriage slowly entered Oak Tree City, eventually stopping outside the grand gates of a magnificent mansion.

The tall walls were built from gray-white megaliths, carved with intricate, winding vine and oak leaf patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

It was said that the Oak Tree County Earl Family possessed an ancient Oak Tree Elf Bloodline, a Legacy that had been passed down for over a thousand years.

"Master, we have arrived."

Hatties's voice came from outside the carriage.

Li Ke pushed open the carriage door and stepped out.

"Wait here."

"Yes, Master."

Hatties respectfully responded, then drove the carriage to an inconspicuous corner outside the gate.

Li Ke, meanwhile, stepped onto the stairs and walked towards the open mansion gates.

Two guards in exquisite armor confirmed the invitation in his hand, and a servant respectfully led him into the mansion.

Upon entering the mansion, a luxurious atmosphere enveloped him.

Inside the spacious and bright banquet hall, crystal chandeliers emitted a soft glow, and melodious music flowed through the air.

Elegantly dressed nobles gathered in small groups, conversing in low tones, their faces adorned with reserved and graceful smiles.

The air was filled with the extravagant scent of perfume, fine wine, and food.

Li Ke's arrival did not attract much attention.

After all, Charles Baron was just an inconspicuous minor noble under the Oak Earl's dominion.

He had also only recently inherited his title, so even fewer people recognized him.

Li Ke was happy with this; he picked up a glass of wine and walked to a relatively quiet corner.

However, his clean and handsome face, as well as the unique charm naturally exuded from his long-term Cultivation of Demonic Technique, soon attracted the attention of several young noble Young Misses.

"Sir, may I invite you to dance?"

A young girl in a goose-yellow dress, her cheeks slightly flushed, mustered her courage and walked over, accompanied by two curious companions.

"I apologize, I don't know how to dance."

Li Ke smiled apologetically and politely declined.

A hint of disappointment flashed in the girl's eyes, but she still didn't want to give up and continued to ask, "This is my first time seeing you at a banquet; may I know your name?"

Li Ke raised the red wine glass in his hand.

"Li Ke Charles."

"Charles? Is that Charles Manor? I heard that some time ago..."

The girl seemed to recall something, and halfway through her sentence, she felt it was inappropriate and quickly covered her mouth.

"Yes."

Li Ke's smile remained unchanged, and his eyes were calm.

"Charles Manor has just suffered a disaster and is currently being rebuilt."

The girl immediately showed a sympathetic expression and was about to say something when another girl beside her gently tugged her sleeve and whispered in her ear:

"Let's go. He's just a newly-appointed country Baron, and he'll probably decline soon..."

The girl's face showed a hint of hesitation, but she still curtsied slightly and quickly left.

Li Ke naturally heard their whispers, but he didn't Li Ke such boring conversations anyway, so he was happy for the peace.

Unexpectedly, he had only just found a moment of quiet.

Another mature and alluring fragrance approached.

A voluptuous beautiful woman in a deep purple, low-cut long dress, holding a wine glass, walked gracefully towards him and stopped in front of him.

This woman was extremely well-preserved; at first glance, she looked Li Ke a young girl in her early twenties, but her temperament was more mature, Li Ke a ripe peach, exuding a sweet and soft aroma.

"Little Charles Baron? What a handsome young man."

The woman's voice was lazy and hoarse, and her eyes, Li Ke flowing water, lingered on him.

"Last time Harman mentioned you, I thought you were just a little sprout."

"I didn't expect you to be so distinguished already..."

Harman...

Li Ke's fingers, holding the wine glass, paused slightly.

Was this the legendary Mrs. Harman, the one with very good skills?

He felt a bit speechless, thinking that Baron Harman had lived a truly miserable life, and it was better that he was dead...

However, he showed no emotion on his face, merely responding calmly, "Regarding Baron Harman's matter, please accept my condolences, Madam."

"Alas..."

"Actually, it's good that that dead man died..."

Mrs. Harman sighed mournfully, her body leaning slightly closer.

Her voluptuous bosom subtly brushed against Li Ke's fingers holding the wine glass.

Li Ke's eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his hand to take a small sip of wine, subtly avoiding her 'porcelain touching' behavior.

Mrs. Harman's eyes flickered slightly.

She seemed to realize that Li Ke had no interest in her in that regard.

So she chuckled lightly, covering her mouth, leaving him with an eyes Li Ke flowing water, and then turned to blend into the social circle of other nobles.

Li Ke picked up his wine glass again, fending off occasional unwarranted disturbances while secretly observing the various nobles.

His perception quietly spread out, sweeping over everyone present.

Many people here emitted Clairvoyance Qi, either strong or weak.

Most of it was a mixed Qi, similar to Demonic Qi,

but there were subtle differences between them.

Some were as hot as fire, some as cold as ice, some carried the vitality of plants and trees, while others were permeated with a metallic sharpness.

"This is the Bloodline Knight path of the nobles..."

Li Ke pondered.

Ever since he had soul-searched Baron Harman, he had gained a deeper understanding of this world's Clairvoyance system.

This world had multiple Clairvoyance paths, and their abilities varied.

Most of the noble class followed the Bloodline Knight path, continuously tapping into the Bloodline Power of Clairvoyance flowing within them.

The three great Holy Sees, on the other hand, each controlled some special paths.

For example, the Radiant Light Holy Court possessed the two core Legacies of Holy Light Priest and Punishment Knight.

The dark forces hidden in the shadows also each controlled different Clairvoyance paths.

For example, the Holy Meal Society controlled the Undead and Evil Sorcerer Clairvoyance paths.

All Clairvoyance of all paths were uniformly divided into seven Tiers: Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Mithril, Legendary, and Epic.

Li Ke's gaze swept across the entire hall.

Most of the nobles here had strengths hovering between Black Iron and Bronze.

The Oak Earl himself did not seem to be present; the strongest person here was a young man in his twenties, surrounded by a group of young nobles in the center of the banquet hall.

He was tall and slender, with a rugged face, dressed in an exquisite dark green formal suit, with an oak leaf-shaped emblem pinned to his chest.

This was the host of tonight's banquet, the Oak Earl's eldest son, Alvin Oak.

Li Ke could clearly feel that the Clairvoyance Qi emanating from Alvin far surpassed that of others around him, carrying a vigorous vitality that perfectly matched the Bloodline rumors of the Oak Family.

"At least Silver Tier."