My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Xiuqi turned around and saw a young nobleman in his early twenties, dressed in a dark suit, with a handsome face and a refined demeanor.

He held a glass of red wine in his hand, a perfectly timed smile on his face.

"Viscount Falmo," Garthie nodded politely, "I heard you recently went to the border?"

"Yes, he's handling some business matters on behalf of the family." Viscount Falmo's gaze shifted to Xiuqi. "Is this the mage Xiuqi?"

"Master Xiuqi, my friend," Cassie introduced. "Xiuqi, this is Viscount Falmo. The Falmo family owns many properties in Harbor City."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Xiu Qi said with a slight bow. "The stars have brought us together here."

Viscount Falmo's gaze lingered on Xiuqi for a moment, especially on the longsword at his waist and the ring on his finger.

"Master Hugh," Viscount Falmo smiled sincerely, "the duel at the Arcane Academy yesterday was truly unforgettable!"

"You're too kind."

"No, I mean it." Viscount Falmo's smile deepened. "To defeat the Fernand family and tame an ogre as a contract partner—that's not something an ordinary person can do."

I wonder if you'd be interested...

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by another voice.

"Falmo, you're here."

A slightly pale-faced nobleman walked over, followed by two young noblemen.

A fake smile was on his face as his gaze swept over Xiu Qi as if he were an eyesore.

"Richard," Viscount Falmo's smile faded slightly, "is something the matter?"

"It's nothing, I just saw you chatting with Kathleen and came over to say hello." Richard looked at Kathleen.

"Cousin, aren't you going to introduce your 'friend'? Although I already know who he is—the son of a knight from the countryside, right?"

The irony in those words is obvious.

Jasmine's face darkened: "Richard, watch your words."

"I'm just telling the truth." Richard shrugged. "Son of a knight, a first-year apprentice at the Arcane Academy—seriously, Jasley, when did your taste become so...unique?"

The atmosphere around them instantly became subtle.

Several nearby nobles stopped their conversation and turned their gazes toward them.

Viscount Falmo frowned, but said nothing.

Xiuqi looked at Richard calmly, his eyes clear, without anger or embarrassment.

"Richard..." Jasley's voice turned cold. She called out the other person's name directly, her anger making no attempt to hide it.

"Shuqi is my friend and the dance partner I invited. If you have any complaints about him, then you have complaints about me."

Richard's smile froze for a moment.

He hadn't expected that Jasmine would defend Xiuqi so directly.

"I was just joking." He chuckled dryly. "Why take it so seriously?"

"Some jokes aren't funny," Cassley said, then turned to Hugh. "Let's go over there for some fresh air."

She took Xiuqi's hand, preparing to leave.

Just then, a calm voice rang out: "Richard, apologize to Jasmine and her friends."

The voice came from a dignified-looking middle-aged nobleman. He had approached sometime earlier, his expression serious.

"Father, I just..."

"Apologize." The middle-aged nobleman's tone left no room for argument.

Richard's expression changed, and he finally bowed slightly to Cassie and Hughes, reluctantly, saying, "I'm sorry, it was my rudeness."

"Anything else?" the middle-aged nobleman asked, looking at him.

Richard gritted his teeth and turned to Hugh: "Mr. Wright, please forgive my rudeness."

Xiu Qi nodded without saying a word.

The middle-aged nobleman then turned to Cassie and Xiuqi: "Alright, it's just a little squabble between young people, don't let it affect your mood. His Highness the Third Prince is over there, Cassie, you should go and say hello."

"Yes, Uncle."

Jasley pulled Xiuqi along and walked to the other side of the hall.

After walking a distance, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Richard has always been like this... He's the eldest son of my uncle, Earl Harris."

"I understand," Xiuqi said. "You don't need to apologize."

The two walked to the other side of the hall, where it was relatively quieter.

Through the huge glass windows, you can see the night view of the harbor city, with the lighthouse in the deep waters twinkling in the night sky.

"Are you alright?" Cassie asked, looking at Hugh. "What Richard said just now..."

"I'm fine," Xiuqi interrupted her. "I've heard even harsher things."

His tone was calm, but Jasmine could sense the resilience beneath that calm.

She suddenly recalled the scene when she first met Xiuqi—

In the corridor of the Arcane Academy, the gray-robed apprentice was mocked by several senior students, but he just walked past with his head down, as if he hadn't heard anything.

At the time, she thought the man was somewhat cowardly.

Now she understood that it wasn't cowardice, but rather that she had been storing all her strength inside, waiting for the moment to erupt.

"Shuqi," Cassley said softly, "thank you for coming tonight."

Xiuqi looked at her, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "This is something I promised you."

"I know," Cassie smiled, "but thank you anyway."

The two remained silent for a moment, gazing at the night view outside the window.

The music, laughter, and clinking of glasses in the hall seemed to fade into the distance.

Just then, a servant dressed in royal attire approached and bowed respectfully to Jasmine.

"Miss Moore, His Highness the Third Prince requests your presence."

Jia Sili and Xiu Qi exchanged a glance.

"I'll go with you," Xiuqi said.

The attendant hesitated for a moment: "His Highness only invited Miss Moore."

Jia Sili frowned, about to say something, but Xiu Qi shook his head: "Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."

"...Okay." Jasmine nodded and left with the servant.

Xiuqi stood alone by the window, holding a glass of ice water in his hand.

His gaze swept across the hall, landing on Jasley as she followed her attendants to a private room on the second floor. Two royal guards stood at the door, and once it closed, the outside noise was completely shut out.

Xiuqi's gaze continued to move.

He saw Fernand and his son talking with several nobles. Old Fernand had a professional smile on his face, but his eyes kept glancing toward the private room on the second floor.

He also saw Richard drinking with several young nobles, his face bearing an exaggerated smile, but his eyes filled with gloom.

Viscount Falmo stood alone near the dining area, holding a wine glass in his hand, his gaze thoughtfully fixed on the direction of the private rooms on the second floor.

Xiu Qi looked away and took a sip of the ice water.

The rare meditation stone on his chest continuously emitted a warm pulse, which made his senses even more acute.

He could sense the magical fluctuations permeating the hall—there were protective barriers, telepathic spells, surveillance magic, and energy emanating from the magical items worn by many nobles.

These fluctuations intertwine to form a complex and invisible web.

In the center of this net is the private room on the second floor.

Prince Arthur Rhett, the third in line to the throne, has specifically invited García for a private conversation tonight, and his purpose is far from simple.

Xiuqi put down his water glass, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the windowsill.

His thoughts drifted back to the gray forest, recalling those moments when he struggled on the brink of life and death.

Compared to those, this glamorous ball, though seemingly calm, may harbor even more dangerous undercurrents.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of his eye.

It was a person dressed in a black robe, standing in the shadows at the far edge of the hall, almost blending into the darkness.

The black-robed man's face was covered by his hood, making it impossible to see his features, but Xiu Qi could feel a gaze falling on him.

That gaze was cold and scrutinizing, carrying a kind of indescribable malice.

Xiuqi didn't turn his head, still looking at the night view outside the window, but all the muscles in his body were slightly tense.

A faint magical fluctuation emanated from the "Crimson Oath" ring on the right index finger, and the "Bavarian Moonlight" at the waist trembled gently in its sheath.

The man in black stared at him for about ten seconds, then silently retreated into the deeper shadows and disappeared.

Xiuqi slowly exhaled.

Just as he was contemplating what might happen next, the door to the private room on the second floor opened.

Jasley came out, her face was a little pale, but she quickly returned to normal.

She walked down the stairs and returned to Xiuqi's side.

"How is it?" Xiu Qi asked.

After a few seconds of silence, Jasley whispered, "His Highness the Third Prince wants to recruit me to join his 'Wings of Dawn'."

"Wings of Dawn?"

"An organization of young nobles formed by the third prince, ostensibly to cultivate the future pillars of the kingdom, but in reality..." Jasley lowered her voice even further, "is a tool for him to cultivate his own power."

Xiuqi understood: "You agreed?"

"I neither refused nor agreed," Jasmine said. "I said I needed to think about it."

A hint of worry flashed in her eyes: "My uncle wants me to join, as it would benefit the relationship between the Moore family and the royal family."

But I know that once I join, I will be drawn into the vortex of the succession to the throne.

Xiuqi remained silent.

This is not an area where he can offer advice.

The struggle for the throne is the highest level of power game in the kingdom, where a single misstep can lead to utter destruction.

"Let's leave here first," said Jasmine. "I'm a little tired."

"it is good."

The two walked towards the exit of the hall.

As Xiuqi walked across the dance floor, he once again felt those gazes—curious, scrutinizing, contemptuous, and hostile.

Among them, the gazes of Fernand and his son were particularly cold.

Count Fernand even raised his glass slightly to Xiuqi, a meaningful smile on his face.

Xiuqi did not respond, but simply walked past calmly.

As you step out of the Golden Goblet Merchant Guild's gates, the cool night breeze carries the unique salty and fishy smell of Harbor City.

The Moore family's carriage was already waiting.

The two boarded the carriage, the doors closed, and the carriage slowly started moving.

In the darkness not far away, several cold, intimidating gazes stared intently as the carriage slowly drove away.