Online game: Basic attacks increase strength; the greater the power, the more powerful it is!

[Jiang Qingyue: I'm leveling up with my sisters in Wind Whisper Plains, what's up?]

[Junlin: Please leave some time online tonight, I'll take you to level up.]

[Jiang Qingyue: ? ? ? Where should we go to level up?]

[King's Landing: The Sighing Forest.]

[Jiang Qingyue: The Sighing Forest is a level 15 leveling area, right? I'm only level 11 now. Wouldn't I just be holding you back if I went there...?]

[Junlin: No, we'll just kill one boss and leave.]

[Jiang Qingyue's approachable manner: Level 15 BOSS? Just the two of us? Are you sure you're not trying to drag me along to be cannon fodder?]

[Junlin: Don't worry, all you need to do is shout "666" from behind.]

[Jiang Qingyue: Speechless.jpg, Fine, you're amazing. What time do we meet?]

[King's Landing: 11 o'clock.]

[Jiang Qingyue: Good.]

After closing the chat window, Junheng started leveling up near Dawn City.

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time to meet Carl.

Junheng pushed open the wooden door of Karl's Antique Shop again. The shop was still dimly lit, with only an oil lamp on the counter casting a dim yellow light.

Carl was sitting under the lamp, holding a red invitation card in his hand, examining it carefully by the light.

"You're here?"

Karl looked up, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes: "Perfect timing."

He placed the invitation on the counter and pushed it toward Junheng.

Junheng stepped forward and picked up the invitation; its texture was delicate to the touch.

The gold-stamped rose pattern on the cover gleamed softly in the candlelight.

He opened the invitation; the handwriting on the inner pages was neat and elegant, showing no sign of forgery.

"Master Karl's craftsmanship truly lives up to its reputation."

Junheng gave a heartfelt exclamation and put the invitation into his backpack.

Upon hearing this, a smug look appeared on Karl's aged face.

But he quickly composed himself and put on a serious expression.

"Young man, I must remind you of something."

"Although this invitation is so convincingly fake, the guards at the city lord's mansion are not to be underestimated."

"There are special inspectors at the banquet who will check the magical markings on the invitations."

"The imitation on this invitation is very accurate."

"But if you encounter a professional who is proficient in magic runes, there is still a risk of being exposed."

Jun Heng nodded calmly, "Understood, I will be careful."

After saying that, Jun Heng turned and left.

Meanwhile, in the northern district of Shuguang City, at Rose Manor.

This manor is one of the most luxurious private residences in Dawn City, covering dozens of acres.

The garden is planted with a large number of precious flowers of various varieties, which bloom all year round.

At this moment, the manor is brightly lit inside and out, and servants are busy preparing for tonight's grand feast.

The main building of the manor is a three-story Baroque building with white marble exterior walls that gleam warmly under the lights.

A long red carpet was laid out in front of the gate, with two rows of guards in silver armor standing on both sides.

Each of them was burly and imposing.

Guests have already begun to arrive at the square in front of the manor.

Most of these people were powerful figures and wealthy merchants from Dawn City.

They were dressed in gorgeous formal attire, gathered in twos and threes, and chatted happily.

In a room on the second floor of the manor, a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes was standing by the window, looking down at the scene below.

He looked to be around fifty years old, with a refined appearance and a neatly trimmed beard.

A pair of deep eyes gleamed with wisdom and composure.

He is Alfred, the lord of Dawn City.

"Lord City Lord, the guests have begun to arrive."

An elderly man who looked like a butler walked up behind him and respectfully reported to the leader.

Alfred nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window.

"Have all the adventurers we invited arrived?"

"Jiangdong Jerry, Yunshang Weiwan, Duanzui·Longteng, Shanshanlaichi, and Luanshi Kuangdao are all waiting in the manor."

"Alright, let's go meet our guests first."

Alfred's eyes flickered slightly, then he began to walk.

The banquet hall was brightly lit at this moment.

Jerry Jiangdong sat alone in a corner, holding a glass of amber-colored fruit wine in his hand, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the guests clinking glasses in the hall.

He's already level 19, and he'll probably become the first player in the entire server to reach level 20 soon.

Chaotic Blade and Chaotic Shadow Killer sat not far from him, their eyes occasionally darting among the guests, as if searching for someone.

Wang Teng, dressed in gold, stood out conspicuously in the crowd.

Wang Chong followed behind him, his face full of disdain.

After all, he was the first player to establish a guild, a title that was enough to make him stand out from the crowd.

Ji Yunshang and Ruan Lingshan stood on the other side of the hall, away from the noisy crowd.

"Ugh, how boring. We summoned the city lord, but he hasn't shown up."

"With this time, I could have earned tens of thousands of experience points."

Ruan Lingshan kept complaining.

"Be patient. The city lord didn't call us here just to let us have a drink and then leave."

Ji Yunshang, on the other hand, remained calm.

Just as she finished speaking, an NPC dressed as a butler walked up to the two of them.

"Honorable adventurer, our city lord invites you."

Ji Yunshang and Ruan Lingshan exchanged a glance.

"See? They've come as expected."

Besides the two of them, the other invited players were also led to the second floor by the butler.

Lord Alfred was waiting for them in a room.

Meanwhile, Junheng had already purchased a black suit from a clothing store in the city.

Although it was just a very ordinary style, it looked quite appropriate with his calm and composed demeanor.

This kind of clothing offers no attribute bonuses; it's purely for aesthetic purposes.

After all, he couldn't very well enter Rose Manor wearing the vest and shorts that came with the system; that would only draw more attention to him.

Arriving at the manor gate, Jun Heng's gaze swept over the ornate wrought iron gate.

The guards at the gate were all dressed in silver armor, with swords at their waists, and their sharp eyes scanned every passerby.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Invitation.

A guard reached out and stopped him, his voice cold and formulaic.

Junheng took the forged invitation out of his backpack and handed it over.

The guard took the invitation, examined it for a moment, and then looked up at Jun Heng, as if checking something.

Jun Heng remained calm, meeting the guard's gaze with unwavering composure.

A few seconds later, the guard nodded and returned the invitation to him.

"Please come in, sir."

Junheng accepted the invitation and stepped into the manor.

The red carpet beneath my feet was soft and thick.

The flowerbeds on both sides are full of colorful flowers, which gleam with a delicate luster under the lights.

He walked along the red carpet toward the main building, his eyes discreetly observing his surroundings.

The security measures at the manor were much tighter than he had imagined.

Besides the guards at the gate, there are also many patrolling guards inside the manor, with a group passing by every few minutes.

He also noticed that archers were stationed at several high points in the manor.

"It seems that this city lord is quite concerned about his own safety."

Jun Heng thought to himself, but remained outwardly calm.

Anyway, his purpose in coming here was simply to say a few words to the city lord.