Born in Blood

An architectural marvel it was. 

Liam slowed down his ride to a leisurely speed. 

He wanted to survey the scene before approaching, and maybe understand what he was seeing. 

Firstly, the mountain was incredibly tall, shaped like the sharp end of an ice cream cone! 

Strangely, it floated above the water like a raft, rather than an island. It bobbed up and down like a buoy on the crystalline sea. 

It could actually traverse through the waters like a yacht! 

By Earth standards, the cone-shaped mountain would be 400 stories high, while the base was just 600 meters in length. 

The base was the thickest, and as it ran across the peak, it thinned out. 

Here and there, beams of light poked holes through the sky, the source of which was… the mountain itself.

At the foot of the mountain, huge, lush gates made from wood in the shape of a laurel plant allowed for guests to enter the premises.

Past the entrances were long, spacious red carpets that led upwards… inside the mountain itself! 

Mount Mayhem was actually hollow inside! 

Of course it was!

Why not?

Engrained within the surfaces of the mountain itself were lush tapestry, wide panes of crystal glass, and modern, open pavilions.

The pavilions were shaped like various flowers, but made through the lens of a minimalist.

Roses.

Lotus.

Lilies and more.

There were levels to it. 

Sort of like a terrace farm, there were flat rings around the mountain. 

It looked like the perfect resort straight out of fantasy. 

And that was just the outside of it.

Liam couldn't actually see through those panes of crystal glass, not even when zooming in or using Spirit Sight. 

It was probably a one-way.

Finally, there was the peak of the Mount, which housed a plateau 200 meters wide. 

In the center of that plateau was an ornate mansion which looked like a king's palace, made from gold and adorned with various crystals.

Show off.

With a name like 'Sir Cornelius Mehro III', one could tell the man was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. 

Other than that, there were servants that offered a wide assortment of drinks and luxury food, walking this way and that way. 

In terms of clothing, they wore the standard butler and maid attire. 

Except, as Liam looked closer, they had… no core.

Nor a sea of consciousness.

…Nor did they have any bodily organs!

They were utterly empty inside, despite looking, acting and having human characteristics! 

'Have I met my match?' Liam thought. 'But they look perfectly alive.'

It was the same situation with the messenger owl. It had no sea of consciousness, nor any special centers of power.

Yet it could speak to him like a regular human being.

'He'll tell me in a bit, anyways.'

That being said, Liam spotted a few people that already preceded him by coming early.

The gates were being flooded with people. 

All kinds of beautiful people, wearing lavish, unique attire adorned with jewelry entered in groups.

Most were from countries without powerhouses to boast of. Others were clearly from known countries.

Liam even spotted a few Echorian-looking fellows. Celebrities, probably. 

Though, they didn't seem to have any affiliation with royalty. 

Excitement, anticipation and pride permeated the air. 

The conversations and intermingling began immediately. 

Liam recognized none of these people.

He scoffed.

Bunch of no-name losers they were, hoping to meet someone powerful and suckle off their powers.

Disgusting.

One had to remember that Liam wasn't coming into this party thinking of himself as inferior, or for seeking honor through these people. 

He was here because there was an opportunity for growth. Nothing more, nothing less.

'Where's the parking area?' Liam thought. 

…Where the heck was his dragon supposed to go?

There were a few places that ships and other aerial beasts had gathered, but they were filled to the brim.

Granted, the Quartz Dragon wasn't the largest dragon.

Maybe Liam could take it with him?

Just then, as Liam grew nearer, the Gem Palace atop the plateau started glowing with an emerald light, illuminating a holographic path.

It was shining upon Liam!

It lit the air in front of him like a green carpet. 

'Is he inviting me in?' Liam thought. 'Weirdo.'

Changing the trajectory on his Quartz Dragon, Liam made a beeline for the mansion.

A few seconds later, he was at its gate.

Liam 'parked' his ride to the side of the grand entrance.

Then, he jumped off the magical beast.

Then, he entered through the front of the stupidly extravagant mansion.

Suddenly, he was teleported!

It was instant.

Liam felt his surroundings change in the blink of an eye.

Now, he was in a spacious, cozy, ornate, wooden office. Portraits were hung off the walls. 

There were bookshelves and furniture to the sides.

Right ahead, was a desk. 

Behind it, sat a middle-aged man with exquisite features.

He had a black gentleman's mustache that swirled at the tips. 

He was… a little overweight. 

Just a little. 

Enough for his stomach to bulge through.

He wore a white-and-black tuxedo, with a crisp blue bowtie as the cherry on top.

Very gentlemanly!

Sir Cornelius Merho III had ocean blue eyes.

He had big lips.

A round nose.

Puffy cheeks.

A double chin.

Short brown hair, atop of which was a small tophat.

There was a golden monocle on one of his eyes.

Despite his otherwise… heavy looks, the man looked like the very definition of 'gentleman'!

Wait…

Wasn't this just the monopoly guy?

Liam suppressed his laughter.

"Mister Liam!" the host exclaimed happily, raising to his feet with a grand gesture. "A pleasure to finally put a face to the name!" 

Liam nodded with a slight smile. 

"Likewise. Thank you for the invitation."

"Oh," Sir Cornelius waved his hands, gesturing for Liam to sit down, "and why wouldn't I invite one of the youngest, most talented cultivators on the planet?"

Chuckling in what sounded like embarrassment, Liam shook his head, taking a seat.

"You're much too kind."