Since the American King Hughes had come knocking, there was no reason for Xia Feng to refuse.
He also wanted to see if there was anyone in this world truly worth his effort.
In the path of cultivation, the loneliness of having no opponent was something he couldn't speak of to others. Only by having a strong opponent could one rediscover the motivation for cultivation.
The loneliness of a master was like the cold of snow; after a long time, it would affect his cultivation mindset.
Xia Feng's emergence from seclusion was precisely like this. He suddenly felt that cultivation had lost its drive, which was why he had entered the mortal world. Recently, his state of mind had begun to improve.
"Elder Li, who is this King Hughes? How much do you know about him?"
Xia Feng asked curiously.
"We don't have precise information. Just like the U.S. doesn't know your specific situation, I can only say that King Hughes is an old turtle who has lived for quite some time. The last time he made a significant appearance was during the war.
Elder Li couldn't immediately provide specific details about King Hughes.
After all, Elder Li's knowledge was limited. King Hughes did not belong to the secular world, so Elder Li couldn't obtain all his information.
In short, from all aspects, this King Hughes is absolutely formidable."
This "formidable" was relative to the U.S. In Elder Li's heart, Xia Feng was the truly formidable one. Even though Elder Li was not from this circle, he knew that flying through the air had already transcended the mortal realm.
The flying swords depicted in television dramas naturally had some basis.
It was precisely because such things existed that they could be written and adapted. As for whether they were true or not, one had to experience it for themselves.
There were too many unknown things in the world. Truth and falsehood, who could say for sure?
"Around what time?" Xia Feng continued to ask.
"They didn't specify. The message from the U.S. was that you could choose the time," Elder Li said.
"Then tomorrow. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock," Xia Feng replied.
"Alright, I'll have someone reply to the U.S. shortly," Elder Li nodded, then looked at Xia Feng and said, "Isn't the time too short? Should I have Long Aotian go ahead and prepare?"
Elder Li was still somewhat concerned about Xia Feng's safety. What if the U.S. secretly played some tricks, like launching a missile? Wouldn't that be a major incident?
"Americans are despicable. They would do anything to achieve their goals.
Don't treat them as human beings, because their actions are not something a human would do.
There's no need for that. I have my own plans."
Xia Feng rejected Elder Li's suggestion.
He knew what Elder Li was worried about, which was likely the possibility of a missile attack. These things couldn't harm him.
Unless it was a true cultivator, and only those who had transcended the ordinary realm could harm him. Those who had not transcended the ordinary realm could not cause him any harm at all.
"Good. As long as you're confident, be careful. The country and everyone need you," Elder Li said with a serious expression.
Xia Feng felt a bit touched. He could see genuine care and concern in Elder Li's eyes.
Such an expression couldn't be faked.
Xia Feng had lacked care and affection from elders since he was young. It was commendable that he had such upright values.
This was why Xia Feng enjoyed liveliness. The more lively his home was, the happier he would be. Only this could compensate for the void he felt from being lost since childhood.
Even though he knew that Jack Ma and others were just trying to get close to him, he didn't mind, because he himself was the "big leg" to cling to.
As long as they had no ill intentions, Xia Feng wouldn't mind.
Xia Feng could tell anyone with ill intentions with just a glance.
"Elder Li, don't worry, I'll be careful," Xia Feng confirmed, looking at Elder Li.
"Haha... Come, have some tea. Let's not talk about this. I came today just to have a meal," Elder Li suddenly laughed heartily, picked up his teacup, and clinked it with Xia Feng's.
"Qin Wen, come in."
After clinking cups with Elder Li, Xia Feng called out towards the door.
Qin Wen had been waiting outside. Hearing Xia Feng's call, Qin Wen gently pushed open the door and walked in.
"Elder Li, Brother Xia," Qin Wen greeted them again as she entered.
"Young lady, you don't need to be so polite. Based on our relationship, you should call me Grandpa. When I was in Modu, your grandfather and I worked together,"
Elder Li said kindly, looking at Qin Wen with a smile.
When Elder Li was the Party Secretary in Modu, Qin Kaihu was still a district mayor. Qin Kaihu was considered Elder Li's subordinate.
(The district mayors in Modu are not ordinary district mayors; they are equivalent to city officials.)
"Grandpa Li," Qin Wen softly called out.
Qin Wen behaved very appropriately in this situation, proving her upbringing in a prominent family. Her demeanor was exceptional in every aspect.
"Haha... Good," Elder Li chuckled.
Elder Li had only two grandsons and one granddaughter; he didn't have a granddaughter yet.
Qin Wen calling him Grandpa made him extremely happy.
After Qin Wen entered, she began to pour tea for Xia Feng and Elder Li. Elder Li drank another cup and praised, "Xia Feng, I must say, this tea of yours is truly delicious. When I take some back with me for Elder Huang and the others to taste, it will surely pique their interest."
"There's plenty of tea. Elder Li, you can help them bring some along," Xia Feng said.
"No, no, that wouldn't be as fun. It's better to make them eager for it. If they want to drink it, they can come ask for it themselves. I won't bring it," Elder Li quickly refused, like a cute old man.
In reality, they also had their charming sides. When they let their guard down, they were also amiable grandfathers.
Xia Feng smiled and said nothing.
Qin Wen, however, looked at Elder Li with curiosity. She never imagined that someone of Elder Li's status could joke around with Xia Feng.
They had been drinking tea in the study for a while when Xia Lin came to call them down for dinner.
Jack Ma had prepared twenty dishes, each one unique. Today, Elder Li had come, so he had put all his effort into showcasing his culinary skills, bringing out all the home-style dishes he knew how to make.
Although everyone had tasted these twenty dishes before, this was the first time they were all presented together.
Today, Elder Li had specifically requested his dishes, so Jack Ma naturally wouldn't slack off.
Elder Li looked at the table full of dishes and smiled at Jack Ma, "Xiao Ma, I really didn't expect you had this talent. Running a business hasn't stopped you from becoming an excellent chef."
"Haha... Elder Li, actually, before Teacher Ma got into business, he almost opened a hotel," Old Wang chimed in with a laugh.
"Oh? Is that so?" Elder Li looked at Jack Ma with a hint of confusion.
"Elder Li, don't listen to Old Wang's nonsense. I learned these skills when I first started the company. We were poor back then, and I made meals for everyone in the company,"
Jack Ma quickly waved his hands and explained.
"Yes, the country was also poor back then. Now it's getting better and better. Seeing how well you're doing makes me very pleased."
Elder Li sighed after hearing this. China was becoming increasingly powerful, and the whole world could see it.
China was the country with the fastest economic growth rate globally.
It was also the pride of all of China.
And the pride of being Chinese.
"I am Chinese. I am proud."