Chapter 120: A Strange Invitation

Chapter 110: A Strange Invitation

Just as Yun Shichu felt everything was proceeding more smoothly than imagined, Liu Shaoyu sank into deep bewilderment. He had finally received his first invitation. To call it an invitation was no exaggeration, for he had indeed received a formal invitation card.

"Dear Mr. Liu Shaoyu, greetings. We thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to accept our invitation to attend our meeting. On behalf of the Quintet, I cordially invite you to join us at our humble abode for afternoon tea. We look forward to your presence. Signed, The Quintet."

Liu Shaoyu began to wonder if this was some sort of prank. However, considering the message originated from Earth, and given the address... Liu Shaoyu truly could not imagine who, at this juncture, would have the capability to pull off such a feat. Yet, why would the Quintet invite him? This was something Liu Shaoyu could not fathom.

"Could there be something special about me that even I haven't discovered?" Liu Shaoyu thought, feeling a bit arrogant. He immediately dismissed the thought. One thing was certain: being invited by the Quintet, figures who existed almost entirely in legend, was no small matter.

He turned the issue over in his mind, but found no clarity. He couldn't even tell if this was a good or bad omen, as the legends surrounding the Quintet were far too scarce—so scarce that he only knew of their name.

Studying the exquisite paper invitation in his hand, he noted that beyond the text on the front, the back specified the time and mentioned that someone would be sent to receive him. Nothing else was provided.

Feeling a headache coming on, Liu Shaoyu stopped thinking about it. It was his habit: if something couldn't be resolved, he would let it be and follow the natural course of events, doing his best to remain steady regardless of the circumstances.

The time on the invitation was pressing. If all went according to plan, the shuttle sent to retrieve him would arrive at Young Dragon Star by noon the following day. This gave him just enough time to settle a few affairs.

Xu Meng’s fleet was still making trips to accompany the mining teams. Monkey’s special operations unit had finished their training and was waiting for the right opportunity to test their skills against nearby pirates—a task Monkey was quite eager to undertake. Most importantly to Liu Shaoyu, the ship manufacturing equipment had been assembled; once the mining fleet returned, production could formally begin. The invitation did not state how long the visit would last, but Liu Shaoyu assumed it would not be a long affair.

With everything in order, Liu Shaoyu awaited the arrival of his transport. The night sky of Young Dragon Star was exceptionally clear, with EVA maintaining the atmospheric balance. The planet was currently in its spring season, cool and pleasant. Standing on the cliff beside his house, Liu Shaoyu listened to the waves crashing below. Beside him, Monkey was lost in thought, his mind wandering elsewhere.

"Do you ever wonder what will become of us?" Monkey suddenly asked.

Liu Shaoyu gazed at the distant stars and replied, "Who knows what the future holds?"

"Yes, who knows?" Monkey repeated in a low voice.

***

Liu Shaoyu looked out the window, and what he saw was not what he had expected. He had imagined the Quintet’s base to be heavily fortified or perhaps a grand hall. Instead, the place where the ship was landing was strikingly similar to his own residence on Young Dragon Star.

Through Thomas, he learned they were on an island in the western Pacific. A white structure stood amidst the cliffs. The architectural style was indefinable—part alien, part ancient. The overall design was strangely eccentric yet harmonious. A white tower rose high into the clouds atop the main cliff-side structure.

The shuttle docked, and the hatch opened. Liu Shaoyu knew he had arrived. The vessel had been fully automated, and he had encountered no interference while passing through the blockaded star gates. The gates, however, seemed desolate; aside from his own ship, he saw almost no other vessels in space, save for the customs fleet stationed nearby.

As Liu Shaoyu stepped off the ship, he saw a young woman standing before the pristine white building. He wondered if she was a server, a nanny, or perhaps a secretary. He walked toward her.

"Greetings, are you Mr. Liu Shaoyu?" the girl asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Liu Shaoyu didn't know why she seemed so moved, but he replied, "Hello, yes, I am Liu Shaoyu."

Confirming his identity, the girl smiled slightly. "Please follow me. My whole family is waiting inside for you." She turned and opened the doors, gesturing for him to follow.

It all felt like visiting a friend's house, Liu Shaoyu thought. But "family"? Was she the daughter of one of the members of the Quintet? He felt a flicker of doubt but followed her inside.

Entering the house, he found the girl waiting before a transparent structure that looked like an elevator. "Our family lives upstairs," she said, stepping inside. Liu Shaoyu followed and stood beside her.

So the "upstairs" must be the white tower that pierced the clouds, he mused. As the lift ascended, he realized the walls were transparent. As they rose, he could see the scenery expanding around them.

"By the way, my name is Haiye," she said, a constant smile on her face.

"A lovely name," Liu Shaoyu replied sincerely.

"Thank you, I like my name too," she said.

Liu Shaoyu observed her carefully. By human standards, Haiye had a striking face with delicate features and long black hair. She wore clothing that matched the style of the architecture.

"Do you think I'm pretty?" Caught off guard by the sudden question, Liu Shaoyu felt embarrassed. Being caught staring was impolite.

"Yes, I do," he answered bluntly.

"Thank you, you're very honest. The last person who came here—I could feel him, and he said no," Haiye said playfully.

Liu Shaoyu was surprised by her mention of "feeling" him, especially since he had noticed she hadn't made direct eye contact while he was observing her. Could it be an X-gene? he wondered.

As he pondered this, his field of vision suddenly widened.

"We have arrived. Welcome," Haiye said.

Liu Shaoyu stepped out to find four other people, dressed similarly to Haiye, waiting at the elevator doors.