Henry Carter shook his head in disappointment and said, “Child, with your talent and hard work, you could have condensed true qi a year ago. But every time, the result slipped through your fingers. Sigh, perhaps this is fate.” He let out a sigh and continued, “And in three months, you’ll turn fifteen. If you can’t condense true qi before that day, you’ll have little future in martial cultivation for the rest of your life. So, giving up now and living peacefully as a wealthy man isn’t such a bad choice.”

Although he kept trying to comfort his son, he couldn’t hide the loneliness and regret in his heart.

William Carter raised his eyebrows and suddenly said, “Father, you’re right. In fact, every time I practiced my punches this past year, I could sense something, but I was always just one step away…” His eyes flashed with determination. “Father, if I go into the deep mountains to train, maybe I’ll have a breakthrough.”

Henry Carter’s expression changed dramatically, and he immediately barked, “Nonsense! I won’t allow you to act recklessly.” Glancing into the distance, he said, “Every year, our Carter family elders patrol the outskirts of the forest, so there’s no real danger there. But who knows what dangers lurk in the deep mountains? Even the martial masters don’t dare venture in. If you go, it’s like throwing a meat bun to a dog—there’s no coming back.”

William Carter said in a deep voice, “Father, but you once said that only by tempering ourselves in life-and-death situations can we martial artists unlock our potential and go further on the path of cultivation.”

Henry Carter pointed at him, his face darkening. “What nonsense are you spouting? Hmph, it’s true that in moments of life and death, we martial artists can unleash our potential, display far greater strength than usual, and even break through our limits—it happens often. But do you know what ‘a nine-in-ten chance of death’ really means?” He said harshly, “It means putting yourself in a situation where death is almost certain. If you can’t break through, you’ll die for sure. Heh, can you guarantee you’ll definitely break through?”

William Carter was stunned and lowered his head.

If he were to fall into a deadly situation, could he really break through and condense true qi in that instant?

Even he couldn’t answer that question.

Henry Carter flung his sleeve with force and said, “There are indeed people who survive such deadly trials and achieve great glory. But far more die in those situations, without even leaving their names behind. Hmph, listen to me: as your father, I absolutely forbid you from going into the deep mountains. That’s not a nine-in-ten chance of death—it’s certain death. Do you understand?”

By the last sentence, his voice was fierce, and his face even showed a hint of ferocity.

After all, William Carter was just a youth. Faced with his father’s imposing presence, his courage quickly faded.

Nodding blankly, William Carter’s body slowly relaxed.

Only then did Henry Carter pat his shoulder and say, “It’s getting late. Go rest for a while. Sigh, there are still three months left—we can try a few more times.”

But even as he said this, he himself had little hope left.

Countless attempts over the past year had already exhausted his patience and hope.

William Carter nodded, turned, and left. However, he didn’t return home, but slowly left the manor, heading toward the grove of short trees as tall as a man.

Watching him leave, Henry Carter sighed and returned to the manor alone.

William Carter’s direction was opposite the dense forest behind the manor. Those man-high groves had been planted on Henry Carter’s orders, and after decades had grown into a sizable patch.

So, seeing his son head toward the grove, Henry Carter felt at ease.

William Carter moved swiftly into the grove. For some reason, after hearing his father’s words, it felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart, and he couldn’t vent his frustration.

He sat down slowly on the ground, leaning against the largest tree in the grove.

Scenes of practicing punches and his father’s teachings kept flashing through his mind.

At some point, his fists had clenched tightly. In his heart, he made a decision: even if he passed fifteen, he would never give up martial cultivation.

“Whew…”

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before his eyes, and a figure appeared like a ghost in front of William Carter.

William Carter stared wide-eyed in shock. Somehow, an old man with white hair had appeared before him. The old man’s face was covered in blood, and even more shockingly, only half of his body remained.

Below his chest, there was nothing left—not even his internal organs, which seemed to have all spilled out.

Yet, the old man was still alive.

He stared at William Carter with bloodshot eyes, making his skin crawl.

“Heh heh, you want me dead, you want to steal my things. Even if I have to give them to an outsider, I’ll never let you succeed.”