Yes, after more than ten years of tireless effort, after unleashing his potential while controlling a strange body to enter the deep mountains and face the mountain overlord, the true qi that he had painstakingly refined was actually treated so lightly by others.

Although no one said anything to him, their meaning was already unmistakably conveyed through their expressions and conversations with each other.

However, although this feeling was quite humiliating, he had no ability whatsoever to change it.

Perhaps, only after he entered the inner hall, worked hard, and cultivated to a realm far surpassing the others, would these people change their attitude toward him.

David Carter waved to the young man from earlier and said, “Go fetch an inner hall disciple’s waist token, and return the testing stone as well.”

Just as the young man was about to leave, someone suddenly said, “Wait, Uncle Clark, according to family rules, since he has cultivated true qi, he can also take the spiritual power test for free.”

David Carter was taken aback, then smiled and said, “It was my oversight.”

Although he was still all smiles at this moment, he was actually quite displeased in his heart. With William Carter’s poor aptitude, wouldn’t testing his spiritual power just be a waste of time and materials?

However, the person who spoke was a rising star in the family, with a status equal to David Carter. He certainly didn’t want to offend someone over such a trivial matter.

Taking the flawless white jade from the young man’s hand, David Carter handed it to William Carter and said, “William, go ahead and give it a try.”

William Carter asked suspiciously, “What should I do?”

“It’s very simple. Just focus your mind, don’t get distracted, and stare at this jade.”

William Carter nodded, and following the instructions, gathered his qi and focused his mind, channeling his consciousness into the jade.

The dozen or so people in the testing hall were still laughing and paying no attention, even the middle-aged man who had reminded them didn’t think the jade would change in any way.

But in the next moment, as if in the blink of an eye, the jade in William Carter’s hand suddenly lit up.

A brilliant, dazzling light burst forth from the jade.

This light illuminated everyone’s faces and dazzled all their eyes.

Instantly, the entire testing hall fell silent—you could hear a pin drop.

Chapter 7: Spirit Hall

William Carter squinted slightly. Just as he followed David Carter’s instructions and focused his mind on the jade, he suddenly discovered something that greatly surprised and bewildered him.

It was that the strange airflow at his glabella actually began to move on its own.

As if attracted by some mysterious substance within the jade, these currents actually penetrated his glabella and rushed toward the spiritual testing stone.

Although William Carter tried to restrain them as soon as he sensed something was wrong, he was still a step too late, and a wisp of airflow entered the stone.

Immediately after, the spiritual testing stone burst out with a strong light.

Startled, William Carter immediately threw the spiritual testing stone away. He had a feeling that if he continued to hold it, the mass of airflow in his glabella, which he had managed to restrain with great effort, would break free like a wild beast and all rush into the stone.

The moment William Carter threw the testing stone, the light on the stone abruptly vanished. What surprised him even more was that a familiar force actually returned from the testing stone to his glabella.

It was the very force he had just released from his glabella. After circulating inside the testing stone, it suddenly returned. Moreover, he noticed that this force was slightly stronger than when it had first left.

Although it was only a tiny bit, it was enough to fill him with joy and surprise.

The strength of the airflow in his glabella increased extremely slowly, and he simply couldn’t find a way to increase it. But now, a new option had appeared before him.

Let the mysterious airflow enter the testing stone, and when it returns, it will become stronger.

“Pa…”

The spiritual testing stone thrown by William Carter did not hit the ground, but was steadily caught midair by a middle-aged man.

Among everyone present, his reaction was undoubtedly the fastest.

The moment the light faded, he immediately leapt forward and caught the testing stone in midair.

His action broke the silence in the testing hall, and everyone snapped out of their daze and looked toward William Carter. However, this time, their gazes were completely different from before.

If previously their eyes were filled with contempt and disdain, now their expressions were of surprise, shock, envy, and even a hint of flattery and ingratiation.

David Carter beamed with joy, the wrinkles on his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum: “Ah, William, this spiritual testing stone is a treasure, you mustn’t throw it around. If it breaks, I couldn’t afford to pay for it.”

Although he was voicing a complaint, his tone and expression were full of warmth, with not a trace of real reproach.