After completing the final step and embedding a mid-grade inferior spirit stone into the array’s core, Eric Carter collapsed onto the ground, exhausted, gasping for breath. Glancing at the sky, he saw it was sunset. There was no rush to enter the array and cultivate the “Yue Moon and Rising Sun Heart Technique” right now.

“It's easy enough to get a leave of absence from school, but not coming home at night is bound to arouse suspicion. What a headache!”

Eric Carter thought that if he could go into seclusion here for a month or so, with the dual assistance of the “Yue Moon and Rising Sun Heart Technique” and the “Heaven and Earth Treasure Refining Spirit Array,” he might be able to complete his Foundation Establishment in a short time. But then he remembered his current identity as a teenager and felt reluctant to let go.

“When you receive kindness from others, you should repay it. Even if my cultivation progresses a bit slower, it’s better than making Brian Cooper’s parents worry.” In the end, Eric Carter gave up the tempting idea of going into seclusion here, packed up his things, and took a cab home.

Another half a month passed. With the dual support of the “Yue Moon and Rising Sun Heart Technique” and the “Heaven and Earth Treasure Refining Spirit Array,” Eric Carter’s internal energy had now consolidated to a very profound level. By his own estimation, if he kept up this pace for another twenty days or so, he should be able to make the final push to Foundation Establishment.

Once Foundation Establishment was complete and his internal energy transformed into true essence, everything would change. With true essence, Eric Carter could once again cultivate the Five Aggregates True Essence Fire, a unique technique passed down in the Treasure Refining Pavilion. At that point, Eric Carter would be able to craft a few small items. Although these were just practice pieces for new disciples of the Treasure Refining Pavilion, for him right now, they were urgently needed.

During these two weeks, Eric Carter’s attendance at school had increased slightly. After all, he still had to keep up the role of a student—this was the only way to fulfill the teenager’s last wish.

Today, for the first time ever, Eric Carter stayed in the classroom after finishing all his morning classes, remaining obediently at his desk until four o’clock. Only after all the classes were over did he pick up his backpack and prepare to leave.

Before Eric Carter could reach the door, a peer with a tuft of yellow hair on his forehead appeared at the front entrance of the classroom, excitedly waving at Eric Carter: “Little Brian, hurry over here! I’ve got something good for you today.”

Jason Reed, Brian Cooper’s childhood friend, was a student in Class 6, Grade 8 at CY Middle School. He was the type who had no interest in studying and spent his days hanging out with local delinquents. In his own words, “Being a punk is a kind of realm. My old man is the best example—one day I’ll surpass him.”

Because Jason Reed had chosen the path of “being a punk,” he was in Grade 8 last year, and he was still in Grade 8 this year...

Speaking of Jason Reed’s dad, he was quite famous in the CY area—a big shot who had connections on both sides of the law. Although his education only went as far as elementary school, he seized a series of opportunities to get rich during the early days of the economic reforms. With his loyalty, courage, and generosity, he managed to amass a fortune of tens of millions in just ten years. Two high-end nightclubs and a disco in the CY area were all his businesses.

Back when Jason Reed’s dad hadn’t made it big yet, the two families lived next door to each other. Brian Cooper and Jason Reed had known each other since they were in diapers. Coincidentally, they had attended the same kindergarten and now the same CY Middle School. Their bond was not just brotherly—it was even deeper.

Because of Brian Cooper’s somewhat timid personality, he was always the target of bullying at school. Fortunately, he had Jason Reed as his childhood friend. If anyone dared to lay a finger on Brian Cooper, Jason Reed would beat them up without a second thought. This guy often liked to pat Brian Cooper on the shoulder and say, “You’re way too timid. You’ll never be able to hang with me. Just focus on your studies. But if any bastard dares to mess with you, I’ll crush his balls.”

After recalling the relationship and history between Jason Reed and Brian Cooper, Eric Carter immediately felt a strong liking for him at first sight. This kind of straightforward personality was just to Eric Carter’s taste.

“What do you want with me?”

Jason Reed habitually smoothed the tuft of yellow hair on his forehead, hooked his arm around Brian Cooper’s shoulder, and said, “Don’t go home for dinner tonight. I already called your mom and told her you’re coming to my place to tutor me and have dinner. If it gets late, you’ll just stay over.”

“You’re not seriously asking me to tutor you, are you…”

“Of course not! There’s something exciting waiting for us tonight, heh heh. You don’t know—my old man just took over a nightclub recently, and it’s opening tonight. You and I are going to show our support…”

“We’re still minors…” Eric Carter said, half amused, trying to find an excuse to get out of it.

“So what if we’re minors? Do you know who owns the place? I’ve already talked it over with my old man. I booked a VIP room, and I’ve invited a few other buddies to join us—they’re all guys from the street. I’ll introduce you.”