Because as long as one reaches the third level of the "Qi Pushing Technique," there is a chance to comprehend "martial inner strength," which is the key to breaking through to the fourth level of martial arts and becoming a true martial artist.

William Bennett never expected that he would break through to the third level of the "Qi Pushing Technique" so quickly.

This also made his blood and energy strength far surpass others at the same level of the second martial arts stage, enough to rival those at the third stage.

In just half a month, William Bennett's strength increased by one or two times.

All of this stemmed from the fusion with that mysterious eye half a month ago.

William Bennett was certain that his mediocre fate had quietly changed...

That night, William Bennett began to make a life plan for himself.

The first goal: the family martial arts tournament in a month and a half. He was determined to win—it was a chance to leap over the dragon gate.

At that time, he would defeat James Bennett fair and square, and compete with the true geniuses of the clan and even Yuyang City.

"The mutation in my left eye has given me powerful learning and comprehension abilities. Now, the only gap between me and the clan's geniuses is... cultivation resources."

William Bennett's eyes flickered as his mind raced with analysis.

Since merging with his left eye, his mental strength had greatly increased, making him calm and more analytical than ever before.

The current problem was: how to obtain cultivation resources?

William Bennett's current cultivation speed was fast, reaching the peak of the second martial arts stage, but breaking through the bottleneck still faced considerable resistance.

If he had enough cultivation resources, this resistance could be completely ignored.

"I've got it!"

A flash of inspiration struck William Bennett. He quickly had an idea, and a faint confident smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Chapter 010: The Cloud-Crossing Forest

Late at night.

In a luxurious and tall courtyard pavilion of the Zhao family.

"Brother! You must stand up for me. That William Bennett, just a branch family member, actually made me lose face in public."

David Bennett gnashed his teeth, hatred and malice still in his eyes.

Recently, he had been defeated twice in a row by a branch family member, and he was almost too ashamed to go out.

"Useless!"

On the meditation cushion in the center of the room sat a thin, short-haired youth, as lean as a leopard.

The short-haired youth bore a two or three-point resemblance to David Bennett, but his demeanor was resolute, cold, and decisive.

He was David Bennett's older brother, Charles Bennett.

"Brother, I'm begging you, I have to get this anger out."

David Bennett was anxious and fearful, both afraid and resentful.

He had always been afraid of this older brother.

From childhood to now, his brother Charles Bennett had always bullied him.

What made him most helpless was that Charles Bennett always outdid him in everything.

Now, Charles Bennett had already cultivated to the peak of the third martial arts stage, and had even trained the advanced martial art "Thirteen Changes of the Viper" to above the sixth change, making his strength enough to rank in the top five of the outer circle.

Even three or five David Bennetts together would not be a match for his brother.

...

The next morning.

William Bennett got up early and first practiced "Furious Dragon Fist" and "Qi Pushing Technique" for a while.

These two martial arts manuals were William Bennett's main cultivation methods at this stage.

"The third martial arts stage is still quite a distance away."

After practicing for half an hour, William Bennett followed the "plan" he made last night and headed to the clan's accounting office.

By convention, William Bennett received a monthly allowance of ten taels of silver from the clan.

"I haven't collected this month's allowance yet."

William Bennett arrived at the accounting office on the outer grounds of the family.

"William Bennett, second martial arts stage, branch family member, monthly allowance: twenty taels of silver."

The accountant said expressionlessly.

Twenty taels of silver?

William Bennett took the silver, nodded, and thanked him.

After advancing to the second martial arts stage, his monthly allowance had doubled.

But he understood that for ordinary people, twenty taels of silver a month was enough for a family to live comfortably.

But for a martial arts cultivator, it was just a drop in the bucket.

Some precious herbs used to speed up cultivation or break through realms could easily cost over a thousand taels of silver.

Those wealthy family members could casually take one or two precious herbs, which equaled decades of income for ordinary members.

"Twenty taels of silver..."

William Bennett took a deep breath, pocketed his only twenty taels of silver, left the Zhao family grounds, and headed to the Yuyang City market.

In the past, when he received his allowance, he would immediately give it to his parents to help with household expenses.

But this time, he didn't do that. Instead, he kept the twenty taels of silver and left alone.

Soon, William Bennett entered the largest trading market in Yuyang City.

In a weapons shop in the city.

"Shopkeeper, how much is this 'Heavy Iron Bow'?"

After browsing for a long time, William Bennett finally set his sights on this heavy iron bow.

"The heavy iron bow has strong penetrating power and an effective killing range of one hundred and fifty meters. Fixed price: twenty taels of silver."

The shopkeeper said with a polite smile.

He noticed the "Zhao family" insignia on William Bennett's clothes.

In Yuyang City, the Zhao family, along with the Xin and Qiu families, were known as the three great families. Within a thousand miles of Yuyang City, their power was overwhelming, almost above all else.

"Twenty taels of silver?"

William Bennett frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Can you make it a bit cheaper?"

The shopkeeper smiled slightly. "How about this, I'll give you the lowest price: eighteen taels of silver."