What could make a young girl’s heart race more than an unpredictable, indescribable twist of fate?

Brian Carter couldn’t understand this kind of behavior. In his mind, there was only crystal stones, spirit valleys, cultivation—he had not the slightest bit of that illusory, extravagant thing called romance.

He unfolded the little paper crane, revealing several lines of delicate handwriting.

“How I wish

To carry my backpack

And wander alone

In a place with no one

Humming a tune

Basking in the sun”

Melodramatic, Brian Carter snorted inwardly, giving what he considered the most accurate assessment. What a pity, such good paper wasted. He didn’t know exactly what kind of paper this was, but judging by its quality, it was at least third grade.

Using third-grade paper to make a little paper crane—this was an outrageous waste.

Once a piece of stationery had been used, it couldn’t be used again. Truly a shame, Brian Carter thought.

Just as he was about to crumple the pink note in his hand, he suddenly stopped, tilting his head expressionlessly. After a moment’s thought, he ran into his room.

Bursting inside, he glanced around and immediately found what he wanted.

Thick, bright red cinnabar, and a wolf-hair brush.

He picked up the brush, dipped it generously in cinnabar, and with a flick of his wrist, swiftly wrote two characters in one go.

—“傻逼”.

Looking at the two large, full, vivid red characters that nearly filled the entire pink note, Brian Carter burst out laughing, feeling immensely pleased with himself.

His life was tense and full, extremely hard, with no time at all for sentimentality. He knew well the hardships of survival. Everyone around him was struggling desperately to live, for their families, for the next generation—like Old Blackhead. Though it was tough and exhausting, he didn’t dislike this kind of life. On the contrary, he felt this was what life was truly about.

Melodramatic sighing was only for those who lived leisurely lives with no drive to move forward. Brian Carter looked down on such people from the bottom of his heart.

In a cheerful mood, he hummed a little tune as he folded the pink note back into a little paper crane.

“Who’s an idiot, who’s an idiot, you’re an idiot, you’re an idiot…”

The little paper crane bore its owner’s mark. After Brian Carter infused it with spiritual power, he casually tossed it into the air.

The pink little crane flapped its tiny wings and disappeared into the sky.

Brian Carter’s mood became exceptionally good. He enthusiastically tidied up the courtyard, his steps noticeably lighter.

Once the wards were set up, it was already past noon. He grabbed a quick bite to eat, then dutifully went to the meditation room to cultivate.

Ordinary outer sect disciples rarely spent so much time meditating. Compared to practicing techniques, meditation didn’t offer as much return in cultivation.

But Brian Carter insisted on spending two hours every day in meditation. After discovering the spiritual vein in the meditation room, he spent even more time on it each day. Cultivation was the foundation—every cultivator understood this truth. With the advantage of a spiritual vein, even though he practiced the most basic mental technique, the results were still quite impressive.

He had a deep understanding of how strict the hierarchy was in the world of cultivators. If he could successfully build his foundation, even as an outer sect disciple, Emily Brooks and William Grant would never dare treat him this way. Foundation building was a watershed—it would directly determine the quality of your life.

If you wanted a good life, you had to keep improving your strength.

He sat for three hours straight. When he opened his eyes, they were filled with joy.

Eighth level of Qi Refining!

His persistent cultivation had finally paid off—he’d reached the eighth level!

With eighth-level Qi Refining, among all the outer sect disciples of Wukong Sword Sect, he would definitely rank in the top three.

He extended his finger, silently activated a technique, and a faint layer of Geng Metal energy appeared around his fingertip. With his cultivation at a new level, using techniques was much easier than before. Overjoyed, Brian Carter began to cast the “Little Cloud and Rain Technique.”

The moment he performed it, he immediately felt the difference. The gathering of water vapor was much faster than before, and the rain fell in endless silvery threads. Some sensations he’d never experienced before lingered with him for a long time.

Suddenly remembering the medicine field, he snapped awake, hurriedly got up, and dashed out of the courtyard.

He ran all the way to Cold Mist Valley, barely pausing for breath before he began casting the “Little Cloud and Rain Technique.” Only after watering everything did the stone weighing on his heart finally drop.

Section Six: High Risk

“Senior brother’s here.” Yvonne Fisher greeted him enthusiastically. He wore the distinctive bright yellow robe of a Hundred Treasures Pavilion disciple, though the front was rolled up and tucked into his waistband.

Brian Carter replied warmly, “You’re on duty today?”

“Senior brother, you’ll have to take good care of me.” Yvonne Fisher said with a grin. He knew well that this zombie-faced man was one of the biggest customers among the outer sect disciples—more than half his sales came from him.

Wukong Sword Sect was quite far from Dongfu, and traveling back and forth was a hassle. The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was set up for everyone’s convenience. Although the goods sold there weren’t high-end, they basically met the needs of outer sect disciples. Even though prices were a bit higher than in Dongfu, the convenience made up for it, and everyone was used to shopping there.

Even Brian Carter, with his wind-riding paper cranes, found it inconvenient to go to Dongfu.

Since they were familiar, he didn’t stand on ceremony: “Got anything good lately?”