The increase in spirit and endurance came from the upgrade of the 'Huangji Pill Nurturing Technique', which also boosted cultivation and life force. The reason for being so weak was simply not investing experience into the 'Demon-Slaying Sutra'.

Free attribute points and skill points came from the advancement of both main and secondary professions.

Brian Clark had invested quite a bit of experience into the alchemist side profession and the 'Huangji Pill Nurturing Technique'. First, to increase the success rate and speed of alchemy; second, he wanted to test the quality of the 'Huangji Pill Nurturing Technique' to see if it could help him advance from alchemist to senior alchemist.

After reaching level 6 with no response, he simply stopped investing experience.

The remaining 220,000 experience was kept in reserve. Since there was no survival crisis at the moment, he wasn't considering strengthening his combat power for now. Besides, he also lacked attack skills, so there wasn't much point in improving.

There was another consideration: it had been a month, and there was still no news from James White.

Brian Clark was waiting for news from James White. A sudden increase in strength within a month would be hard to explain. He planned to wait until James White took him to Lingxiao Sword Sect, then browse through a few profound Daoist books. Having an on-the-spot 'enlightenment' would be a good excuse.

According to Brian Clark's plan, after one enlightenment session, he would finish the level 20 novice period, get a huge boost to all attributes, and officially step into the ranks of immortal cultivation. This would be enough to earn him a large tilt of resources from Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Then, it would be another happy round of experience farming.

The reason he was able to farm so much experience in a month and still have leftovers after investing was all thanks to the secret help from John Wood.

During this time, John Wood followed Brian Clark's every word. Even when Brian Clark went as far as to run five alchemy furnaces at once, he didn't say a word, just stroked his beard and smiled calmly, always accommodating and opening back doors for him.

Brian Clark couldn't figure it out, but was deeply moved, feeling ashamed for having underestimated him before. He had thought John Wood was just an old hand muddling through the system, but it turned out his cultivation was much higher, and he cared for the younger generation even more than his own son.

A truly good old hand.

"There's no news from senior sister. Just in case, I should consider some attack skills. Whether I practice them or not isn't important—even just touching them to save a record is good."

Experience was precious, but after a month of continuous alchemy, Brian Clark was honestly a bit tired of it and wanted a change of scenery to clear his mind.

He'd heard from other alchemists that a new batch of specialties from Youzhou had arrived at Yunshui Tower, and he was thinking of going to check it out.

Brian Clark didn't really know what kind of place Yunshui Tower was, but the word "specialties" sounded full of local flavor—a good place for sightseeing and relaxation.

The world was so big. If he couldn't go to Youzhou, experiencing some unique scenery at Yunshui Tower would count as a bit of travel and make up for the regret.

"It's just a trip. Senior Sister Reed should let me go... right?"

"It shouldn't be a problem. If she's worried about my safety and doesn't want to answer to Senior Sister White, I'll just have Senior Brother Ward go with me!"

...

Night, Wei Residence, the master bedroom.

Anna Reed slept soundly under a thin silk quilt, her curves graceful. The thin undergarment couldn't hide her fair skin. As she turned in her sleep, the silk quilt slipped to the edge of the bed, instantly filling the room with a strong sense of temptation.

At that moment, a shadow quietly pushed open the door, paused by the bed, and reached out a large hand from the darkness.

Then...

Picked up the silk quilt and covered Anna Reed with it.

Thud!

Anna Reed kicked out, aiming straight for the shadow's vital spot three inches below the navel.

Slap!

The large hand in the darkness caught it steadily. As Anna Reed lunged at him, the long arm reached out, pulled her into his embrace, spun around gracefully, and tossed her back onto the bed.

From the practiced movements, it was clear only an old married couple could be so familiar.

"Dear, why aren't you asleep yet?" William Ward asked, lighting the lamp.

"This bed is cold as ice. How could I possibly sleep!" Anna Reed replied irritably.

"Official duties have kept me busy, I..."

William Ward tried to explain, but seeing Anna Reed cover her ears, unwilling to listen, he changed the subject: "Dear, what's going on in the pill room? The recent deliveries of Enlightenment Pills have all been over the quota."

The Huangji Sect oversaw all cultivation affairs within Wu Zhou territory, including the military's pill supplies. As the Huangji Sect and the central royal authority grew more estranged, local military logistics had become increasingly stingy.

For example, daily consumables like Hemostatic Pills and Qi-Nourishing Pills were often delayed.

Don't ask why—just say they're still being refined.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Anna Reed raised her foot and kicked William Ward again and again.

This man, always buried among other men, never spending time with his own wife.

William Ward didn't dodge, but frowned: "It's a good thing, sure, but before we could get a few premium bottles. Now it's all standard products."

"You should be glad they didn't deduct your Enlightenment Pills. What more do you want?"

Anna Reed lost her temper at her husband, snorted coldly, and said, "In a couple of days, I'm going back to my parents' house. Little Brian is your responsibility. Take him to the barracks, keep a close eye on him, and don't let him run off and pick up bad habits."

"Why are you going back to your parents' house?"

"Because you treat me badly! I'm going home and waiting for you to come apologize!"

"......"

Chapter 13: Thank You, Passerby A

Anna Reed wanted to go back to her parents' house. William Ward had no objections, but taking Brian Clark to the barracks was absolutely out of the question.

The barracks were a restricted area—no outsiders allowed.

As the county captain of Dashengguan, William Ward was in charge of all military affairs and should set an example, lest his subordinates follow suit and ruin the military's discipline.