“It’s done, and it was pretty simple. Am I looking at a pirated copy? Or is it that this visualization method is super easy to practice in the early stages, but later on it gets so hard it drives people crazy? Like downloading a little movie—blazing fast up to ninety-nine percent, but the last one percent just won’t finish because of missing resources?”

　　Ethan Brooks felt a bit troubled. He quickly recalled the Thunder Dominator Visualization Method, worried that there might be the words “paywall” at the tenth level.

　　Fortunately, he didn’t find any.

　　So, he focused his attention back on the third level.

　　External Perception.

　　Internal illumination and external perception, the merging of inside and outside, can make one’s external senses sharper—able to detect when an enemy is watching, harboring killing intent, or hatred.

　　Ethan Brooks practiced for a bit...

　　Finally, it was a bit challenging.

　　By rough estimate, it would take two or three days to master.

　　This result actually made him breathe a sigh of relief.

　　At least it’s not one of those cultivation methods where you’re handed a free pass to the ninth heaven at the start, but the tenth heaven is split into ninety-nine tiny sub-realms.

Chapter 0004: War Level

　　The night passed quickly.

　　In theory, practicing the visualization method should make one feel energetic, but when Ethan Brooks got up the next morning, he actually felt a bit sleep-deprived.

　　Still sleepy, Ethan Brooks got out of bed, picked out a loose tracksuit, and stood in front of the mirror. In the reflection appeared a young man with average looks but an air of steadiness.

　　If only he didn’t have dark circles under his eyes.

　　After tidying up his clothes, he left the house and, together with Henry Brooks, took the bus to Sanshun Town outside the city.

　　Forty-three minutes later, the two got off the bus.

　　“Wait here for a bit and don’t wander off. I’ll go buy some oranges.”

　　Ethan Brooks nodded.

　　Soon, Henry Brooks returned to the courtyard with fruit and some supplements.

　　This time, no one was practicing martial arts in the yard. The two of them went inside, where David Brooks was already waiting.

　　“Qingfeng, go do some stance training first. I want to have a word with your dad.”

　　David Brooks said, and called Emily Brooks to keep an eye on things.

　　Ethan Brooks stood outside practicing his stance for a while. Then, dressed in a gray martial arts uniform, the delicate-featured Olivia Brooks came out. Her youthful radiance was almost dazzling.

　　As soon as Olivia Brooks arrived, she kept sizing up Ethan Brooks. If Ethan Brooks were a shy peer, he’d definitely feel uncomfortable under such scrutiny.

　　“Little sister, don’t bother your brother Ethan while he’s practicing.”

　　Emily Brooks said from the side.

　　“I just wanted to see if he’s any different. Turns out, he’s just the same as always.”

　　Olivia Brooks muttered.

　　With that, she started practicing nearby—not boxing, but swordplay. Pure and charming, her sword and footwork combined to create a beautiful scene.

　　Inside, David Brooks was talking with Henry Brooks about something. Eventually, Henry Brooks came out looking a bit unhappy. He glanced at Ethan Brooks, but quickly composed himself and said, “Ethan, just keep practicing here. If you get too tired, it’s okay to stop.”

　　“Got it.”

　　Ethan Brooks nodded.

　　After Henry Brooks left, David Brooks came out and personally began instructing Ethan Brooks.

　　Before they knew it, it was noon.

　　During lunch, David Brooks spoke with some pride: “Our branch of the family is quite well-known in Xiya. Not to mention the Thirty-Six Thunderbolt Forms, which are a top-tier body refinement method—strengthening the body on the outside, refining the essence and blood within. At the highest level, a single punch can have the force of a thousand pounds. The Thunder Breathing technique is even more impressive; it’s one of the best breathing techniques in all of Xiya. Once mastered, it can unlock your potential and help you break through your limits. Back in your grandfather’s day, countless people came to our Bai Li family to learn these arts. The line of disciples stretched from Sanshun all the way to the city—what a glorious time…”

　　Second Grandpa David Brooks had started his usual boasting.

　　“Second Grandpa, I found a visualization method. Take a look.”

　　Ethan Brooks took advantage of a break to hand his printed Thunder Dominator Spirit Refining Visualization Method to David Brooks.

　　“This…”

　　David Brooks was a bit annoyed at being interrupted while recounting the family’s glorious history, but after glancing at the visualization method, his eyes widened and his hands began to tremble slightly. “This—this is the lost Thunder Dominator Spirit Refining Visualization Method of our Bai Li branch… This method represents the highest secret of our lineage. How did it end up in your hands? Could it be that Grandpa passed it down to Uncle’s side back then!?”

　　“No, I found it online.”

　　“Online? You mean the cobwebs at home?”

　　David Brooks looked puzzled.

　　“……”

　　Ethan Brooks.

　　This just goes to show, you really need to read more books—knowledge is the key to power.

　　But David Brooks’s confusion was quickly swept away by the joy of obtaining the Thunder Dominator Spirit Refining Visualization Method. After flipping through it for a while and confirming its authenticity, he couldn’t help but slap his thigh. “Good, Ethan, you really are the lucky star of our Bai Li family! As soon as you started learning martial arts, you found the spirit refining method our family lost for nearly a hundred years. With this method, plus the ancient Thunder Beast diagram we’ve preserved, the cultivation path of our Bai Li branch is now complete. Your uncle and I might even reach a whole new level in our training.”