“If I have this treasure, one day of my cultivation will be equivalent to six days as usual, or even twenty-four days for an ordinary person!!” William Foster was utterly shocked in his heart. There are no shortcuts on the path of martial arts. Even though William Foster benefited from a lifetime of memories, to make progress in martial arts still required relentless practice day and night. But with a treasure like the Human-grade Pearl, everything was completely different.

On the Human-grade Pearl, William Foster saw a path to rapid improvement in martial arts in a short period of time.

“I never expected that someone like David Harris, an offshoot heir, would actually have a treasure like the Human-grade Pearl!” William Foster quickly made up his mind—he had to have this pearl, no matter what.

“William Foster, what kind of demonic arts or evil skills have you been practicing! I have the Human-grade Pearl, one day of cultivation is equal to five or six days for an ordinary person—how could I possibly lose to you!” On the other side, David Harris finally woke up with the help of two guards. He didn’t even bother to stop his bleeding, his face full of shock as he shouted at William Foster.

A treasure like the Human-grade Pearl—even with the wealth of a noble like the Marquis of Pingding, there were only a few in the entire household. As for a newly promoted marquis like the Marquis of Sifang, it was simply out of the question. David Harris couldn’t understand how William Foster could display such powerful cultivation in such a short time.

William Foster couldn’t be bothered to respond. Someone like David Harris, pampered and spoiled, had no idea how hard he had worked. All of William Foster’s formidable strength was earned by splitting every hour into two and training like mad.

While he, David Harris, clutched the Human-grade Pearl and slept soundly in bed, how could he know that William Foster was out in the cold night, training diligently? Not to mention the hard work, in his previous life, in order to rekindle William Foster’s interest in martial arts, Lady Huayang had gone to great lengths, arranging for countless guards to spar and fight in front of William Foster, both intentionally and unintentionally.

Just this extra ten years of experience was enough for William Foster to leave David Harris far behind. In terms of combat awareness, the two were not even on the same level!

“David Harris, do you remember our bet? I’ve made up my mind now.” William Foster extended his index and middle fingers, pinching the large Human-grade Pearl and spinning it slightly: “I want this thing. I want the Human-grade Pearl on you!” His voice was firm and uncompromising.

David Harris was stunned for a moment, then suddenly broke free from the two guards: “No, I absolutely can’t give you this pearl!”

“Are you trying to cheat?” William Foster curled his two fingers and put the Human-grade Pearl into his robe, saying coldly.

David Harris stopped in his tracks, shook his head, and said, “No, let’s change the terms. In the future, if we meet, I’ll avoid you by a wide margin. Just give me back the pearl!”

“You’re in no position to negotiate now.” William Foster looked down at them with a condescending gaze. He wanted to trample them in this way. In his previous life, William Foster’s aversion to martial arts was, to some extent, because of the severe beating he received from these two half a month ago.

William Foster had gained his current strength through his own hard work, so there was no need to be polite to these people anymore.

“No…” David Harris’s voice faltered, his eyes flickering with thoughts. Suddenly, he pointed at William Foster and shouted, “I know! You must have colluded with those heretical cultivators and learned their martial arts. Otherwise, there’s no way the Wild Ox Fist could defeat my Fierce Tiger Fist.”

Outside the Great Zhou imperial court, there were many sects practicing various martial arts. Many of these sects had existed far longer than the Great Zhou itself. Their martial arts heritage could be traced back to ancient times, even before the flourishing of martial arts in the Great Zhou, and the court had no control over them. They called themselves Daoist or Demonic sects.

But regardless of Daoist or Demonic sects, the Great Zhou court denounced them all as heretical! Anyone who practiced their arts would never be accepted by the court or the military!

“Matthew Cooper, Stephen Reed, get him! Take back the Human-grade Pearl. If you injure him, my mother will take responsibility. If you kill him, our Pingding Marquis household will take the blame. Don’t be afraid! This guy is involved with heretics—according to Great Zhou law, even if he dies, it’s for nothing!” David Harris said viciously.

“Yes!” Matthew Cooper and Stephen Reed responded excitedly. With David Harris’s orders, whatever happened, he would take the blame. Besides, there were plenty of witnesses around, so even if something happened, they could always shirk responsibility.

“I’d like to see which of you dares to make a move!” A commanding voice rang out, the crowd parted, and Richard Bennett strode forward proudly.

“Young Marquis!” Seeing him, the two guards looked slightly fearful. Richard Bennett’s status was certainly special, but even more intimidating were his two arms.

Richard Bennett was already at the Gang Qi stage in martial arts. Coupled with his profound family heritage, the two guards were truly no match for him.

“Heir Apparent!” Seeing Richard Bennett, David Harris’s expression changed. The difference between the two was the real distinction between “commoner” and “noble.”

One was an offshoot, the other a direct heir. Richard Bennett’s status was like that of the legitimate eldest son of the Pingding Marquis household, destined to inherit the marquisate. The status of the Wenqu Marquis was unique; as the heir of such a household, Richard Bennett was simply beyond comparison to David Harris.

“I heard everything from outside the pavilion. Since you made a bet, you should honor it. Breaking your word? Hmph! When did the scholars of Great Zhou produce people like you?” Richard Bennett stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at David Harris, his expression stern.