Olivia Carter also gave a slight nod. “This battle happened too quickly, so it’s still hard to confirm. But judging from the situation, it shouldn’t be difficult for this boy to master the art of intention preceding action. It’s just a pity…”

　　“Is it a pity that his soul was damaged?”

　　“That’s not it!”

　　Olivia Carter shook his head. “Since he was able to recover on his own, it means his injury isn’t beyond repair. I’m just worried he won’t pass the next two trials. After all, he’s already over eighteen, not that young anymore.”

　　“Staying in the outer sect is the same.”

　　William Thompson didn’t care much. “If he truly has talent in the realm of combat, then the Transmission Hall won’t let such a prodigy slip by.”

　　But Olivia Carter gave a bitter smile, thinking to himself, how could it be the same? This would probably delay the boy for several more years. And once a mortal passes the age of twenty-five without opening their spiritual aperture, they’ll never have the chance to become a spirit master.

　　—A first-rank spirit master who has mastered the simultaneous intention and action can take on ten opponents alone. Such a rare talent, even a moment’s delay on the path of a spirit master is a real shame.

　　One must know that this combat realm is even rarer than spirit master talent. A ninth-rank spirit master can be cultivated by the sect with ease. But a divine master’s seat often only emerges from among several hundred, even a thousand spirit masters.

　　“By the way, wasn’t this guy in and out of consciousness for almost three years? How did he master the simultaneous intention and action?”

　　At this, William Thompson also fell into deep thought. “It should be related to his father. I checked his background—his father is the head of the Sun and Moon Martial Hall in Heyang City, at the foot of Guanglin Mountain. Most likely, he mastered the simultaneous intention and action three years ago.”

　　“Three years ago?”

　　Olivia Carter’s expression grew even more pained. “So, such a prodigy was delayed for three years? And his soul was damaged, making cultivation nearly impossible? That Henry Spencer really committed a sin!”

　　……

　　David Bolton watched as Mason Hall was carried away, and only after another high-ranking spirit master arrived did he feel at ease to leave.

　　To be safe, all Sun and Moon Sect disciples responsible for judging in today’s martial arena had to have mastered the third-rank Minor Rebirth Technique, so they could rescue injured contestants at any time.

　　But Mason Hall was decapitated in one strike. While the Minor Rebirth Technique could save his life, the injury to his cervical spine couldn’t be repaired by this method. Only a fourth-rank or higher Major Rebirth Technique could guarantee no lasting harm.

　　If treatment was delayed, it might even affect Mason Hall’s future potential and achievements.

　　If something really went wrong, that would be bad. Even though in the previous battle, David Bolton had no chance to hold back—if he’d been even a moment slower, he would have been bound by Mason Hall’s spiritual power chains—he would still feel guilty.

　　Fortunately, for this martial trial, the academy had made thorough preparations and arranged for a ninth-rank spirit master skilled in rebirth techniques to be on standby.

　　When David Bolton stepped down from the stage again, Robert Carter couldn’t help but ask, “David Bolton, has your blade technique already reached the level of simultaneous intention and action?”

　　“I think so? I can’t say for sure myself.”

　　David Bolton laughed, not denying it at all.

　　His soul was damaged, making future cultivation difficult, so only his talent in combat could earn him special attention from the sect. That’s why, in this martial trial, he didn’t hesitate to display his “talent.”

　　“So it really is true~”

　　Robert Carter looked at David Bolton with a complicated expression. He hadn’t expected this guy to be a monster too—even more enviable than Mason Hall.

　　David Bolton felt uneasy under his gaze. “Senior brother, why are you looking at me like that? Isn’t it not that hard to achieve simultaneous intention and action?”

　　“Don’t you feel any shame saying that? Many spirit masters in the Sun and Moon Sect, even at the ninth rank, are still at the stage where intention precedes action.”

　　Robert Carter shook his head, full of envy. “They say the key for a spirit master to advance to divine master is mastering the art of extreme action concealing intention. You’re only two steps away now.”

　　“That’s still a long way off!”

　　David Bolton immediately gave a snort of laughter. “You’re only a second-rank spirit master, and I’ve just started out. Why think so far ahead? To advance to divine master, it’ll take at least thirty to fifty years. Besides, the simultaneous intention and action of a martial artist isn’t quite the same as that of a spirit master. If I become a spirit master in the future, I’ll have to relearn this step.”

　　Hearing this, Robert Carter immediately perked up. “That’s true!”

　　But then he sighed softly. “But since you’ve passed the martial trial today, I won’t be able to accompany you tomorrow. Take care of yourself.”

　　David Bolton’s gaze was odd. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he seemed to sense a hint of reluctance in this guy’s words.

　　As Robert Carter left, the martial trials in the arena were also drawing to a close. It was already near the end of the You hour (around 7 p.m.), the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was filled with red clouds. It was about to get dark, so it was impossible to let the candidates continue fighting into the night.

　　At this moment, David Bolton looked around and saw many youths—some looking dejected, some deeply saddened, and some simply wailing in tears.

　　According to sect rules, those who hadn’t won a single match today had to be sent down the mountain. Only those recommended by the judges and chief or deputy examiners were qualified to stay. This was to prevent strong contenders from facing each other in the very first round. However, to prevent examiners from showing favoritism, those who recommended candidates also had to bear responsibility. If the candidate failed to pass the three trials, or didn’t become a spirit master within five years, the Disciplinary Hall would impose corresponding punishment.