David Carter's face also turned slightly blue, and a look of hesitation appeared in his eyes. The hand gripping his sword bulged with veins, as if he wanted to draw his sword, yet seemed to be holding back for some reason. In the end, he regained his composure: "How would I dare, senior brother? But I've heard that lately, those from the Azure Robe Hall have been searching everywhere for you. So for you to show up today, senior brother, is truly beyond my expectations. I'm really worried that in the next few days, senior brother might get his head chopped off for no reason, bringing shame to our Lichen Sect—"

Adam Carter was speechless for a moment. Seeing that David Carter had no intention of making a move, he didn't linger and continued into the inner courtyard.

"No need for you to worry, junior brother. If anything, you're meddling a bit too much."

Ethan Lane and William Moore followed behind, exchanging a smile. If David Carter knew that the Azure Robe Hall had been almost wiped out by Adam Carter single-handedly, what kind of expression would he have?

But David Carter was not willing to let it go, gripping his sword and turning around: "Before the grand trial, there's still a minor competition. Four days from now, at the end of the month. I wonder if you, Adam Carter, can hold onto your top seat! At that time, I, David Carter, will definitely ask senior brother for guidance, to see just how much you've improved in the Dragon-Subduing Tiger-Taming Fist!"

Chapter 10: Academy Martial Arts Tower

"This David Carter seems to have made great progress in his cultivation!"

As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, William Moore muttered in a low voice, his eyes full of doubt: "He wants to challenge senior brother, but doesn't seem very confident about it."

Ethan Lane also nodded lightly: "He must have something to rely on! He never dared act like this before."

Adam Carter was also clear in his heart. The old David Carter had already been subdued by him and wouldn't dare provoke him easily. For him to act like this today, he must have something up his sleeve.

This person's strength had likely improved considerably—maybe a spiritual weapon, maybe a pill, or perhaps a martial arts secret technique. In any case, the David Carter from ten days ago might not be a match for the current one.

Being born into a wealthy family, this is what makes people envious. The resources David Carter can use are a thousand times greater than his.

However, Adam Carter had never considered this person a true rival. The real challenge to enter the Lichen Sect's inner circle was still far ahead.

What was there to fight for over this top seat right now? Two months from now would be the most crucial time. All previous efforts would be wiped away.

"Just a clown jumping around, not worth paying attention to for now."

Ethan Lane and William Moore understood and both chuckled. The minor competition in four days would reveal the truth.

After yesterday's battle, the two of them had complete faith in Adam Carter's strength.

No matter what trump cards David Carter had, he couldn't possibly surpass Adam Carter, who nearly shattered all of Shi Hu's bones with a single punch.

If David Carter thought he could easily pull Adam Carter down from the top seat, he was sorely mistaken.

According to the duties of the academy's top disciple, Adam Carter first went to pay respects to the headmaster, Samuel Thompson. This headmaster, at the second level of Qi Refining, was an outer disciple of the Lichen Sect. But perhaps due to internal injuries suffered in his youth, not only was his cultivation unable to progress further, he was also bedridden for years, unable to leave his medicine pot.

Because of David Carter, Samuel Thompson was somewhat cold toward Adam Carter. He gave a few indifferent instructions, and that was it.

Next, he had to supervise the academy's group practice on behalf of the headmaster. The Lichen Academy had a set of Spirit-Sealing Fist techniques that all disciples had to practice daily.

It didn't conflict with other martial arts, and was somewhat similar to the Tiger-Taming Fist from the Dragon-Subduing Tiger-Taming style, able to improve one's meridians and bones, and strengthen the body. However, its effects were minimal, far less significant than the Tiger-Taming Fist.

But it was said to be related to several of the Lichen Sect's inherited techniques. If practiced to a certain level, it would greatly benefit future cultivation of the inner sect's techniques. Therefore, all academy disciples had to practice diligently every day.

Adam Carter was responsible for supervision, but he also had to practice himself. At noon, under the blazing sun, he performed the Spirit-Sealing Fist three times in a row before finishing.

Once the group practice was over, it was free time.

Originally, one could seek instruction in martial arts from the academy's instructors in saber, fist, or sword techniques. However, these instructors were at most at the Bone-Refining stage and had nothing more to teach. The headmaster, though a Qi Refining cultivator, was too ill to appear easily. Adam Carter had nothing left to learn in this academy.

This was also why the Lichen Academy was gradually declining in Yue City. Although it was under the Lichen Sect and had quotas for entry, once you joined this academy, even a genius would become mediocre, and the mediocre would be buried.

Those truly powerful families would never let their children waste time in this academy.

At this point, the only thing in the academy that could attract Adam Carter was the twenty-some spirit chambers. When the academy was built, a spirit-gathering array was set up underground, making cultivation inside two tenths more effective than in ordinary places.

The other was the Martial Arts Scripture Tower of the Lichen Academy, which housed over 1,700 complete fist and sword techniques, and even a compendium of all internal and external martial arts, listing all the techniques and their evaluations.

Although Adam Carter specialized in the Dragon-Subduing Tiger-Taming style, he liked to read these martial arts scriptures in his spare time to broaden his knowledge.

Knowing the characteristics and strengths of more techniques could never hurt. He could learn from them, and if he encountered them in the future, he wouldn't be caught off guard.

As the top disciple, he could come and go as he pleased. With such privileges, of course he would make full use of them.