The two women also looked at Ryan Bennett. Finally, Little Emily's cheeks suddenly flushed as she said, "Husband, you just woke up today and your body is still too weak. Why don't we... we sisters go rest in the side room for now?"

Ryan Bennett felt as if he had been granted amnesty and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, go ahead!"

Ryan Bennett didn't dare ask them to stay the night, after all, he wasn't really Brian Bennett, and it would be hard to explain if he got involved with two beautiful concubines.

……

Early the next morning, Ryan Bennett got up early and dressed neatly. Afterward, Nathan Bennett appeared with another young man.

"How did you sleep?"

"Not bad."

"This is your cousin Shawn Bennett, from the second branch of our The Bennett Family lineage. Whether our The Bennett Family can make a splash at this year's Fire God Ceremony depends on you two brothers!"

"Yes!"

"Yes, uncle!"

The two followed Nathan Bennett onto the carriage. Although Ryan Bennett was completely confused, he didn't ask any questions. Both Nathan Bennett and Shawn Bennett looked extremely serious, their expressions heavier than if they were visiting a grave. Clearly, they took the Fire God Ceremony very seriously.

Ryan Bennett glanced at Nathan Bennett, then at Shawn Bennett, and wisely kept silent.

Chapter 2: Fire God Power

They entered a plaza paved with bluestone, already packed with people. A tall altar stood at the center, and the seats on both sides were filled with crowds.

Ryan Bennett was slightly stunned.

Nathan Bennett lowered his voice and said, "The Bennett Family is one of the eight surnames of the Fire God clan: Ji, Ye, Peng, Tu, Yun, Cao, Zhen, and Mi. The Fire God Ceremony is held once a year to select outstanding young members of the family to go cultivate in the Qingyun Mountains. Of course, the prerequisite for all this is that your Fire God Power must be above the first level!"

"Fire God Power?" Ryan Bennett was even more astonished.

Nathan Bennett said, "That's right. The eight bloodlines left by the ancient Fire God make up the Fire God clan. We have the Fire God's blood flowing in our veins, but the purity isn't enough. Some youths are exceptionally gifted and can develop Fire God Power early, becoming powerful figures, while others may never grasp the mysteries of Fire God Power in their entire lives."

Ryan Bennett nodded and didn't ask further. He knew very well that he came from another time and space—how could he possibly have any Fire God Power?

At that moment, a loud voice rang out, so powerful it seemed to seize everyone's soul, making all present look up in anticipation—

"Please welcome the clan leader!"

A gray shadow flashed across the sky, and the air seemed to freeze. Ryan Bennett felt as if he couldn't move at all until an old man in a gray robe landed steadily on the high platform, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Nathan Bennett also looked grim and let out a breath, saying, "What a powerful aura! Clan leader Frank Parker must have already reached the ninth level of the Earth Realm!"

"Ninth level of the Earth Realm?" Ryan Bennett asked again.

Nathan Bennett nodded and whispered, "Martial arts are highly valued on this continent. Warriors are ranked from level one to nine, and the clan leader Frank Parker you see is the top expert of our Fire God clan, possessing the strength of the ninth level of the Earth Realm. His mastery of Fire God Power is truly extraordinary!"

Ryan Bennett took a deep breath. Indeed, the aura from that old man in the gray robe was so overwhelming it felt suffocating.

……

On the high platform, Frank Parker nodded, signaling for the ceremony to begin. A muscular middle-aged man stepped forward and announced, "The annual Fire God Ceremony begins now! All clan members of coming-of-age are to prepare for the Fire God Power trial!"

As he spoke, he called out loudly, "Peng family, Lily Parker, step forward for the trial!"

Before he finished speaking, a figure in fiery red leaped onto the platform, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water. It was a graceful and beautiful young woman, her delicate face flawless, her skirt swaying gently, and her long, fair legs faintly visible.

Ryan Bennett's mind buzzed—this woman was truly beautiful!

Beside Ryan Bennett, Shawn Bennett whispered, "Brother, that woman is the clan leader Frank Parker's beloved daughter, Lily Parker. It's said that Lily Parker has already reached the third level of the Earth Realm. Among the younger generation of the Fire God clan, she's an outstanding talent—looks like she'll definitely pass today's Fire God Power trial!"

"Oh…"

Ryan Bennett responded, his demeanor calm as still water, as if Lily Parker had nothing to do with him at all.

Shawn Bennett was a bit surprised and asked, "Brother, don't you feel anything at all?"

"Oh, why should I?"

"Well... a year ago, Lily Parker was your childhood sweetheart. Have you forgotten?"

Ryan Bennett was taken aback, then smiled, "Really? Is that so? And then? Did you break up?"

"Yeah. Your Fire God Power never improved, not even a trace of it, so..." Shawn Bennett snorted angrily, "The Peng family are such snobs, they deliberately distanced themselves from you. Even Lily Parker left you and got together with the Peng family's new rising star, Charles Parker. Those two are just a pair of scoundrels!"

"Heh..."

Ryan Bennett continued to smile calmly. This unruffled composure made Shawn Bennett think Ryan Bennett had reached some kind of enlightenment. In reality, the reason Ryan Bennett was so indifferent was simply because whoever Lily Parker was with had absolutely nothing to do with him.

On the high platform, Lily Parker walked gracefully to the center of the altar, where a blue-red stone was placed, looking solid and imposing.