Nathan Bennett said solemnly, “The Fire God Art is a secret technique of the Fire God clan, never passed to outsiders. A thousand years ago, a prodigy from our clan mastered the Fire God Art, and the greatest general under the ancient Emperor Yu was our ancestor. The last time I taught you the Fire God Art was when you were fifteen, but unfortunately, you were weak, sickly, and fond of women, so you never managed to cultivate it.”

Ryan Bennett took a deep breath and said, “From today on, I want to change my name!”

“Oh? To what?”

“Ryan Bennett, styled William.”

“Good!”

Nathan Bennett looked a bit emotional, gripping his son’s shoulders with both hands, and said, “I’ve waited a long time for this day, son. You’re finally awakening from your downfall!”

Ryan Bennett gave a faint smile and said nothing more, just gazing at the cultivation method in the Fire God Art, then sat cross-legged beneath the ancestral hall’s idol, focusing on sensing the presence of that wisp of flame.

Nathan Bennett watched his son carefully, as if seeing him for the first time—sturdy, muscular, with resolute and bright eyes. This reborn Ryan Bennett made Nathan Bennett extremely happy.

To cultivate the Fire God Art, the first step is to train the basic martial technique and generate Fire God true energy.

Ryan Bennett sat cross-legged in the ancestral hall for half a day, faintly feeling wisps of heat arise within his body. Sure enough, the Fire God true energy was beginning to show signs!

……

When Nathan Bennett came to check on him that night, Ryan Bennett clenched his fists, channeling heat, which made Nathan Bennett overjoyed. He laughed heartily, “Excellent! Son, you can finally cultivate the Fire God Art!”

Ryan Bennett nodded with a smile, finding it amusing that his old man was as happy as a three-year-old child.

“William, come, it’s time to show you something!” Nathan Bennett said, his face glowing with excitement.

“Oh? What is it?”

“You’ll see!”

Nathan Bennett turned a statue on the wall, and an entrance immediately appeared in the floor—it was a hidden passage.

Entering the cellar, a surge of blazing heat filled the air, almost overwhelming Ryan Bennett, but Nathan Bennett remained calm, Fire God true energy flowing over his body to resist the flames.

In the hall of the cellar, atop a stone-carved platform, lay a divine weapon—a fiery red battle axe. Ancient oracle bone script shimmered on the handle like dancing flames, and the blade was so sharp and intimidating that anyone could see its extraordinary edge.

Although Ryan Bennett was new to this world, he could tell that this axe was no ordinary item!

Nathan Bennett lifted the battle axe with both hands, struggling a bit, and said with a smile, “The battle axe—Yaoyang, the unparalleled treasure of the Fire God clan. Every ten years, it is passed to a different family. This decade, it’s in our Ye family’s hands. Yaoyang contains the power of heaven and earth’s flames and can help you rapidly increase your Fire God power. Son, for the next half year, Yaoyang will be yours. With it by your side, your Fire God power will advance by leaps and bounds!”

“Oh, really?” Ryan Bennett looked a bit confused.

Nathan Bennett set down Yaoyang, patted his chest, and said, “My strength was only Earth Level Three, but after obtaining Yaoyang, I advanced two levels in just five years, reaching Earth Level Five. This Yaoyang battle axe is truly the Fire God clan’s greatest treasure!”

“Mm!”

Ryan Bennett nodded vigorously. “I’ll start cultivating with Yaoyang after dinner!”

“Good!”

The two left the secret chamber, only to see the steward running toward them from afar.

“Master, someone from the The Parker Family has arrived!”

“Oh?”

Nathan Bennett raised his eyebrows and said, “Son, come with me to take a look!”

“Mm.”

Ryan Bennett got up and followed Nathan Bennett out, noticing that his steps were now steadier and more solid. It seemed the Fire God Art truly had its mysteries!

In the reception hall, the white-haired Frank Parker sat there with a restrained aura. Behind him stood a beautiful young woman, her brows full of pride—she was the genius girl Lily Parker, at Fire God Power Level Three.

“Nathan Bennett, it’s time for you to hand over the divine weapon Yaoyang, isn’t it?” Frank Parker took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.

Nathan Bennett snorted coldly, “Frank Parker brother, this decade Yaoyang belongs to the Ye family. It’s only been nine and a half years—why should I hand it over to you now?”

Frank Parker frowned but said nothing. Instead, Lily Parker stepped forward, looked at Ryan Bennett, and said, “The battle axe Yaoyang can greatly speed up cultivation of the Fire God Art. Keeping it in the Ye family is a waste. Hmph, how can trash be worthy of holding a divine weapon, let alone being a Fire God warrior!”

Chapter 3: Steel Wall

Lily Parker pressed aggressively. Nathan Bennett was so angry his face turned red, and he shouted, “Lily, don’t forget, Brian was once your childhood friend. How can you insult him like this now?”

“I’m just telling the truth.”

Lily Parker glanced at Ryan Bennett with obvious disdain, as if he wasn’t even worth a second look.

At this moment, the clan leader of the Fire God clan, Frank Parker, stood up imposingly. His voice was deep and powerful as he said calmly, “Lily, no matter what, the head of the Ye family is your uncle. You must not be so rude!”

Lily Parker nodded and smiled, “Yes, father!”

The father and daughter echoed each other, clearly just putting on a show for the Ye family.

Frank Parker’s gaze fell on Ryan Bennett, and suddenly his eyes shone with a powerful light. An invisible pressure bore down, making Ryan Bennett feel as if Mount Tai was pressing on him, creating immense oppression.

“Ah?!”