Ryan Bennett was secretly shocked, his fists clenched tightly, standing motionless beside the screen. His deep gaze fixed on Frank Parker, filled with extraordinary determination and resolve, not yielding in the slightest. His body felt as if it was about to shatter, waves of intense pain radiating from every joint. So the legends were true—just the oppressive aura from a top expert’s presence was enough to kill!

Frank Parker was equally startled inside. It was well known in the family that Nathan Bennett’s only son was unambitious, indulgent, and lazy. Yet today, upon testing him, Frank Parker discovered this young man was so resolute, and that proud, unyielding look in his eyes even distracted him for a moment.

“Hmph!”

Frank Parker turned gracefully, a fierce gust of wind bursting from his robe sleeve and slamming into Ryan Bennett’s chest. Instantly, Ryan Bennett felt as if a knife was twisting in his chest, a mouthful of fresh blood surging up his throat. He gritted his teeth and didn’t utter a sound, only a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Suffering a hidden loss, Frank Parker’s move was so subtle that even Nathan Bennett didn’t notice. After all, Nathan Bennett was only at level five, while Frank Parker was at level nine—a difference of four levels, an almost insurmountable gap in strength!

Ryan Bennett looked coldly at Frank Parker, and Lily Parker also noticed the blood at the corner of Ryan Bennett’s mouth, unable to hide a hint of surprise. She seemed to sense that this young man was now very different from the dissolute wastrel he used to be.

“Ziyu, you…”

Seeing his beloved son injured, Nathan Bennett was heartbroken, ignoring the difference in strength, and angrily struck out with his palm. A fierce surge of Fire God true energy swept toward Frank Parker’s forehead.

“Bang!”

The chair shattered into pieces, burned into charred fragments, but Frank Parker had already vanished. When Nathan Bennett came to his senses, he realized Frank Parker was already behind him, an invisible aura enveloping him. It could be said that if Frank Parker wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as lifting a finger.

“Nantian, why are you still so impulsive?”

With his hands behind his back, Frank Parker smiled and said, “Your son is still so frail and sickly, actually coughing up blood. Hmph, with such a constitution, he simply can’t withstand the powerful and domineering Fire God true energy. Well then, I’ll take the Yaoyang Battle Axe. Perhaps this divine weapon will be of more use in my Lily’s hands. What do you think?”

Nathan Bennett trembled with rage, saying word by word, “Unless I die, don’t even think about taking the Yaoyang Battle Axe within half a year. Frank Parker, if you have the guts, kill me right here and see how you escape the world’s condemnation. Hmph, the dignified head of the Fire God clan, actually killing a clansman for the sake of your own family’s divine weapon!”

Frank Parker’s expression shifted between greed and contemplation. At last, he shook his head: “Since you refuse to hand over the Yaoyang, so be it. Let it remain in the Ye family for another half year. I’d like to see how you use it to help this boy master the Fire God Art!”

“Hmph!”

Nathan Bennett said coldly, “See the guest out!”

With a flick of his sleeve, Frank Parker floated out of the Ye family residence. Lily Parker turned and glared fiercely at Ryan Bennett, cursing, “Useless! All you can do is hide behind your father? Just wait—at the family’s new talent martial arts tournament in two months, I’ll make you pay!”

Ryan Bennett frowned. Why did this beautiful woman hate him so much?

“Ziyu, are you alright?”

Nathan Bennett suddenly hugged Ryan Bennett, checking his injuries, tears streaming down his face as he choked out, “It’s all because your father is useless, letting you suffer such humiliation!”

Ryan Bennett was an orphan to begin with. Feeling fatherly love for the first time, he couldn’t help but smile and reply, “I’m fine, Dad. Ryan Bennett is no longer the old Ye Batian. I’ll work hard to cultivate the Fire God Art, for myself and for the Ye family!”

In fact, Ryan Bennett’s true thoughts were different: “To survive, and for my dreams—shiny silver coins and beautiful women.”

Of course, Nathan Bennett had no idea, only hugging Ryan Bennett, tears streaming down his face: “Good son!”

……

At night, Ryan Bennett sat cross-legged in the secret chamber, one arm resting on the Yaoyang Battle Axe. The burning pain was maddening, as a torrent of flame elements surged into his arm, rapidly stimulating the growth of Fire God true energy within him. It seemed the Yaoyang Battle Axe’s effect was precisely this.

Beside him lay the Fire God Art. In fact, the Fire God Art had no moves, only a true energy cultivation method. In this world filled with martial arts and elements, true energy was like strength—when a person’s strength was great enough, their power naturally increased. Strength was the foundation of all techniques!

In the blink of an eye, the night passed. At dawn, Nathan Bennett entered the secret chamber and found Ryan Bennett still cultivating, so he called out, “Ziyu, time for breakfast!”

Ryan Bennett’s mind was wandering the heavens and earth, immersed in the baptism of flame elements and Fire God true energy, completely unable to hear.

Nathan Bennett walked up and reached out to push his son’s arm, but was suddenly blasted away by a surge of powerful Fire God true energy, slamming into the wall with a “bang” and bouncing to the ground.

“This… how is this possible?”

Nathan Bennett was both shocked and delighted—shocked that Ryan Bennett could possess such strong true energy, delighted that his son actually had such great power!

Ryan Bennett slowly woke up and saw Nathan Bennett lying on the ground, and couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, what happened to you?”

Nathan Bennett nodded repeatedly, laughing heartily, “It’s nothing, son. Time for breakfast. Did you really cultivate all night?”