Henry Bolton couldn’t help but curse inwardly, but on the surface he forced a smile and said, “I really am powerless here. Their level of battle is way beyond me—I’ve only been in the Qi Refining stage for half a year, and I’m still not skilled at controlling spiritual tools. As for whether I’m an accomplice of Madman Thompson, you can ask Fairy Lane; she can vouch for me.”

　　Brian King couldn’t help but look at Fairy Lane to see how she would respond.

　　Fairy Lane replied calmly, “He really isn’t with David Thompson.”

　　Henry Bolton felt a surge of joy in his heart; it seemed he had gambled right. He sensed that this Fairy Lane was someone who disliked worldly strife and had a broad enough mind. Even when pressured by someone like Madman Thompson, she didn’t seem particularly resentful. And earlier, when Henry Bolton had fantasized about her, she hadn’t reacted much at all—if it had been some women on Earth, they would have lost it long ago.

　　Overall, although this Fairy Lane appeared aloof and made others feel inferior, she was actually kind-hearted, liked peace, and wasn’t competitive.

　　Brian King pondered for a moment; he couldn’t find any flaw in Henry Bolton’s words. As for whether Henry Bolton had entered the Qi Refining stage half a year ago, he wasn’t sure.

　　“Junior Brother Foster, I was being overly suspicious. Please forgive me.” In order to maintain his image in front of Fairy Lane, Brian King apologized to Henry Bolton.

　　Henry Bolton cursed this guy for being hypocritical, but could only exchange a few polite words, then rode the Wuling Sword toward Tieling Mountain.

　　After leaving the territory of Xianyun Sect, Henry Bolton sped forward, feeling extremely frustrated. If he had the strength, he wouldn’t have to play these games with David Thompson, Brian King, and the others.

　　He had to find a way to master this perverse technique—as long as he could reach the initial stage of the first layer, he wouldn’t have to fear these people anymore.

　　Henry Bolton was well aware of the power of this “Heaven and Earth Refining” technique. Once he reached the initial stage of the first layer, even someone at the mid-Qi Refining stage probably wouldn’t be his match, and even those at the late Qi Refining stage would have a hard time hurting him.

　　The defensive power of this perverse technique was absolutely terrifying. When cultivated to the great completion of the first layer, even ordinary spiritual tools couldn’t break through its defense.

　　With a bit of hope in his heart, Henry Bolton soon arrived at the territory of Fengxing Sect, and in the distance he could see a pitch-black peak.

　　Although this mountain was inferior to Tianling Mountain and Huoyun Mountain, Henry Bolton felt at ease upon arriving here.

　　Once at Tieling Mountain, Henry Bolton didn’t have to worry about anything. He could even walk around here with impunity—no one would dare mess with him.

　　After all, Henry Bolton had a late Foundation Establishment ancestor backing him. In the past, even Edward Foster could throw his weight around here.

　　Now that he was almost at Tieling Mountain, Henry Bolton sped up even more. Since he was on his own turf, there was no need to hold back.

　　Facing the clouds in the sky and the fierce wind rushing past, Henry Bolton let himself go completely, occasionally glancing at the scenery speeding by beneath his feet. At this moment, Henry Bolton felt as if he had become a sword immortal from Shushan, roaming freely between heaven and earth.

　　The pitch-black Tieling Peak ahead was getting closer and larger in Henry Bolton’s eyes. Perhaps due to the lingering consciousness of Edward Foster, Henry Bolton actually felt a sense of being in his element.

　　Just then, Henry Bolton heard several people arguing below.

　　“This ore was clearly discovered by me first—why should I hand it over to you?” A tall, thin youth gripped his mining pick, glaring angrily at the three fellow disciples across from him.

　　“Hmph, finders keepers. Tieling Peak doesn’t belong to you. I think this top-grade ore should be handed in—maybe we’ll even get a reward.” A burly middle-aged man said indifferently.

　　“If it’s to be handed in, I’ll do it myself. What’s it got to do with you? I’m going to give this ore to the inner sect elder right now.” The tall, thin youth clutched the fist-sized ore tightly, afraid the others would try to snatch it.

　　“Brat, don’t be stubborn. Hand over the ore obediently. If there’s a reward, you won’t be left out.”

　　A sharp-faced, monkey-like youth interjected.

　　“No way. I dug up this ore, so I have to be the one to hand it in. If there’s a reward, I’ll decide what to do with it.” The tall, thin youth looked at the three of them stubbornly, his face full of determination.

　　“Brothers, get him! Let’s give this guy a beating.” The burly middle-aged man waved his hand, preparing to go up and beat the tall, thin youth.

　　“Stop!” Just then, a voice came from the sky.

　　The four people on the ground looked up in fear, only to see a graceful young man standing atop a giant spiritual tool, looking down at them.

　　“Senior Brother Foster…” The burly middle-aged man looked at Henry Bolton with respect—he actually knew Henry Bolton.

　　The others quickly reacted and hurriedly saluted Henry Bolton. They were all outer sect disciples—even if they had joined earlier, they still had to call Henry Bolton senior brother.

　　“What’s going on?” Henry Bolton glanced over the group, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ore in the tall, thin youth’s hand, his heart skipping a beat.

　　“Senior Brother Foster, I was the one who dug up this ore first. They want to take it from me, and when I refused, they tried to use force…”