When the group set out again, a young guard walking beside Philip White couldn’t help but frown: “Uncle, it’s said that Brian Foster was expelled from the The Foster Family for committing a grave mistake by stealing the family’s token. Why do we still have to treat him with such courtesy?”

“Expelled from the The Foster Family? Heh, has this matter ever truly been made public? Do you understand why a second-rate family like the The Foster Family, which has never even produced a Blood-Exchange Grandmaster, wields such influence in Whitehaven City?”

“It’s all because of that true disciple of the Primordial Heaven Sect, Alice Bennett... Years ago, David Foster’s father adopted Alice Bennett as his foster daughter and supported her for several years. Even though the The Bennett Family later came to take her back, Miss Bennett still remembers this kindness. Six years ago, she returned to visit her family. By then, Miss Bennett was already a true disciple of the Primordial Heaven Sect, with a status of utmost honor. The The Foster Family, originally just a minor clan, rose to prominence and prosperity thanks to Miss Bennett’s favor.”

“Exactly. Miss Bennett was adopted by Old Master Foster, making her, in terms of seniority, Brian Foster’s aunt. Back then, Miss Bennett left behind an inner sect disciple token of the Primordial Heaven Sect at the The Foster Family, clearly recognizing Brian Foster’s talent and intending to support him. In fact, David Foster’s adoption of Ethan Brooks was likely an attempt to follow his father’s example and gamble on another opportunity... Unfortunately, unlike the kind-hearted Miss Bennett last time, this time...”

At this, Philip White couldn’t help but shake his head.

They’d adopted a thankless wretch.

“So you mean, Miss Bennett is repaying the The Foster Family in name, but in reality, the only one she truly owes is David Foster’s branch?”

“Precisely. Otherwise, why do you think the always-weak David Foster branch managed to take the clan leader’s seat? It’s entirely because the other branches, considering the connection with Alice Bennett, pushed him up. Now that Old Master Foster has passed away, if anything happens to David Foster, Alice Bennett might not acknowledge the The Foster Family anymore. For the other branches to truly rise, they’d have to bypass David Foster’s line and cling to Alice Bennett. That’s why they’re scheming so hard for the Primordial Heaven Sect disciple token... If Brian Foster truly becomes mediocre, the The Foster Family will just send another talented disciple to the Primordial Heaven Sect, and Alice Bennett will take care of them as well.”

The young guard beside him was dumbfounded, never expecting so much intrigue within a second-rate family like the The Foster Family.

“Actually, this isn’t the reason I’m treating Brian Foster with such respect... After all, because of this, we’re very likely to offend Ethan Brooks... Ethan Brooks is extremely gifted and has already caught the eye of Elder Parker. Once she becomes a disciple under a Primordial Heaven Sect elder, her chances of becoming a true disciple in the future are very high.”

“Then, Steward, you...”

“Heh, as we were leaving the city, I received a rather interesting piece of news...”

As Philip White spoke, he cast a meaningful glance at the private room where Brian Carter was: “This direct heir of the The Foster Family, who usually keeps a low profile and is overshadowed by Ethan Brooks, George Green, and others, recently defeated Henry Foster, James Walker, George Green, and even the outstanding outer sect disciple of the Primordial Heaven Sect, Karen Miller, displaying truly astonishing talent... Now, he’s clearly heading to the Primordial Heaven Sect to seek out Miss Alice Bennett... I’m quite curious to see what kind of future he’ll carve out for himself...”

Chapter 12: Cultivation

“Damn it... the Whitewood Hall caravan...”

Hidden in the shadows, Andrew Scott stepped out from a side road, his expression gloomy, a hint of regret in his heart.

If he’d known Brian Foster would join the Whitewood Hall caravan, he should have made his move as soon as Brian Foster left the city. Even if there was a risk of being discovered, as long as he acted quickly, he might have been able to eliminate any witnesses as well.

But now...

Regret was useless.

The Whitewood Hall’s influence stretched throughout the Anderson Kingdom and even beyond its borders. Their ranks were filled with experts. Just that caravan alone had two Bone-Refining masters and over a dozen Tendon-Changing and Marrow-Washing experts. While he didn’t fear this lineup, he wasn’t confident he could wipe them all out.

If even one escaped and leaked the news...

“I’ll have to go back and reconsider my options...”

With this thought, Andrew Scott was about to turn and leave.

But just then, something occurred to him: “I remember there’s a small sect in the Anderson Kingdom called the Rivergate Sect, founded by one of the master’s old servants... I can’t guarantee I’ll wipe out the Anderson Kingdom caravan alone, but if I enlist the experts from the Rivergate Sect...”

At this, he made up his mind.

“I’ll head to the Rivergate Sect immediately and bring people back. Maybe we can intercept them before they board the flying ship to the Primordial Heaven Sect!”

...

“My spirit is strong. Even if I channel my strength into every part of my bones and temper them one by one, it will still take a year to complete the Marrow-Washing stage!”

Riding in the carriage, Brian Carter cultivated for a day and immediately grasped how long this stage would take.

However...

He was unwilling to spend a whole year just at the Marrow-Washing stage.

“Tendon-Changing, Marrow-Washing, Organ-Refining, Blood-Exchange... In the Clark Sword Manual, there are similar body-refining methods to strengthen one’s vital energy and blood. Although the stages aren’t divided as meticulously, they can still be summarized as Tendon-Changing, Marrow-Washing, Organ-Refining, and Blood-Exchange... Among the martial sects, Shaolin even has the Tendon-Changing Sutra and Marrow-Washing Sutra, both specifically for these stages, and neither forces you to do Tendon-Changing before Marrow-Washing...”