However, Grace Bennett had already been released from confinement, so William Harper found nothing and had to give up.

Perhaps she had other plans—even her parents didn’t know where she had gone.

During these days, the number of servants at The Harper Estate increased, and William Harper’s eldest uncle even recruited passing martial artists in the city. Some The Harper Family disciples who were training in martial arts outside were also summoned back, all of them disciples from sects near Yanghu County.

The one who drew the most attention was the third son of Second Uncle Andrew Harper, Charles Harper.

This ninth young master of The Harper Estate had a good relationship with William Harper when they were young, being only two years apart in age. However, when William Harper was seven, Charles Harper was sent to the largest martial arts sect in Yanghu County to train. He would send letters home every year. Last year, Edward Harper even said he had already reached the level of a top martial arts expert—a true martial arts prodigy.

After so many years apart, William Harper recalled how his little cousin used to cling to him as a child, feeling a bit nostalgic. But now was not the time to reminisce.

The sixth day, afternoon.

Grace Bennett came looking for William Harper, and William Harper brought her into the room, closing the door behind them.

Today, Grace Bennett had changed into a fitted red outfit, looking valiant and heroic. She had removed her usual hair ornaments and crown, tying her beautiful hair behind her head with a red ribbon, revealing her delicate and lovely face.

To be honest, she looked quite good.

That’s what William Harper thought, then sat down with Grace Bennett.

Grace Bennett took a scented sachet from her bosom and said, “This is a herbal Soft Bone Powder I refined. Just sprinkle it on your enemy—if they inhale the poison, they’ll collapse within three breaths. However, this powder only works on martial artists; it’s useless against that cultivator. If you encounter him, you must run.”

For this first clansman who trusted her, Grace Bennett had a good impression and didn’t want him to act recklessly and die tomorrow night.

William Harper picked up the sachet and couldn’t help but ask, “Is the cultivation world divided into righteous and demonic paths?”

Grace Bennett glanced at him and snorted softly, “Of course it is. That’s right, I’m a demonic cultivator. The number of people, demons, and monsters who have died by my hand is countless. Are you afraid?”

William Harper replied seriously, “I often hear the martial heroes in the city say that in the martial world, people are not free to do as they wish. Cultivation transcends the mundane, so it must be even more dangerous. You were reborn and still care about The Harper Estate—just for that, I’m not afraid of you. You’ll always be part of The Harper Estate, my clansman.”

This...

A demonic cultivator!

William Harper felt a bit uneasy. With her reminder, perhaps he was now the only one who knew Grace Bennett’s identity as a reincarnator. Would this bring trouble?

Seeing how serious he was, Grace Bennett pursed her lips and smiled. Only then did she begin to size up William Harper, discovering that the boy was quite handsome—sword-like brows, starry eyes, full of spirit. Well, it made sense, since his father Edward Harper was a famous handsome man in Nanqiu City.

After a brief moment of thought, Grace Bennett said seriously, “Your martial arts are good, but only effective against martial artists. Leave that cultivator to me—you must not try to show off.”

She liked William Harper a lot, but she also understood the pride of a young genius. For someone so young to have mastered such powerful martial arts, he might impulsively challenge a cultivator.

William Harper thought for a moment and nodded slowly. After all, she was a reincarnator and must have her own methods.

He had finally learned something about the cultivation world—he didn’t want to die before he even started cultivating.

The two talked for a long time, with Grace Bennett doing most of the planning and William Harper listening. Grace Bennett needed William Harper to help pass on some of her suggestions, since she was only an adopted daughter and had no say in The Harper Estate. During this, William Harper tried to ask about cultivation methods, but she sternly refused, saying that with The Harper Estate facing life and death, how could he think about such meaningless things?

After Grace Bennett left, William Harper went to see his father and relayed some of Grace Bennett’s suggestions. Edward Harper praised William Harper’s ideas and immediately went to find William Harper’s grandfather, Samuel Harper.

That night, many people in The Harper Estate found it hard to sleep.

Anyone who heard their family was about to be wiped out would be anxious.

William Harper was no exception. He practiced his breathing techniques in his room, accumulating true qi to give himself more confidence.

Chapter 3: In Front of Me, You’re Nothing Special

The seventh day—this was the most oppressive day since The Harper Estate was established. Although most people scoffed at the threat of annihilation, as night fell, everyone in The Harper Estate grew tense.

The night was as cold as water, the wind chilly. The once bustling and lively Nanqiu City had fallen silent, with only the occasional sound of dogs barking.

William Harper sat on the eaves, holding a treasured sword in his hand. It was a sword that James Thompson had spent three days to buy—sharp enough to cut through iron like mud, truly a divine weapon.

His gaze fell on a figure on a distant rooftop—that was his cousin, Charles Harper.

Charles Harper stood tall, holding his sword with both hands, head slightly bowed as if dozing. The cold wind blew his long hair and robe, giving him the air of a true martial hero standing atop the world.

“Impressive skills—he’s already reached the level of a top martial artist, and not just at the entry level. Truly a martial arts prodigy,” William Harper thought to himself in admiration.

In the martial world, practitioners rank their levels from lowest to highest as: unranked, third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, pinnacle, and the legendary martial myth. In this era, there were no martial myths; pinnacle experts were the guardians of major sects and rarely roamed the martial world. First-rate experts were enough to dominate the land.

At sixteen, William Harper had achieved the martial myth level and should have been a legend of his time—if only he hadn’t encountered the crushing power of the cultivation world.