Grace Bennett once said that besides the cultivator, there were six top experts from the imperial city among the invading enemies. You should know that The Harper Estate has no top experts; even with thousands of servants and soldiers assisting, it would still be difficult to kill six top experts.

William Harper planned to deal with the six top experts first, then handle the cultivator, to minimize casualties for The Harper Estate.

Suddenly, William Harper saw a surge of powerful energy in one direction, even collapsing a pavilion. He immediately turned and rushed over.

Clang!

Blades clashed. Charles Harper was shaken back, his toes scraping two long marks on the ground. He bent over abruptly, propping his sword scabbard on the ground, then half-knelt, blood gushing uncontrollably from his mouth.

He was defeated as soon as they exchanged blows!

Charles Harper's long hair was slightly disheveled. He struggled to lift his eyes, filled with shock, and gritted his teeth to utter two words: "Top expert!"

Under the night sky, with the cold wind whistling, a black-clad man stood before Charles Harper, holding a refined steel saber. Unlike the other black-clad men, he wore a bronze mask, revealing only his eyes, nose, and mouth.

The masked man looked down at Charles Harper coldly and snorted, "So young and already at the first-class level—The Harper Estate has produced a genius. Unfortunately, tonight you will die here."

He raised the saber in his right hand, and a chill emanated from the blade.

Charles Harper's face was full of unwillingness. Before tonight, he had only met one top expert—the head of their sect, a renowned grandmaster in the martial world of Great Qi. The head had once instructed him, making him deeply aware of the gap between first-class and top experts.

His heart sank into despair. Although The Harper Estate was a noble house descended from generals, it had no top experts. His uncle John Harper, no matter how strong, was only at the peak of first-class.

"Who are you? Who is behind all this?"

Charles Harper asked in a deep voice. He struggled to stand, his hand gripping the sword trembling.

Just from that brief exchange, his internal organs had been injured by the opponent's true energy. Even so, he refused to retreat, because this was his home.

The masked man stepped toward him, the saber reflecting a cold light, flickering by the ruins.

"The dying have no need to know the truth. Everything in this world will soon have nothing to do with you."

The masked man spoke coldly, tilting the saber in his hand. The chill on the blade intensified, like mist, blurring his figure.

Charles Harper tossed the scabbard aside, then wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, assumed a sword stance, and prepared to fight to the death.

Even if he couldn't kill the enemy, he had to find a way to injure him, buying more time for The Harper Estate.

At that moment—

The masked man suddenly stopped. Just as Charles Harper hesitated in confusion, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from behind:

"You're right, but have you ever thought that the one about to die is you?"

Charles Harper instinctively turned his head, catching a glimpse of a figure flashing past him like a startled swan.

It was William Harper!

He arrived swiftly with Shadowstep, leaving afterimages, and stood between Charles Harper and the masked man.

Dressed in fitted white clothes, William Harper had grown tall and handsome, though his face still showed some youthfulness. The spirit in his brows was something ordinary youths lacked.

The masked man's gaze fell on the scabbard in William Harper's right hand. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Impressive footwork. So young, yet truly a peerless talent. Compared to you, the one behind you is nothing."

Charles Harper didn't think much of these words; he just stared blankly at William Harper's back.

Of course he remembered this cousin, but after so many years apart, and with the threat of annihilation looming, he hadn't found a chance to catch up with William Harper since returning.

"That footwork just now... Has he also trained in martial arts?"

Charles Harper thought in surprise. After returning, he had asked his father about William Harper's experiences. This younger brother had always stayed at The Harper Estate—where did he learn such advanced footwork?

William Harper stared at the masked man, then suddenly drew his sword. As the blade flashed from its scabbard, the masked man's pupils dilated sharply.

In his eyes, a sword was growing larger. He instinctively raised his saber.

Squelch—

Blood splattered. William Harper appeared behind the masked man, sword in his right hand, pointing diagonally at the bright moon. He lifted his chin slightly, didn't look back, and said softly, "In front of me, that's all you amount to."

Chapter 4: The Power of the Cultivator

Thud!

Watching the masked man who had brought him despair fall to the ground, Charles Harper's eyes widened in disbelief.

Such speed!

What kind of footwork was that?

Charles Harper was at least a first-class expert, but even from behind, he couldn't see William Harper's footwork—it was simply too fast, and his sword strike was even faster.

He killed a top expert in a single move!

Charles Harper suddenly doubted himself—was he too weak, or was William Harper too strong?

Could it be that he wasn't just at the first-class level?

William Harper turned, wiped his sword blade on the masked man's body, and only after the blood was cleaned did he sheathe his sword.

He looked up at Charles Harper and said, "If you can still fight, then go kill the enemy. Aside from those top experts, you're still very strong."

With that, William Harper turned and left, using Shadowstep to leap over the courtyard wall and disappear into the night.