There was a loud smack as another slap landed.

“This matter is settled, it’s a bet. Three years as the deadline. Charles Carter, oh Charles Carter, I’d like to see with my own eyes how you manage to get that fifth-rank general title. Let’s go.” The footsteps of Ethan Brooks and his group faded into the distance. Soon after, the sharp cries of birds could be heard. It was said they left for the capital overnight.

The Great Yu royal palace kept a special flock of giant birds capable of carrying people, called flying eagles. Each was as large as an elephant, with wingspans over a dozen meters, able to carry two or three people at once, and their speed was astonishing.

Otherwise, with the vast territory of the Great Yu Dynasty and no modern means like telephones, sending an imperial decree would take forever to arrive—by the time it did, it would be far too late.

“You bastard, you disgrace!” The The Carter Family were all furious, trying to push in and beat Charles Carter to death. Because Charles Carter had implicated the entire The Carter Family clan.

The The Carter Family all knew in their hearts that with Charles Carter’s abilities, there was no way he could reach the 8th rank in three years, let alone obtain the position of fifth-rank general. It was nothing short of a pipe dream.

So, the The Carter Family all believed Charles Carter was selfish, dragging the whole The Carter Family clan down with him just to live a few days longer. For a moment, emotions ran high.

“Back off, we’re taking him away.” One of the remaining armed guards, Brian Smith, barked fiercely at the door. William Carter had no choice but to lead the clan away.

“Let’s go, boy.” Brian Smith grabbed William Carter like an eagle snatching a chick and headed straight for a nearby red steed.

Because flying eagles capable of carrying people were rare and hard to raise, only for important matters or for royalty and high-ranking nobles did anyone have the privilege to ride them. Charles Carter, of course, had no such treatment. He was tied to a horse by Brian Smith like a sack and galloped away.

“Father, mother, your son is unfilial. I can no longer serve you. Take care… take care…” Charles Carter’s hoarse voice called out from afar.

“Chun’er… Chun’er…” William Carter’s voice was also hoarse as he muttered softly, while mother Helen Reed was already in tears.

“That bastard, he’s dragged us all down and you still have the nerve to cry.” David Carter complained, and with a loud smack, actually slapped William Carter.

“Watch yourself! Who are you to call him a bastard? He is my son, William Carter’s son, your brother. No matter what, it’s not your place to insult him.” William Carter shouted at his son.

“Master, Charles Carter has brought disaster upon the entire The Carter Family. Helen Reed is also guilty and must be driven out. Otherwise, if the Third Princess finds out, our family will suffer even more. We have to put on a show for the Third Princess.” Emily Harris urged insistently.

“Well…” William Carter hesitated.

Charles Carter was nearly falling apart from being jostled, and with injuries all over his body, the pain was excruciating.

“Big brother, can you at least bandage me up a little?” Charles Carter asked.

“Heh, you still want to ride comfortably? Bah! You’re a condemned criminal—what right do you have to ask for that? Behave yourself, or my whip won’t be so forgiving.” Brian Smith sneered, lashing the horse’s rump to make it run even faster.

He knew this guy was deliberately tormenting him—maybe the princess had even ordered him to kill him on the way. The Great Yu Dynasty had billions of people, but given its vast territory, it was still sparsely populated.

The forest coverage rate was estimated at over 90%, so everywhere was dense, primeval jungle.

Wild beasts roamed, birds flew everywhere, and poisonous insects filled the air. Even the so-called official roads were just four or five meters wide, made of broken, muddy earth. The whole way, dust flew everywhere, nearly choking Charles Carter to death.

At that moment, Charles Carter’s mind suddenly jolted—he remembered. In his previous life, Charles Carter had been an elite member of the national Dragon Group in Huaxia.

In terms of strength, he had reached the level of this armed guard. And by chance, Charles Carter had once obtained a treasured book from the Wudang Sect’s Sutra Pavilion—called “The Nine Heavens Vast World Manual.”

When he opened it, Charles Carter was overjoyed, because “The Nine Heavens Vast World Manual” wasn’t a martial arts manual, but a secret for cultivators seeking immortality.

Charles Carter thought he’d found a treasure, but his old friend, the Wudang Sect leader Master Ethan, just glanced at the book with disdain and laughed, “You think you’ve found a super treasure?”

“It really is a good thing! Strange, why doesn’t your Wudang Sect cultivate it if it’s so great? Cultivators are much stronger than martial artists.” Charles Carter said, puzzled. Judging by the Daoist’s expression, it seemed Master Ethan regarded this treasure as worthless.

“It’s a good book, but so what? Is it useful? Look at our Earth now—pollution everywhere, garbage piled up. The air quality is intolerable. There’s not a trace of spiritual energy left in the world.

And the foundation of cultivating immortal arts is the spiritual energy in the world’s vital energy. Without spiritual energy, what can you cultivate with? Factory exhaust? Car emissions? If that really worked, it’d be a great service to the country.”