“Hurry up, stop dawdling, we want to admire Young Master Carter’s masterpiece.” All the brothel girls were calling out in coquettish voices, swaying their seductive hips to attract attention. Instantly, the air was filled with fragrance, hips swaying, and the whole hall was brimming with springtime allure.

Charles Carter immediately made up his mind and, with a display of wisdom and flair, picked up the brush and began to write. However, after he finished, all the young gentlemen and ladies in the main hall were stunned, each with their mouths agape, unable to utter a word.

Because the writing was hard to recognize. If they hadn’t heard Charles Carter recite it earlier, they would never have guessed it was those four lines of poetry.

“Hehehe, everyone, is it hard to tell what I’ve written?” Charles Carter gave a suave flick of his brush and asked with a gentlemanly air.

“That’s right, it’s really hard to recognize. The script is ethereal and otherworldly, but it’s just not easy to read,” one fellow piped up.

“Yes, yes, we can’t make it out,” everyone shook their heads.

“Hehe, in our Great Yu Dynasty, we have Ma style, Lin style, and Liu style calligraphy. But this script is my own creation, the ‘Intent Form’ style.”

“Young Master Carter, what is this ‘Intent Form’?” The girl Anna Cooper, leaning on the railing upstairs, couldn’t help but ask.

“It means it’s very abstract, you can only grasp the meaning, but can’t really put it into words. But, does everyone understand what I wrote?” Charles Carter wore the look of a grandmaster, a founder of his own school in the world of calligraphy.

“Yes, we can sense it. Amazing, this script is truly divine, a work that conveys meaning beyond words.” The thin-faced fellow from before stroked his chin and praised, “I myself have just passed the ‘official scholar’ exam of the Great Yu Dynasty, and the ‘Intent Form’ created by Young Master Carter is truly unparalleled.”

“That’s right, even if you took it to the academy, it would be a masterpiece for the ages,” someone chimed in flatteringly.

Utter nonsense, even I can barely recognize what I wrote. Charles Carter thought to himself, sweating inwardly.

“Sir, please come upstairs, Anna Cooper would like to play a few pieces for you.” To everyone’s surprise, Anna Cooper’s cheeks flushed slightly. This time, she bowed deeply, almost touching her head to the railing, a gesture showing great respect for Charles Carter.

Charles Carter glanced sidelong at Brian Smith.

“Go ahead, to be invited by Miss Anna Cooper is your honor.” This time, Brian Smith appeared generous. Hearing this, Charles Carter straightened his skinny chest like a triumphant general and strode toward Miss Anna Cooper. However, as he passed the dejected Robert Thompson, the poetry king, Charles Carter smiled and said, “Brother Thompson, would you care to join me in listening to the music and admiring Miss Anna Cooper’s grace?”

“Thank you, but I wonder if Miss Cooper…” Robert Thompson looked at Anna Cooper with longing.

“You can come too,” Anna Cooper nodded.

Robert Thompson was instantly overjoyed, following behind Charles Carter like an attendant, happily trotting into Room One.

Charles Carter found that Room One was very spacious. It even seemed to be an ancient-style suite. Outside was a small round table, set with exquisite blue-and-white porcelain tea sets. Only by passing through an arched doorway could one enter the inner room, where there was a bed, dressing table, and other furnishings.

Miss Anna Cooper’s zither music was like ethereal sounds from heaven, leaving Charles Carter utterly entranced. This musical skill was far beyond that of any so-called first-class musician of modern times.

Moreover, Charles Carter was amazed to find that, as he listened to the music, he involuntarily began to cultivate the ‘Nine Heavens Vast World Art’.

And as the music flowed, meridians that had previously been blocked suddenly opened up. It seemed the music had the effect of helping to clear one’s meridians.

At this moment, Robert Thompson was like a clay figurine, silent and motionless, completely absorbed in the music.

Snap…

Suddenly, Charles Carter felt a gust of finger wind flick toward him. Just as he was about to dodge, he felt a tremor in his dantian. Instantly, his meridians cleared, and a channel that had long been blocked opened up at that moment.

Charles Carter realized that he had actually broken through to the early stage of the third level of martial artist. Even more wondrous, after reaching the third level, his internal energy flowed more smoothly, and as the music continued, Charles Carter was completely immersed.

After a long while, Charles Carter finally came to his senses. Turning around, he found that the world’s spiritual energy was surging into him, several times faster than usual, and in much greater quantity.

At this moment, a bright spot flashed in his mind. Charles Carter realized that he had mysteriously broken through to the first layer of Qi Refining.

This was of great significance, because with each breakthrough in the Nine Heavens Vast World Art, a new bright spot would appear in the Niwan Palace. The higher the level, the larger the bright spot.

Moreover, Charles Carter discovered that this cultivation technique could be perfectly combined with martial arts. A breakthrough in martial arts could also drive progress in the Nine Heavens Vast World Art.

It must have been Robert Thompson, the poetry king, who had just helped him. Fortunately, he had invited him to listen to the music together, or else he wouldn’t have gained such benefits.

However, the first layer of Qi Refining was just the entry threshold; he couldn’t perform any spells yet, nor could he make talisman papers. Only upon reaching the second layer could he try making the most basic talismans, such as fire or water spirit talismans.

Ten days later, Charles Carter finally arrived at Evil Mountain.

From afar, he could already smell a pungent, bloody odor, and on both sides of the road, amidst the messy weeds, lay all sorts of severed limbs and broken arms, with entrails scattered everywhere.