In fact, throughout the entire The Carter Family, there are only three treasured mounts, belonging respectively to Harold Carter, the clan leader Samuel Carter, and the grand elder Neil Carter.

A treasured mount is a savage beast that has been captured and then tamed. Savage beasts have nine ranks, and the higher the rank, the more powerful they are. Each rank of savage beast is almost equivalent in strength to a ninth-rank human martial artist.

Not only are they extremely difficult to capture alive, but even if captured, they often refuse to submit.

The treasured mount beneath Harold Carter is a second-rank Deep Shadow Leopard, which is considered a powerful existence even among second-rank savage beasts.

Back in the day, in order to tame this treasured mount, Harold Carter was left with nine huge scars.

Before that, he had captured a total of six second-rank savage beasts. All the others chose death over submission; in the end, only this one was successfully tamed.

However, a single second-rank savage beast is equivalent to a strong practitioner at the Life Spirit Realm among humans, which is of great help to Harold Carter—the treasured mount is also an important part of his combat strength.

In the martial path above the Dark Sea, there are nine realms. The lowest is the Life Origin Realm, followed by the Life Spirit Realm, Life Prison Realm, Life Lamp Realm, Life Bridge Realm, Life Profound Realm, Life Transition Realm, Life Ultimate Realm, and Life Heaven Realm.

As for Andrew Carter, the realm he is currently in—the Nine Veins Realm—is actually just a preparatory stage. Disciples at this stage can't even be called true martial artists.

Only by solidifying the body's foundation during the Nine Veins Realm can one further cultivate the true martial path.

The treasured mount, the Deep Shadow Leopard, let out a furious roar and charged forward. After it passed, a series of deep pits were left in the hard ground. The six fine steeds behind it were already considered outstanding among warhorses, but when accompanying the Deep Shadow Leopard, they trembled with fear.

Only when the Deep Shadow Leopard was dozens of zhang ahead did they dare to start running.

Andrew Carter glanced back at the distant Soul Suppressing Mountain, then turned and shouted loudly, urging his horse to catch up with the others.

From the manor to the county town, a journey of several dozen li, the group made it back in just one hour.

The The Carter Estate is one of the grandest mansions in Anhuai County, and Harold Carter's Deep Shadow Leopard is even more of a symbol. As soon as they arrived at the gate, a servant immediately came forward to greet them: “Third Master, you’re back.”

Harold Carter dismounted, his face dark, and took down a long box strapped to the Deep Shadow Leopard’s back.

Seeing that black iron box, the servants couldn’t help but shudder. Everyone recognized it—inside that box was the precious first-rank alchemical weapon, the Night Song Sword!

The Third Master taking out this alchemical weapon clearly meant he was about to lose his temper!

Why? The reason was obvious. The servants glanced at Andrew Carter behind Harold Carter; wasn’t it all because of this good-for-nothing?

What had happened at the manor, Victor Carter considered a great humiliation and naturally wouldn’t spread it around, so most of the family still didn’t know.

They still thought that this useless coward, just like before, had been bullied and went home to complain, letting his father take revenge for him.

In fact, even in the past, Andrew Carter had hardly ever complained; it was always Harold Carter who discovered his son had been bullied and couldn’t help but retaliate.

Of course, Andrew Carter noticed the looks from those servants. He sneered inwardly, but saw no need to explain himself to these people.

“Third Brother!” An angry shout came from the main gate as eldest uncle Samuel Carter strode out, face dark, hands clasped behind his back.

He wore a dark robe, with a blazing flame embroidered in gold thread on his chest. His figure was tall and imposing, full of the authority of a family head.

“What do you think you’re doing?” As soon as he appeared, he questioned Harold Carter. Behind him, second uncle George Carter, fourth uncle Simon Carter, and others came out together.

They were all the eldest uncle’s trusted followers. On the other hand, the grand elder Neil Carter, who was closer to Harold Carter’s branch, was nowhere to be seen.

Harold Carter let out a cold laugh: “What am I doing? Big brother, I should be asking you—is Andrew Carter your nephew or not? Is he a member of our The Carter Family or not?”

Jack Carter, standing behind George Carter, interjected loudly: “It’d be best if Andrew Carter wasn’t a member of the The Carter Family. Having such a useless person in any family is bad luck, but unfortunately, we have no choice—he’s still one of us.”

Harold Carter flew into a rage, his eyes flashing like lightning: “Insolence! How dare you interrupt when your elders are speaking!”

Harold Carter’s aura surged forth, but was blocked by a domineering force. George Carter sneered: “Third Brother, Jie’er is just blunt. He may be a bit rude, but he’s telling the truth. Your Andrew Carter, ever since he was born, has brought shame to the Sun family. Even now, he’s disgraced us all the way to the ancestral land. Now even the main family knows we have such a useless good-for-nothing…”

Harold Carter was shaking with anger, his hand already on the black iron box. A hand reached out and gently pressed his arm.

“Father, let me handle this.”

Andrew Carter stepped forward, head held high, looking at Jack Carter: “Come out. You’re ashamed of me, but honestly, I also feel helpless being born into the same family as someone like you.”

Jack Carter was overjoyed; he had been looking for a chance to teach Andrew Carter a lesson: “You asked for this! You coward, do you really think I’d be afraid of you?”

Jack Carter leapt down, cracking his knuckles. Andrew Carter suddenly showed a playful expression: “Since you call me a coward, do you dare to make a bet with this coward?”

“A bet on what!” Jack Carter replied, looking completely unafraid.