Holding a hatchet, Grace Howard was shielded behind him as he retreated to the entrance of a cave, confronting the pack of wolves. This standoff lasted for quite a while. During that time, the wolves launched several attacks, but each time Brian Carter drove them back. Only when Grace Howard's guards finally arrived did the danger subside.

Brian Carter never told Grace Howard his name. After making sure Grace Howard was safe, he quietly left. By the time Grace Howard tried to find him, he was already gone.

Brian Carter didn't think much of this incident, nor did he ever imagine that he would meet Grace Howard again many years later.

But the Grace Howard he met again was no longer the frightened little girl who had been terrified by the wolves. She had awakened her bloodline and reached the fifth level of Battle Blood, becoming a prominent figure at Jinyun Academy.

When Grace Howard and Brian Carter met again at the academy, Brian Carter did take a careful look at this proud daughter of the academy, but he didn't recognize her as the little girl he had once saved. However, the moment Grace Howard saw Brian Carter, she recognized him immediately. Overjoyed, she ran straight over, grabbed Brian Carter's arm tightly, just as she had all those years ago.

Chapter Five: The Eight Delicacies of Black Jade

From then on, Grace Howard began to appear frequently in Brian Carter's dormitory, showing him great concern. This left Brian Carter rather puzzled—after all, he had only saved her once all those years ago. Wasn't this a bit much?

Brian Carter couldn't read minds, so he had no way of knowing just how deeply he was imprinted in Grace Howard's heart. Back then, when the wolves swarmed, they were about to bite her neck. At the brink of life and death, in her most desperate and terrified moment, Brian Carter had appeared like a heavenly soldier, saving her and using his not-yet-tall body to shield her from all attacks.

At that moment, Brian Carter's figure in Grace Howard's heart was like a towering mountain, filling her with a sense of security. Brian Carter's resolute, blood-stained little face was so moving.

After that incident, even the Yun family sent people to look for Brian Carter, but to no avail. Brian Carter became someone Grace Howard could never forget, always remembered in her heart. Even in her dreams at midnight, that blood-stained face, those determined, fearless eyes, appeared countless times.

Now that they met again, how could Grace Howard let him slip away?

Brian Carter didn't know what Grace Howard was thinking. Even if he did, he would probably find it hard to understand a young girl's heart. After accepting Grace Howard's invitation, Brian Carter took his leave.

Samuel White watched Brian Carter walk away, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He turned his head, resuming his elegant gentlemanly demeanor, and walked toward Grace Howard with a smile. But by now, Grace Howard's expression had already returned to normal.

Seeing Samuel White still following her, Grace Howard smiled slightly and reminded him, "Samuel White, aren't you going to see Teacher Li? Teacher Li's office is over there. I'm heading to the grade director's office—it's not the same way."

Samuel White looked a bit embarrassed. He hadn't come to see Teacher Li at all; he had just made up an excuse to walk and talk with Grace Howard. Now that Grace Howard had pointed it out, he couldn't very well keep following her.

Watching Grace Howard disappear at the end of the corridor, Samuel White turned and walked back the way he came. Looking at Brian Carter's distant figure, now just a silhouette, a cold smile appeared on Samuel White's face as he muttered under his breath, "This guy will always be a disaster..."

...

Brian Carter held two crystals, feeling the energy from them surge into him. Once again, Brian Carter entered the virtual space within his heart.

Looking at the small house before him, Brian Carter was momentarily dazed.

Yesterday, when he entered, the land in front of the house had been bare. Now, various herbs had grown, many of which were already flowering or even bearing fruit. Among them, Brian Carter even recognized a type called xilan grass.

This virtual space truly was miraculous. These herbs must have grown as a result of absorbing the crystal energy. Last time, when he left, didn't Uncle Ryan say he should find more crystals to provide to the virtual space, and that there would be many wonders? This must be one of those wonders.

Entering the house, Uncle Ryan was still sitting with his eyes half-closed, leaning on the only chair in the room. When he saw Brian Carter come in, he opened his eyes and nodded at the only table. "Chop the radishes."

Without a word, Brian Carter walked over and picked up the kitchen knife again.

As he lifted it, he noticed the knife seemed a bit heavier than yesterday—fortunately, not by much.

Brian Carter marveled inwardly at how amazing this training method was, even the weight of the knife could change automatically...

Very soon, Brian Carter became absorbed in the repetitive motion of chopping radishes. Right from the start today, Brian Carter adjusted his posture, aligning every muscle in his body so that his strength flowed smoothly into both hands.

The knife fell again and again, the sound at first uneven, but gradually becoming neat and crisp. The interval between each chop became more and more uniform, and the pitch and length of each crisp sound also became exactly the same...