Sarah Bennett snapped out of her daydream and shook her head. “William Harper, your potential is far beyond my expectations, beyond everyone’s expectations. You are a true genius in the way of the sword! But precisely because of this, I must be responsible for your safety. Your future is limitless, and your achievements will surely shake the world.

Right now, your cultivation is still low, you are in a weak stage. It’s unwise to risk your life against others at this time. Focus on your training first. Your top priority now is to cultivate diligently, improve your cultivation, and strengthen your power. As for everything else, let me handle it for now!”

William Harper’s expression was resolute as he said, “Mentor, unless Henry Clark, James Morgan, and Frank Scott are eliminated, I cannot find peace of mind. It’s like a bone stuck in my throat. I have absolute confidence to fight them to the death.”

Sarah Bennett looked at William Harper.

William Harper also looked at Sarah Bennett.

The two locked eyes. After a while, William Harper still showed no sign of discouragement, his gaze unwavering.

Sensing William Harper’s firm will, Sarah Bennett felt a slight headache, sighed, and said, “I can agree, but you must satisfy one condition.”

William Harper said, “Please tell me, Mentor!”

Sarah Bennett said, “The gap between the fourth and seventh level of the Condensing Origin Realm is too great. Wait until your cultivation reaches the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm, then I’ll agree to your life-and-death challenge. Before that, it’s out of the question!”

William Harper was silent for a moment, then said, “Alright, that day shouldn’t be far off!”

To William Harper, practicing swordsmanship was cultivation itself.

Especially when swordsmanship was honed to the point of comprehending the true essence of the sword, it greatly enhanced his sword energy.

William Harper’s method for quickly breaking through to the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm was to practice swordsmanship, specifically the Condensing Mountain Sword Technique.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

William Harper’s speed in mastering sword techniques was beyond ordinary imagination. In just three days, he had thoroughly mastered the Condensing Mountain Sword Technique and comprehended the true essence of Condensing Mountain.

When the true essence of Condensing Mountain was infused into his sword technique, the longsword in his hand became as heavy as a mountain, its power greatly increased.

When the true essence of Condensing Mountain enveloped his body, William Harper felt as if he had become a mountain standing on the ground, incomparably solid—far stronger than any “Thousand-Pound Drop” technique.

When William Harper took a step, as his foot landed, the entire Seventh Peak trembled slightly, as if two mountains were colliding.

Whoosh—

Within William Harper, sword energy circulated, radiating an extremely terrifying aura. The surrounding void suddenly surged with elemental energy, swirling around William Harper and forming a storm of energy.

The aura of four meridians appeared, and the aura of a fifth meridian gradually emerged as well.

With the Gale Sword Technique and the Condensing Mountain Sword Technique, William Harper had comprehended the true essence of both, greatly strengthening the sword energy within him. It reached the strength of the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm, and he naturally broke through the fifth meridian.

Cultivation breakthrough—Condensing Origin Realm, fifth level!

When the energy storm was absorbed by William Harper, his cultivation stabilized at the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

With his breakthrough to the fifth level, the death of Henry Clark, James Morgan, and Frank Scott was at hand!

Chapter 15: The Life-and-Death Challenge

Seventh Peak.

In Sarah Bennett’s residence.

When William Harper revealed the aura of five meridians, Sarah Bennett was instantly astonished.

She had said that once William Harper reached the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm, she would agree to his life-and-death challenge!

Yet, in just three days, William Harper’s cultivation had broken through to the fifth level. Such speed was truly shocking.

“Mentor, my cultivation has reached the fifth level of the Condensing Origin Realm. I have prepared the life-and-death challenge letters. Please sign them!” William Harper handed three challenge letters to Sarah Bennett.

Sarah Bennett shook her head helplessly and signed her name on each of the three letters. “I hope you achieve a resounding victory!”

William Harper’s eyes were full of confidence. “They must pay the price for what they have done!”

Sarah Bennett put away the three challenge letters and said, “I will have them delivered to the three targets. William Harper, even if you are certain of victory, let me remind you: show mercy when possible.

On the life-and-death stage, the victor holds the power of life and death. If you kill all three disciples, it will harm your reputation. Teach them a lesson, reclaim your lost dignity, and that will be enough!”

A sharp glint flashed in William Harper’s eyes. “Some people can live, but some… must die!”

The three challenge letters were soon delivered to the three targets—Seventh Peak disciple Henry Clark! Fourth Peak disciple James Morgan! First Peak disciple Frank Scott!

News spread, and the entire Outer Sect of the Ancient Sword Sect was shaken.

Although the Ancient Sword Sect had rules for life-and-death challenges, in reality, very few disciples ever issued such challenges.

In a whole year, there might not even be one life-and-death challenge, after all, challenging someone of higher cultivation is not something everyone has the courage or strength to do!

Without enough strength, stepping onto the life-and-death stage could mean your own death. Naturally, few disciples dared to initiate such a challenge.

But now, William Harper had issued three challenge letters in a row, challenging three disciples to a life-and-death duel.