Within the Cloud Realm, three meridians form a single rank. The body’s three wheels and twenty-seven meridians are divided into Warrior, Martial Master, Secret Martial Master, Innate Martial Master, Martial Lord, Profound Martial Lord, Heavenly Martial Lord, Martial Venerable, and Spirit Martial Venerable. Each rank is further split into three sub-levels. Above these lies the ethereal and unfathomable realm of Immortal Martial Arts!

In the future he comes from, within the Cloud Realm, those who can open their body’s meridians and break through the peak of internal refinement are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Even in the God Emperor Game, decades after the outburst of spiritual energy, most players remain at the level of Innate Martial Master or Grandmaster.

A Secret Martial Master, in any era, can serve as the backbone of a faction!

This fierce swordsman, Owen, who can single-handedly slay five martial cultivators of the same rank, must surely possess secret martial arts.

He was also familiar with this Duyang Mountain. It was quite famous, especially in the early days of the God Emperor Era, stirring up trouble everywhere.

But what concerned him even more was the girl beside him. That expression clearly showed she was already prepared to fight to the death.

As if worried he might be afraid, Ethan suddenly hugged him tightly, murmuring, “Young master, don’t be afraid! The lord already anticipated this and had Ethan bring that thing out. You’ll definitely be fine—”

Henry Clark was caught off guard and found himself embraced, his nose filled with the girl’s fragrance. The next sensation was of softness—his whole face was buried in it, almost unbelievable, so soft and comfortable. Was this Ethan really only thirteen?

Instinctively wanting to break free, he hesitated, a mischievous thought arising. He rubbed his head against Ethan’s chest, enjoying it, and muttered, “I’m not afraid, just worried about Ethan. Mmm, so soft, so fragrant! I really want to take a bite—”

“Young master!”

Just as Ethan showed a touched expression, her body suddenly stiffened, her face blushing as she jumped back.

Henry Clark felt no shame, thinking to himself that this girl was still afraid of physical intimacy. With a sly smile, he looked out the carriage window, meeting the gaze of George Clark atop the hill.

In those sinister eyes was a mocking look, as if staring at a dead man. Then, the edge of the carriage window completely blocked his view.

With a cold sneer, Henry Clark continued spinning the willow-leaf talisman blade between the fingers of his right hand, even faster than before. His wrist was steady as iron, adding a bit more force. Yet his aura was even calmer, almost imperceptible.

Ethan was slightly startled, momentarily forgetting her earlier embarrassment, turning to look carefully at Henry Clark.

Clearly nothing seemed different, yet for some reason, at this moment, Henry Clark gave her an incredibly dangerous feeling.

It was as if the person sitting beside her was not the young master who had practiced martial arts for ten years without success and was called a good-for-nothing, but a primordial beast, ready to devour anyone.

Atop the small hill less than sixty zhang high, George Clark was also watching the carriage two hundred and fifty zhang away, speeding off, his expression dark and sinister.

After a long while, he sneered, “Just as I expected, heh! These people will never willingly stay in Guling Market. Senior Owen, now that you’ve seen them, are you confident?”

“That little girl is of no concern; the three of you can handle her. But as for William Harris—”

Recalling the figure at the front of the carriage, driving sixteen cloud-stepping horses, imposing and powerful, Owen’s eyes gradually showed a grave look, subconsciously tightening his grip on his sword. His withered hand bulged with veins.

“This man’s martial skills are extraordinary! He’s no ordinary martial cultivator—Owen is not his match. How could such a man, being human, serve your Qiantian Mountain?”

George Clark frowned slightly. “I don’t know his origins either. I only know he was once a disciple of a great sect. Because my uncle did him a great favor, he abandoned his sect and became a coachman for Qiantian Mountain. His skills are remarkable. Senior brother, are you truly helpless against him? Actually, if you can just hold him off for a while, that’s enough—”

“I only said I’m not his match, not that I can do nothing. Three days from now, your Senior Thompson will also arrive from Longzeyuan.”

Speaking concisely, Owen now showed a curious expression. “But as for that heir, how do you plan to deal with him? He’s your cousin—do you really intend to kill him on the spot?”

“I, George Clark, am not that stupid!”

With a cold laugh, George Clark finally relaxed. “My uncle has managed things for thirty years; among his followers, there are still some loyal ones. Even if they don’t want that good-for-nothing to become the Demon King, they would never allow my uncle’s only heir to die at someone else’s hands. My brothers are all ambitious—probably hoping I’ll kill Henry Clark myself and take the blame! I was just scaring him earlier. I understand the principle of ‘holding the emperor to command the lords.’”

Upon hearing this, Owen simply shook his head. “Master instructed me to assist you with all my strength. Even if you kill him, it doesn’t matter. If your brothers get in your way, just kill them too. Even if you wipe out all of Qiantian Mountain—so what—”