The weather was gloomy and cold. The New Year had just passed, and it was still the heart of winter, but today was especially frigid. Henry Clark hadn’t been standing for long when snowflakes began to drift down.

This was truly a heavy snowfall, and soon the ground was covered in a vast expanse of white. Judging by the look of it, it would probably snow for quite a while.

There was nowhere to take shelter from the snow.

Although the academy was large, aside from the teachers’ lounge, there were only a handful of places to hide from the rain or snow, such as the cafeteria or the restrooms. But at this time, the cafeteria was definitely closed, and how many people could even fit in the restrooms?

Fortunately, most of the students were young boys and girls, all fond of fun. Plus, this was the first snow of the year, so everyone was excited. You could even hear cheers coming from the other side of the high wall.

Now, Henry Clark was naturally long past the age of playing in the snow. He walked under a large tree, where he could temporarily avoid the snow. But once the snow piled up and exceeded what the leaves could bear, it wouldn’t fall in flakes anymore, but in big clumps.

The numbers of the Eastern and Western factions were roughly equal, because there were very few students in the Sky Institute; most were concentrated in the Earth Institute. This training ground, reserved for the Earth Institute, gathered more than ninety percent of the students of Qianfeng Academy.

Even now, with only half visible, over two thousand people was still a considerable number, so it was impossible for just one or two teachers to lead and manage them.

At Qianfeng Academy, every 50 students formed a group, each led by a teacher. Once students were assigned to a team, they couldn’t change—unless they advanced to the Sky Institute.

Sky Institute students had much more freedom, either hunting fierce beasts outside the city or capturing wanted criminals.

Teams were named after the surname of the leading teacher. For example, the team Henry Clark belonged to was called Team Hu, as their teacher was James Bennett. Because James sounded the same as “scoundrel” in Chinese, it was strictly forbidden to call him by his full name, especially not “Teacher James.”

This teacher was in his forties, at the mid-fourth stage, and had once been a student of the Sky Institute. After graduating, he stayed on at the academy, but after so many years, he still hadn’t reached the Grand Stage.

Of course, at the Earth Institute, a mid-fourth stage was an absolute powerhouse, more than enough to keep ordinary students in check.

Henry Clark stood alone, like a pine tree.

It wasn’t that he was naturally unsociable, but he used to be known as a fool, always slow to react, so how could he have made any friends?

“Henry Clark, I heard your foolishness has been cured?” At that moment, a burly youth walked over. Even though it was the dead of winter, he was bare-chested, his arms as thick as an average person’s thighs, his knotted muscles like chunks of rock, brimming with explosive power.

This person was... Matthew Bolton.

Matthew Bolton wasn’t considered a top expert in the Earth Institute, mainly because he was stubborn to the core and not very bright. However, his physique was excellent, born with great strength. At only sixteen, he had already stepped into the Minor Stage, with strength exceeding 1,800 jin. The Iron Palm technique he practiced suited his personality—direct, forceful, and fierce.

He had another identity: he was John Grant’s lackey.

Henry Clark glanced around and saw John Grant watching him from not far away. When their eyes met, John Grant gave a cold smile. Beside him stood a beautiful young woman, her white clothes even purer than the snow on the ground, elegant and ethereal.

She was his former fiancée, Grace Miller.

What an act—clearly harboring a vicious heart, yet insisting on appearing so pure.

No doubt John Grant was getting impatient. Ever since William Clark died, he’d wanted nothing more than to beat Henry Clark to death. But no matter how bold he was, he wouldn’t dare cause trouble at a former noble’s home. Now that the new term had started, he couldn’t wait to send his lackey to pick a fight.

However, John Grant would never have guessed that in just half a month, Henry Clark had increased his strength to 500 jin and fully mastered the advanced martial art Gale Fist, capable of unleashing triple-wave attacks.

Moreover, Steven Reed had previously “given” Henry Clark a treasure weapon, adding another 1,500 jin to his strength—enough to go head-to-head with Matthew Bolton.

If John Grant were to take action himself, his fourth-stage Minor Stage cultivation and strength exceeding 4,000 jin would absolutely crush Henry Clark. Even with Henry Clark’s powerful deduction and analysis abilities, it would be useless. But if he attacked Henry Clark himself, he’d be a laughingstock.

Wouldn’t he have any shame?

Henry Clark withdrew his gaze and looked back at Matthew Bolton, saying, “Do you have a problem with me?”

“Since you’re cured, spar with me,” Matthew Bolton said. His naturally loud voice boomed, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

However, everyone secretly scoffed.

Sure, the foolishness was cured, but could his strength have improved that quickly? Matthew Bolton was a first-stage Minor Stage, almost at the second stage. Wasn’t this just bullying? There were a lot of people in the Earth Institute, but only about 500 had reached the Minor Stage. Most could only curse inwardly; no one dared offend Matthew Bolton, let alone John Grant.

Whoosh!

Before Henry Clark could agree or refuse, Matthew Bolton had already swung a palm at him, the force howling, the power immense.

He was following John Grant’s orders to give Henry Clark a good lesson.