The low spirits of the team did not affect their marching speed. Andrew Adams said to leave quickly and keep moving forward, and everyone resolutely and thoroughly carried out this principle. When hungry, they just ate some fruit or whatever was at hand. As for the night, it didn’t matter—everyone carried night vision goggles. After a whole night of continuous trekking, no one knew where they had arrived, but no one had any intention of stopping. The last thing Andrew Adams said was for everyone to keep going, so they did. Maybe there was some other meaning behind it; to stop would be to let down Andrew Adams.

No one noticed that the pale face of Andrew Adams, carried on Jack Carter’s back, had gained some color. Those two howls had already exhausted all of Andrew Adams’s internal energy and strength, leaving him feeling completely drained. Although he knew everyone was still moving forward, he simply didn’t have the strength to ask them to stop and rest for a while.

The constant running made Andrew Adams’s chest feel even more uncomfortable. He barely woke from unconsciousness, only to faint again. Who knew how much time had passed? He felt a familiar trace of inner energy flowing inside him, and couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. He quickly began silently circulating his cultivation technique, guiding this small stream of energy along the secret paths.

After another unknown period of time, Andrew Adams felt the inner energy in his body growing stronger and stronger. He was overjoyed, gritted his teeth, endured the pain from the jolting, and stubbornly held onto his consciousness, silently practicing his technique. Gradually, he regained control over his body, and the vital energy and spiritual energy of nature around him surged into his body, transforming into inner energy.

Suddenly, Andrew Adams realized that this must be the opportunity for a breakthrough after a great setback. He was overjoyed, skillfully circulated his energy, and his body quickly recovered completely. His internal energy increased greatly, with faint signs of a breakthrough. Truly, a blessing in disguise!

As he was walking, Jack Carter suddenly felt some heat on his back. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but then realized something was wrong. He quickly stopped and told everyone about it. They thought Andrew Adams had a fever, so they put Andrew Adams down and laid him flat on the ground. After feeling his forehead, they found he didn’t have a fever.

No one could see anything unusual, so they all looked at David Bolton. When there’s a problem, you look to the leader. David Bolton couldn’t see anything either, shook his head, his face full of anxiety and guilt.

The order was given to rest on the spot. Some fetched water, some went hunting, some made a ‘parasol’—of course, to shade Andrew Adams from the sun. After a while, the hunters returned, the water fetchers came back, and a fire was started.

After a while, seeing that Andrew Adams still hadn’t woken up, everyone, feeling down, busied themselves with their own tasks. What was worrying was that the water was boiling, the food was cooked, but the person still hadn’t woken up.

No one knew that at this moment, Andrew Adams was at a very critical juncture. Fortunately, Jack Carter had discovered the situation in time, put Andrew Adams down, and laid him flat. This way, the inner energy in his body wouldn’t run wild, avoiding a deviation that could lead to disaster.

Gradually, Andrew Adams felt the inner energy in his body was like a furnace, tempering his body and expanding his meridians, endlessly. Andrew Adams tried to control the inner energy, but it only brought immense pain, as if his heart was being cut by knives and his body was about to split apart.

Clinging to consciousness, Andrew Adams gritted his teeth and refused to pass out. Seeing that this energy couldn’t be controlled, he thought of a terrifying consequence and was shocked, his heart filled with bitterness. He hadn’t even left these mountains, and now it seemed he would become one with them forever. Sigh.

After several futile struggles, which only brought endless pain, Andrew Adams let go. Dust returns to dust, earth to earth—maybe this was fate. Naturally optimistic, Andrew Adams simply relaxed his mind and let things take their course, allowing the inner energy to circulate on its own, silently reciting the “Natural Sutra” in his mind. Life and death—let heaven decide!

A passage of text flowed through his mind, the final section of the “Natural Sutra”’s general principles: “The essence of the ultimate way, subtle and obscure; the extreme of the ultimate way, dim and silent. See nothing, hear nothing, embrace the spirit in stillness. The form will correct itself, must be still and clear; do not labor to adorn the form, do not shake to adorn the spirit, only then can one live long. Eyes see nothing, ears hear nothing, heart knows nothing; thus, when spirit and form are united, one can live long.”

Gradually, Andrew Adams felt himself merging with his surroundings, and the inner energy in his body slowly calmed down, like a gentle child flowing through his meridians, repairing the damaged channels and body.

After a while, Andrew Adams felt completely comfortable, as if every cell in his body was singing, an indescribable joy. He knew he was fully recovered, his internal cultivation had advanced greatly, and he was just one key step away from the third breakthrough. Breaking through the third level was only a matter of time. He couldn’t help but feel delighted, slowly opened his eyes, and saw four familiar people, all looking downcast as they ate.

Some memories returned, and Andrew Adams climbed up with a smile, saying, “And you call yourselves brothers? You’re eating and didn’t even call me—so unbrotherly!”

“Brother Wuji?” Everyone was overjoyed, crowding around him with incredible speed, looking Andrew Adams up and down, touching here and there, all with smiles on their faces.

“Don’t touch, don’t touch.” Andrew Adams was tickled by everyone and wanted to laugh, dodging left and right.

Everyone burst out laughing, the laughter so genuine, so sincere, so heartwarming.

“Brother, you’re something else. I, Jack Carter, truly admire you.” Jack Carter said with a laugh, handing over a big helmet full of food.