Edward Howard nodded. “I’ll come again tomorrow.” With that, carrying his medicine box, he ignored the sincere thanks from David Newman and Grace Newman and left The Newman Family straight away.

In the days that followed, every night when William Newman cultivated, he would inexplicably fall into dreams, witnessing all sorts of incredible miracles in that unknown world.

Each time he woke from the dream, he was utterly exhausted, and only at dawn would he fall asleep again.

As for Edward Howard, he arrived punctually every night, using strange medicinal liquids that made William Newman wish for death.

The final day.

William Newman’s whole body was flushed red as he jumped out of the clear-water wooden tub and respectfully thanked Edward Howard.

Edward Howard’s expression was indifferent, and he casually asked, “Have you been dreaming every day lately?”

“How did you know?” William Newman asked in surprise.

“I know the reason for your sudden strange illness.” Edward Howard pondered for a moment, deliberately lowering his voice. “Don’t tell anyone about this, not even your grandfather or your aunt.”

“Why?” William Newman was puzzled.

“Don’t ask why. As long as you promise me, I’ll give you a pill that can extend your grandfather’s life by ten years.” Edward Howard said seriously.

“Alright!” William Newman agreed joyfully.

He didn’t need anyone to say more; from David Newman’s condition, he could tell that David Newman didn’t have much time left.

David Newman’s worsening health had always been a demon in his heart. He had long secretly vowed that once he became strong, the first thing he would do was help David Newman find a cure.

“That pill can’t heal your grandfather’s serious injuries; it can only prolong his life. You must understand this.” Edward Howard explained.

“I understand.” William Newman took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said firmly, “Ten years! I will do everything I can in ten years to help him escape his suffering!”

“You have such ambition—very good.” Edward Howard reached out and gently patted his shoulder, saying meaningfully, “We will meet again.”

Chapter 12: Only the Wearer Knows if the Shoes Fit

“Grandpa, Mr. Howard left a pill, saying… it can let you live ten more years.” William Newman handed the dark green pill to David Newman.

“Ah!” Grace Newman was instantly excited. She hurriedly turned to chase after Edward Howard to thank him.

But Edward Howard had already disappeared.

“A pill that can let me live ten more years!” David Newman was also invigorated. He took the pill from William Newman, inhaling the rich medicinal fragrance deeply. “If it’s real, just this one pill is worth far more than what we paid him!”

“Why would Mr. Howard do a losing business? Who exactly is he?” Grace Newman exclaimed in surprise and delight.

“He said…” William Newman hesitated, then made up a kind lie, “He said he and I are fated.”

“Fated?” David Newman frowned slightly. “I find it a bit strange. You two stay here, I’ll go into the city to find him. No matter what, I must thank him in person—he’s shown us too much kindness.”

With that, David Newman took the pill and left first.

Unfortunately, after searching Black Cloud City for two days, he still couldn’t find any trace of Edward Howard. Just as he had come, Edward Howard had quietly arrived and then vanished without a trace.

With suspicions swirling, David Newman observed for several days and found that William Newman no longer had sudden high fevers, which convinced him that Edward Howard meant no harm.

He also came to believe that the pill Edward Howard left behind was not intended to hurt him.

So he took the strange pill—whose name he didn’t even know—with peace of mind, and immediately felt his vitality and spirit improve significantly.

In the days that followed, whenever William Newman cultivated using the Qi Refining Technique, he clearly felt that the spiritual energy he absorbed no longer dispersed throughout his flesh and limbs.

It was as if his strong body had already absorbed enough power and no longer needed extra nourishment to grow.

Three months later, William Newman’s long-stagnant cultivation finally broke through, advancing from the third to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

At this time, William Newman was also about to celebrate his eleventh birthday.

To avoid making things difficult for his grandfather, in recent days William Newman no longer went to the square to cultivate early in the morning, nor did he cause any more trouble.

Most of the time, he trained hard in his own room, occasionally strolling around Black Cloud City with his aunt Grace Newman.

That morning, while cultivating at dawn, he suddenly heard a great commotion coming from the square.

The noise grew louder and louder, making it impossible for him to focus on cultivation, until he could no longer resist and headed toward the square.

As he approached, he saw that many elders of the The Newman Family had gathered in the square. Each one was beaming with joy, as if it were New Year’s.

Samuel Woods, who was responsible for teaching the The Newman Family children, also wore a heartfelt smile, repeatedly saying, “Benjamin Newman has successfully broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining!”

“Fourteen years old! Ninth level of Qi Refining!” William Newman was also uplifted, secretly happy for Benjamin Newman.

He wasn’t familiar with Benjamin Newman, but many times when he clashed with Charles Newman and Matthew Newman, Benjamin Newman had spoken fairly, unlike other The Newman Family members who only ever sided with Charles Newman and Matthew Newman.