“It was all thanks to Second Brother. He led us deep into the core of the Northern Mountain Range, fought our way into the Dragonflame Lake area, and in the end, we managed to slay a large number of demon beasts.”

“Second Master alone killed that giant python in Dragonflame Lake. When his cold blade was drawn, its power was unmatched.”

“When we were chasing the Iron Rhinoceros, we ran into people from the Mu Family Village. They tried to snatch it from us, but Second Master defeated their so-called Mu Family Three Heroes with a single strike.”

“Second Master truly deserves his reputation as a figure who shakes the land north of the river. Even the chief of the Northern Mountain Stronghold is probably no better.”

Everyone chatted and laughed, and the burly man carrying the massive body of the Iron Rhinoceros, Jack Johnson, became the center of attention.

Unlike his usual white clothes at the manor, Jack Johnson was now wearing a set of blue soft armor.

“Father is so strong, really so strong.” Henry Johnson looked at his tall father in the distance. Even though his father had already concealed his aura, he could still sense the unfathomable presence and thought to himself, “Is this a Martial Master? He can slay a giant serpent demon ten zhang long all by himself, and in the water at that?”

After spending several years in this world, Henry Johnson understood as well.

The giant serpents in this world were nothing like the jungle pythons of his previous life on Earth. These were true demons—whether in strength or agility, they were beyond imagination.

“Bang!”

The altar in the main hall was opened.

Numerous powerful demon beast corpses were placed one after another on the huge altar, piled together. A strong stench of blood spread out, and then the main hall doors were closed again.

These great demons were to be used for the grand sacrificial ceremony.

At this moment, the soldiers in the guard also dispersed and went home.

Henry Johnson followed his father into the inner manor.

“Han’er.” Jack Johnson lowered his head, reached out, and patted Henry Johnson on the head.

“Father.” Henry Johnson nodded.

“In a few days, it will be the ancestral sacrificial ceremony. Children of the right age will undergo a bloodline talent baptism to test their cultivation aptitude. You’ll have to participate as well.” Jack Johnson said with a smile.

In the Jiang Family Manor, six-year-old children had to be tested for cultivation talent. After all, the manor’s resources were limited and could only be allocated for training based on the level of talent.

As a father, Jack Johnson naturally hoped that Henry Johnson would have as much talent as possible.

After all, in this world, no matter how powerful your elders are, if you want to earn true respect from others, you still have to rely on yourself.

“Mm, Father, I’ll do my best.” Henry Johnson nodded.

Jack Johnson also smiled. Henry Johnson was precocious and understood things quickly, so there was no need to say more.

……

Late at night.

Henry Johnson opened his eyes, turned his head slightly, and through the window, he noticed that the crystal lamp in his parents’ room next door was still on.

Since he was two, he had slept in a separate room from his parents.

“What are Father and Mother doing? Why aren’t they asleep yet?” Henry Johnson wondered. Usually, his parents went to bed very early.

He got up and quietly went to the door of his parents’ room. The door wasn’t closed, and through a crack, Henry Johnson could just see what was happening inside.

“Jack.” Vera Quinn was holding some medicine, gently applying it to Jack Johnson’s back, her eyes slightly red. “The Northern Mountain Range is the most dangerous place in all of Hong City. It’s one thing for you to stay on the outskirts, but why did you take the guards into the core area? Do you know how dangerous it is in there?”

On Jack Johnson’s back was a shocking wound, but the muscles had clamped it tightly, so there was no more bleeding.

“Didn’t I come back? It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious.” Jack Johnson said with a gentle smile, comforting his wife.

“That’s only because you ran into a serpent demon that hadn’t yet transformed into a flood dragon. What if you’d encountered a demon king of the innate realm?” Tears welled up in Vera Quinn’s eyes.

She was usually gentle, but when it came to her husband’s life and safety, she became anxious. “If something happened to you, what would Han’er and I do? Have you forgotten what happened back then? So many years have passed, but there must still be demon kings in the core of the Northern Mountain Range.”

A demon king could rival an innate human expert—not something an ordinary Martial Master could handle.

As she spoke, tears shimmered in Vera Quinn’s eyes. Jack Johnson quickly stood up and pulled his wife into his arms. “Vera, I promise you, this is the last time. I’ll never do anything so reckless again.”

Vera Quinn rested her head on her husband’s chest and put down the medicine.

“Vera, Han’er is six now and will soon undergo the bloodline baptism.” Jack Johnson said softly. “Only with strong enough demon beast blood can his talent be fully awakened.”

Vera Quinn was momentarily stunned.

“If possible, it would be best to use the blood of an innate demon king for Han’er’s baptism. Unfortunately, I’m not capable enough to obtain such a treasure.” Jack Johnson continued, “But whether it’s that serpent demon or the Iron Rhinoceros, they’re both just a step away from being demon kings, comparable to a Martial Master at the peak. Using their blood for Han’er’s baptism won’t be much worse than using a demon king’s.”

“As a father, this is all I can do.” Jack Johnson said self-mockingly.

“Jack.” Vera Quinn hugged her husband tightly.

In the darkness, the light in the room quietly went out.

Henry Johnson returned to his own bed.