Henry Dawson suddenly stiffened; he heard the sounds of fighting coming from afar. Curiosity piqued, he leapt up and swept through the branches.

Ahead, a massive boulder appeared, its surface perfectly flat, and a fierce battle was taking place atop it.

On one side was a human; on the other, a giant ape, as tall as two men!

The ape was covered in golden fur, its eyes a vivid emerald green. Coupled with its enormous size, it exuded an overwhelming sense of power.

— Emerald-Eyed Ape, a demon beast!

An adult Emerald-Eyed Ape was at the Bone-Refining stage, naturally cruel, possessing boundless strength, and feeding on the brains of tigers and leopards. It could easily wipe out a squad of Flesh-Refining martial artists!

To be able to stand against such a creature—what kind of formidable, almost superhuman, expert could it be?

Henry Dawson turned his gaze to the person fighting the Emerald-Eyed Ape, only to find that the opponent was not a burly, fierce-eyed man, but rather a stunningly beautiful young woman, about eighteen or nineteen years old. She wore a pale yellow long dress, with only a red silk sash at her waist as decoration, perfectly outlining her graceful, curvaceous figure.

This beauty also wielded a sword; its blade was cold and gleaming like water, clearly no ordinary weapon. That was why the Emerald-Eyed Ape was so wary, not daring to press too close.

Sword energy swept in all directions, like a flying dragon soaring through the sky. Combined with the woman's outstanding looks and proud figure, it was a feast for the eyes. And to be able to face this Bone-Refining stage demon beast head-on, this beauty must at least be at the eighth, or even ninth, level of Body Refining!

Henry Dawson found it pleasing to watch, but the Emerald-Eyed Ape was clearly suffering, constantly screeching and dodging, not daring to meet the sword head-on.

“If that thrust had been half an inch more to the left, it would have been even better!”

“Hmm, that strike was too early; she could have waited half a second!”

“How can she be so clumsy? If the sword momentum is spent, why not follow through with another push?”

As a fellow human, Henry Dawson naturally sided with the beauty, but watching her swordplay made him want to jump down and give her a good scolding. How could someone be so clumsy, turning a perfectly good sword technique into such a mess!

“Huh, since when did my eye become so sharp?”

It was only after a while that Henry Dawson realized he could easily spot the flaws in the beauty’s sword moves!

Not only that, it was as if he had practiced that sword technique a thousand, ten thousand times—he knew it inside and out, every strength and weakness at his fingertips!

But he had been unable to cultivate before, and only started learning swordsmanship just over two months ago. From start to finish, he had only learned the Nine Forms of Ling Tian, and even now had only mastered the essence of the first form!

Hiss!

Just what level had he reached!

He had already transcended the level of individual moves, now viewing things from above, approaching the very Dao itself!

Henry Dawson couldn’t help but feel a rush of blood to his head, his mind dizzy and dazed. When he came to his senses, he saw the Emerald-Eyed Ape roar and leap away, its figure flashing like lightning, disappearing in an instant.

The beauty did not give chase, seemingly knowing that with the ape’s agility, it would be impossible to catch it in the mountains and forests. With a clang, she sheathed her sword, her bright, clear eyes turning toward the tree where Henry Dawson was hiding.

“Haven’t you seen enough yet?” she called out coldly, but her voice was as melodious as a spring emerging from a valley.

So she had noticed him long ago!

Henry Dawson leapt down from the tree, his Cloud-Stepping technique unfolding naturally, the snow barely covering his feet.

The beauty couldn’t help but show a trace of shock, her elegant brows knitting as she said, “Who are you, sir, and why are you spying from the side?”

Henry Dawson waved his hands and smiled, “Don’t misunderstand, I was just passing by!”

Peeking at someone’s training or battle was a major taboo!

“Hmph, do you think I’ll believe you just because you say so?” The beauty slapped her right hand, and her sword shot from its sheath, cold and gleaming. She thought Henry Dawson was hiding to secretly learn her sword technique.

Henry Dawson, after all, was still a seventeen-year-old youth, naturally proud. He curled his lips and said, “With your messy swordplay, do you really think I’d bother to steal it?”

“Hmph, then let me show you the power of this ‘messy’ swordplay!” the beauty shouted angrily, her sword flashing as she thrust swiftly at Henry Dawson’s wrist.

Her name was Grace Hamilton, daughter of the Sect Master of the Nine Spirits Sect, a natural martial arts prodigy, exceptionally intelligent! The Waterfall Sword Technique she practiced was a unique art of the Nine Spirits Sect, extremely difficult to master; fewer than ten people in the sect had succeeded in learning it!

She had achieved notable success in just three years, earning countless accolades! Earlier, she had even forced the Emerald-Eyed Ape to retreat. Although part of that was due to her divine weapon, it was enough to prove the power of her sword technique!

This was her greatest pride, yet Henry Dawson dared to disparage her swordplay—how could she not be furious!

She was not malicious by nature; this strike was only meant to teach Henry Dawson a lesson, not to harm him.

Who would have thought Henry Dawson would simply shift his foot and dodge, flashing her a bright, sunny smile that nearly drove her mad with anger!

The hateful brat—was he provoking her?

Grace Hamilton felt a surge of anger rise within her. Swish, swish, swish—she kept swinging her sword, determined to make this infuriating boy suffer a little.

With swordplay at this level... even in ten thousand years, he wouldn’t touch the hem of her clothes!