In the blink of an eye, Brian Carter's sweeping kick toward Stephen Grant did not change its trajectory, but his body suddenly rose a foot higher. Although Stephen Grant blocked the heavy blow with both hands, his injuries worsened once again. At the same time, Brian Carter's back took a hit from the sneak attacker, but given Brian Carter's physical strength, it was still bearable. The most painful part was that Brian Carter could have endured it, but deliberately pretended to be seriously injured, forcibly using his demonic energy to cough up a mouthful of blood. If, with his mid-stage fasting cultivation, he had taken a blow from a late-stage fasting cultivator and remained unscathed, it would surely have drawn the attention of those with ulterior motives!

After retreating a few steps, he discovered that the sneak attacker was Charles Foster. At this moment, the greenish hue on Charles Foster's face was even more pronounced, and he appeared exceptionally strange.

"To think that after just a year since joining, junior brother's skills have reached such a level—truly impressive! Judging by your technique, it doesn't seem to be our sect's Wuji Demonic Arts. I wonder what kind of technique it is that has allowed you to progress so quickly. Eric Brooks Shishu is truly remarkable! Heh, let me experience your secret technique for myself!"

With a sinister laugh, Charles Foster closed in again, moving even faster than Stephen Grant. With his own mid-stage fasting cultivation paired with the speed of the Nine Nether Ghost Phantom Technique, he could barely keep up. After all, his own training was still shallow, and Brian Carter's victory over Stephen Grant had relied on the element of surprise.

But now, there was no room for luck. After all, this was his first real fight with others, and compared to Charles Foster, he was far less experienced. In just a short time, his body had already taken several hits, and he was only able to hold on thanks to his robust physique.

Fortunately, sect infighting forbade the use of weapons, and with Charles Foster's cultivation, he couldn't use any powerful spell talismans either. This made the fight purely physical; otherwise, Brian Carter would have already fallen.

Another punch came at Brian Carter's chest. Brian Carter used the Nine Nether Ghost Phantom Technique to dodge to the left, ending up right in front of Richard Bolton. Suddenly, a powerful demonic aura pressed down on Brian Carter, rendering him immobile. The next moment, a wave of intense pain surged through his nerves—Richard Bolton, having waited long enough, finally made his move!

After all, there was a difference of one level, and Richard Bolton's demonic arts were quite formidable. This heavy blow truly injured Brian Carter—this time, it was no act!

Brian Carter dropped to one knee, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, gasping for breath. He secretly resolved that if this person made another move, he would immediately draw the Heaven-defying Sword. Even if it meant exposing all his treasures, he had to escape at once. With a gap of one cultivation stage, and after fighting for so long and now injured, there was no way he could be a match for this person. Although Brian Carter felt this person wouldn't take his life, he dared not gamble with his own. No wonder this person was so arrogant—he truly had the right to be!

Fortunately, this person was extremely confident and did not strike again. He merely looked at Brian Carter and nodded slowly: "Not bad, you have some skill. To still be half-standing after taking my blow—just for that, I'll let you off today. This matter ends here. Charles, take Stephen Grant, we're leaving!"

"Hold it! You injured my disciple and want to leave so easily? It's not that simple!" With a furious roar, Eric Brooks strode into the room!

Chapter 009: Master and Disciple Face Off

"Oh, so it's Brooks Shishu. Carter Shidi disrupted the sect rules for no reason, so I gave him a lesson—what's wrong with that? Brooks Elder, you've just reached the Nascent Soul stage, yet instead of secluding yourself to consolidate your cultivation, you seem quite at leisure!" Richard Bolton's words were still arrogant, but he cupped his hands in salute.

"Heh, what a joke! Brian Carter disturbed the peace of the sect? Brooks Shizhi, you took it upon yourself to teach him a lesson, causing such a ruckus in the Wuji Demonic Sect that even I was awakened from my closed-door cultivation. Wouldn't that count as disturbing the peace as well? The three of you ganged up on him, and your cultivation is a whole stage higher than his. Isn't that bullying the weak with strength and numbers? Why don't you tell me—should I give you all a lesson as well?" Eric Brooks's eyes had turned ghostly green once more.

Stared at by those ghostly eyes, Richard Bolton felt a chill rise from the depths of his heart, making him extremely uneasy. Eric Brooks had never taken a disciple and was known for his ruthless ways. Although Richard Bolton had never had any conflict with him and thus little contact, now that he had struck Brian Carter, he hadn't expected Eric Brooks to arrive so quickly! It was truly unexpected. Still, Richard Bolton relied on his grandfather's favor and wasn't really afraid of what Eric Brooks might do. Besides, since Eric Brooks was a disciple of Ma Feng, he wouldn't go too far for Zhang Heng's sake. Taking his life was unlikely, but losing face was inevitable!

"Brooks Shishu, we may have been in the wrong, but Stephen Grant is already seriously injured, and it doesn't look any lighter than Brian Carter's injuries. Your disciple was far too ruthless. He and I are both third-generation disciples, so it's hardly bullying the weak. If Brooks Shishu wants to punish me, that would truly be bullying the younger generation!" Richard Bolton replied in an orderly manner.

Seeing Eric Brooks's anger subside somewhat, he glanced at the meditating Brian Carter and continued, "In that case, I have a mid-grade spirit stone here for Carter Shidi, as an apology to Brooks Shishu. Would that be acceptable?"