William Clark had mediocre talent, even somewhat below average. Normally, with talent like his, it would take at least a dozen years to advance to the second level of martial arts. But just now, he had unintentionally entered a state similar to enlightenment, and with the flow of true qi within his body, William Clark had effortlessly broken through from the first to the second level of martial arts. Moreover, the true qi in his body was circulating steadily and vibrantly, with no sign of an unstable foundation at all!

　　This was truly a miracle!

Chapter 0003: The Highest Good Is Like Water

　　"Enlightenment, I actually entered the legendary state of enlightenment! This is just wonderful!" The thought that a single moment of enlightenment had allowed him to break through to the second level of martial arts made even the usually calm William Clark feel a surge of excitement.

　　Enlightenment is a peculiar state of realization. For martial artists, a single experience of enlightenment usually leads to a great leap in cultivation. Even if there is no obvious improvement in cultivation, the martial artist's temperament and mental strength will be greatly enhanced, making the path of future cultivation much smoother. Enlightenment is something that cannot be sought but only encountered, yet William Clark had stumbled into it by accident and easily broken through to the second level of martial arts!

　　"Enlightenment, enlightenment! Haha!" William Clark chuckled, but he knew very well that the reason he had suddenly entered this state of enlightenment was entirely due to that copy of the Dao De Jing!

　　The Dao De Jing, this peerless classic, does not mention the path of cultivation in a single word, yet all its discussions point directly to the essence of the Dao. William Clark had only read it for three days and could not comprehend much, but even grasping a little of its surface was extraordinary enough to allow him to enter a state of enlightenment.

　　"If I can unravel the ultimate principles of heaven and earth discussed in the Dao De Jing and comprehend the Dao of the universe, I will surely become a peerless powerhouse!" William Clark stood up, exhaled slowly, and thought to himself, "Although my talent is poor now, with this peerless classic in hand, as long as I work hard, I will definitely carve out a path in martial arts. Among the powerhouses of the Wild Continent, my presence will surely be known!"

　　Clenching his fist hard, William Clark walked out the door.

　　Sanhe Town, as the name suggests, is the confluence of three rivers. After William Clark broke through to the second level of martial arts and tempered his body with true qi, his body was covered in impurities expelled during the process, which smelled foul. These impurities were difficult to wash off, so William Clark decided to go to a river not far from the Zhang residence to clean himself thoroughly.

　　William Clark slipped into the river like a fish, gazing up at the sky as he slowly washed away the impurities from his body. Although he had not eaten or slept for three days and nights, after breaking through to the second level of martial arts, the true qi in William Clark's body was flowing, and though his stomach felt very hungry, his mind was exceptionally clear and agile.

　　Soaking in the water for a while, William Clark felt the sensation of the river seeping into his skin and suddenly recalled Chapter Eight of the Dao De Jing: "The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete, dwelling in places that all disdain; thus, it is close to the Dao..."

　　Immersed in the water, silently reciting "the highest good is like water" over and over, pondering the many wonders of water, William Clark felt his heart tremble as if he had grasped something, but he could not quite put it into words.

　　After thinking for a while, William Clark felt a wave of mental fatigue. Regretfully shaking his head, he gave up on further insight. Realization cannot be forced; since his mind was tired, it was better not to push it, or it would do more harm than good.

　　After soaking in the water for half a day, William Clark saw that it was getting late and slowly made his way back. As he was about to return to his small courtyard, William Clark suddenly saw a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old youth in white standing outside. The youth stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of confidence and vigor.

　　Seeing this youth, William Clark's brows furrowed slightly. This youth in white was none other than William Clark's elder brother, Stephen Clark. Stephen Clark was one of the most outstanding young experts of the Zhang family, having reached the peak of the second level of martial arts at just thirteen, and could step into the third level at any time, becoming the top young expert in Sanhe Town. Compared to Stephen Clark's exceptional talent, William Clark was simply a good-for-nothing. Everyone knew that Stephen Clark of the Zhang family was gifted and powerful, but no one knew that Stephen Clark had a younger brother named William Clark.

　　"Stephen Clark is exceptionally talented, with good teachers and plenty of medicinal resources to aid his cultivation. Although I am his brother, he has always looked down on me and never bothered to associate with someone as mediocre as me. Now that he has come to me on his own initiative, what could he possibly want?"

　　As William Clark pondered this, he slowly approached. Before he could say anything, Stephen Clark spoke first. He looked at William Clark in surprise and said, "Huh? You actually broke through the first level of martial arts and entered the second level! That's impossible, that's impossible, how could this be?!"

　　The path of cultivation is extremely arduous. Although Stephen Clark was exceptionally talented, he knew well the hardships of cultivation. With his talent, careful guidance from good teachers, and plenty of medicinal resources, after all this time, he had only reached the peak of the second level of martial arts. William Clark, with mediocre talent, no guidance, and no medicinal aids, had also reached the second level—this not only surprised him but also made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

　　Hearing Stephen Clark's astonished tone, William Clark said calmly, "In this world, nothing is impossible."