He was considering the risks of leaving Charles Black alone in the cave. After all, there were not just the two of them on the island—there were other surviving martial artists, and even unknown wild beasts. Charles Black also carried several inches of precious grade-seven Red Blood Vine; leaving her alone in the cave was worrisome.

　　It was safer for the two of them to stay together.

　　Moreover, Charles Black was the Princess of Donglai, and the martial arts techniques she practiced would not be inferior. With his timely treatment and medicinal herbs, she should gradually start to recover. Two people chopping spiritwood would be faster than one.

　　He was a bit concerned about Charles Black's physical condition, but with time running short, he couldn't worry about too much.

　　"While there are still no sea monsters on the island, let's chop as much spiritwood as we can. The sooner we build the spiritwood fence, the safer this cave camp will be."

　　Charles Black stood up and spoke.

　　James Carter fastened the Qingfeng Sword to his waist, pulled a burning dry branch from the campfire to use as a torch, and walked out of the cave.

　　Charles Black took her sword, Momei, in her jade hand and followed James Carter out of the cave.

　　After Charles Black came out, James Carter signaled for her to lead the way, as he didn't know where the spiritwood was.

　　Charles Black didn't waste words. She glanced at the mountains behind, then at the forest ahead, determined the direction, and quickly moved into the woods.

　　James Carter followed Charles Black all the way.

　　"This is the place! I found my Red Blood Vine here as well."

　　In less than a quarter of an hour, Charles Black surveyed the pitch-black forest and stopped.

　　James Carter couldn't help but look ahead. In front of them was a relatively sparse old forest, with about thirty trees, each over ten zhang tall and as thick as a thigh. At a glance, these trees looked greener than the others nearby.

　　"These trees are spiritwood. Judging by their size, they should be the lowest grade—first-tier spiritwood. Spiritwood grows extremely slowly; ordinary soil isn't suitable for it. Only places rich in spiritual energy can nurture it. For spiritwood this thick, it must have grown for at least several hundred years!"

　　Charles Black's eyes sparkled.

　　"These dozens of trees don't look much different from the others. Are they really as hard as iron?"

　　James Carter was curious about these trees.

　　As he got closer, he noticed that the bark's grain was extremely shallow—if you didn't look closely, it seemed smooth, but the veins were very neat and uniform.

　　"First-tier spiritwood is as hard as iron. Ordinary iron swords can barely cut it. But your Qingfeng Sword is a high-grade sharp weapon, made of refined steel, sharper than ordinary iron swords. My Momei Sword is a top-quality treasure sword, incomparably sharp, both harder than spiritwood."

　　"By the way, what martial art do you practice? Does it have any moves suitable for chopping spiritwood?"

　　Charles Black suddenly thought of an important question.

　　She still wasn't clear about James Carter's strength.

　　"I practice the 'Wave-Splitting Technique'!"

　　"'Wave-Splitting Technique'? I've never heard of it! I've only heard of the most common martial arts for civilians, like 'Tiger Fist,' 'Eagle Claw,' 'Mantis Fist'—they even sell those on the street! You're a civilian martial artist, why don't you practice Tiger Fist?"

　　Charles Black looked at James Carter in confusion.

　　"'Wave-Splitting Technique' is the lowest-grade martial art—you can buy it for fifty copper coins. I started working at eight, didn't earn much, so I could only afford this one, and never changed. I guess there are far fewer people practicing 'Wave-Splitting Technique' than 'Tiger Fist' or 'Eagle Claw,' so it's not well-known. This martial art only has two moves in total."

　　James Carter helplessly touched his nose.

　　The third move of the 'Wave-Splitting Technique,' "Wave-Stacking Combo Slash," is actually an upgraded version of the first move, "Wave-Splitting Slash." In reality, these two moves are basically the same, and he hasn't even learned the third combo move yet.

　　"How can you be like this? You only practice two moves in your martial art? That's way too easy. Forget it, I'll chop the spiritwood. You stand by and keep watch—don't let any wild beasts get close!"

　　Charles Black glared at James Carter with her phoenix eyes, looking at him with utter disappointment.

　　Now she understood completely—James Carter actually practiced the lowest-grade martial art, so low that she had never even heard of it. And the 'Wave-Splitting Technique' was so lousy it only had two moves.

　　Even 'Tiger Fist,' such a trash martial art, at least had thirty-six forms and a hundred and eight moves, taking years to master.

　　With just these two moves from the lowest-grade martial art, how strong could James Carter possibly be?

　　Clearly, there was no hope—chopping spiritwood and fending off sea monsters would all have to depend on herself.

　　"Fine!"

　　James Carter could see Charles Black's extreme disappointment.

　　He said nothing, sensibly stepping back a few paces.

　　Since childhood, he had been busy practicing martial arts or working to make a living, and had almost no time to spar with other martial artists. He wasn't even sure whether his own strength was considered strong or weak among martial artists.

　　Charles Black, as the Princess of Donglai, practiced the highest-level martial arts, so her strength should be much greater than his.

　　"First form of Feather Spirit Slash: Floating Feathers!"

　　Charles Black gripped her slender Momei Sword, aimed at one of the spiritwood trees, and slashed down fiercely.

　　A cold light flashed.

　　"Clang~~!"