A few more disciples of the The Grant Family entered the stele forest, but none of them performed particularly impressively. Finally, it was Charles Baker's turn. After handing his number plate to Emily Grant, Charles Baker slowly walked into the stele forest.

Charles Baker strolled along with great interest, observing the Sacred Dao Steles in the Scholar's Garden. When he saw the mid-grade Sacred Dao Stele of Dushan that Susan Grant had mentioned, he only glanced at it and did not stop, continuing deeper into the stele forest.

Susan Grant sighed softly, thinking that Charles Baker had ignored her advice and was still going to challenge the Qinglian Sacred Dao Stele today.

“It seems that Young Master Baker is deeply obsessed with the Qinglian Sacred Dao Stele.”

Master Blackriver squinted and commented. He also knew that if Charles Baker wanted to obtain a mid-grade True Fate Dao Seal, Dushan was the best choice. Since he didn’t choose Dushan, it seemed he was going to challenge a high-grade Sacred Dao Stele again.

But as they watched Charles Baker walk up to the Qinglian Sacred Dao Stele, he didn’t stop there either, continuing forward. Everyone looked at Charles Baker in surprise, not knowing what he intended to do.

Chapter 4: The Sacred Grade Dao Stele

“Qinglian is the hardest among the high-grade Sacred Dao Steles of my The Grant Family. Even I spent several years preparing before I succeeded.

It’s wise for Young Master Baker not to choose it. If he picks an easier high-grade Sacred Dao Stele, he still has a chance. Although the odds of success are still low, it’s better than having no chance at all.”

Michael Carter, standing nearby, spoke with a hint of arrogance.

Susan Grant just watched Charles Baker in the stele forest without saying a word. She knew Charles Baker’s talent and ability. Even if he didn’t choose Qinglian but picked another, easier high-grade Sacred Dao Stele, his chances of success were still very slim. If he failed again this year, he would truly miss the golden cultivation period of the Scholar stage.

“Charles Baker.”

Susan Grant bit her lip, suddenly walked to the entrance of the stele forest, and called out to Charles Baker.

“What is it?”

Charles Baker turned his head, looking at Susan Grant at the entrance with interest.

“Choose the Dushan Sacred Dao Stele. Whether you succeed or fail, I’ll agree to your proposal from that day.”

Susan Grant hesitated for a long time before biting her silver teeth and saying this to Charles Baker.

The proposal Susan Grant referred to was, of course, the consummation that Charles Baker had suggested that day. But it was inappropriate to say it outright in public, so she spoke so vaguely.

William Baker had done great favors for her parents, and she truly didn’t want to see Charles Baker continue like this. If he missed this opportunity, it might be difficult for him to even become a Master in the future, and Charles Baker’s life would really have no prospects.

“Are you serious?”

Charles Baker looked at Susan Grant with slight surprise. As far as he knew, Susan Grant didn’t care for Charles Baker at all and never intended to truly be his wife. Now, she was actually willing to give up her chastity for Charles Baker’s future, which made him see her in a new light.

“I can swear an oath right now.”

Susan Grant felt a bitter taste in her heart.

“No need. No matter what you decide, my choice will not change. The Dushan Sacred Dao Stele has never been within my consideration.”

Charles Baker directly interrupted Susan Grant.

Susan Grant was stunned for a moment, looking at him as if she didn’t recognize Charles Baker: “Are you really going to refuse?

Any oath I make, I will keep.”

“Young Master Baker, Miss Susan is doing this for your own good. Although the Dushan True Fate Dao Seal is only mid-grade, it’s the best among the mid-grades. With this True Fate Dao Seal, you’ll still have a chance to become a Master in the future. Isn’t that better than cutting off all your prospects now?”

Master Blackriver chimed in.

“That’s right, Young Master Baker, don’t be ungrateful. Miss is doing this for your sake.”

“Miss is doing so much for you, how can you say such things?”

“……” But Charles Baker ignored everyone, turned around, and continued walking into the stele forest.

“Are you really determined to walk this hopeless path to death?”

Susan Grant bit her lip tightly, staring at Charles Baker’s back with unwillingness, and spoke each word slowly and clearly.

Charles Baker didn’t look back and kept moving forward, but his voice was firm and calm: “So what if it’s a road to death?

In my world, Charles Baker can have both life and death, but I will never allow mediocrity. If I live, let it be as brilliant as summer flowers; if I die, let it be as serene as autumn leaves. If what lies ahead is truly the hell of death, I am willing to become a firework, even if this brilliance only illuminates hell for an instant—I will never retreat timidly into the darkness.”

The entire Scholar’s Garden suddenly fell silent. These words pierced everyone’s hearts like sharp swords, touching a nerve deep inside them.

“If I live, let it be as brilliant as summer flowers; if I die, let it be as serene as autumn leaves.”

Master Yanshan couldn’t help but softly recite these beautiful lines. After a while, he looked at Susan Grant with a strange expression and said, “To say such poetry— is he really the same Charles Baker who failed four times to challenge the Qinglian Sacred Dao Stele?”

Susan Grant didn’t answer Master Yanshan, only looked at Charles Baker’s straight back, as straight as a sword’s spine, with a complicated expression.

“Now I’m actually a bit interested to see what kind of Sacred Dao Stele someone who can say such poetry will choose to challenge.”

Yanshan looked with great interest at Charles Baker, who was striding resolutely through the stele forest.