With Evan Parker’s talent, plus the newly improved cultivation technique, returning to Evan Parker’s peak state was truly an exceedingly simple matter. The shortcut technique had inherent flaws; even when cultivated to the utmost, it still couldn’t avoid those innate weaknesses. That’s why Evan Parker suffered inexplicable injuries at such a critical moment.

However, this misfortune turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Having already endured the ravages of that domineering technique once, his body had grown accustomed to it. Now, when practicing the relatively gentler improved technique, he could achieve twice the results with half the effort. Moreover, there was another benefit: the true energy cultivated this way, both in quality and quantity, was a hundred times stronger than the trash techniques used in the army.

More importantly, the improved technique no longer required maintaining that rigid, motionless, five-hearts-to-the-sky posture. At any time and place, as long as Evan Parker wished, he could mobilize his true essence and let it flow gently through his meridians, without worrying about going astray or suffering inner demons. In terms of both safety and efficiency, it was far superior to the original technique.

Even Edward Carter could only be dumbfounded by Evan Parker’s extraordinary talent and comprehension. How could such a gifted person have only learned the trash techniques popular in the army, and even carelessly lost his virginity? Otherwise, if he could have taken Evan Parker as a disciple, what an easy and delightful experience it would have been for a master!

And the weapon with which Evan Parker had always dominated the army had never been used again. In this era where martial artists valued constant practice, this was truly astonishing.

Chapter 3: Recuperation and Recovery (Part 2)

However, here, no one knew who Evan Parker was, nor would anyone know whether he had ever wielded a sword or blade. Passersby only knew that there was a simple tea stall here and a young, honest proprietor. Over the years, those who frequently traveled this road also knew this was a good place to rest and a simple supply stop, but no one had any other thoughts about the honest owner.

Indeed, a few years was enough for Evan Parker to establish such a reputation here. In this remote mountain area, life was peaceful, but for Evan Parker, these years were not as leisurely as they appeared to outsiders.

The last injury had crippled most of his cultivation, mainly due to the unknown danger lurking in the fist-marked lake—something even Master considered a monstrous anomaly. The evil aura was overwhelming, and even the battle-hardened Evan Parker was affected. Master admitted that his own cultivation was not yet sufficient to vanquish such evil, so he did not attempt any reckless, self-destructive heroics. He merely advised Evan Parker not to return to that place. As for that monster, it would have to wait until Master’s cultivation was sufficient or enough help could be found to eradicate it.

However, there was one thing Master had never anticipated: Evan Parker was not the timid person he imagined. On the contrary, this young veteran possessed a persistence beyond ordinary people—one might even call it stubbornness. Especially since the incident happened in his hometown, it was even less likely that he would simply walk away.

For several years, Evan Parker kept practicing the improved technique in places where he could see the fist mark. The technique itself was simple, mainly involving the meridians of the limbs. Its rapid results and suitability for mass adoption meant it could not possibly involve complex meridian work. However, the improved technique was far from simple. Drawing from his own experience and Master’s guidance, Evan Parker had gained a wealth of knowledge about meridians and fully integrated it into his practice.

Having mastered this cultivation method even more skillfully, Evan Parker did not, as Master had expected, stay away from the monster. Instead, he became even more determined, beginning his training right by the fist-marked lake.

He had already experienced its power once; after several months, nearly ninety percent of his martial arts had been destroyed. But Evan Parker was not one to retreat in the face of difficulty. As someone who was a decisive figure in his own circle, how could he be intimidated by such obstacles?

Even so, Evan Parker did not take it lightly. Even with the improved technique and much tougher meridians, he still cautiously began his training on a mountaintop at a relatively safe distance from the fist-marked lake.

It was undeniable—the unknown monster in the lake was truly formidable. Even at this distance, he could still feel a strong interference. Even the simplest meditation was impossible for Evan Parker at first. As soon as he sat down, his mind would be flooded with distracting thoughts, and before he knew it, scenes of bloody slaughter from his army days would appear before his eyes.

His mind was filled with flying severed limbs and clashing weapons, making it nearly impossible to calm himself. In the beginning, he could never last even a moment before having to stand up and try every possible method to suppress his uncontrollable killing intent.