As two outstanding rising stars among the new generation of disciples, Gary Reed and Samuel Price were destined to never become friends. They had been compared to each other far too many times, and the more they were compared, the more intense the rivalry became.

From the perspective of the Sword Sect, those in power enjoyed this kind of competition—without competition, how could there be progress? As long as things didn’t get out of hand, not only would they not interfere, they would actually encourage it.

Now, with Gary Reed and Samuel Price both coming to solve the sword puzzle, this was exactly the scene Elder Clark was happy to see. He chuckled, “Gary Reed, you already tried once yesterday. Why don’t you let Samuel Price go first this time, is that alright?”

As soon as Gary Reed heard this, he became anxious and cupped his fists, saying, “Elder Clark, precisely because I tried once yesterday, after reflecting on it, I feel I’ve gained a lot of insight. That’s why I want to try again. Please allow me, Elder.”

Henry Clark perked up at this, asking excitedly, “So, you’re confident?”

Gary Reed straightened his back and replied in a loud voice, “I can’t say I’m one hundred percent sure, but I’m at least eighty or ninety percent confident.”

Henry Clark was overjoyed. “Good, go ahead!” As long as Gary Reed solved the sword puzzle, the long-standing troubles would be swept away.

On the other side, Samuel Price’s lips twitched, but he said nothing more, his face turning a bit ugly: judging by Gary Reed’s tone, he seemed quite confident. If he really solved it, wouldn’t that mean the other side would seize the initiative?

Gary Reed shot a provocative glance at his rival, then strode forward and stood before the stone wall, facing the sword puzzle. Without even turning around, he could feel everyone’s eyes focused on him—he liked and enjoyed this kind of attention.

Then, taking a deep breath, he began to focus his mind and attempt to solve the sword puzzle—

Buzz!

But as soon as his mind touched the tortoise-shell-like puzzle carrier, a change occurred. With a rustling sound, the carrier instantly crumbled into powder, falling like flowing sand.

This scene was witnessed by Henry Clark, who froze for a moment and exclaimed, “Gary Reed, did you solve it?”

But he still had a trace of doubt in his heart—the process was too fast, a bit unnatural. Yet if the sword puzzle hadn’t been solved, it would never have shattered like that.

Gary Reed was also stunned, and after a while, he turned around in confusion and replied with a wry smile, “Elder Clark, it wasn’t me…”

Chapter Five: Who Could It Be

Today was sunny, with clear skies. Around mid-morning, gentle sunlight fell, bringing a warm and pleasant feeling.

Brian Carter stood under a cypress tree, lips tightly pressed together, as silent as ever.

Elsewhere, the other menial workers were gathered together, whispering among themselves in a lively discussion.

The scene was clearly divided—Brian Carter’s isolation was obvious at a glance. In fact, he was quite outgoing, and after three years of working as a menial in the Sword Sect, he had built up many connections. But now, everyone believed Brian Carter had offended Deacon Reed, and to avoid being implicated, no one dared associate with him anymore.

What happened last night, with Deacon Reed making things difficult for Brian Carter at every turn, was proof enough. And given Deacon Reed’s temperament, this was only the beginning.

It was easy to imagine that after the three-day Sword Lecture Hall event, Brian Carter would surely lose his job.

Deacon Reed was not just an ordinary outer sect steward—his nephew Gary Reed was exceptionally talented and rapidly gaining fame, highly valued in the Zhongnan Sword Sect, with a boundless future. It was precisely because of this connection that he was able to drive away the original Old Deacon last year and take his place.

It was said that in the process, Deacon Reed used some rather despicable means.

Old Deacon was Brian Carter’s benefactor. Back then, when Brian Carter was starving and destitute, almost at the point of dying on the streets, he was fortunate enough to meet Old Deacon. Not only did he buy him food, but he also brought him up the mountain and gave him a job as a menial worker.

This was a life-saving grace, greater than the sky itself.

Brian Carter kept it in his heart.

When Old Deacon was driven away by Deacon Reed, he was filled with anger, but as a man of little influence, he could do nothing to change it. He wanted to leave with Old Deacon, but was persuaded to stay—after all, it wasn’t easy to make a living.

So he stayed, but he was never comfortable with the petty and arrogant Deacon Reed. When his spiritual rice benefits were embezzled, he could no longer endure it.

Brian Carter was unwilling to put up with this any longer. At worst, he could just leave—now that he was grown, was he really afraid of starving to death?

As for being isolated, he didn’t care. Only in a storm can you see the strength of the grass—he refused to muddle through life like the other menials.

“Wow!”

At that moment, something happened in the Sword Lecture Hall—a thunderous exclamation rang out, echoing far and wide.

The menials looked at each other, full of curiosity, but without orders, no one dared go over to see what had happened.

…

“It wasn’t you?”

Even someone as experienced as Henry Clark couldn’t help but widen his eyes. He rushed over, grabbed Gary Reed’s left hand, and sent in his true energy to investigate. After a moment, he let go and bent down to examine the powder on the ground.

“What’s going on here?”

After a while, he stood up, full of shock and uncertainty.