“What?!”

James Thompson’s body trembled, as if struck by lightning.

The Grand Elder of the Li family was a renowned ninth-grade alchemist in Qingfeng Town, yet even the Grand Elder was powerless to heal his younger brother’s injury.

He knew exactly what that meant.

“Xiao Xin…”

Standing by the bed, looking at the sleeping Andrew Thompson, James Thompson’s eyes widened, the hatred flickering in his gaze was no less than Brian Thompson’s!

His mother had died in childbirth when giving birth to this younger brother.

All these years, he had always cherished his brother, giving him the best food and toys.

Now, his brother’s right arm was crippled, his future uncertain, and a cold fury burned in his heart!

“Father, are you sure it was William Grant who did it?”

James Thompson looked at Brian Thompson and asked.

When he first heard about this, besides worrying for his brother Andrew Thompson, he also found it unbelievable.

How could a useless person who hadn’t even completed body tempering seriously injure his brother!

“Yes, I asked the Fifth Elder. It was William Grant! Three days ago, that good-for-nothing hadn’t even completed body tempering, but today, not only did he reach the first level of the Body Tempering Realm, he even defeated your brother. They say he used a brilliant martial skill—Collapse Fist.”

Brian Thompson said through gritted teeth.

“First level of Body Tempering, and Collapse Fist, huh?”

James Thompson sneered.

“Father, please come with me.”

In the quiet courtyard.

“Mother, did you call me out for something?”

Having just finished absorbing the Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid, William Grant walked out of his room, looking a bit embarrassed at his mother Grace Thompson.

Grace Thompson gazed at her son, her eyes somewhat dazed.

She still found what she’d just heard hard to believe.

In her view, it was already impressive for her son to complete body tempering and reach the first level of the Body Tempering Realm.

But this little guy, after just one trip to the Martial Pavilion, had crippled the youngest son of the Seventh Elder Brian Thompson—and it was the kind of injury that couldn’t be healed.

“Collapse Fist… Tian’er, shouldn’t you explain to your mother when you learned such a martial skill that even the Fifth Elder was amazed by?”

Grace Thompson looked at William Grant with a half-smile.

“Mother, if I said that the old man in my dreams passed it on to me along with the prescriptions, would you believe me?”

William Grant gave an awkward smile.

“Tian’er, you’ve grown up. Since you have your secrets, I won’t force you. But remember, no matter what happens, no matter when, your mother will always be your greatest support.”

Grace Thompson gave William Grant a deep look and sighed softly.

“Mother.”

William Grant’s heart trembled, his eyes turning slightly red.

“Ninth Elder, Brian Thompson requests an audience!”

Just then, an annoying, buzzing voice shattered the warmth between mother and son.

“He still has the nerve to come?”

A cold glint flashed in Grace Thompson’s eyes as she responded.

The next moment, the Seventh Elder Brian Thompson entered the courtyard with his eldest son James Thompson, both glaring at William Grant with hostility.

“Seventh Elder, you’re not here just to cause trouble for my son, are you?”

Grace Thompson stepped forward, shielding William Grant behind her, and smiled faintly.

“Ninth Elder, rest assured. My son Andrew Thompson and your son William Grant fought with the Fifth Elder as witness. He lost an arm because his skills were inferior, and he has no one else to blame.”

Brian Thompson took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

“Then what brings you here this time, Seventh Elder?”

Hearing Brian Thompson’s words, Grace Thompson became curious instead.

“Greetings, Ninth Elder.”

At this moment, James Thompson stepped forward from Brian Thompson’s side.

“Ninth Elder, my father is here with me today. I came to challenge William Grant. I heard his Collapse Fist is quite impressive.”

After greeting Grace Thompson, James Thompson looked at William Grant with burning eyes.

Upon hearing this, Grace Thompson’s face turned icy.

“James Thompson, if I remember correctly, you’re a year older than my son and have already reached the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm… My son is only at the first level, and you still have the nerve to challenge him?”

Grace Thompson glanced at James Thompson and said coolly.

“Ninth Elder, William Grant isn’t an ordinary first-level Body Tempering practitioner. He easily defeated my brother—his strength is extraordinary.”

James Thompson replied with a smile, as if he hadn’t noticed Grace Thompson’s frosty expression at all.

Just as Grace Thompson was about to sternly send them away, William Grant stepped out from behind her.

“I can accept your challenge, but I have one condition.”

Chapter 6: The Art of Inscription

“Tian’er!”

Grace Thompson frowned slightly, displeased with her son’s decision.

“What condition? Speak.”

James Thompson looked at William Grant and asked.

In his view, as long as William Grant agreed to the challenge, he could accept any condition that wasn’t too excessive.

This was his chance to avenge his brother Andrew Thompson, and he didn’t want to miss it!

“My condition is simple: postpone it for one month. One month from now, we’ll fight… If you’re unwilling or afraid, then forget it. I’ll just pretend you never came and never challenged me.”

William Grant’s face was calm, as if he was certain James Thompson would agree.

“Fine, I’ll give you one month. I hope you won’t turn into a coward when the time comes!”

James Thompson agreed without hesitation, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.