Yvonne Foster felt a moment of distraction, but quickly realized this was not the time for reminiscing. She gave Daniel Thompson a heavy smack on the head and said, “The one who killed your father wasn’t him! Besides, when Chiyou was sealed, he was just a newborn child who didn’t understand anything. Even if you kill him, would that really count as avenging your father? If you’re truly a man, go find the real murderers and take your revenge on them. Taking your anger out on someone else—what kind of ability is that?”

Daniel Thompson’s face turned alternately pale and green. Suddenly, like a deflated balloon, he collapsed to the ground and said, “Yvonne, you don’t understand. That guy is really strong. My father only lasted three moves before he died. With my cultivation, how could I possibly kill him? It’s impossible. Besides, I don’t even know who he is.”

“So that gives you the right to take it out on others?” Yvonne Foster sneered.

Daniel Thompson grew angry too, shouting emotionally, “I’ve thought about training hard to get revenge, but I’m not you! I don’t have your talent! Do you know how jealous I am of you? Even if I train my whole life, it’s pointless—I’ll never match you geniuses, let alone the guy who killed my father!”

“So that’s how it is. No matter how hard you try, you can’t beat a genius. Is that really what you think?” Hearing this, Yvonne Foster didn’t get angry as expected. Instead, the corners of his mouth curved into an exaggerated smile.

Daniel Thompson was startled by his cousin’s strange smile. After hesitating for a while, he finally nodded firmly.

“What a headache. Come with me to see someone. Maybe you’ll change your mind after that.” Yvonne Foster’s smile grew even more mysterious.

※※※※

Fifteen li south of Fenglin Town, there was a flat area about sixty zhang in diameter. This was the physical training ground first established when the Tianque Sect was founded, and eight hundred years ago it was bustling with activity. But ever since the sixth generation took over as sect leader and gradually moved all the important sect sites up to Lang Mountain—building dozens of newer, better-equipped training grounds there—this place had rarely seen visitors. A complete Daoist physical cultivation ground included a large spirit-gathering array that could triple the speed of energy accumulation, a large restoration array that could quickly repair anything damaged in the training ground, and all sorts of moving and stationary targets. By comparison, these old-style training grounds at the foot of the mountain were really too simple.

“Yvonne, who exactly do you want me to see? We’ve been waiting here for almost an hour, and there’s not even a shadow of anyone.” Sitting on a big tree beside the training ground, Daniel Thompson looked in confusion at Yvonne Foster, who was lying on another branch pretending to nap.

“Don’t rush, be patient.” Yvonne Foster lay under the sun, not even bothering to open his eyes, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. He hadn’t rested like this since seven years ago.

But his attitude only made Daniel Thompson more frustrated. “Of course you can be patient. I still have to go back and keep vigil for my dad. How do I have time to waste here with you? If you don’t tell me soon, I’m leaving. My mom must be worried sick by now.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you. Have you heard of Steven Parker?”

“Of course I have! Haven’t I told you before? He’s my idol! At just forty-two, he became the number one hand-to-hand fighter in the Tianque Sect. With only a Condensation stage cultivation, he could take on three Golden Core experts at once—he’s a genius among geniuses. I actually saw that fight with my own eyes. He was so cool.” As soon as Daniel Thompson mentioned him, his face lit up with excitement. But then he asked in confusion, “Is he the one you brought me to see?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Today I brought you to see the idol you’re always talking about—the genius among geniuses.” Yvonne Foster still lay there lazily, but the corners of his mouth held a cryptic smile.

“Why? I mean, I really admire him, but why bring me to see him now?” Daniel Thompson was still completely puzzled.

“Don’t ask. You’ll know soon enough. Look, he’s here.” Yvonne Foster suddenly sat up and gestured with his mouth toward the distance. Following his gaze, Daniel Thompson saw a burly, broad-shouldered middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, carrying a six-foot-long black iron greatsword, walking toward them. The man clearly noticed the two youngsters, glanced over curiously, but didn’t pay much attention.

Daniel Thompson wanted to ask more, but was silenced by a look from Yvonne Foster. “Just watch. You’ll understand soon.”

The middle-aged man, Steven Parker, walked to the center of the training ground and, without a word, began swinging his sword. At first, Daniel Thompson was quite interested, but after Steven Parker repeated the same sword swing hundreds or even thousands of times, his eyelids started to droop and he asked listlessly, “What’s there to see? What do you want me to watch?” Yvonne Foster just smiled and gestured for him to keep watching.

After an hour, when Steven Parker was still swinging his sword without pause, Daniel Thompson was no longer sleepy. His expression gradually grew serious. Yvonne Foster saw this and smiled in satisfaction, thinking to himself, “This kid is teachable. It was worth spending a whole day with him.”