The situation on this continent is chaotic, a society ruled entirely by strength, and reaching the Lin Guan level means the path for advancement has opened.

William Harper's true qi coursed through James Carter's body, and James Carter could clearly feel the flow of this energy.

True qi!

James Carter's eyes lit up—could the feng shui techniques from his family also be used here?

Feng shui techniques are not as superficial as most people think; they are actually a form of ancient cultivation arts. It's just that the spiritual energy on Earth has grown thinner and thinner, leading to their decline. The feng shui techniques passed down in James Carter's family are by no means the shallow kind seen by ordinary people. These are exquisite, superior methods with a true lineage on Earth. Spirit-seeking and geomancy are just minor branches.

“It should be fine now!” After checking, William Harper withdrew his true qi, a look of relief appearing on his face.

“Your Highness, our people have been steadily depleted along the way. We no longer have the strength to endure another fierce battle. We’re almost at Changtian City, but I expect this next ambush will be even more ferocious. We must reach Changtian City as quickly as possible.” Samuel Cooper's face was grave.

William Harper didn’t look any better. Each battle had been fiercer than the last, exhausting all the men he brought. He knew it was the work of the Seventh Prince, but had no evidence.

“This time, there may be experts at the Dingdai level!”

William Harper’s words made Samuel Cooper’s expression change slightly.

A flood of knowledge about this world surged into his mind, but James Carter was more concerned with how to survive this crisis. The pursuers were closing in, and there was still a long way to Changtian City. Facing experts at the Dingdai level—could he survive?

“Your Highness, we must leave here at once. Changtian City is a hundred li ahead. Only when we reach there will we be safe.” The hawk-nosed, long-faced strategist Samuel Cooper spoke solemnly.

Samuel Cooper was already at the peak of the eleventh Lin Guan level, ready to break through to Dingdai at any moment. Even he was this worried, which showed he had no confidence in surviving the coming ambush.

Glancing at the two men’s faces, James Carter knew they were both anxious.

He struggled a bit, and William Harper quickly reached out to support him.

He stood up from the padded mat, his body still a bit weak. In the most recent ambush, he’d been struck by an arrow, but fortunately had palace elixirs with him.

“Report!” a guard shouted loudly from outside.

“What is it?” William Harper asked in a deep voice.

“Over two hundred riders are rapidly approaching from the rear!”

“They’re pressing hard!” Samuel Cooper said, his tone heavy.

William Harper glanced at Samuel Cooper, his expression equally grave. “We must get closer to Changtian City as quickly as possible!”

Samuel Cooper agreed, “As long as we reach Changtian City, I doubt they’ll dare to attack us openly again!”

“Attend to His Highness’s change of clothes!” William Harper shouted, glanced at Samuel Cooper, saluted, and the two of them withdrew again.

It had always been William Harper handling matters, and he naturally made decisions for James Carter’s itinerary.

James Carter kept his eyes on the two men, seeing that they always maintained polite behavior. He breathed a sigh of relief. He’d worried that, having just crossed over, he might be taken hostage, but it seemed these people were still loyal to him.

The curtain lifted, a breeze drifted in, and James Carter felt the air here was much fresher than on Earth.

Two young maids entered again, carefully helping James Carter change his clothes.

One was the girl called Evelyn Green from earlier, the other, no less beautiful, was called Lucy Clark. Both had large, sparkling eyes, as if they could speak.

Without any hesitation, the two beautiful maids all but ignored James Carter’s nakedness, quickly helping him change.

For the first time, he understood what it was like to be attended by two such beautiful girls. Even though he knew they’d always done this, James Carter still felt his face grow hot.

But his thoughts quickly returned to the crisis he faced. If he couldn’t overcome it, his wonderful new life after crossing over would come to an end.

Thinking about his predicament, James Carter didn’t believe William Harper and the others could withstand this ambush. The enemies had grown stronger with each attack—first the Qingyun level, then Lin Guan, and now it seemed even Dingdai-level experts would appear. With the cultivation of Samuel Cooper and the others, facing Dingdai-level opponents was a sure defeat.

He’d been exiled to serve as magistrate in the most chaotic Jinling County in the country. James Carter knew very well he was just a pawn in the royal struggle. With only second-level Qingyun cultivation, being sent to a remote, expert-filled place like Jinling County was a death sentence.

The Seventh Prince had mobilized all his forces, and the other princes fanned the flames. They were determined to destroy him!

Thinking of how his father, the emperor, had over fifty sons and ignored those he considered useless, James Carter understood even more the cruelty of this might-makes-right kingdom—everything had to be fought for by oneself!

At the founding of the Great Chu, the first emperor decreed that princes would lose their titles at eighteen and be sent to serve as county magistrates. Only by reaching the Lin Guan level during their term could they regain their princely status.