Emily Thompson clenched his fist. That punch dispelled some of the pent-up frustration in his heart, but not all of it. Almost at the very instant David Brooks hit the ground, he had already closed in on David Brooks.

David Brooks immediately activated his spiritual power, his whole body floating up into the air, standing several zhang above, looking down at Emily Thompson from on high.

The biggest difference between the Qi Refining stage and the Qi Drawing stage is that one can fly through the air, while the other can only walk on foot. As long as he stood above, he was already in an invincible position.

But in the next moment, Emily Thompson's figure flickered, and he actually flew into the air as well. David Brooks's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "You—you've succeeded in gathering qi..."

Being able to fly through the air was definite proof of entering the Qi Refining stage.

Realizing this, his heart was blocked with endless grief and anger. "You really deserve to die..."

As the person he hated most, seeing Emily Thompson advance to the Qi Refining stage was even more painful than falling back to the Qi Drawing stage himself. David Brooks's mind was in chaos. Facing Emily Thompson's pursuit, he could only defend himself in a panic. After taking a few punches to the face and body, he could only throw out, "Just you wait...," and fled in a hurry.

Emily Thompson didn't chase after him. His spiritual power was almost exhausted. If he kept going, there was a good chance he'd be counterattacked.

Slowly descending from the air, Emily Thompson noticed that everyone present had rather strange expressions.

The two male disciples from Baiyun Temple stared in shock, shame flickering on their faces. The other young woman had a flushed face, her cheeks glowing, her beautiful eyes sparkling...

Emily Thompson looked down and finally realized that, overcome by emotion just now, he had forgotten he was still wearing only a grass skirt.

He had just been flying back and forth over everyone's heads like that.

Fortunately, he was strong-willed, his face neither blushing nor his heart racing. He glared at David Brooks's two lackeys and snapped, "What are you looking at? Get lost..."

The two immediately turned and ran. The young woman shyly glanced at Emily Thompson before flying away as well. Emily Thompson turned to look at William Clark and found his face was also a bit red.

He was about to speak when he suddenly felt a chill on his backside. His earlier movements had been too vigorous, and the makeshift grass skirt around his waist wasn't very sturdy—the string snapped and it fell to the ground.

Emily Thompson bent down to pick up the grass skirt and tied it back on, noticing that William Clark had his eyes tightly shut.

He glanced at William Clark and said coolly, "What's your problem? It's not like you haven't seen it before..."

William Clark snorted coldly, "I just don't want to dirty my eyes."

Once Emily Thompson had finished tying the grass skirt, William Clark finally moved his hand away, took off his outer robe, and handed it to Emily Thompson, keeping only his inner garment on himself.

On the way back to Baiyun Temple, William Clark composed himself, his expression somewhat complicated, and said, "You—you've succeeded in gathering qi..."

Emily Thompson nodded and said, "Just succeeded."

William Clark's expression grew even more complicated. As his best friend, he was happy for Emily Thompson, but there was also a trace of melancholy he couldn't shake.

In three months, they would have been at Baiyun Temple for two full years. Emily Thompson had already succeeded in gathering qi. Even if he wasn't chosen as an official disciple of the Kunlun Sect this time, he'd still have chances in the future. But as for himself, he would have to leave and return to inherit the throne...

Emily Thompson seemed not to notice William Clark's mood. As he buttoned up the outer robe, he casually said, "Didn't they say there have been demonic cultivators around lately? And you still left the temple—are you trying to get yourself killed..."

William Clark held the lingzhi in his hand and murmured, "Your birthday is coming up. I wanted to gather more spiritual herbs. If I got lucky and found one with enough years, I could trade it for a Qi Gathering Pill..."

He sighed and said, "Looks like that's not needed anymore..."

Emily Thompson paused in his steps.

In his previous life as an undercover agent, although he had plenty of brothers around, everyone smiled on the surface while plotting behind each other's backs about how to kill and replace one another, to seize each other's resources. No one had ever treated him like this...

Emily Thompson was silent for a moment, then opened the milky-white jade bottle he had been holding in his left hand and said, "Open your mouth..."

Chapter 5: Making a Name at Baiyun Temple

William Clark was stunned for a moment, uncertainly saying, "Huh?"

Emily Thompson flicked his finger, and a pill flew into his mouth.

He had originally planned to sell a Qi Gathering Pill to Elder Sun in exchange for a low-grade magic tool or talisman for self-defense, but after hearing what William Clark said, Emily Thompson changed his mind.

Spirit coins are precious, but friendship is worth even more.

Magic tools and talismans can be saved up slowly; a true friend like this is one of a kind.

As the Qi Gathering Pill entered his mouth, William Clark immediately felt a surge of spiritual energy rampaging through his body, and soon, foul-smelling black impurities began to ooze from his skin.

Emily Thompson had expected this. When he gave William Clark the pill, he had already stepped back.

Before long, somewhere by a stream in the Baiyun Mountains.

A figure descended from the sky. Emily Thompson had already changed into his own clothes and brought a set for William Clark as well. It's best to take a Qi Gathering Pill outdoors; if you do it indoors, the room will be uninhabitable for at least ten days to half a month.

Emily Thompson placed the clothes on the bank. William Clark, huddled in the water, said, "Throw the clothes down."