After a brief pause, Franklin Cooper finally said in a low voice, “William Harper has found a way to reach the summit without leaping, relying solely on the distance between the protruding bluestones!

There are no less than five thousand protruding rocks on Qingyan Mountain, and the distance between each rock is different. He just glanced casually from the foot of the mountain and actually found the most correct path!

And he doesn’t doubt his own method in the slightest, climbing resolutely toward the summit!

Such eyesight, such temperament—even I, Franklin Cooper, must admit I am not his equal!”

Glancing at Richard Clark, Franklin Cooper declared, “I’ve never met that girl from the Jiu family, but I’m certain she could never have such keen eyes!”

Richard Clark’s expression was grave. He stared blankly at William Harper, nodded slightly, and said, “Let’s keep watching!”

Franklin Cooper said no more, his demeanor returning to calm, but his bright, shining eyes never left the struggling figure of William Harper as he climbed.

……

Cheers rang out one after another from the summit of Qingyan Mountain. While Richard Clark and Franklin Cooper were talking, all the The Harper Family disciples—both collateral and direct lines—had already reached the top.

Just like the last trial, there was little change this year: Edward Harper took first place, with Charles Harper and Alice Harper coming in second and third.

After reaching the summit, those The Harper Family disciples, whether excited or disappointed, all returned to the foot of the mountain, standing beside the elders like Samuel Harper, either boasting of their achievements or asking for rewards, joking and laughing as they recounted the thrills of the climb.

Suddenly, those The Harper Family disciples who had returned to the foot of the mountain seemed to notice something amusing. One by one, they burst out laughing, pointing at William Harper, who hadn’t even climbed halfway up Qingyan Mountain. Watching William Harper still struggling to move, their faces were full of disdain and contempt as they began to mock him openly.

“Haha, I knew it! This guy would definitely come in last. Just look at how clumsy he is—it’s hilarious!”

“Boohoo...

He’s about to fall! I’m really worried for him, hahaha. With no real ability, he still dares to take part in the trial. What on earth is he thinking? Doesn’t he know what it means to make a fool of himself?”

“So stupid, making a fool of himself in front of the Lord of the City. He’ll never be able to stand in Qingyan City again!

Hmph, he’s completely disgraced the The Harper Family name!”

“……” In the past, at times like this, the usually stern Samuel Harper would be especially lenient, not as strict as usual.

However, having just heard that Jiu Lingxue from the Yinshan Jiu family had reached the Sancai Heaven realm, he couldn’t bring himself to be happy now.

Seeing that all the family’s disciples had come down, but Richard Clark was still standing there unmoving, Samuel Harper led his two sons over to Richard Clark with some confusion.

When he reached Richard Clark’s side, Samuel Harper looked at him strangely, then at the steward Franklin Cooper, his expression growing even more puzzled, as if he couldn’t understand why both Richard Clark and Franklin Cooper were staring at William Harper.

Clearing his throat, Samuel Harper drew the attention of Richard Clark and Franklin Cooper. Seeing both men look at him with simultaneous displeasure, Samuel Harper felt bitter inside, not knowing why, and quickly forced a smile, saying, “This year’s trial is over, and the rankings are out.

Hehe, it’s rare for the Lord of the City to visit our The Harper Family. Please do us the honor of staying for a meal before you leave.”

“Isn’t there still one person who hasn’t come down?”

The usually taciturn steward Franklin Cooper pointed at William Harper, who was still climbing, and asked knowingly, “Isn’t he one of your The Harper Family disciples?”

Samuel Harper looked embarrassed, giving a dry laugh before explaining, “William is physically weak. Look, he hasn’t even made it halfway up the mountain.

Even if he could reach the top of Qingyan Mountain, at his speed, it would probably take several more hours.

The Lord of the City is busy with official duties—how could the The Harper Family dare to trouble you for so long?”

At this moment, William Harper’s grandfather Thomas Harper and aunt Grace Harper also came over. After arriving, Thomas Harper seemed to feel it was inappropriate to make everyone wait here for William Harper alone, so he suggested with a stern face, “Why don’t you all go eat first? I’ll stay here and watch this useless fellow.”

“No need. I’m not busy today—I’ll wait!”

To everyone’s surprise, Richard Clark did not accept Thomas Harper’s suggestion to eat first. Instead, he frowned and insisted on staying.

As soon as he said this, Richard Clark stopped looking at Samuel Harper and ignored all the The Harper Family elders and juniors, focusing instead with Franklin Cooper on watching William Harper inch his way up the mountainside.

Once Richard Clark had spoken, no matter how unwilling Samuel Harper was, he dared not say anything more.

He could only force a smile and praise Richard Clark a few times, then stayed with him, waiting for William Harper to finish the long, arduous climb.