“My father never taught me our family’s sword techniques or cultivation methods. At Tianjian Sect, my talent isn’t outstanding, so I couldn’t learn any advanced sword skills or techniques. I used to think that avenging my great hatred in this life would be nearly impossible. But now, with this opportunity, revenge is no longer out of reach. Arthur Grant, Grace Grant, you despicable pair, just wait for me. One day, I will stand before you, and with the three-foot blade in my hand, I will take your heads.”

　　Edward Grant clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and his heart was filled with confidence.

　　“Senior Brother Carter——”

　　Just as Edward Grant was recalling his past experiences and making a resolute vow in his heart, a shout came from the foot of the mountain.

　　Edward Grant looked down and saw John Harris more than a hundred steps away, running toward the back of the mountain while shouting loudly.

　　Judging by John Harris’s anxious expression, something serious must have happened.

　　Edward Grant leapt forward, covering ten steps in a single bound, as light as a swallow. In less than ten leaps, he had flown nearly a hundred steps down the mountain and appeared in front of the panting John Harris.

　　“Junior Brother Harris, what’s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry to find me?” As soon as he landed, Edward Grant asked.

　　“Carter—Senior Brother Carter, something… bad has happened.”

　　John Harris, gasping for breath, stammered, “Senior Brother Carter… he’s fighting Senior Brother Bolton in the arena.”

　　“What?” Edward Grant said urgently, “What exactly happened? Tell me as we go.”

　　Edward Grant grabbed John Harris’s arm and dashed down the mountain.

　　William Bolton has the cultivation of a peak fifth-level martial artist. Before Edward Grant’s encounter at Hidden Sword Pool, he was only at the fourth level, and when he sparred with William Bolton, he lost in just eleven moves. Samuel Carter is only at the third level, much weaker than Edward Grant, so how could he possibly be a match for William Bolton?

　　At Tianjian Sect, the rules are strict. Private fights between fellow disciples are forbidden. If there are any conflicts, they can challenge each other. As long as both parties agree to resolve the conflict through combat, they can duel under the supervision of others.

　　There are many disciples in Tianjian Sect, and with so many people, conflicts are inevitable. So, duels between disciples are quite common.

　　For this reason, Tianjian Sect specially built a dueling platform to provide a fixed place for disciples to duel. It’s located in a plaza that disciples often pass by, so all duels happen in public, preventing private fights that could lead to deaths and irreconcilable hatred.

　　Among the disciples, the dueling platform is called the arena, and duels between disciples are called fighting in the arena.

　　To duel in the arena, both parties must agree; no one can be forced. The challenged party can refuse, but will be looked down upon by other disciples.

　　Of course, there’s an exception: if someone with higher cultivation challenges someone with lower cultivation, refusing is usually understood by everyone, since even a one-level difference means a huge gap in strength.

　　If the difference is two levels, the gap is even greater, like heaven and earth.

　　At that point, if someone with higher cultivation challenges someone two levels lower, and the lower one refuses, not only will they not be looked down upon, but everyone will despise the higher one for bullying.

　　The difference between Samuel Carter and William Bolton is exactly two levels. By rights, Samuel Carter shouldn’t be dueling William Bolton in the arena, but the situation is completely the opposite, which is why Edward Grant is so surprised.

　　With Edward Grant pulling his arm, John Harris found it much easier to run, his breathing steadied, and he said, “It’s because Senior Brother Bolton was badmouthing Senior Brother Carter, saying Senior Brother Carter passed out at Hidden Sword Pool because he lost to him, was too ashamed to face anyone, and wanted to kill himself. Senior Brother Carter said Senior Brother Carter fainted because he was exhausted from forging swords. Senior Brother Bolton called Senior Brother Carter… a useless waste, saying even practicing swordsmanship could make him faint, and that he’s destined to be a loser. Senior Brother Carter said Senior Brother Carter isn’t a waste, and that one day he’ll surpass Senior Brother Bolton. Then Senior Brother Bolton laughed and said the whole Huang family are losers, Senior Brother Carter is a loser, and Senior Brother Carter is the worst of the worst. He said he could beat Senior Brother Carter to a pulp with one hand. Senior Brother Carter called him a liar, and Senior Brother Bolton said, ‘If you’re not the worst of the worst, then fight me. I’ll use only one hand and guarantee I’ll knock all your teeth out.’ So, Senior Brother Carter ended up fighting Senior Brother Bolton in the arena.”

　　In one breath, John Harris explained the whole reason and process behind Samuel Carter and William Bolton fighting in the arena.

Chapter 003: Beating Up William Bolton (Part 2)

　　Edward Grant’s brows shot up. The difference in strength between a third-level and a fifth-level martial artist is far too great—it’s not just a matter of one hand or two.

　　Using only one hand doesn’t mean your strength is cut in half. A martial artist’s power doesn’t change; it’s just that you have one less hand and can use fewer techniques. For a swordsman, as long as you have a sword in hand, one hand is enough to unleash eighty or ninety percent of your full strength.

　　Samuel Carter is nowhere near a match for even one hand of William Bolton.

　　As soon as Edward Grant heard this, he understood that his cousin Samuel Carter had fallen for William Bolton’s provocation and was deliberately lured into the arena. Once you’re on the stage, in front of everyone, and both sides agree, as long as you’re not beaten to death, even if you’re seriously injured, you can only blame your own lack of skill.