Elder Bennett looked at Eric Dawson and Ethan Clark, sighing with some satisfaction: “If I remember correctly, back then, when Nephew Dawson had just completed three years of cultivation, he successfully opened his dantian and qi sea. Heaven blesses my Guangcheng Mountain—another genius among geniuses has emerged!”

Everyone’s expressions gradually became subtle, their gazes shifting back and forth between Eric Dawson and Ethan Clark.

“We didn’t know much about this Ethan Clark before, but it turns out he’s only been formally practicing martial arts for just three years!”

“This Ethan Clark can actually rival Senior Brother Dawson; his talent is truly terrifying!”

“No, Senior Brother Dawson grew up in Guangcheng Mountain, personally taught by Elder Dawson. In terms of environment, conditions, techniques, resources, and mentorship, every aspect is far superior to what Ethan Clark had!”

“So, doesn’t that mean Ethan Clark is even… even… my god, how is that possible?!”

Ethan Clark took a deep breath, raised his eyes to look calmly at Eric Dawson, his back straightening even more, like a spear about to pierce the sky.

Eric Dawson, however, didn’t look at him, but instead gazed with interest at the still-smiling Elder Bennett.

The others might not know the background, but how could he not?

This old man before him was backed by Eric Dawson’s Second Martial Uncle, who was also the most likely contender to compete with Old Man Dawson for the next head of Guangcheng Mountain.

Eric Dawson narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled silently.

Chapter 4: Eric Dawson Who Doesn’t Follow the Script

The white-haired Elder Bennett still wore a kindly, benevolent expression, smiling at Ethan Clark, seemingly completely unaware of the shock his words had caused among those present.

Eric Dawson glanced at Elder Bennett, then at Ethan Clark, suddenly finding it all rather amusing.

The chosen one, when facing an opponent who seems temporarily unbeatable and needs time and space to grow, will often have certain people—either actively or passively—become their backers, protecting the chosen one as they level up and break out of the novice village.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend; these people are usually on the opposite side of the cannon-fodder villains.

Once the chosen one grows strong, these people just need to quietly watch as the chosen one sweeps all before them, and as allies, they’ll naturally be rewarded a hundredfold afterward.

Generally speaking, they seem to be called… the righteous faction?

“Truly a master of the actor’s self-cultivation, perfectly following the script.” Eric Dawson sized up Elder Bennett and Ethan Clark with an unabashed, not particularly polite gaze.

Elder Bennett noticed, but instead of being angry, he was secretly pleased.

“The rumors are true—arrogant, domineering, and vengeful.” The white-bearded old man smiled, betraying nothing: “Losing face in public—even though there are only sixteen people here, word will spread…”

“With this thorn planted, this boy will never let it go. Whether he lashes out now or waits until we leave the mountain and enters Zhenlongyuan to make a move in secret, either way is fine.”

Eric Dawson looked at Elder Bennett, then at Ethan Clark, and sneered inwardly.

“So first I show my disdain, then Ethan Clark shows his defiance, then because I’m provoked and can’t save face, I send my lackeys—be they servants or junior brothers—to teach Ethan Clark a lesson, only for them to get beaten up?”

In this setting, fighting openly is only allowed under the guise of sparring, unless the other party clearly makes a mistake.

As long as the weaker one doesn’t initiate the challenge, there’s basically no chance of someone using their higher cultivation to bully the lower, or the strong picking on the weak.

And the chosen one, with protagonist’s aura, always has the innate ability to defeat those above their level and be invincible among their peers.

Minions can’t win one-on-one, and even ganging up is usually useless—instead, it might just turn into a pile of experience points, accelerating Ethan Clark’s growth.

“Who knows, maybe after a few rounds, he’ll level up right on the spot?”

That’s not impossible at all.

“Then, after the lackeys are beaten to a pulp, I get furious and, regardless of whether it’s bullying the weak, step in myself to teach Ethan Clark a lesson. Even though Ethan Clark is still far from my level, he’ll stubbornly hold out for a few rounds, showing off his style?”

“Maybe he’ll even use his golden finger to make me suffer a little loss?”

“Just as I get serious and am about to beat him like a dead dog, this old man Bennett or someone else steps in to break it up, so I can only throw out a few lines like ‘Kid, you got lucky today,’ and the matter ends for now?”

“Even if I win, there’s nothing glorious about it—most people will just think I’m bullying the weak and end up sympathizing with Ethan Clark?”

Eric Dawson curled his lip: “If I follow this script, do you take me for a fool?”

Elder Bennett smiled at Eric Dawson, while Ethan Clark and Alice Warren looked at Eric Dawson with slight wariness, and the others watched Eric Dawson with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

“Zhenlongyuan—some of you have been there before, and those who haven’t have at least heard of its fearsome reputation.” Amid everyone’s anticipation, Eric Dawson finally spoke: “With your current cultivation, even if you don’t go deep, just approaching the outskirts is extremely dangerous.”

“Although I’ll be going with you, this trip is for you to gain experience, not for sightseeing. I’ll keep things under control, but you must also do your best.”