The son-in-law cannot cultivate, not even managing to become the most ordinary martial practitioner. Thus, he hopes to break into the first level of body refinement through running—this is nothing but a fool’s dream. All the servants of the Bai family look down on Ethan Carter; if not for his luck in being the young master of Carter Residence, their family head would never have chosen such a useless son-in-law.

“I heard that last night Young Lady became a martial fate cultivator. I wonder if this engagement can still be kept.” In the distance, some servants watched Ethan Carter running, whispering among themselves.

“Yeah, the family head convened a high-level family meeting that very night and spread the news. I heard the martial fate star that Young Lady connected with is a star from the third star river. Even among martial fate cultivators, she’s an outstanding genius.”

“That’s right. Humans are born with a stargate that can accommodate a star soul, but without talent, you can’t condense one at all. But now Young Lady can already sense the stars of the third heaven. In the future, after reaching the ninth level of body refinement and stepping into the Wheel Pulse Realm, she’ll open another stargate. Then, she’ll be able to easily condense a second star soul, at least one from the third heaven again. That’s incredible. If she can open more stargates in the future…”

“Not only that, the energy contained in the stars of the third heaven is far greater than that of the first heaven, so the star soul condensed is even more powerful. Tsk tsk, it looks like that useless guy’s position is in danger.”

They didn’t know that all these voices reached Ethan Carter’s ears. He had meditated for many years, and his perception was far beyond ordinary people’s—he could hear even the faintest sounds. However, he didn’t care about these rumors. Ashley had known him for three years; they often spent time together, like family. Even if Ashley didn’t like him, it didn’t matter. When the time came, the two families could discuss it and call off the engagement. Ashley would still be his sister.

“Seven days from now is Uncle Baker’s fiftieth birthday. I’ll condense my star soul on that day, as a gift for Uncle Baker.”

Thinking of this, Ethan Carter smiled. Everyone thought he was born with blocked meridians and couldn’t cultivate, but they didn’t know it was Henry Black who had him shatter his own meridians. He had never doubted Henry Black’s words. Using what Henry Black taught him, he had already helped Ashley condense her star soul. However, Henry Black never allowed Ethan Carter to mention him in front of outsiders.

Unknowingly, Ethan Carter arrived at the courtyard where Brian Baker was and couldn’t help but pause.

“Ethan.” A voice called out. Brian Baker appeared, looking at Ethan Carter: “Running again?”

“Mm.” Ethan Carter nodded. “How is Ashley? I’d like to see her.”

“Ethan, it doesn’t matter if you can’t cultivate. Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Brian Baker didn’t answer Ethan Carter’s question, but spoke on his own, making Ethan Carter pause, then smile: “I’ll do my best.”

“There’s no need to force it. Actually, being an ordinary person, starting a family, and living a peaceful life is also a good choice.” Brian Baker said again, making Ethan Carter freeze, looking at Brian Baker and feeling that he seemed a bit unfamiliar.

“All right.” Ethan Carter smiled again and said, “Uncle Baker, I’ll be going then.”

“Go ahead. Don’t wander around these days.” Brian Baker said blandly. Then Ethan Carter left. In the next two days, Ethan Carter didn’t see Brian Baker again, nor did he see Ashley Baker, while outside, the news of Ashley Baker becoming a genius spread throughout Tianyong City.

On the third day, when Ethan Carter finished his morning meditation, he found two more guards outside his courtyard. As he walked out, the two guards blocked his way. This scene made Ethan Carter’s heart sink, his expression changing instantly as he said coldly, “What is the meaning of this?”

“It’s chaotic outside. Young Master Carter, you’d better just stay here for the next few days.” One of them said coldly. Ethan Carter’s heart kept sinking. In the past, everyone in the Bai family would respectfully call him son-in-law, but now, they spoke to him in such a cold and distant tone.

What Ethan Carter cared about wasn’t the title of son-in-law, but the attitude.

“What happened?” Ethan Carter felt a chill. Ever since he helped Ashley Baker awaken her star soul that day, it felt like everything had suddenly changed.

“Young Master Carter, it’s best if you don’t get involved. Just stay put.”

“Insolence.” Ethan Carter rebuked, “I want to see Uncle Baker.”

One of the guards sneered, staring at Ethan Carter: “Useless trash, I’ll say it again—just stay put. Do you really think you’re still the son-in-law?”

Ethan Carter’s heart turned ice-cold. He wasn’t a fool; how could he not realize what was happening? He was under house arrest. Thinking back to what Uncle Baker had said to him, he knew—the Bai family wanted to break off the engagement.

“Uncle Baker, if you don’t want to honor this engagement, you could have just told me directly.” Ethan Carter murmured in his heart, feeling a pang of pain. Was everything over the past three years just a facade?

Ethan Carter knew that the engagement between the Bai and Qin families was to leverage the power of Carter Residence. Yet even so, why did the Bai family dare to treat him like this now?

“Shut up, both of you.” A reprimanding voice came. Ethan Carter looked up to see Emily Baker running over, grabbing Ethan Carter and pulling him into the room.