"Many thanks for your concern, Mark Shaw. My father is well, just not fond of socializing, so he cannot come out to greet you in person." Charles Carter smiled at Mark Shaw, though inwardly he was wary. Mark Shaw was from the Empyrean Star Academy, and he too had come for Ashley Baker. It seemed the Bai family's annulment of the engagement was inevitable.

"Mark Shaw, Ashley Baker must join my Royal Academy." Thomas Green stared at Mark Shaw, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Oh, really." Mark Shaw chuckled, then sat down on his own, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. His eyes paused briefly on Ethan Carter. Last night, he had snuck into the Bai residence, curious to see which genius the Bai family was hiding, but unexpectedly discovered something interesting. That person had secretly left the Bai residence, and out of curiosity, he had followed—only to see that person arrive at the Qin residence.

"I thought the Bai family was hiding a Yuanfu Realm expert, but it turned out to be a youth about the same age as Ashley Baker. Judging by the strength of his astral power, this boy's talent is definitely not inferior to Ashley Baker." Mark Shaw thought to himself. This trip was truly worthwhile.

At this moment, all the members of the Qin family were sighing inwardly. The Royal Academy was the imperial academy of the Chu royal family, admitting only nobles and exceptionally talented individuals. It ranked among the top three academies and martial institutes in the Chu Dynasty.

The Empyrean Star Academy only accepted those with martial destinies. Anyone who entered and later graduated would become a super expert of the Yuanfu Realm—a cradle of geniuses. The Yuanfu Realm was a level beyond the ninth stage of the Wheel Pulse, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, possessing powerful magical abilities, forming a Yuanfu within the body, and wielding boundless, surging Yuan energy, even able to fly through the air and soar across the heavens.

Every Yuanfu Realm expert was a person of great importance, able to dominate Tianyong City.

Yet now, both the Royal Academy and the Empyrean Star Academy had come to the Qin residence, all for Ashley Baker.

Chapter 7: Iron-Blooded Father and Son

Thomas Green assumed Mark Shaw had come to the Qin residence for the same reason as he did, and couldn't help but feel a bit pressured. He turned to Yvonne Carter and asked, "Yao'er, in your Qin family, which young talent is engaged to Ashley Baker?"

"Well..." Yvonne Carter looked troubled, her beautiful eyes glancing at Ethan Carter, then said, "Teacher, there seems to have been some change in this matter."

"What change?" Thomas Green was taken aback.

Yvonne Carter glanced at Charles Carter. She herself didn't quite understand what had happened, and didn't dare to deceive her teacher, so she felt rather awkward.

"Wentian, come here." Charles Carter called to Ethan Carter, who immediately stepped forward. Charles Carter then said, "Brother Tang, Brother Mo, this is my son Ethan Carter. He is the one engaged to Ashley Baker. However, my son's situation is special. Though he has excellent talent, he cannot cultivate. Could you both take a look and see if there is any solution?"

"Big brother, born with severed meridians—how is that good talent?" Harry Carter said.

"Shut up! What do you mean, born with severed meridians? Ethan once had all his meridians. Something must have happened to cause this. Besides, Ethan has an exceptionally strong sense for astral power." Charles Carter rebuked sharply. This scene made Mark Shaw and Thomas Green narrow their eyes slightly, as if they understood something, though their thoughts differed.

"Let me take a look." Mark Shaw and Thomas Green spoke almost simultaneously, each placing a hand on Ethan Carter's wrist.

"A person with severed meridians..." Thomas Green's heart trembled, his expression turning sour. He withdrew his hand and forced a smile. "Heh, looks like I've wasted my time. So-called dragon and phoenix union—now even a snake dares to dream of the phoenix?"

Charles Carter's pupils contracted, his expression turning cold. "Sir, don't you think your words are a bit inappropriate?"

"Hmm?" Thomas Green noticed Charles Carter's change in address and was displeased. The Qin family had fallen out of favor with the current emperor and was declining day by day, soon to become history. If not for Ashley Baker and Yvonne Carter, he would never have set foot in the Qin residence. He hadn't expected Charles Carter to be so rude to him for the sake of Ethan Carter.

"Charles Carter, it seems you really are delusional. The once-prestigious Qin family has come to this—how laughable." Thomas Green sneered.

"If you have no other business, please leave." Charles Carter gestured, issuing an order to leave. This made Yvonne Carter extremely uneasy. "Teacher, my father has always had a quick temper. Please don't take offense."

"Yvonne Carter, your father really doesn't know what's good for him." Thomas Green said coldly.

"Yao'er, from now on, you are not to regard this man as your teacher." Charles Carter's voice was forceful, making Yvonne Carter turn pale, while Thomas Green was furious and snapped, "Fine, very well!"

Ethan Carter watched all this, sighing inwardly. Looking at Charles Carter's resolute face, he felt guilty. For his sake, Charles Carter had offended so many people, and now had even fallen out with a Royal Academy expert—his own daughter's teacher.

But Mark Shaw was thinking something else entirely. He stared at Ethan Carter, narrowed his eyes, and smiled. "Young Carter, when did he lose his meridians?"

"Since he was six years old," Charles Carter replied. "It got worse after that, until all his meridians were shattered."

"Six years old..." Mark Shaw drew a sharp breath, staring at Ethan Carter, then let go of his hand, his gaze flickering. If his guess was correct, what kind of extraordinary willpower must this youth possess?

Thinking of Thomas Green's behavior just now, Mark Shaw couldn't help but secretly laugh at him. This fool.