Brian Baker obviously did not expect Ethan Carter to come here. He fixed his gaze on Ethan Carter, then glanced at Charles Carter not far beside him, thinking to himself that the Qin family had sent people to rescue Ethan Carter late at night, and now both the Qin family and Ethan Carter had appeared. In that case, everything today would be easy to handle. Ashley Baker had not told Brian Baker about her encounter with Ethan Carter last night.

Mark Shaw's eyes lit up when he saw Ethan Carter, his eyes narrowing into slits, full of laughter. Ashley Baker could be abandoned if necessary, but as for Ethan Carter, he was determined to win him over today.

Mark Shaw glanced casually at Thomas Green beside him, only to see the other man's face full of disdain. Instantly, Mark Shaw was delighted inside, wondering what kind of wonderful expression Thomas Green would have when Ethan Carter revealed his brilliance later.

On the martial stage, Ashley Baker looked at Ethan Carter, a strange light flashing in her beautiful eyes, and said, "Ethan Carter, this is not a place for you to stand. Step down."

Ethan Carter looked at her, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile, but he did not reply.

Seeing that Ethan Carter was just looking at her, Ashley Baker's brows furrowed, seeming quite displeased. She continued, "Ethan Carter, I know you are unwilling to accept this, but there is an unbridgeable gap between us, and we are destined not to be together. No matter how unwilling you are, don't make trouble. The martial arena is not a place for you to stay. Leave."

"You really think highly of yourself," Ethan Carter replied indifferently, then stood to the side, no longer looking at Ashley Baker. At sixteen years old, she was already so scheming. He felt pathetic for his former self, who had treated her sincerely, regarding her as family and fiancée, while she had only ever used him.

"Wentian, my dear nephew."

From the stands, Brian Baker's voice came. Ethan Carter slowly turned his gaze toward the stands, only to see Brian Baker smiling as he said, "Wentian, my dear nephew, my daughter Ashley Baker, seeing that you could not cultivate, has devoted herself to teaching you for years, hoping to guide you onto the path of cultivation. Though she failed, she did her best. Yet, I never expected you to be such a beast."

"Ashley Baker taught me? A beast?" Ethan Carter's expression froze. Seeing Brian Baker's upright demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust. Such a despicable person—he had once respected him as a father.

"Although you and Qiuxue have a verbal engagement, after all, you are not yet married, and yet you tried to commit indecent acts, even harboring intentions toward my younger daughter Emily Baker. I am deeply pained by this. However, for the sake of our past relationship, I will not hold it against you. I hope that after today, you will not appear before me again."

Brian Baker's voice was calm, but it made Ethan Carter see his true colors completely. This was not letting him off, but utter baseness. He wanted to break off the engagement, and did so with such vile means. Just like when he had once fawned over and clung to the Qin family, this man would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, regardless of shame or decency.

Hearing Brian Baker's righteous words, countless people immediately looked at Ethan Carter with contempt, and all kinds of harsh insults filled the air.

"Silence." Thomas Green called out coldly, and the surroundings instantly quieted down again. Thomas Green stared at Ethan Carter and said coldly, "It's one thing if you can't cultivate, but to be such a scoundrel—though the Bai family head does not hold it against you, that doesn't mean you can act recklessly here. Get down."

"Junior brother." Beside Thomas Green, a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes glanced at him. Thomas Green said, "Senior brother, this man was born with blocked meridians and cannot cultivate. He once had a marriage agreement with Ashley Baker. It's hard to believe Ashley Baker endured such a person for three years."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately understood. Thomas Green was trying to win over Ashley Baker, so he let him be.

Ethan Carter's expression also turned cold. This Royal Academy was renowned throughout Chu, yet for the sake of Ashley Baker, they acted like this—truly disappointing.

"The four great academies and martial houses are recruiting. I came onto the stage, but I don't think I've done anything out of line. Senior, you are from the Royal Academy. Even if you value Ashley Baker, you shouldn't be so flattering. You haven't even determined whether I am qualified to participate in this assessment, yet you blindly humiliate and suppress me. If everyone from the Royal Academy is like this, it's truly sad."

"Insolence!" Thomas Green shouted angrily, "I have personally confirmed it. Could there still be a mistake?"

"If senior acts solely on personal preference, Ethan Carter has nothing more to say." Ethan Carter stood tall and upright.

"The young man speaks with reason. Thomas Green, you are being too arbitrary. Don't you think that's lacking in grace?" Mark Shaw was even more delighted to see Ethan Carter and Thomas Green at odds.

Thomas Green glared coldly at Mark Shaw, then replied, "I didn't expect Brother Mark Shaw to deliberately defend this person. In that case, I'll wait and see. If anyone is found unqualified during the assessment, don't blame me for being rude."

"Let the assessment begin."

"It can begin now."

The four great powers all spoke up. Soon, two upright stone mirrors appeared on the battle stage. These upright stone mirrors had nine dim halos from top to bottom. Their shapes were similar, yet different. The stone mirror on the left emitted a faint aura of heaven and earth energy, while the one on the right exuded a faint aura of astral energy.