John Reed and Jane Taylor stopped in their tracks, looking at Hugh Reed and the others. This was the first time John Reed had ever been blocked on his way inside the Luo residence.

Obviously, although his strength had only been three thousand jin before, others might have still feared that he would one day step into the True Qi Realm and soar to the top. But now, that concern was completely gone.

“A guy who’s trained hard for three years, pushed his body to the limit, and still hasn’t managed to enter the True Qi Realm, dares to say he’ll stand at the peak again one day? Hahaha...!”

Hugh Reed walked over, laughing loudly. “You really are optimistic, but you’re just daydreaming!”

From his voice, it was clear that the earlier comment about “boasting shamelessly” had also come from him.

“It’s not just daydreaming, it’s pure fantasy...!” Eugene Reed said coldly from the side. “If he stands at the peak, then where would that leave us? Especially Brother Hugh, your strength exceeds ten thousand jin, you’re the best among us. For him to surpass you—unless it’s in his next life. No... not even in his next life.”

Eugene Reed was the grandson of the Grand Elder, and the Grand Elder Peter Reed and the Supreme Elder Franklin Reed were biological brothers. The Grand Elder and the Supreme Elder were close, and Eugene Reed and Hugh Reed had played together since childhood and were very close as well.

“Just for what you said, we have to compete with you, so you can see reality for what it is—who is truly standing at the top.” Felix Reed said arrogantly, his sharp gaze fixed unceremoniously on John Reed’s face.

Felix Reed was the grandson of the Second Elder. In fact, the Second Elder, the Third Elder, and John Reed’s grandfather were all brothers.

It was just that John Reed’s grandfather died early, when John Reed’s father Nathaniel Reed was still very young. The Second Elder, as Nathaniel Reed’s uncle, not only failed to take extra care of him, but often withheld the cultivation resources Nathaniel Reed should have received. The Third Elder, on the other hand, took good care of Nathaniel Reed, providing a lot of help, allowing Nathaniel Reed’s cultivation talent to flourish, and eventually soar to great heights.

After Nathaniel Reed succeeded in his cultivation, the Second Elder tried every way to curry favor with him. After all, he was his uncle, and Nathaniel Reed didn’t hold it against him.

But later, when Nathaniel Reed was seriously injured and could no longer improve his cultivation, the Second Elder became tough again, and instead grew closer to the Supreme Elder Franklin Reed.

Among the direct descendants of the Luo clan, in fact, the blood relationship between John Reed and Felix Reed was closer than that between Felix Reed and Hugh Reed.

But clearly, this bit of blood relation meant nothing to Felix Reed. He was just like his grandfather. Three years ago, he tried every way to please John Reed, but ever since John Reed’s strength stalled at three thousand jin, he began to distance himself, and now he didn’t give John Reed any respect at all.

“That’s right, let him see reality...!”

“John Reed, do you dare to compete with Brother Hugh...!”

...

The followers behind the three, a few of the bolder ones, began to shout.

Over the past three years, John Reed’s state of mind had been tempered to crystal clarity, unaffected by others. He remained calm in the face of their provocations, his emotions unreadable.

Jane Taylor, clearly lacking John Reed’s composure, immediately turned green with anger and said coldly, “You really are shameless. If this were three years ago, would you dare say such things? If any of you want to compete, come challenge me instead.”

Her pretty face flushed green, Jane Taylor exuded a fierce aura, like a female Rakshasa.

As she spoke, she stepped in front of John Reed.

Although she was young, her strength was over seven thousand jin, second only to Hugh Reed. Other than Hugh Reed, who would dare compete with her?

With over seven thousand jin of force, it was no surprise if someone ended up with torn muscles and broken bones.

Of course, when it came to Jane Taylor, everyone was eager to please her, and no one dared to challenge her.

“Cousin Jane Taylor, times have changed. He’s not the same as he was three years ago.” Hugh Reed spoke, his gaze fixed on John Reed. “If he doesn’t see reality, he’ll still think he’s the John Reed of three years ago.”

“John Reed, have you really fallen to the point where you need a woman to protect you?”

Felix Reed stepped forward, staring intently at John Reed. “You’re not even worthy of Brother Hugh taking action. Come on, I’ll defeat you in ten breaths—no, five breaths. Cousin Jane Taylor, just watch and see what kind of trash the former genius has become!”

Competing with John Reed in front of Jane Taylor, crushing John Reed’s dignity—this was the plan Eugene Reed had offered to Hugh Reed.

In this world, the strong are respected. In their eyes, as long as they defeated John Reed in front of Jane Taylor, crushed his dignity, and let Jane Taylor witness his defeat, she would surely lose interest in him.

Being so young, they couldn’t come up with any better plan. Hugh Reed fully agreed with Eugene Reed’s suggestion, so after the strength test, they brought people to block John Reed and Jane Taylor on the road.

Their aggressive behavior made Jane Taylor furious, and she was about to speak again when a hand pulled her back.

John Reed pulled Jane Taylor to his side, giving her a reassuring look. “Since cousin Felix Reed wants to compete with me, I’ll play along.”

Felix Reed’s strength was over 5,800 jin, while John Reed’s was just over 4,200 jin—a difference of about 1,600 jin. In terms of strength, John Reed was clearly at a disadvantage.

With the same punch, the opponent’s strength was over 1,600 jin greater. If they clashed head-on, John Reed would definitely suffer.