"Elder sister, I can cultivate now. I can become a martial artist. Do you remember? I was never able to draw in qi, but today, I finally managed to draw spiritual energy from the outside world into my body. I've entered the Spirit Induction Stage!"

"What? Little brother, you've entered the Spirit Induction Stage?" Grace Sullivan's beautiful face seemed to turn to stone, stunned in place. Back then, her brother was chosen as a genius, but after so many years, he had never managed to break through and become a martial artist. She had long since stopped hoping for him to become one. But now...

"Yes, I've entered the Spirit Induction Stage. Look, sister!" Mike Sullivan said, clenching his fist with one hand and punching the air in front of him.

Immediately, a gust of wind from his punch swept through the air before him, sounding especially crisp in the tightly closed room.

"It's really the Spirit Induction Stage..." In Grace Sullivan's eyes, as clear as autumn water, an incomparably bright light suddenly shone. Although she wasn't a martial artist, she knew that only after entering the Spirit Induction Stage would the body contain spiritual energy, and only then would punches carry such force.

There was no doubt her brother had entered the Spirit Induction Stage. He could finally become a martial artist!

"That's wonderful! Little brother, you finally succeeded, you finally did it!" Grace Sullivan grabbed Mike Sullivan's hands, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls.

"Sister, I've become a martial artist. You should be happy, so why are you crying? Don't worry, sister, I will never let you marry someone you don't want to. From now on, I will protect you."

Looking at his sister, who was even more excited than himself upon learning he had become a martial artist, Mike Sullivan gently wiped the tears from her face, feeling incredibly happy. Could there be anything more fortunate than having such a sister?

"Sister, I will find a way to solve the village's water problem. After I try, can you reconsider whether you want to marry Edward Carter?" Mike Sullivan looked at his sister earnestly, but secretly vowed that even if he failed, he would find a way to take her away, never letting her marry Edward Carter.

"Alright, I believe you, little brother. You will definitely protect your sister." Grace Sullivan smiled gently. "I believe my brother has always been a genius—he was in the past, and he will be in the future!"

Chapter 3: The Great Roc Fist (Part 1)

Grace Sullivan repeatedly promised not to marry Edward Carter in exchange for the village's land.

Only then did Mike Sullivan feel at ease and return to his own room. Although Grace Sullivan was his sister, he didn't plan to reveal this secret to her. After all, this mysterious dagger had a truly strange origin. Even if Grace Sullivan would never betray him, the more people who knew, the more dangerous it would be.

Back in his room, he once again took out the mysterious dagger.

Now that he knew this dagger could cut open the void, allow him to obtain immortal energy, and make him stronger, he naturally had to cultivate even harder.

Just as before, Mike Sullivan slashed with the dagger in front of him.

But this time, nothing happened in the void—no crack appeared as he had imagined.

Mike Sullivan was stunned for a moment, then slashed several more times, but still couldn't figure it out, and no crack appeared. He sat cross-legged on the ground, staring blankly at the dagger in his hand, carefully recalling the slash that had created the crack before. Gradually, his mind merged with the dagger, and he gently slashed in front of him.

"Hmm?"

As soon as he made the slash, Mike Sullivan's brows furrowed.

He felt it!

With that slash, the feeling of all his strength being drained surged up again. At the same time, as the dagger cut through the air, it felt as if it was piercing into hard earth—he had to use all his strength to make it work.

After much effort, Mike Sullivan finally managed to open a thin crack, and a stream of immortal energy flowed out from it.

It wasn't the first time Mike Sullivan had felt this immortal energy, but even so, he couldn't help but feel dazed for a moment. This immortal energy was just too wonderful.

After a brief daze, Mike Sullivan quickly composed himself and began absorbing the immortal energy.

Although this slash was extremely difficult, the crack it created was almost the same size as before.

The space in front of Mike Sullivan only split open a crack before closing again.

Very soon, Mike Sullivan completely refined the immortal spiritual energy within his body, then stood up and began practicing his fist techniques.

He had just finished a set of moves when, outside the door, Little Henry's voice rang out.

"Mike Sullivan brother, something's wrong! The person who came for the appraisal today—they're back." Little Henry ran into the courtyard, sweating and flustered. "He brought two more people, said they're here to collect money, and even injured Uncle Six."

"They dare to hurt people!" Mike Sullivan was instantly furious.

That martial artist actually came to the village at this time. They must have been watching from outside for a long time and knew that all the able-bodied men had gone up the mountain to gather herbs, so they came to cause trouble. Only the elderly farmers, women, and children were left in the village—this was bad.

"Little Henry, go quickly and find people, and get the bows, crossbows, and fishing nets ready. I'll go check it out first." Mike Sullivan instructed Little Henry, then quickly ran toward his appraisal room.