“Charlie, do you have confidence that you can win the position of successor as family head in seven days?”

“I will do my best.” Charles York also couldn’t be certain that he would definitely defeat Ethan York.

“If you can’t win, then so be it. To what extent has your strength recovered now?” Henry York said. He didn’t want to put too much pressure on Charles York. Matthew York’s scheming was meticulous—how could he not know? If Ethan York were to obtain the position of successor, Matthew York’s next step would likely be to target him. He was well aware of Matthew York’s secret dealings with the Yun Family Fortress, but he wouldn’t be intimidated by Yun Family Fortress just like that!

“I’ve already recovered to the fourth level.” Charles York said. Currently, his Xuanqi level was at the fourth stage, but the Xuanqi within his body was somewhat peculiar, its purity far surpassing ordinary Xuanqi. Even Charles York himself wasn’t sure how much strength he truly possessed. He estimated that his current strength was probably on par with Ethan York. There were still seven days left, and in that time, he was confident he could make further progress.

“Fourth level? Charlie, you’ve recovered quickly. If you can advance one more step, you should be able to defeat Ethan York.” Henry York was gratified. He had thought that, with Charles York’s meridians only just restored, his strength would be at most at the first or second level. He hadn’t expected Charles York to already be at the fourth, which surprised him greatly. Plus, Charles York had some foundation in martial techniques, so victory wasn’t out of the question.

“I’ve prepared several dozen Qi Gathering Pills for you. Take them and use them.” Henry York took out a brocade box from a hidden compartment nearby, inside of which were thirty-seven fragrant Qi Gathering Pills.

“Father, there’s no need. You don’t have to gather Qi Gathering Pills for me anymore—I don’t need them.” Charles York’s eyes reddened. Now, every day, his body was being tempered by the Xuanqi pouring out from the flying dagger; ordinary Qi Gathering Pills simply had no effect. Over the past three years, he had consumed thousands of Qi Gathering Pills, and now the family’s finances were depleted—they simply couldn’t afford to gather more.

“I’m giving you these Qi Gathering Pills so you can win first place at the ancestral ceremony, and prevent the position of successor from falling into the hands of Matthew York and his son! These few Qi Gathering Pills don’t cost much!”

“Father, I’ve recently been cultivating the Thunder Emperor Technique and have gained some insight. I truly don’t need Qi Gathering Pills anymore.” Charles York said firmly.

Chapter 9: Qi Condensing Pill!!

Seeing Charles York’s determination, Henry York could only give up.

“The Thunder Emperor Technique is indeed marvelous. Charlie, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. I want to pass on the first level of the Thunder Emperor Technique to the clan members for cultivation. What do you think?” Henry York asked. After all, the Thunder Emperor Technique was given to him by Charles York, and perhaps the ancestors had left some instructions—he didn’t dare to hand it over lightly.

The Nine Star Heavenly Chen Technique had nine volumes in total, and the Thunder Emperor Technique was just one of them. The deeper formulas absolutely had to be protected, but giving the first level to the clan members for cultivation wasn’t out of the question. After all, the family’s strength was their foundation for survival in this world.

“Since I’ve already given the Thunder Emperor Technique to you, Father, you can decide for yourself.” Charles York said, believing his father already had his own ideas.

“Very well.” Henry York laughed heartily, then suddenly remembered something, his expression turning a bit serious: “I see that Charlie is very close to Charlie. Do you have feelings for Charlie?”

Previously, when Charles York’s meridians were severed, Henry York hadn’t thought much about it. Now that Charles York’s meridians had recovered and the gloom in his heart had lifted, he began to consider Charles York’s marriage.

“I’ve always regarded Charlie as a younger sister.” Charles York said, though he had to admit to himself that Charlie was becoming more and more beautiful and was especially close to him. Sometimes, Charles York couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter.

Henry York looked at Charles York and said, “If you only see her as a sister, that’s fine. Charlie is fostered at our Ye Family Fortress, but her background is far from simple. You must not develop feelings for Charlie, lest you bring trouble upon yourself in the future.”

Hearing Henry York’s words, Charles York felt a chill in his heart. He knew Charlie’s background was not simple. Although other young men in the Ye Family Fortress admired Charlie, they all kept their distance. Charles York hadn’t thought much about it before. For now, he needed to focus on improving his strength and preparing for the ancestral ceremony in seven days. The future could wait, Charles York thought.

“This is the Origin Thunder Body, a supreme martial technique of our family. Today, I will teach it to you. You won’t be able to use it just yet, but reading it will definitely benefit you greatly. This technique is extraordinary, so you must take good care of it! If you encounter any problems while practicing, you can always come to me. In the next few days, you must train diligently.” Henry York instructed earnestly, taking out a book from the hidden compartment.

“Yes, I understand.” Charles York nodded in response. It was actually the Origin Thunder Body. This was a treasured technique of the family, only accessible to people at the level of Henry York and David York. Even the family elder Matthew York had never learned it.

“The mysteries of the Thunder Emperor Technique are truly indescribable. Using the Thunder Emperor Technique to operate the Origin Thunder Body can multiply its power several times over. Right now, even if I face an early ninth-level expert, I am not afraid. I am also about to break through the barrier and advance to the ninth level. My cultivation has been stuck at the peak of the eighth level for nearly five years, and finally, there are signs of a breakthrough.” Henry York said with satisfaction.

“Congratulations, Father.”