After being baptized by the mysterious energy within the flying knives, Charles York's body had already reached the Pure Yang Realm, making it extremely suitable for martial arts cultivation, so there was naturally no need to worry about these things.

After the fifth level, the rate at which mysterious energy condensed slowed down, but cultivation is not something that can be rushed. Charles York could only cultivate slowly, while continuously training his Thunder Origin Body as well as the two martial techniques, Collapsing Thunder Break and Violent Thunder Fist.

Although his strength had increased significantly, Charles York was not the least bit arrogant. He continued to train diligently and without slackening. The three years of having his meridians completely severed had tempered his character to be extremely steady.

During this period, The York Estate was bustling everywhere, with clan members all preparing for the ancestral worship ceremony. Although The York Estate was currently in dire financial straits, the ancestral ceremony could not be omitted. Those who managed the family's businesses outside also returned to The York Estate one after another, including Charles York's two older brothers.

Both of Charles York's older brothers had failed to reach the sixth level before the age of eighteen, remaining at the peak of the fifth level, and so were sent out to manage some of the family's businesses.

They wanted to come see Charles York, but were stopped by Henry York. At this time, they did not know that Charles York's meridians had already recovered. Before the ancestral ceremony, the news of Charles York's recovery had to be kept secret—the fewer people who knew, the better.

Knowing that the selection for the next clan head was approaching, all the eligible youths were intensifying their training, hoping to make a stunning impression at the ancestral ceremony.

After a long period of busy preparations, The York Estate finally welcomed the ancestral worship ceremony, which was of great importance to The York Estate and held once every five years.

In the central plaza, the place was packed with people. At the very center, a huge altar had been set up, with a dozen or so clan members slaughtering pigs and sheep nearby, preparing to offer sacrifices to the ancestors.

Henry York and the others were also taking their seats around the edge of the altar. There were sixteen seats at the altar's edge, with fifteen people seated: two at the eighth level, thirteen at the seventh level—the pillars of the entire clan. The central seat, however, remained empty.

Charles York and the other juniors stood behind the seats of Henry York and the others.

"Third brother, how has your health been lately?" The speaker was Mark York, Charles York's second brother. Mark York was five years older than Charles York, and, having failed to reach the sixth level before turning eighteen, had been sent by Henry York to manage the family's general store in Donglin County. After years of experience outside, Mark York's refined demeanor now carried a touch of carefree elegance, giving him a unique charm. As soon as Mark York returned, he wanted to visit Charles York, but had not managed to see him until now. Looking at Charles York at this moment, his eyes were full of concern.

Hearing Mark York's caring words, Charles York felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, "Much better now."

"I knew it—no setback can defeat our third brother! This is from your big brother and me!" Peter York, who was beside them, pulled Charles York over and quietly slipped a brocade box into his hand. He was the eldest of the three brothers, the most honest and steady in temperament, and had always taken great care of his younger brothers.

Charles York tried to refuse, but in the end did not. Opening the brocade box, he saw two Qi Gathering Pills inside. Peter York and Mark York, being away from home, did not have much income. After a whole year of scrimping and saving, they could only afford to buy two Qi Gathering Pills.

A wave of bittersweet emotion washed over Charles York. Although these two brothers did not come home often, they always cared deeply for him.

"Big brother, I don't need Qi Gathering Pills anymore."

"How could you not need them? You use so many Qi Gathering Pills every month! We're brothers—don't be polite with your big brother!" Peter York said earnestly.

"I..." Charles York really wanted to tell his two brothers right then that his meridians had already recovered, but with so many people around, he didn't know how to say it.

The concern from his two older brothers made Charles York feel the true bond of brotherhood. Looking at the brocade box in his palm, Charles York was silent for a moment, then put the box into his clothes, keeping it close to his body. In Charles York's eyes, they were far more than just two Qi Gathering Pills!

"Clan leader, the old clan leader has arrived!" A clan member rushed over, his face full of excitement.

"Sixth Uncle is finally here." Henry York smiled slightly. Everyone immediately stood up and looked toward the altar. The clan members all stepped aside, and an elderly man with white hair and beard, but full of vigor and dressed in a gray robe, strode forward with the bearing of a dragon or tiger.

"Greetings, old clan leader!"

"Greetings, old clan leader!"

The clan members on both sides were all excited. The old clan leader, Samuel York, was undoubtedly a godlike figure in their hearts—a ninth-level expert, the most powerful presence in The York Estate, and the clan's guardian force. Without the old clan leader's immense deterrence, The York Estate would not have been able to hold out with just Henry York and the others; it would have been swallowed up long ago.

A few words could not express the clan members' reverence for Samuel York.

"Sixth Uncle!" Henry York and the others all bowed deeply.

Samuel York waved his hand and laughed heartily, "It's been a long time since I returned to The York Estate. Seeing the clan still thriving brings comfort to my old heart. Let's skip these formalities."

"Seeing that Sixth Uncle is healthy puts us juniors at ease as well." Even Henry York could only refer to himself as a junior in front of Samuel York.

"Sixth Uncle, you came all this way—surely you didn't forget to bring gifts for your nephews?" David York said with a grin. He was the closest to Samuel York; others wouldn't dare speak to him like this.

"Of course I wouldn't forget you." Samuel York laughed and tossed a brocade box to David York.