During his three years at Nanxing Academy, he had already endured enough ridicule—what difference would a few more words make! In fact, he should thank these people; it was their mockery that made his resolve to become stronger even firmer.

  “Henry Carter, why are you here again?”

  Suddenly, an extremely familiar voice entered his ears, making Henry Carter tremble all over. His face instantly turned pale, and Henry Carter turned around with some difficulty, looking in the direction the voice had come from.

  The newcomer was a young girl. She wore a red leather skirt, silver knee-high boots, and had shiny, jet-black short hair cut to her ears. Her whole being radiated a youthful and lively energy. Surrounded by several other pretty girls, she walked toward Henry Carter.

  The girl's name was Emily Johnson, once a close friend of Henry Carter!

  “I’m waiting for a friend, not looking for you!” The muscles at the corner of Henry Carter’s eyes twitched a little unnaturally. He took a deep breath, then glanced indifferently at Emily Johnson and said coldly.

  “You? Waiting for a friend at the entrance of Qingluan Courtyard?” Emily Johnson let out a mocking laugh, glancing at Henry Carter as if she had just heard a hilarious joke.

  Because the Qiao and Ye families were old friends, the two families often visited each other. Over time, the similarly aged Emily Johnson and Henry Carter got to know each other. Henry Carter looked after Emily Johnson like an older brother, and Emily Johnson was also very fond of Henry Carter. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them childhood sweethearts.

  During the entrance test, Henry Carter’s spiritual sea aptitude was the lowest red grade, while Emily Johnson’s was blue grade—an extremely high talent. In the following three years, Henry Carter’s cultivation remained stuck at one-star apprentice, while Emily Johnson’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. She was now a student in the intermediate class.

  Henry Carter had always regarded Emily Johnson as a little sister. Even after Emily Johnson became an intermediate class student, even after she moved into Qingluan Courtyard, even after her cultivation reached six-star apprentice, in Henry Carter’s heart, Emily Johnson was still that little girl with a runny nose, clutching his sleeve and crying.

  Henry Carter thought Emily Johnson needed his care!

  Half a year ago, when Emily Johnson moved into Qingluan Courtyard, Henry Carter happily came to help her settle in. But to his utter shock, Emily Johnson publicly and harshly humiliated Henry Carter!

  “Dragons do not dwell with snakes”—these five words were like sharp nails, driven deep into Henry Carter’s heart. From that moment, Henry Carter understood one thing: Emily Johnson was no longer the same as before. Without strength, no one would respect you!

  In Emily Johnson’s eyes, even spending a single minute with Henry Carter was a disgrace!

  “Henry Carter, right? Stop daydreaming. You and Sister Emily are not from the same world!”

  “Sister Emily is about to reach seven-star apprentice. Within two years, she’ll definitely become a martial artist. And you? After three years of hard work at Nanxing Academy, you’re still stuck at one-star apprentice!”

  “You? Still waiting for a friend here? Do you even know where this is? This is Qingluan Courtyard! The students living here are all the elites of Nanxing Academy!”

  “Why don’t you take a look in the mirror and see what you really are?”

  The girls beside Emily all looked at Henry Carter with condescending eyes, their voices cold and merciless as they rebuked him.

  The scornful ridicule of the crowd fell on Henry Carter’s ears. His expression grew even colder, and his tightly clenched fists turned slightly white from the force.

  Gritting his teeth, Henry Carter slowly raised his head, his dark eyes sweeping coldly over the crowd before finally landing on Emily Johnson. He had never expected anything from Emily Johnson, yet his selfless care was met with such icy mockery!

  Was this still the Emily Johnson he once knew?

  People change!

  “Human affection is truly as thin as paper!”

  A person must rely on themselves to live. Only when you become strong will others look at you differently. When you are weak, no one will respect you!

  At this moment, Henry Carter deeply understood this.

  Ignoring Emily Johnson, Henry Carter’s gaze was icy as he walked away with pride.

  “Henry Carter, don’t come here again. You and I are no longer from the same world. I made myself very clear last time—dragons do not dwell with snakes!” Emily Johnson lifted her chin slightly, looking arrogantly at Henry Carter’s back as she spoke coldly. She didn’t want to have any further connection with Henry Carter.

Chapter 10: Flaming Sun Body-Tempering Pill

  At this moment, a noble and beautiful girl in the distance witnessed the scene. She was Grace Hamilton!

  Grace Hamilton’s beautiful purple hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her pure white, form-fitting long dress accentuated her graceful curves, making her figure even more striking. At the bare neckline, her elegantly shaped neck and alluring collarbones were faintly visible. Next to her slightly raised chest, a delicate purple flower was embroidered, adding a touch of elegance to her aura.

  Grace Hamilton saw that Henry Carter’s back looked somewhat lonely. She didn’t know what had happened between Henry Carter and Emily Johnson, but the cold expression on Henry Carter’s face made her heart tremble slightly.

  But Henry Carter did not erupt in anger; instead, he endured it, like a volcano that had yet to erupt.