At that time, William Carter finally learned that his master, James Bennett—the man who was so low-key in Tianwai Tower that he could not be any more inconspicuous—was actually one of the most powerful cultivators in Tianwai Tower! His cultivation had already reached the Martial Grandmaster level! He was even close to becoming a Martial Supreme!

　　In the final moments, James Bennett discovered the gravely injured but still alive William Carter, floated over, and knocked him unconscious with a single palm. Then William Carter felt himself being buried under countless corpses.

　　That was undoubtedly the only way his master could save him. But after that, William Carter never saw James Bennett again for the rest of his life, nor did he hear any news about him...

　　Throughout his previous life, searching for his master’s whereabouts was a mission forever etched in his heart! To find his master, protect him, and repay him was also his heartfelt wish. But he never succeeded... This became an eternal regret in his heart.

　　Now, seeing this familiar and kind face again, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions.

　　“In three months, it will be the Grand Competition among the peaks.” James Bennett’s words interrupted William Carter’s thoughts. He continued, “The three of you must intensify your training. Let’s see who can enter the inner sect and become an inner disciple. This is a grand event for Tianwai Tower, and you must not slack off.”

　　“Yes.” The three answered in unison.

　　“Our Tianwai Tower is different from other sects. The masters of the nine peaks and one garden have always been chosen from among the inner disciples. I also hope that one of you can become one of the top ten disciples and inherit the Purple Bamboo Garden.”

　　James Bennett smiled freely and said, “But if you can’t, don’t force it. I’ll just take you away from Purple Bamboo Garden and find a place to live in seclusion.”

　　William Carter smiled bitterly in his heart. His master was still so carefree and indifferent. He never took anything to heart; for such a major event, anyone else would fight desperately, but to him, it seemed to matter not at all.

　　“Disciple will certainly not disappoint Master’s expectations!” Charles Stone’s eyes grew fervent as he vowed earnestly.

　　“Mm, I have some matters to attend to and need to go out for a while,” James Bennett said calmly. “I may not return until after the Grand Competition. You three just focus on your training.”

　　The three were all stunned. With the competition approaching, which master on any other peak wasn’t urging their disciples to train with all their might? Yet their own master was leaving at such a critical moment? Completely letting go and not caring at all?

　　“Master, please take care. Since you have decided to leave at this crucial time, it must be for something that cannot be delayed,” William Carter thought for a moment and said slowly, “Heaven and earth do not change, the river’s stone does not turn; there is always a future. Just as you taught us just now, nothing should be forced. We only hope for your safe and smooth return, and ask for nothing else.”

　　William Carter vaguely remembered that this time, James Bennett would not return until half a year later, and he would come back gravely injured, taking more than a year to recover.

　　With his Martial Grandmaster strength, he was already a top expert in the Lower Three Heavens; there were very few who could harm him. The only possibility was that he was beset by many enemies, or perhaps he went... to the Middle Three Heavens!

　　Heaven and earth do not change, the river’s stone does not turn!

　　James Bennett’s body suddenly trembled, as if a thunderclap had struck from the Ninth Heaven, hitting him on the head, leaving him stunned for a moment. After a long while, he turned around, looked at William Carter, and his eyes shone with a strange light.

　　Of the three disciples, Charles Stone was obsessed with power and coveted the position of chief inner disciple, Henry Turner was still young and ignorant, and only William Carter realized that this trip was not only of great importance but also dangerous. Moreover, his words carried deep meaning.

　　But the most crucial thing was that phrase, “Heaven and earth do not change, the river’s stone does not turn,” which seemed to faintly touch the bottleneck he had struggled with for years in his cultivation...

　　William Carter secretly smiled to himself. Master, don’t blame me for stopping you; I’m doing this for your own good. In your previous life, you barely escaped with your life after suffering nearly fatal injuries on this trip, which shows your strength still wasn’t enough for that task. It’s better to cultivate in seclusion for a while longer...

　　This “Heaven and earth do not change, the river’s stone does not turn” is precisely the mantra for breaking through the bottleneck at the Martial Grandmaster level. Once one’s strength reaches the peak of Martial Grandmaster, a bottleneck appears. Only after a moment of enlightenment can one break through.

　　And this “Heaven and earth do not change, the river’s stone does not turn” is a kind of realm! Only Martial Grandmasters who have reached this subtle level can truly appreciate the profundity of these words!

　　How could James Bennett be an exception?

Chapter 6: A Twist of Fate and the Spring-Autumn Pill

　　These words shook James Bennett like a magnitude-nine earthquake. Such a simple phrase completely shattered his plans. Once the bottleneck loosens, if you don’t break through in one go, the next attempt will require twice the effort and may still fail!

　　With his state of mind unsettled, even if James Bennett insisted on leaving now, he wouldn’t be able to.

　　“I can’t leave for now. I need to go into seclusion,” James Bennett said, his gaze sharpening as he studied William Carter for a while. Seeing that William Carter’s expression was calm, as if his earlier words were spoken without much thought, he could only smile helplessly.

　　He had just said he was going out, but now he was saying he couldn’t leave. Such flip-flopping would normally be looked down upon, but James Bennett seemed completely unconcerned, stating it as if it were the most ordinary thing. It seemed this kind of thing was quite normal for him.