“Mm, right. This Spring and Autumn Pill, let William Carter take it.” James Bennett smiled and flicked his hand, tossing over a small jade bottle. He said, “Just now Charles also mentioned that William Carter needs to recover from his injuries. Use this to help him recover.” There seemed to be a hint of mockery in his smile, making it rather meaningful...

Charles Stone's face changed dramatically at once!

The Spring and Autumn Pill is used to enhance cultivation—how could it be used to replenish blood or heal the body? There are so many healing medicines in the sect, why use the Spring and Autumn Pill?

That comment of his was only meant to make Master feel some dislike toward these two junior brothers, so how did it backfire and end up losing the Spring and Autumn Pill?

How... how did it come to this?

William Carter keenly noticed the fleeting trace of mockery at the corner of James Bennett's mouth, and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart: It seems all of Charles Stone's schemes are clear to Master... But why does he never intervene?

And this time, bestowing the Spring and Autumn Pill on me is definitely because of my words, “Heaven and earth unchanging, rivers flow but stones do not turn.” But my master really is composed—he didn’t even ask anything...

After thinking it over, William Carter still decided to probe a little: “Uh, Master, my cultivation is shallow, so taking the Spring and Autumn Pill won’t do much for me. Why not let Senior Brother have it? That way, he can achieve a better ranking in the upcoming competition among the peaks.”

This was to test whether James Bennett truly knew Charles Stone's true nature.

As soon as he said this, Henry Turner's eyebrows started twitching anxiously, wishing he could cover William Carter's mouth, almost bursting out in a curse: Idiot, idiot, Master finally gave it to you, just quietly accept your fortune—why are you so foolish as to give it away?

A trace of hope also appeared on Charles Stone's face.

The three of them looked at James Bennett at the same time: Henry Turner was anxious, Charles Stone was nervous yet expectant, with a hint of greed; while William Carter's gaze remained calm.

“No need. Your senior brother isn’t injured... he doesn’t need it.” James Bennett said indifferently. Meeting William Carter's gaze, he smiled slightly: “Besides, your current level is not much different from your senior brother’s... Mm, that’s it. No need to say more.”

William Carter's face turned bitter—James Bennett's words clearly had another meaning. He was now a level three martial apprentice, while Senior Brother Charles Stone was a level four martial warrior—the difference was huge, so how could he say ‘your levels are not much different’?

The real meaning behind James Bennett's words should be: your cunning and scheming are about the same now... Master, you wrong me! I’m pure, really... William Carter cried out in his heart...

James Bennett gave this disciple another deep look, then flicked his sleeve and stood up, saying, “Train well, all of you. In three months, I will personally take you to ascend Gathering Cloud Peak!”

And with that, he left, disappearing from sight.

The three looked at each other. Charles Stone's eyes were fixed on the small jade bottle glowing softly in William Carter's hand, the muscles on his face twitching uncontrollably.

He had schemed so hard, all for this thing—yet it slipped away right before his eyes...

“Senior brother, thank you.” William Carter said to Charles Stone with seemingly sincere gratitude: “If it weren’t for your suggestion to help me recover, how would Master have bestowed this priceless divine pill upon me... In a way, it’s all thanks to you, senior brother.”

Charles Stone opened his mouth, forcing a smile uglier than crying: “Junior brother, what are you saying? This was specially given to you by Master, a sign of his deep favor.”

The divine pill had slipped from his grasp by a twist of fate, and the one who got it was now sincerely thanking him... He was filled with misery, but dared not show any of it. At this moment, Charles Stone was regretting to the extreme, wishing he could slap his own mouth: Serves you right for running your mouth! Why did you say that?

William Carter chuckled, turned the bottle upside down, and poured out a bright red pellet. As soon as it left the bottle, the room was filled with a strange fragrance. William Carter grinned and said, “I’ve heard this is a great thing—just one can increase a year’s worth of cultivation! Though the increase is a bit small... it can’t be wasted. I’ll take it now, and trouble my senior and junior brothers to guard me while I do.”

Charles Stone's face twitched again. A bit small? You actually think it’s not enough? Do you believe lightning won’t strike you from above?

It should have been mine, but now it’s in someone else’s hands, and that person is even asking me to guard him...

Charles Stone couldn’t describe his feelings, and was about to speak when he saw William Carter open his mouth wide, toss the Spring and Autumn Pill up, catch it in his mouth, and chew it with a loud crunch, smacking his lips: “Doesn’t taste like much...”

Charles Stone's face flushed red, as if all the blood in his body rushed to his head, nearly exploding...

The next moment, a flush suddenly rose on William Carter's face... the medicine’s power had already begun to take effect.

Henry Turner looked on enviously, smacking his lips: “William Carter is really lucky—he broke his head but got a spiritual pill, a whole year’s worth of pure cultivation. Truly a blessing in disguise. Sigh, how come someone as handsome as me didn’t break my head...”

Charles Stone felt as if his heart was bleeding, but could only force a dry laugh: “Yes, yes, lucky indeed...”