Next, Charles Foster's sword "Sandu" and William Clark's sword "Bichen" have never truly crossed paths, so who would win is still unknown. Although he holds the family heirloom ring "Zidian" in his hand, William Clark's "Wangji" zither is also renowned. What Charles Foster cannot tolerate most is being at a disadvantage—if he isn't absolutely certain, he won't consider making a move against William Clark.

Charles Foster slowly withdrew his left hand, which had been caressing the ring. It seemed William Clark had made up his mind to intervene in this matter, so it would be inconvenient for him to play the villain any further. He would just remember this for now. After weighing his options, Charles Foster turned to see Lucas King still angrily covering his mouth and said, "If Hanguang-jun wants to punish you, just accept his discipline this time. It's not easy to be able to discipline the juniors of another clan."

His tone was mocking, though it was unclear at whom the mockery was directed. William Clark never argued for the sake of words and acted as if he hadn't heard. Charles Foster's words were barbed, and he continued, "Why are you still standing there? Waiting for the prey to run into your sword on its own? If you can't get what you came for in Dafan Mountain today, don't bother coming to see me again!"

Lucas King shot Ethan Sullivan a fierce glare, but didn't dare glare at William Clark, who had punished him with silence. He sheathed his sword, saluted the two elders, and withdrew with his bow. Ryan Clark said, "Mr. Foster, as for the destroyed Binding Immortal Nets, the Gusu Lan Clan will return them in full."

Charles Foster sneered, "No need!" He chose the opposite direction and strolled down the mountain. The guest cultivators behind him followed in silence, knowing they would inevitably be scolded when they returned, their faces full of worry.

Once their figures had disappeared, Brian Clark said, "Why is this Mr. Foster like this!" Only after speaking did he remember the Lan Clan's family rules about not speaking ill of others behind their backs. Startled, he glanced at Hanguang-jun and quickly shut his mouth, shrinking back. Ryan Clark gave Ethan Sullivan a gentle smile and said, "Young Master Mo, we meet again."

Ethan Sullivan tugged at the corner of his mouth. William Clark, however, spoke up, his instructions concise and plain: "Go do your tasks."

Only then did the juniors remember what they were supposed to do on Dafan Mountain. They put away their other thoughts and respectfully waited for further guidance. After a moment, William Clark added, "Do your best. Do not act recklessly."

His voice was low and magnetic; if one stood close, it would surely make their heart tremble. The juniors answered obediently, not daring to linger, and headed into the depths of the forest. Ethan Sullivan thought to himself that Charles Foster and Lan Zhan truly were two completely different people—even their words of advice to the juniors were utterly opposite. As he was thinking this, he suddenly saw William Clark give him a barely noticeable nod, which made him pause in surprise.

William Clark had always been so upright and proper since youth that it was almost painful, so serious and rigid, as if he had never been lively, unable to tolerate even a speck of dust in his eyes, and thoroughly disapproved of Ethan Sullivan's practice of demonic cultivation. Ryan Clark had probably already told William Clark about his suspicious actions at Mo Village, yet William Clark still nodded to him—most likely to thank him for helping the Lan juniors out of trouble. Without thinking, Ethan Sullivan returned the gesture, and when he looked up again, William Clark's figure had already disappeared.

He paused for a moment, then turned and walked down the mountain.

No matter what prey was in Dafan Mountain, he couldn't take it. Ethan Sullivan would never compete with Lucas King for anything.

It turned out to be Lucas King.

There were so many disciples in the Lanling Jin Clan, yet he hadn't expected to run into Lucas King. If he had known, how could he have mocked Lucas King for "having a mother who gave birth to him but not one who raised him"? If someone else had said that to Lucas King, he would have made sure they learned what it meant to suffer for their words. But the one who said it was actually himself.

Standing still for a moment, Ethan Sullivan raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.

The slap was loud and forceful, his right cheek burning. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the nearby bushes, and Ethan Sullivan glanced over to see a flower-patterned donkey's head poking out. He lowered his hand. This time, the donkey came over on its own, and Ethan Sullivan tugged its long ears, smiling bitterly, "You want to play the hero and save the beauty, but you make me go act chivalrous instead."

The donkey was snorting and grunting when a group of cultivators came up the slope ahead. After William Clark had cut down all four hundred-plus Binding Immortal Nets with a single sword strike, the cultivators who had been hesitating in Fojiao Town had all surged back up the mountain. This group were all rivals of Lucas King. Ethan Sullivan considered for a moment whether to drive them away again, but after thinking it over, he silently stepped aside.

The group of disciples, dressed in a mix of clan uniforms, complained as they walked: "That Young Master King, both the Jin and Jiang families spoil him like this. So domineering and unruly at such a young age—if he takes over the Lanling Jin Clan in the future, won't the world be turned upside down? The rest of us might as well not bother living!"

Ethan Sullivan slowed his pace.

A soft-hearted female cultivator sighed, "How could they not spoil him? He lost both parents when he was just a child."

"Junior sister, you can't say that. So what if he lost both parents? There are plenty of orphans in the world. If everyone acted like him, what would become of us?"

"Still, Ethan Sullivan really went too far. Lucas King's mother was Charles Foster's own elder sister, the senior who raised him herself."

"Emily Foster was so unfortunate, raising such an ungrateful child. David King was even more pitiful—just because he had some past conflict with Ethan Sullivan, he ended up like this."

"Ethan Sullivan seems to have had conflicts with everyone…"

"Exactly. Other than that pack of mad dogs he raised, have you ever heard of him getting along with anyone? Enemies everywhere, hated by all, even with Hanguang-jun they can't stand each other, like fire and water."

"Speaking of which, it's thanks to Hanguang-jun today..."