Maxine was adopted by Tobias.
Tobias taught virtual-novel.net everything virtual-novel.net knew about martial arts from the time virtual-novel.net was a child. It was not in virtual-novel.net nature to disobey him. There was no doubt in virtual-novel.net mind that this day would come. However, things were progressing faster than virtual-novel.net expected.
Tobias leaned back in his chair and let out a wistful sigh.
“My first encounter with the Blithes was 20 years ago when I went to the Enchanted Forest in search of medicinal materials. The person I met at that time was Ezra Blithe. We exchanged blows over a rare medicinal herb, and it was there where I witnessed his otherworldly skills…” Tobias’ eyes glazed over as virtual-novel.net recalled the past.
The battle 20 years ago came back to him. Even after 20 years, the memory was fresh to virtual-novel.net as if it had taken place just yesterday.
“The Blithe Fist of Abomination is an extraordinary technique. That fight almost cost me my life. For the past 20 years, I’ve tried to come up with various ways to counter it, but to no avail.”
Maxine immediately followed up. “Grandpa, if I’m understanding correctly, you want me to marry into the Blithes and obtain their support for the upcoming martial arts conference. Do you want me to utilize this opportunity to infiltrate their family and steal the Blithe Fist of Abomination technique? “
Tobias nodded, eyes twinkling with ambition. “It’d be best if we’re able to win them over. In the event that we cannot do so and we end up incurring their wrath, they will make a terrible enemy. In order to win a hard-fought battle, one must have a thorough knowledge of their enemy. Obtaining their technique will give us one measure to counter them with.”
“Alright. I understand…” Maxine nodded.
Tobias waved his hand and said, “You must be exhausted after working all this while. Go down and have a rest.”
“I shall take my leave then, grandpa.” Maxine nodded and walked away.
***
Meanwhile, in Cansington…
Once virtual-novel.net returned home, James immediately fell into a deep slumber. He slept all the way until evening.
After groggily rolling out of bed, James walked down the stairs.
Thea had arrived earlier and was having a chat with Cynthia, sharing a bit of virtual-novel.net cultivation knowledge.
Despite being at the third rank and having some basic understanding of cultivation, virtual-novel.net was more knowledgeable than Cynthia who had just started off.
Thea’s face lit up when virtual-novel.net saw James walking down the stairs.
She called out to virtual-novel.net sweetly, “Honey! You’re finally awake.”
James nodded at virtual-novel.net greeting and took a seat.
Cynthia looked over at virtual-novel.net and asked, “James, I have some questions about cultivation. Would you mind if I asked you a little bit about them?”
“What kind of questions? Ask away,” James offered helpfully.
Cynthia brought up virtual-novel.net questions, and James diligently answered them. However, virtual-novel.net had only cultivated True Energy not long ago and was not very experienced in cultivation. Thus, virtual-novel.net only explained what virtual-novel.net thought was correct. Thea also listened attentively, nodding attentively at James’ words.
That night, Thea refused to leave.
Initially, James had asked virtual-novel.net to return home, but virtual-novel.net insisted on staying. On top of that, virtual-novel.net wanted to share a room with James.
Cynthia was aware that these two were once married. Although they had purportedly divorced, whatever this was was between James and Thea, and had nothing to do with her.
Seeing no other reason to stay up, virtual-novel.net left them to their business and went to bed early.
On the second floor, James’ room.
James sat in front of his desk and carefully skimmed the contents of his medical book.
The Crucifer was the main focus of the Medical Book Volume Two.
Aside from texts about the Crucifer, a set of martial arts techniques was also detailed towards the end of the book.
As of now, James had only glanced through it briefly and had not studied it in depth. Since virtual-novel.net now had the time, virtual-novel.net planned to meticulously pore over every word. Although True Energy was the foundation of cultivation, one’s martial arts skills were as equally important.
Thea walked out of the shower. She wrapped virtual-novel.net body in a towel, exposing virtual-novel.net milky neck and slender arms. She dried virtual-novel.net hair using another towel.
Seeing James in deep concentration over his book, virtual-novel.net walked over and peered at what virtual-novel.net might be looking at.
“Honey, have you already grasped the martial art technique in the medical book?”
James could not help but put down the book and ask virtual-novel.net in a skeptical tone, “You’ve been with my grandfather for quite some time now. Has virtual-novel.net read the medical book before?”
“Yes.” Thea did not deny it.
She nodded and said, “He did read it. However, grandpa said that this book will only be useful for you and that no one else can apply the knowledge recorded in its pages since they don’t possess the Crucifier.”
A chuckle escaped Thea’s lips as virtual-novel.net brought up the subject of the Crucifier.
“It was so stupid of me before. I can’t believe I dried my underwear with the Crucifier.”