Peter was a good child.
The ideas Zhao Yu instilled in him told him that Cultivation was not a shameful thing. While there was no need to display his power in public or show off, there was also no need to hide it from those close to him when Cultivating.
Therefore, more than ten days ago, when he first began Cultivating with Zhao Yu, Peter honestly explained the matter to his uncle and aunt.
After all, he had to go to the farm for three hours after school every day, and if he didn't tell his uncle and aunt, they would worry.
Initially, Ben and Mei thought Peter was just exercising, like karate or taekwondo, to build up his body. They were happy to see it—Peter was too thin.
But as time passed and Peter's Cultivation deepened, some extraordinary aspects began to emerge.
Ben had already noticed, so he specifically talked to Peter to understand.
It was then that he realized Peter had embarked on an extraordinary path. He even knew that what Peter currently possessed was only a very basic thing.
Breaking a tree with one punch was just a minor matter.
Although Peter didn't quite understand what his future path would be, being around Zhao Yu, constantly being influenced, he gradually learned bits and pieces about things like 'Grand Bright' and 'destroying the heavens and earth'.
Of course, he didn't dare mention these to his uncle and aunt. It was too incredible.
He himself didn't quite believe it.
He just told his uncle and aunt that the path he was on was one that required perseverance and would lead to great achievements.
Ben was relieved when he learned that this path required continuous effort. He felt that things obtained without effort were unreliable, and only things that required great effort were normal.
Moreover, he trusted his teaching of Peter and believed in the child's kindness.
The next day, before dawn, Peter got up, Cultivated for two hours in the yard outside the house, ate breakfast, said goodbye to his uncle and aunt, slung on the backpack he had prepared the night before, got on his bicycle, and headed towards the school.
Upon reaching the school gate, Harry's sports car arrived shortly.
Seeing Mary get out of the car with Harry, Peter guessed they must have been together last night, but his heart felt no ripple. He had already let go.
"Hey, buddy, you're really early," Harry punched Peter and gave him a hug.
The three chatted casually.
Peter felt no awkwardness, nor did Harry. Only Mary spoke less.
Soon after, Jessica and the others arrived one after another.
Three cars, eight people, headed straight for the City.
"What's the plan for today?"
Peter and Jessica sat in the back seat, with Harry and Mary in front.
"Are we going to the City now?"
Harry nodded, "I'll take everyone to visit the Osborne Building first, then we'll have a good meal. In the afternoon, we'll have a picnic by the Hudson River and spend a wonderful night outdoors, then return tomorrow."
"Good, that's a great plan," Peter laughed.
In the car, powerful rock music played, and the boys and girls hummed along, chatting casually, heading straight for the City.
Jessica's gaze remained on Peter.
Mary saw all this through the rearview mirror and always felt a bit strange. It was like a toy that should have belonged to her was about to change hands; it was a peculiar feeling.
Harry occasionally spoke, finding many topics to distract her.
In the back seat, Jessica chatted with Peter.
She sat very close, almost leaning against Peter, which made Peter feel a little excited but also a bit uncomfortable. After all, the child was still a virgin.
"Peter," Jessica turned her face to look at Peter, her eyes sparkling, "Your change was like a sudden turn; we almost didn't have time to react... Blake stayed in the hospital for two days, although no problems were found... I'm very curious, what's the reason for this?"
"Uh... he went to the hospital for a check-up, huh... I had a sense of proportion, I wouldn't hurt him, um, you know, he's actually just a child..." Peter scratched his hair.
"A child?" Jessica covered her mouth and laughed, "I don't think you're any older than him."
"It's just... just a saying," Peter gestured, "I think he's very immature, using bullying the weak to show off his strength, just like a child."
"Oh... that's right," Jessica agreed, complaining, "Before, when I saw him bullying people, I was very scared, afraid he would come looking for trouble with me... Now it's fine, he's like a wolf with its tail between its legs. But Peter, you still haven't told me what caused such a change in you. I'm very curious."
She felt a sense of mystery about Peter and urgently wanted to understand.
This also caught the attention of Harry and Mary in the front.
Harry said, "I'm curious too."
Peter thought for a moment, decided there was nothing wrong with telling them, and said, "Do you remember that day? It was seventeen days ago, yes, seventeen days ago. I told everyone I saw an extraordinary person, and he punched a hole in a big tree!"
"Let me think..." Harry thought for a moment and remembered, "You said it was in the small forest outside the school, but we didn't believe you."
"Yes, you didn't believe me. You thought I was trying to show off," Peter shrugged, "But that was the truth. To make you believe me, the next day, I took my camera and hid in the forest early in the morning."
"You wanted to record it? What if that person didn't come?"
"I was worried too," Peter laughed, "Luckily, he came. I thought I was very well hidden, but he found me as soon as he entered the forest. Maybe... maybe he knew I was there even before he entered the forest. He called me out."
"How did he find you?" The other three were very curious.
"I'm not quite sure, it's a kind of feeling, I guess. I probably have this feeling now too, though it's not strong yet. But if there's danger or focused attention, it makes me alert. I think that's how Xi Fu found me then."
"Xi Fu?"
"Yes, I became his disciple. Similar to a teacher, but a step further than a teacher. Xi Fu said it's both teacher and father; anyway, I don't quite understand. But he's very good to me, although he often slaps the back of my head..."
Several people laughed.
"I thought about it for two days, then I went to find him. He lives on a farm not far from the school; that farm is his, and he's the only one there. He walks very fast; I clearly saw him stepping like us, but no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't catch up. He took me to his Villa, then taught me a form of boxing."
"You've seen it, my current change is directly related to Xi Fu. I think this is my luck. If I hadn't met Xi Fu, I might still be that insecure and timid skinny kid."
Listening to Peter's narration, several people had their own thoughts, but all were deeply moved.
Harry couldn't help but say, "Peter, do you think we can become his disciples? It's very interesting, isn't it? You suddenly became... so extraordinary..."
"I don't know," Peter spread his hands, "My Master said that practicing boxing requires talent. He said I have talent, but I don't know if you do. My Master can tell, I can't."
"We can try," Jessica interjected, "Peter, if possible, can you take us?"
Peter was a bit hesitant, thought for a moment, "Okay, Master gave me two days off, so the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow after school, I'll take you."
...
"I love this prosperity."
Mary looked at the steel jungle of towering buildings, saying passionately, "Everything in the suburbs bores me; I want to become the most dazzling star in this City!"
Mary's dream was to become a big star. She preferred the prosperity of skyscrapers and had an instinctive repulsion to the natural countryside of the suburbs.
To this, the other three had nothing much to say.
Harry didn't care; with his background, it wouldn't be difficult to make his girlfriend a big star.
Peter, however, didn't know what to say. He thought the suburban countryside was actually quite nice.
Jessica had no opinion whatsoever.
"We're here," Harry suddenly said.
Through the car window, a hundred-story building shimmered in the sunlight—the Osborne Building.
Mary showed a look of pride—this was her boyfriend's family property, and at this moment, it felt as if it belonged to her.
No need to mention how they toured the Osborne Building; when they came out of the building, even Peter showed a very satisfied expression. For Peter, especially the high-tech laboratories, he was very interested.
Then, Harry took them to a hotel in the bustling district—famous for its delicious food.
Young people always liked lively places, so they enjoyed their meal in the restaurant on the ground floor.
Outside the transparent glass windows was the bustling street, while inside was very quiet; with lyrical music playing, no one would speak loudly—this was a kind of forced 'refinement'.
It made the young people feel a bit uncomfortable.
They preferred to show themselves, full of youthful vigor.
They were eating when suddenly, Peter, who was sitting facing the street, stood up!
His classmates, who were eating and chatting, were startled by him, "What's wrong, Peter?"
"There's a disturbance outside!" Peter frowned.
Everyone looked back and, sure enough, there was chaos on the street outside. If it weren't for the soundproof glass, they might have heard screams and noise.
Many cars were forced to stop, countless pedestrians scattered and fled, and on the street, seventy or eighty people, each holding baseball bats, iron rods, and similar items, surged like a tide, smashing the windows of cars in their path.
Some slow-moving pedestrians also suffered collateral damage, many were beaten bloody and fell to the ground, wailing!
"Is it an armed protest?"
Harry couldn't help but say.
The commotion outside attracted everyone's attention. Someone called the lobby manager to inquire, but the manager was sweating profusely and didn't know what was happening.
Peter pondered for a moment and said, "Everyone wait here for a bit, I'll go out and see."
"No!"
Jessica grabbed him, "This is a Police matter..."
Peter shook his head, "Those people are injured, they need help!"
He looked at Jessica earnestly, broke free of her hand, and with a few swift movements, he was out.
"Oh God..." Jessica was a bit overwhelmed, "He broke free of me... It's so dangerous out there, so many people..."
Harry was the calmest, "Peter is different from us now; he has the ability to help others. Guys, I think we should also do what we can."
He stood up, "The injured must receive treatment and protection. Mary, call emergency services immediately. The rest of you, come with me; we'll first bring the injured inside for protection, it's too chaotic out there!"
"Mm!"
Watching her classmates walk out under Harry's lead, Jessica was at a loss.
She had no choice but to follow.