Chapter 38: Breakthrough

Jared arrived home to find his parents absent. He assumed they were out for a walk, a welcome respite for them. Uninterrupted, he returned to his room and resumed his training. He had no time to waste; the fifteenth of July loomed, and though Draco had promised a wonderful opportunity, Jared worried it might also be dangerous.

Seated cross-legged, he chanted the mantra of the Focus Technique. As his abdomen moved, the surrounding spiritual energy flowed into his body. He trained throughout the night, even skipping dinner.

Huff!

Opening his eyes, he expelled a breath of turbid air. "I didn't expect the vengeful dragons to be so powerful," he murmured. Gently clenching his fist, he felt the power surging through his veins. He'd made a breakthrough—he'd reached Level Five Energy Cultivation. He'd only achieved Level Four under Draco's guidance in prison, so this ascent to Level Five after absorbing the nine vengeful dragons' energy was both ecstatic and surprising.

He felt he'd found a training shortcut. Absorbing the energy of hatred and vengeance allowed for exponential progress. However, such encounters were rare, dependent entirely on luck.

Exhaling slowly, Jared got out of bed and straightened his clothes.

At that moment, Hannah's voice called out, "Is that you, Ms. Sullivan? I can't see, but I recognize your footsteps."

"Mrs. Chance, you're sharp!" Josephine replied, smiling. "Please, call me Josephine."

"Of course, Josephine!" Hannah's face brightened as she nodded. "Are you here to see Jared? He's still in his room."

Turning, she yelled toward Jared's room, "Jared, Josephine's here!"

"Mrs. Chance, no need to shout. I'll get him," Josephine said, heading toward his bedroom.

Hannah, hearing Josephine's approach, nearly jumped for joy. "That son of mine lied about them just being friends! Do ordinary friends go straight to the bedroom? I can't wait to see my future daughter-in-law!" she muttered.

Gary, approaching, whispered, "Darling, Ms. Sullivan is the prettiest girl in the city!"

Hannah was surprised; Gary had high standards, objecting to Jared's relationship with Sandy. This approval confirmed Josephine's beauty.

"My son! Just out of prison, and he's got a girlfriend—and hid her from us!" Hannah beamed.

"Naturally," Gary said proudly. "With my genes, he couldn't go wrong!"

Gary, usually gloomy, was beaming. "Enough boasting," Hannah said, pulling him away. "Let's give them some privacy."

Meanwhile, Josephine opened Jared's bedroom door. Seeing him standing by his bed, clothes straightened, she was stunned. "You were already awake?"

"Didn't you want me to get up? Or were you hoping to see me naked?" Jared teased.

"Pfft, no one wants to see you naked," Josephine retorted, though secretly pleased by his playful banter; it signaled a significant improvement in their relationship. "I need your help. Come with me!"

Without waiting for a response, Josephine pulled him along, leading him to the car before he could ask where they were going. Checking his watch, Jared saw he had time before Walter's banquet, so he let Josephine lead the way.

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