“Catherine, good day!” Billy smiled.
“Mr. Billy, you are quite the celebrity in Akabuchi City now!” Catherine Foreman smiled back.
As they spoke, she couldn’t help but feel amazed. The first time she heard the name Billy from Harleen and Ivy, she didn’t think much of it. She was merely curious about what kind of man could win the hearts of two such beautiful women.
The first time she saw Billy was when he killed Kyree Whitney in the inner courtyard of Canyon View Institute. That event left her deeply shocked. Since then, Billy had continuously shattered her expectations, making everything seem surreal.
When she returned to the Whitney family today and heard more about Billy, she almost bit her tongue in surprise. Overthrowing the Whitney family was one thing, but Black Rock Gorge, which was even more formidable than Canyon View Institute, had also been destroyed by Billy and his men. She still couldn’t fully believe it.
“Catherine, you’re too kind,” Billy said with a light smile. “How are things at the Institute now?”
“It’s barely back to normal,” Catherine Foreman’s tone grew heavy as she mentioned Canyon View Institute. The last battle had cost over two thousand lives and nearly wiped out their top fighters, a catastrophe for the Institute. The only consolation was that Dean Spencer Bailey and Elder Xavier were still alive. As long as they were there, the Institute would endure.
“Catherine, has the Dean recovered?” Harleen asked, her tone equally somber.
“Almost,” Catherine Foreman nodded. “He mentioned you and Ivy yesterday, worried about your safety.”
“The Dean is very kind,” Ivy responded. “We’ll visit him and Elder Matthew in a few days.”
“Yes,” Catherine Foreman agreed before changing the subject. “Harleen, Ivy, do you remember what I told you about the Prodigy List?”
Back at the Institute, Catherine Foreman had mentioned that she had signed Harleen and Ivy up for the Prodigy List selection.
“The Prodigy List?” Harleen paused. “I remember. What’s up?”
“The selection day for this year’s Prodigy List is in five days,” Catherine Foreman smiled.
“So soon?” Harleen and Ivy were both surprised.
“Yes,” Catherine Foreman smiled again. “You two should prepare; I look forward to seeing your names on the list.”
As she spoke, she released her spiritual power to check their cultivation levels. She gasped involuntarily and looked at them in shock. “Harleen, Ivy, have you both reached the eighth-rank Otherworldly Realm?”
“Yes,” Harleen and Ivy smiled and nodded.
“You two are truly talented geniuses!” Catherine Foreman exclaimed. The first time she met them, they were only at the eighth-rank Holy Realm, while she was half a step into the third-rank Otherworldly Realm. In just a few months, they had advanced an entire major realm! She had improved too but was only half a step into the seventh-rank Otherworldly Realm, still a level and a half below them. The comparison was disheartening.
“Catherine, can we participate in this Prodigy List selection?” Stout walked over.
“Stout, even if you could participate, do you think you have a chance to make the list?” Frostblade smirked.
“Frostblade, don’t underestimate me; I’m in the Otherworldly Realm now,” Stout puffed out his chest.
“Catherine, what was the cultivation level of the fifteenth place on the last Prodigy List?” Night Orchid asked Catherine Foreman.
“The fifteenth place was at the seventh-rank Otherworldly Realm,” Catherine Foreman replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Stout’s face twitched. “Forget I said anything.”
Night Orchid and Frostblade chuckled.
“Catherine, can we still sign up?” Ivy asked.
“As long as the competition hasn’t started, you can still sign up,” Catherine Foreman nodded.
“Billy, why don’t you sign up too?” Ivy suggested.
“Catherine, who usually participates in the Prodigy List selection?” Billy asked instead of answering Ivy.
“It’s not entirely certain,” Catherine Foreman shook her head. “But major families and top sects in Akabuchi City usually send participants. Also, Akabuchi Star Palace is likely to send someone.”
“What about Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce?” Billy asked.
“They always have participants,” Catherine Foreman replied after a pause. “In fact, their young master is expected to make it into the top three this year.”
“Is that so?” Billy’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Could you sign up Casey and me as well?”
“Of course,” Catherine Foreman nodded.
“Thank you,” Billy responded.
“Mr. Billy, you’re welcome,” Catherine Foreman smiled.
“Catherine, have you heard of someone named Kymani Vasquez in Akabuchi City?” Harleen asked.
“Kymani Vasquez?” Catherine Foreman paused and shook her head. “No impression. Who is he?”
“We don’t know exactly; we just heard an elder mention his name once,” Harleen replied.
“I’ll have my family look into it when I get back,” Catherine Foreman offered.
“Thank you, Catherine,” Harleen said.
“No need to be so formal,” Catherine Foreman smiled.
After chatting for a while longer, Catherine Foreman left, promising to take everyone to the selection site in five days. She had initially wanted to arrange new accommodations for them since her family owned many properties in Akabuchi City, but Billy declined her offer.
After she left, Casey and Opal went out to gather information about Kymani Vasquez. Two days passed quickly with no news. During this time, Billy stayed in the courtyard to cultivate. With the help of his bloodline power and Purple Spirit, he advanced to the seventh-rank Otherworldly Realm.
The next morning, while Billy was consolidating his cultivation in the courtyard, Judge and Soul Chaser hurried in.
“Boss, Stout is in trouble!” Judge said as they approached.