Chapter 2

John went home when it was finally night. Magical lanterns illuminated the Iron Will Sect, making the journey back easy. He returned to a quiet courtyard since everyone else was busy cultivating.

Not him, of course. He got inside his room and closed his eyes to sleep.

Several hours later, he opened them to see a visitor dressed in all black. It was obvious that the intent of this person was not good as they were searching for something.

The intruder spent five minutes searching the room but found nothing of value. Then, they noticed John and froze.

"If you're looking for spirit stones or treasures, Lady Veronica, I've hidden them more deeply than you've anticipated," John said to the intruder.

"How is he doing this?" Lady Veronica wondered, but even her lips did not function correctly at this time. John took the opportunity to examine his captive.

Ding!

Veronica felt exposed under John's gaze, realizing that even her darkest secrets were laid bare before him. She understood that this young man was an old monster in a young man's flesh.

Otherwise, how could she, a Foundation Establishment realm powerhouse, be so easily controlled?

"A long-time thief and the mistress of an elder in the sect. You have lived a rather thrilling life, Lady Veronica. It's just sad that you also killed a few innocents here and there in your exciting life of thievery." John took a deep breath, hardening his heart for what he was about to do.

PUCHI!

The head of the woman exploded like a ripe watermelon, then reshaped anew to form a new head. However, the true Veronica was no more.

She had been replaced by a mere puppet, one that would perfectly mimic the life of the original.

"Playing god sure is not easy," John sighed, then finally closed his eyes to sleep.

* * *

Morning came, and John followed his usual routine. Since he now possessed the body of John Foster, he intended to honor it and fulfill his duties in the sect and this boy's family until he no longer needed to.

It wasn't as if he lacked the time to indulge in more exciting pursuits afterward.

He returned to Dragon's Breath Pavilion, where Lady Veronica and her company served him well. Some of the elders of the sect had also come to know him, all curious about his newfound wealth.

"I found an inheritance," was all John said.

"Ahhhh… A fortuitous encounter. Everyone has those, but the most impactful ones are truly rare. You should spend wisely, Young Master Foster. The wealth of your inheritance is not infinite," an elder advised.

"Thank you, elder. I'll keep your words to heart," John replied, though everyone was shocked at his expenditures. That day alone, he spent 100,000 spirit stones just on drinking wine.

This amount would have been more than enough to help someone ascend to the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm!

The elders of the sect just shook their heads at John's abyssal stomach, marveling at his ability to enjoy premium wine at such an absurd rate.

* * *

One year quickly passed, and it was time for the Outer Disciples Competition. John was now 19 years old, participating in his fifth competition.

He had arrived at the sect at 15 and failed all the competitions since then. The original John Foster had been a trash cultivator with little to no talent.

"John Foster vs. Ben Talon!" The 1-on-1 match started, and everyone was shocked by the result. John moved swiftly, finishing the fight with just one punch!

This pattern continued in the following matches and in the final match.

"Champion! John Foster!"

"He will be allowed to enter the Inner Disciples Court and will receive the following rewards as the first prize champion!" the elder hosting the event shouted.

From that day on, John became well known among the disciples, not just by the businessmen and elders of the sect who frequented the Dragon's Breath Pavilion.

"And all I got for that whole tiring event was a sword, a new courtyard of my own, and a bag of spirit stones. I should be happy, I guess," John sighed as he surveyed his new home.

He went inside to sleep and, in the morning, resumed his love for wine and the like.

* * *

"Congratulations on becoming an inner disciple, Young Master Foster!"

"Blue really looks good on you! You've become more handsome!" the people in the wine store praised as they saw John in the blue sect uniform, having recently worn the green uniform of an outer disciple.

"Oh, stop. You just want to leech off my money. Very well, since I'm feeling happy, get these honored men some wine. Three rounds on me!" John smiled.

Over time, he had gotten to know the patrons of this wine store, and the majority of them were good people. This was why he frequently gave them free drinks as a token of his friendship.

Not that he would run out of spirit stones since he could practically mine them for free and easily through all the infinite multiverse combined.

"Your kindness knows no bounds, Young Master Foster!"

"You're the perfect example of a true disciple of our Iron Will Sect!"

"YES!" The rest of the people celebrated. Happiness was really so easy to get with an infinite amount of money in one's pockets.

And so John continued with this same schedule day after day, month after month.

"Are you not going to cultivate and train, Young Master Foster?" an old elder became concerned.

Despite enjoying the free drinks whenever the wealthy young man visited, as an elder, he felt it his duty to set a good example for his disciples.

Lately, he'd been worried about John's lackluster attitude toward cultivation.

"No need. I'm already an immortal, Elder William. If I cultivate more, this heaven and earth might explode with just a breath from me," John replied, his tone serious.

"Hahaha! Young Master Foster really knows how to spin a tale. Give us another round of drinks, Young Master Immortal!" one of the men shouted.

"One round is too little. Give them two," John smiled, and the place erupted with the joyous noise of men drinking happily.

* * *

One year passed, and our OP MC was now 20 years old. It was time for the Inner Disciples Competition.