Chapter 3 Enjoy A Peaceful Life

• Benjamin returned to the residential area, which was considered average in Junbert. The environment was tranquil, nestled by a mountain and near a river, with convenient transportation routes in all directions. It was situated near Wingfall Mountain at the rear.
• He went straight to Wingfall Mountain, found a vacant spot, and sat down cross-legged. He placed the medicinal herbs beside him and began to cultivate the Golden Body Technique.
• As he closed his eyes in meditation, he felt the spiritual energy from the surrounding ten miles converging toward him like a gentle river. Even the medicinal properties of the herbs were absorbed into his body.
• His body brimmed with spiritual energy, causing every pore to open wide, as if he were a fish entering the ocean, relishing the freedom of swimming and breathing.
• During this session, he witnessed the sunset and the rise of the moon.
• The following day, when a shaft of sunlight pierced the sea of clouds and struck his face, he abruptly opened his eyes. His pupils radiated with a sharp brilliance, and with a casual wave of his hand, a hazy white glow sliced through the air.
• A pine tree toppled right in front of him, its cut surface smooth and even.
• Overnight, Benjamin had reached the third level of Initial Realm. He estimated that in three months, he would break through Initial Realm and reach Ascendant Realm. However, he knew that cultivating immortality was not as simple as it seemed. While his progress was swift now, he understood that it would slow down later, when more spiritual energy would be needed. He would require large amounts of medicinal herbs and emeralds to absorb the necessary spiritual energy.
• He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on the matter at hand. Brushing off the leaves from his trousers, he made his way down the mountain toward home. As he passed by the street, he happened upon a vendor selling milk and bread. He bought two servings, one for himself and another to take home for Serena.
• Just as he reached the entrance, he saw Serena dressed as though she was about to leave. She was wearing a long white dress, her jet-black hair draped smoothly over her shoulders. Her beautiful face bore a hint of fatigue, a sight that tugged at his heartstrings.
• “Rena, I've bought you breakfast,” Benjamin said as he approached her. Even after three months of marriage and living under the same roof, she still felt like a stranger to him.
• Serena gave him a puzzled look. “Thank you.” She accepted the breakfast and hesitated for a moment. “Why don't you come with me?”
• “Where to?” Benjamin asked with a hint of confusion.
• “My uncles want to discuss something with me,” Serena said, already seated in the car.
• Benjamin had intended to stay awake and continue cultivating. However, upon seeing the worry etched on Serena's face, he hesitated for a moment before deciding to take the passenger seat.
• After leaving the mansion, they arrived at a cafe.
• In the private room, a group of well-dressed men and women were engaged in conversation. Among them were middle-aged individuals as well as young people of his own age.
• Benjamin recognized the group immediately. They were all Serena's relatives: her father, Henry Yates; her eldest uncle and his wife, Harvey Yates and Cheryl Tindall; her second uncle and his wife, Harry Yates and Joanna Peterson; and a few of her cousins, ten people in total.
• “Well, isn't this Benjamin? You're out already?” A shrill voice rang out.
• Serena furrowed her brows. She took a deep breath and said, “Aunt Cheryl, Benjamin only made a minor mistake.”
• “We've all heard about it. It's truly a disgrace to the Yates family,” Cheryl said coldly.
• “Serena, we're not against you,” another woman said. “But honestly, some ties that should have been severed were not, leading to chaos!”
• Serena bit her lip and said indifferently, “Aunt Joanna, there's no need for you to worry about my affairs.”
• Benjamin maintained an expressionless face. In his previous life, this group of relatives had always behaved this way. When he was part of the Zabel family, they would desperately curry favor with him. But the moment the Zabel family abandoned him, they resorted to ridicule and sarcasm, revealing their true, ugly selves.
• “Serena is so beautiful. It's such a shame she married a loser,” remarked a fair-skinned young man in designer clothes.
• “You're right,” a woman with heavy makeup cooed. “It's such a waste of Serena's prime years. He's completely useless.” This woman was Serena's cousin, Alice Yates.
• Benjamin was very calm. After all, his state of mind now was completely different from before.
• He just couldn't recall ever experiencing this particular scenario before. His return from the brink of death seemed to have somehow altered the course of history.
• None of what was happening aligned with the events of his previous life.
• A middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in a floral suit, gently cleared his throat. The room fell silent. He looked at Serena and said, “Serena, I called you here today to discuss serious matters. Grace Cosmetics can't hold on any longer. Everyone thinks it would be better to sell it to the Yandell family.”
• “Sell it to the Yandell family?” Serena's face turned frosty, and her entire body trembled in anger. “Mom built this company from scratch. She gave you all shares so you could sit back and collect dividends every year. Now, when the company is facing difficulties, not only are you unwilling to help, but you also want me to sell the company my mother worked so hard to establish?”
• Henry said, “Serena, we have no other choice here. You're a young woman, and it's too much for you to bear this burden alone. Why not sell the company and enjoy a peaceful life? I'm only looking out for your best interests.”