“Ha ha.” James Carter laughed heartily and said, “You kid, you really are smart. That’s right, the cultivation of a spirit practitioner is just like this: absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and converting it into your own spiritual power. Heh, the fact that you can easily accomplish this step is enough to prove how powerful your talent is.”

William Carter’s eyes sparkled with brilliance. Although he still didn’t quite understand the use of this spiritual power, seeing the family’s strong members so excited, he was sure this must be greatly beneficial to him.

James Carter thought for a moment and said, “I’ve already assessed your talent. Becoming a spell spiritist is more than within your reach. However, the degree to which your own spiritual power attracts the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is something I’ve never seen in my life.” He paused, then said in a low voice, “In my opinion, you should have the aptitude of a spirit gatherer.”

William Carter blinked twice. He didn’t understand the difference between the two at all. Although he was curious, he remained indifferent. But Grant Carter was different. He suddenly looked up and exclaimed, “Uncle, does he really have the talent of a spirit gatherer?”

“Heh.” James Carter chuckled and said, “Whether he does or not, we’ll know if we try.” He picked up the teapot in his hand and took a satisfying sip. The scalding tea swirled in his mouth, leaving a lingering aftertaste. After a moment, he said, “Grant, go to the spirit hall and fetch the talisman book of the Spirit Gathering Technique.”

Grant Carter was taken aback and muttered, “Uncle, you want him to read the talisman book of the Spirit Gathering Technique now?”

James Carter glared and said, “There are no spirit gatherers in our family. If we don’t let him look at the talisman book, how can we test whether he has the aptitude of a spirit gatherer?”

Grant Carter thought to himself, your words make sense, but William Carter has only just discovered his spirit practitioner talent and hasn’t even accumulated much spiritual power. Letting him read the talisman book of the Spirit Gathering Technique… isn’t that a bit too soon?

However, though he grumbled inwardly, he dared not show any of it on his face.

He turned and left. A quarter of an hour later, he hurried back, holding a thin book only about an inch thick.

“William, take the book and have a look, then try to follow what’s recorded in it.” James Carter casually handed the book over.

William Carter carefully took it, responded, and gently opened the cover.

He was slightly startled, because he found that although the book was about an inch thick, it contained only a single page. Moreover, that page was completely blank.

As if seeing his confusion, Grant Carter whispered, “Focus your mind and use spiritual power to observe.”

William Carter immediately understood. No wonder this thing was called a talisman book—it had to be viewed with spiritual power.

With a thought, the power in his brow surged forth.

However, this time he didn’t use the power from the central orb, but instead tried to mobilize the ordinary spiritual power that constantly circulated around the orb, which was converted from the external forces of heaven and earth.

To his excitement, this stream of energy offered no resistance to his will and, at his command, easily entered the book in his hand.

The next moment, the talisman book lit up, and mysterious, incredible patterns emerged from the once-blank page.

James Carter and Grant Carter both looked slightly tense, their eyes growing more serious.

After a while, the light on the talisman book gradually faded, and those magical patterns slowly disappeared. The entire book returned to its original state, as if nothing had changed.

But William Carter had his eyes closed, his breathing a bit heavier, as if he was still immersed in those strange patterns from before.

Grant Carter whispered, “Uncle, what do you think of the result?”

James Carter replied irritably, “How would I know? Hmph, I’m not a spirit gatherer, so I can’t judge whether he really learned anything from it.”

Grant Carter quickly said, “Uncle, you are so knowledgeable, far more than me. Surely you can see something?”

The reason he was so anxious was because he knew deeply what a spirit gatherer would mean for the entire family.

James Carter pondered for a while and said, “The spiritual power he absorbs and converts himself is still very weak, but this spiritual power has an extremely strong resonance and attraction to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Heh, this kind of cohesive power—let alone a kid who just discovered spiritual power—even a grandmaster of the spiritual path might not be any better.”

“Hiss…”

Grant Carter drew in a sharp breath. Even he hadn’t expected the elder to give William Carter such a high evaluation.

If someone else had said this, he would have been half skeptical at most. But coming from the elder, he had no doubts at all.

Because he was one of the very few in the family who truly knew the real identity of Elder James.

The cultivation scenes of a spiritual path grandmaster—perhaps even the clan leader had never witnessed them.

“With such a powerful talent, if this kid still can’t become a spirit gatherer, then the heavens must be blind.” James Carter said confidently, “So, there’s a very high chance he’ll gain something.”

As if to confirm his words, William Carter finally opened his eyes.