At this moment, the chanting began to slow down. When the last short verse was recited, the young attendant beside them struck the red drum three times, marking the end of the morning ritual.

All the disciples stood up with Daniel Thompson, simultaneously using their right hand to grasp the thumb of their left hand, placing the four fingers of the left hand over the fingers of the right, then raising both hands above their heads to salute the deity statue.

After the salute, Daniel Thompson slowly turned around, surveying the disciples behind him.

When he saw David Thompson, dressed in a Daoist robe and standing calmly at the very end of the crowd, he nodded in satisfaction.

“Benjamin Thompson, Brian Thompson has just joined our sect and surely doesn’t understand many things. As his senior brother, you should teach him.”

“Yes, Master.” A round-faced, slightly chubby middle-aged man saluted Daniel Thompson.

“That’s all. Now that the mao hour has passed, if there’s nothing else, go have your meal.” With that, Daniel Thompson clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward a nearby cave entrance.

A gloomy-looking young man, wearing a hunyuan headscarf, followed him out.

“That’s Senior Brother William Thompson. Ever since Senior Brothers Edward Thompson and Charles Thompson defected, he’s been Master’s only inner disciple. If you see him around the temple, remember to show respect. He’s not as good-tempered as Master.”

Benjamin Thompson walked up to David Thompson and explained the man’s background to him.

David Thompson nodded. “Thank you, Senior Brother Benjamin Thompson, for clearing that up. Does he also have the same supernatural abilities as Master?”

He didn’t know about the others, but David Thompson knew that Daniel Thompson had the power to control objects at will, and was incredibly strong, able to lift stone jars weighing several hundred jin.

But that wasn’t the most concerning thing. What troubled David Thompson most was that Daniel Thompson seemed to know everything that happened inside the cave, whether it was him calling Master a fart, or not agreeing to escape together earlier.

If he really wanted to deal with him, this was something he had to figure out.

“He’s an inner disciple. How would I know what he’s learned from Master?” David Thompson detected a hint of jealousy in the other’s words.

“One person’s strength is too weak. Should I look for other allies in Qingfeng Temple?” The thought flashed through David Thompson’s mind, but it quickly faded.

Anyone with rebellious intentions was probably already eaten by the Black Taisui last time. Those who remained, even if not utterly loyal to Daniel Thompson, were likely timid and cowardly.

“Come on, let’s talk as we walk.” With that, Benjamin Thompson turned and led David Thompson toward the kitchen. “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t covet Master’s immortality techniques. If they’re passed down, you’ll be the last in line.”

“As for you, just focus on your work. Whatever Master tells you to do, just do it. When it’s your turn according to seniority, it’ll naturally come to you.”

By now, they had arrived at the dining cave, where the other senior brothers who arrived early had already started drinking porridge.

He recognized three of them: the two Daoists carrying long swords were James Thompson and Henry Thompson, and the other was Brandon Thompson, whom he had met once before.

Adding Benjamin Thompson and himself, Brian Thompson, all five registered disciples of Qingfeng Temple were now gathered here.

“It’s the rule at Qingfeng Temple: no talking while eating, no chatting while sleeping. I’ll teach you more after the meal.” With that, Benjamin Thompson sat down to drink porridge.

David Thompson sat down, picked up a black pottery bowl, took a sip, and quietly observed the behavior of the other senior brothers.

They all looked different—none particularly striking, none particularly ugly. But sitting together in their Daoist robes, David Thompson couldn’t help but feel something was off.

When he saw Brandon Thompson pinch one side of his nose and blow snot forcefully onto the ground, while the other two senior brothers frowned slightly, David Thompson finally realized—their temperaments were different.

Some of them had more of a scholarly air, while others had large, rough hands and joints, looking like they did manual labor.

“Where did Daniel Thompson find these five disciples? Could it be they were all recruited as medicinal guides like me?”

One by one, the empty bowls were set down. The other senior brothers didn’t spare a glance at the new junior brother Brian Thompson, striding straight toward the exit.

After the meal, Benjamin Thompson continued showing David Thompson around Qingfeng Temple. From him, David Thompson learned that the five registered disciples were each responsible for different areas of the temple.

Some managed the young attendants, some were in charge of going out to purchase supplies, others took care of the Black Taisui, and the more senior ones even had to juggle multiple roles.

It hadn’t always been this busy, but after so many people died last time, the remaining disciples had to take on all the extra responsibilities.

As for David Thompson, his duties went without saying—he was in charge of everything in the medicine room. Everything the disciples did was to assist Master in attaining immortality.

And so, after a whole day of going around, David Thompson finally gained a detailed understanding of the entire temple from Benjamin Thompson.

David Thompson kept all this firmly in mind. This place was no longer just an illusion he could leave at any time. Whether he could kill Daniel Thompson or not, this information might prove invaluable.

After spending a day together, the relationship between Benjamin Thompson and David Thompson became a bit more relaxed. The two were walking back from the Zhengyi Hall.

“Junior Brother Brian Thompson, there’s really no need to be so tense. Your work won’t be that busy, and Master doesn’t make pills every day.”

“Oh? Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Benjamin Thompson.”