Xu Hai’s attitude toward him was excessively good; it was absolutely impossible that it was simply because he “possessed deep Buddhist wisdom and roots.” There must be a more important reason.

In the blink of an eye, only Brian Cooper and William Grant were left in the room.

“Old man, please don’t take their words to heart. After all, they are still young and don’t understand the ways of the world.”

Facing Brian Cooper, William Grant’s expression became gentle and kind, and there was a faint sense of closeness toward Brian Cooper in his tone.

Brian Cooper grew wary, feeling that William Grant’s closeness might have another motive.

It was probably related to the Yin spirit hidden within his own body.

But right now, he had no way to deal with William Grant’s “ulterior motives.” He could only take things one step at a time. So, he smiled kindly and replied, “I truly didn’t mind. At my age, how could I still get upset with a bunch of children…” William Grant looked at Brian Cooper with sincere eyes and said, “Just now, you asked me whether the True Seed of the Heart Buddha could make someone young again.

Although I have not cultivated the True Seed of the Heart Buddha, I know that the purpose of cultivation is to escape calamity, illness, and even the suffering of life and death.

Cultivating the True Seed of the Heart Buddha should indeed have such miraculous effects; reversing aging should be no problem.

Even I, a humble monk, have benefited from the spontaneous birth of a true seed, which can transform one’s fate and sever the cycle of life and death.”

Transform one’s fate and sever life and death?

This “true seed” of William Grant the monk sounded truly extraordinary…

Brian Cooper was shocked, and then realized that the other party had taken the initiative to reveal the secret of his cultivation to him.

He could no longer hold back his confusion and asked William Grant, “Master, you have gone out of your way to answer my questions, and I am deeply grateful!

But…

Why does Master William Grant show such care for me?

It can’t really be because of some vague talk of ‘Buddhist wisdom and roots,’ can it?

If you cannot tell me the real reason, I truly cannot be at ease…” Brian Cooper’s aged face was full of shock and fear, looking truly pitiful.

William Grant saw his expression and hadn’t expected that his own kindness would instead make the other party anxious and afraid.

He looked very apologetic and said, “I just feel that you are like an elder from my own family, and I sincerely wish to be close to you. I never thought it would make you so uneasy. That is truly my fault…” As he spoke, William Grant bowed to Brian Cooper in apology, then continued, “I have had no family since birth. Seeing you is like seeing my own father or grandfather, so I naturally value you more.

Please don’t take offense, and there’s no need to be afraid. I would never harm you.”

His tone was sincere and convincing.

Looking at Brian Cooper, his gaze was quite strange.

Although Brian Cooper didn’t believe what the other said—since William Grant had never seen his family since birth, how could seeing him be like seeing his own elders?

Besides, would anyone really go out of their way to get close to someone and call them grandfather just because of some inexplicable fondness?

He couldn’t possibly believe William Grant’s explanation.

But since William Grant had already shown such an attitude, Brian Cooper couldn’t keep pressing for answers.

He could only say, “Then I truly thank you for your kindness, Master.”

William Grant looked steadily at Brian Cooper for a moment, knowing that he was still wary, but said, “Cultivating the True Seed of the Heart Buddha will greatly change one’s temperament.

That David Grant was not always so vengeful, fierce, and violent.

You’d best not cultivate the True Seed of the Heart Buddha.

Tonight, I will come again to bring you a medicinal soup, so you won’t be affected by the True Seed of the Heart Buddha, and this matter will be covered up.

Later, I will go and plead with my master to accept you as a disciple. In the future, you can cultivate and comprehend the various true seeds of heaven and earth at our ‘Xuming Institute.’”

With that, he pressed his palms together in a gesture of respect to Brian Cooper, then turned and strode out of the room.

He didn’t even give Brian Cooper a chance to refuse.

Brian Cooper watched William Grant’s broad back, feeling even more confused inside.

Was what William Grant said true?

Could he really trust this seemingly honest monk?

But whether he believed it or not, he had no choice.

He shook his head, pushed all those drifting thoughts out of his mind, sat in the room for a while, and finally, because of hunger, got up and went to the dining hall to eat.

Eating was still the most important thing.

……

Brian Cooper’s body was too old, while his soul was still that of a young man, so he misjudged his own appetite.

He thought he could eat three bowls of rice, but after just half a bowl of wheat rice and a slice of greasy pork, he was already full.

Even though his soul was still unsatisfied, there was nothing he could do.

He wandered around the courtyard to digest after the meal, but soon felt so tired that he had to return to his room to rest.

He slept straight through to the night, and when he got up, he had already missed dinner.

A whole afternoon nap hadn’t restored much energy; instead, he had many nightmares. When he woke, he was exhausted and his mind was foggy, yet as soon as his head hit the pillow, he couldn’t fall asleep again.

“When you’re old, everything is over…

A hero’s heart never dies, even in old age.

‘Before the mission is accomplished, the hero dies; tears soak his robe…’” Brian Cooper was filled with sorrow, his mood affected by his aging body, and he actually felt a bit despondent.

But he quickly caught himself and cursed inwardly, “Damn, don’t they say the sunset years are the most beautiful?”