There are nine continents, sixteen great oceans in the world, and the number of treasures capable of resisting the Immortal Mirror’s power and the rare wonders of the Immortal Mansions can be counted on one hand—barely more than a dozen in total, and every single one is held by the most powerful sects of the current age. Tianxin Temple absolutely does not possess a treasure of this caliber.

As a minor offshoot of the demonic sects, Tianxin Temple is in decline. Even if they did have such a formidable artifact, it would have long since been stolen. At the very least, it would be carefully hidden away by the elders, never to be revealed to anyone, and certainly not entrusted to a junior disciple like him to carry into Emei. That would be no different from gifting the treasure to the Emei Sect.

When the Yantian Pearl appeared in Richard King’s palm, it also transmitted a strange incantation to him. This incantation was called the Yantian Art, and it seemed to be the method for refining the Yantian Pearl.

Chapter One: Apprenticeship at Mount Emei (Part Two)

Richard King had secretly cultivated for more than ten days and had barely managed to refine the first restriction of the Yantian Pearl, allowing him to manipulate the treasure slightly. Yet, as he gained a little understanding of the Yantian Pearl, he became even more confused. This artifact seemed to be used for divining fortune and misfortune, for fate calculation and augury. Such treasures are common among wandering fortune-tellers, hardly considered precious, and certainly not capable of resisting the Immortal Mirror’s powers.

“Forget it!”

Richard King consoled himself, muttering inwardly, “Anyway, I’ve already infiltrated the Emei Sect. There’s no point in overthinking it. I might as well focus on how to steal some of Emei’s superior Daoist arts to bring back to my sect.”

Richard King gently curled his five fingers, and the Yantian Pearl transformed into a cool stream of vital energy, flowing along his meridians into his body, wandering unpredictably within. Setting aside his doubts, he began to ponder how to act within the very heart of the Emei Sect—the Five Spirits Immortal Mansion.

The Emei elders had slain Daoist Yan and brought both Richard King and Daoist Yan’s other disciple, William York, to the Five Spirits Immortal Mansion.

William York’s background was even more pitiful than Richard King’s. His ancestor had been a renowned and upright official, but was framed by corrupt officials, his entire family confiscated, leaving only him to escape with the help of an old family servant, thus preserving the last remnant of the Yue family.

Because both of their backgrounds were so tragic, the Emei elders held differing opinions and engaged in much debate.

If it were a heretical or demonic sect, after destroying a rival’s mountain gate and slaying a major enemy, dealing with ordinary disciples would be simple—either kill them outright, select those with potential to extract their souls for refining treasures, or just take in a few as menial servants, acting on a whim.

But the Emei Sect is a proper orthodox sect, especially concerned with heavenly principles and virtue, with many strict rules and a cautious, benevolent, and generous approach to all matters.

Even the most intolerant elders, Mr. Gray and Mr. Crane, merely intended to let them fend for themselves, at most suggesting that their powers gained from following an evil master be abolished, lest they use their skills for evil after leaving the mountain.

Some felt that, since their talents were decent and their backgrounds clean yet pitiable, if they were accepted into Emei and carefully guided, it would not be hard to set them on the right path, turning them into champions of justice.

A few elders believed that Emei’s standards for accepting disciples should not be so lax or strict, and that the two should be sent to become disciples of overseas hermits, which would also be a form of kindness.

Coincidentally, the Emei Sect had another extremely important matter requiring the joint effort of several elders. Since dealing with the two was not urgent, and no consensus had been reached, the elders all departed overseas to attend to their business.

The future of Richard King and William York would have to wait until the elders returned from overseas.

Richard King glanced outside the stone cave. This small cave was his temporary lodging provided by the Emei Sect. At the entrance was a faint glow—a protective barrier that allowed him to see out but kept out wind and rain, as well as heat and cold. Outside, a fierce storm raged, but not a single drop of rain or breath of wind could penetrate the cave, a testament to the marvel of the barrier.

Yet, no matter how wild the storm outside, it could not compare to the turmoil in Richard King’s heart. He thought to himself, “My grandmaster, Votuo Shangren, once told me that the Emei patriarch, Dean, cultivated for thirteen hundred years and was known as the foremost figure of the Daoist world. This man’s fortune was profound; not only did he acquire countless treasures, but he also personally forged nineteen flying swords, his swordsmanship acclaimed as the best in the world. Not long ago, Patriarch Dean suddenly ascended to immortality in broad daylight, leaving behind a group of young, inexperienced disciples to guard a vast inheritance, drawing the covetous eyes of all. Our Tianxin Temple is but a minor offshoot of the demonic sects, weak and small; even a slight gain would greatly strengthen our standing. That’s why I was sent to join Emei and steal their true Daoist arts. But to learn Emei’s superior techniques, I must win the favor of the elders and be accepted as a disciple. How can I make the Emei elders willing to take me in?”

As Richard King pondered, the Yantian Pearl lurking in his meridians suddenly leapt, sending a cool current straight to his brow. He felt his brow throb, and as he closed his eyes, a scroll unfurled before him in the void.

This scroll depicted mountains and rivers, caves and ravines, all manner of rare flowers and strange herbs, and precipitous peaks and stones, filling the youth with a sense of uncanny familiarity.

Richard King compared the scenery to his memories and was instantly shocked, exclaiming inwardly, “This scroll… isn’t it the map of Emei Sect’s Five Spirits Immortal Mansion?”