Brian Clark did indeed have traces of spiritual energy circulating within his body, but his cultivation time was too short to discern any wonders of the technique. Brian Clark had said that he comprehended this from the Daoist Canon, and if so, then this was the most suitable cultivation method for him in the world right now.

Thinking of the superior techniques she had brought back from Dasheng Pass, James White felt deeply disappointed. Henry Grant had entrusted Brian Clark to her, yet she had not fulfilled her responsibility.

And then, if Brian Clark had practiced the technique she brought, wouldn’t that have misled a disciple and ruined Brian Clark's life?

The more she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt. James White realized that Brian Clark’s talent was astonishing—this junior brother was beyond her ability to teach.

“Junior brother, pack your things and come with me to Lingxiao Sword Sect,” James White said seriously.

“Right now?!”

“Yes, we set out immediately,” James White said resolutely.

“I don’t mind, but over at Lingxiao Sword Sect, the sect master… uh, you know.” Brian Clark shrugged. As he’d said before, the relationship wasn’t complicated.

It wasn’t easy to hitch a ride with Lingxiao Sword Sect.

James White was momentarily at a loss for words. Right, if the sect master asked about Brian Clark’s origins, how would she answer?

Any lie would be full of holes, and telling the truth would be even worse. How did she know about Henry Grant’s passing, and why was she willing to guide Brian Clark in cultivation? Who exactly was instructing her?

The answer was obvious. By then, the sect master wouldn’t even need James White to answer—his face would turn ashen and he’d cough up dozens of taels of blood.

Thinking of this outcome, James White couldn’t help but shake her head. Some things were better left unknown to the sect master.

James White could guess the result, and so could Brian Clark, who could piece together the triangular relationship from a few words. He liked watching drama, but not being the center of it—especially not when his life was at risk.

Lingxiao Sword Sect was out of the question, at least for now.

“Junior brother Lu, I’ll return to the sect and discuss this with Master. With Uncle Grant gone, you, his disciple, are left outside. Lingxiao Sword Sect can’t just watch you be bullied out here…”

James White thought for a moment, a plan forming in her mind. First, she took the small box containing Henry Grant, then said, “I’ll take you to Dasheng Pass. I have a friend there. You can stay at her place for a couple of months. Once I’ve explained everything to Master and she talks to the sect master… In short, just wait for my good news.”

“Can’t I just wait at Jiuzhu Mountain?”

“No.”

James White shook her head decisively. “The cultivation factions at Jiuzhu Mountain are too mixed and disorganized, with good and bad alike. If you stay with them too long, it’ll do more harm than good for your future cultivation.”

From James White’s perspective, her junior brother was exceptionally gifted and would surely become famous one day. Such a promising seedling couldn’t be left at Jiuzhu Mountain.

He’d be led astray!

“I’ll do whatever you arrange, senior sister.”

Brian Clark was secretly delighted. When players choose their main class, they’re sent to various places across the Jiuzhou continent. If lucky, they’re dropped right at a cultivation sect; if unlucky, they appear in a nearby town.

Actually, it’s hard to say which is better. Being born at a sect saves time searching for a cultivation opportunity, but ordinary people entering deep mountains without guidance might be worse off than starting in a town and getting familiar with the world first.

Besides, there’s the Huangji Sect in town—the best choice for beginners. In recent years, Wu Zhou’s political situation had grown increasingly unstable, with both central and local governments expanding their forces. Huangji Sect was no exception, welcoming all talented new blood.

This meant that the bigger the city, the more beginner-friendly quests there were.

Brian Clark wasn’t sure if Jiuzhu Mountain counted as a starter village, but the neighboring Langyu County probably did, and Dasheng Pass was definitely one—a proper starter village.

Brian Clark hadn’t found any quests at Jiuzhu Mountain. The few NPCs he’d met, including James White, only interacted with each other, which had left him quite discouraged.

Dasheng Pass was an opportunity. If he couldn’t get any quests or earn experience there, he’d just have to…

Hold on a bit longer, and wait for the server to open.

If things still didn’t work out, he’d have to consider pursuing his senior sister and let the rich lady carry him to victory.

——

Dasheng Pass was located in Ningzhou’s Dongqi County, serving as the county seat and main stronghold. Protected by steep mountains and a formidable pass, it was here that, in the early days of the Wu Zhou dynasty, the late emperor achieved a great victory, expanding the territory eight hundred li eastward. He commemorated the event in writing and renamed the pass “Dasheng Pass.”

Similarly, the mountain was renamed Dasheng Mountain, and the county became Dasheng County. Because “Dasheng Pass” was so famous, people referred to the county by the pass’s name.

Dongqi County bordered Dongyang County, and Dasheng Pass was over four hundred li from Langyu County. According to James White, they could reach it quickly, without waiting for dawn, so she grabbed Brian Clark and hurriedly set out.

Before leaving, she made another trip to Sijing Peak, pinned David Foster to the ground for a beating, then straightforwardly paid double the price, instructing him to complete the Feathering Gate’s repairs within two months.

David Foster: “……”

He said nothing, clutching the silver notes tightly in both hands, nodding to indicate he could finish on time.

Brian Clark nodded to himself in secret. This was the power of money. He’d always believed it as a player, and from an NPC’s perspective, it made even more sense.

Night hung high in the sky, and a sword rainbow cleared the way.

A three-meter-long sword light carried James White and Brian Clark, whistling through the air. The wind and clouds were split by the sword’s edge, with a hazy white ribbon swirling around them, keeping the sword light steady and unaffected by the wind.