"I understand!" Stanley Norton nodded. He was an old hand himself, and after just a few words, he understood what Brian Norton meant.

Supreme Dao artifacts are wonderful things, but right now the Ning Prince's Manor is in no position to possess such a supreme Dao artifact. If the Ning Prince's Manor really obtained it, it would be like an eight- or nine-year-old child carrying a huge gold brick through a bustling marketplace—completely unable to protect it, and bound to have it snatched away. Those who snatched the gold brick would likely kill the child as well.

This is exactly the meaning of "an innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth!"

However, if they showed no interest in the supreme Dao artifact and didn't participate in the process at all, then if the artifact went missing, as the rulers of Dianzhou, they would inevitably be suspected.

Therefore, the best choice is to participate in the struggle, to display a bit of strength and determination, make some preparations in the early stages, but ultimately fail to win the artifact, making sure everyone knows it didn't fall into the hands of the Ning Prince's Manor. That would be the best outcome.

As for who ends up with the artifact, it has nothing to do with the Ning Prince's Manor. Besides, Brian Norton was right—there's more than just the Lu Ding in the Five Poisons Secret Realm!

"I'll get on it right away. However, there will probably be differing opinions about this matter in the manor!"

"Ignore them. Just tell Bruce what I mean. The others don't need to know, nor should you care what they think or do. They don't have what it takes to compete for the Lu Ding!"

Chapter 7: Sudden Enlightenment—The Original Wish Blade of Kṣitigarbha

Ning Prince's Manor

Qingsong Garden

This was the residence of Gavin Norton and his mother. Although his mother, Bennett, with the given name Janet, was thus called Mrs. Janet by everyone in the courtyard, her status in the Ning Prince's Manor was not high. In fact, in terms of rank, she was only a maidservant. But no matter what, she had borne a son for Brian Norton. Although he was a concubine's son, even concubine's sons have their own privileges. So, from the moment Gavin Norton was born, this maidservant was given her own courtyard, three maids, and six servants. Of course, among the three maids, only one was exclusively hers; the others belonged to Gavin Norton.

Even so, her situation was much better than before.

But no matter how much better it got, it was never as good as it was now. She was already a bit dazed, staring at the mountain of gifts piled on the table: gold, jewels, jewelry, rare delicacies, precious medicinal herbs, fine silks, gorgeous clothes, and of course, many things she didn't even recognize. There were even eight strong servants and eight beautiful maids!

"Just accept everything!" While Mrs. Janet was still in a daze, Gavin Norton just glanced over and said, "Send all the people back. Qingsong Garden doesn't need so many people!"

"Yes, Fourteenth Young Master!" Lydia, standing to the side, replied meekly.

"Guanlan!"

"Mother, if we don't accept these things, the Seventh Lady will feel uneasy!" Gavin Norton seemed to know what she wanted to say and smiled slightly. "There's only a month left until the minor exam. I need to go study!" As he spoke, he didn't wait for Mrs. Janet to say anything, but went straight back to his study and shut himself in to study hard.

The small study was filled with the orange glow of candlelight. Books were scattered all over the desk. In this slightly damp and chilly little study, Gavin Norton sat upright in his chair, his right hand's five fingers tapping constantly on the desk, making a faint tinkling sound, while he muttered to himself, his expression solemn.

"Thus have I heard. At one time, the Bhagavan was in the tranquil Dharma forest of Magadha... Good men, as in all worlds, day and night gradually increase... Thus do all Buddhas, their lifespan and form. The Bodhisattva's world is adorned likewise. Because sentient beings there, their merit increases..."

If you listened closely, you would realize he was reciting the Amitabha Sutra, chanting for Charles Norton.

The moment Charles Norton pointed at Calvin Norton, he was already doomed. His foolish actions had saved Gavin Norton a lot of trouble, and Gavin Norton secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Charles Norton was the first person Gavin Norton had schemed to death after coming to this world. More or less, especially the fear and despair in Charles Norton's eyes when he was taken away by the clan guards, made Gavin Norton uncomfortable. To avoid nightmares at night, after returning to his study, Gavin Norton couldn't help but start reciting the Amitabha Sutra for Charles Norton.

He didn't know how long this Amitabha Sutra had been lying in his study. Gavin Norton had only read it once, and logically shouldn't remember any of it. But now, Gavin Norton could recite it backwards fluently.

This was the "transmigration gift pack" Gavin Norton had received—or at least, that's how Gavin Norton understood it: a photographic memory.

He discovered this ability on the second day after transmigrating. After several days of testing, he was completely certain that he truly had a photographic memory.

For a scholar, is there any ability more ideal than this?