“This isn’t your fault. All these years, you’ve been focused on your studies, and your understanding of martial arts is limited to the basics or just some rumors you’ve heard. You don’t know much about the hidden matters of the martial world!” Brian Norton didn’t let Paul Carter remain confused for long before he began to explain, “I’m sure you know that there are three ways to cultivate the minor divine powers of Buddhism: enlightenment, sudden realization, and secret transmission. There are eighteen divine powers known as the Guardian Divine Powers—these are the most widely spread and are the foundation upon which Buddhism stands. All minor divine powers attained through enlightenment fall within these eighteen—no more, no less. In comparison, the scope of sudden realization is much broader; all one hundred and eight minor divine powers are included in this category. However, for Buddhism, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Among the one hundred and eight minor divine powers, there are nine secret transmission divine powers. These nine are the key to comprehending the great divine powers of Buddhism. Even within Buddhism, with their secret methods, learning even one of these nine minor divine powers is incredibly difficult. The Kṣitigarbha Origin Blade you suddenly comprehended is one of these nine secret transmission powers, and it’s even a lost secret transmission. Tell me, if those bald monks of Buddhism found out you’d comprehended this secret divine power, what do you think they’d do?”

“They wouldn’t turn me into a bald monk too, would they?!” Gavin Norton joked.

“That would be the best-case scenario. Those bald monks would do everything they could to capture you, extract your soul, seize the secret divine power you’ve realized, and then reward you with utter annihilation!”

“That ruthless?!” Gavin Norton was stunned—this time, he was truly surprised.

“Don’t think those bald monks who preach compassion all day are really good people. Those slogans are just for preaching, meant for the ears of the ignorant masses!” Brian Norton said. “Even at Great Thunderclap Monastery, no one has mastered this divine power for three thousand seven hundred years, and the four great divine powers related to this minor divine power have likewise not been mastered by anyone. Now, do you still think this is a stroke of luck?!”

Gavin Norton raised his eyebrows slightly. Brian Norton spoke gravely, but his tone was quite relaxed. After a brief pause, he said, “I was thinking too simply. But if it weren’t for Uncle Miles shouting out, I don’t think many people would know I’d comprehended a Buddhist divine power!”

“Heh heh!” Uncle Miles and Brian Norton laughed at the same time. “That’s why you’re still too young. Everyone knows Buddhist divine powers are wondrous, but they don’t realize that once you master one—especially a Buddhist divine power—it creates a special soul fluctuation. This soul fluctuation can’t be hidden, at least not from the spiritual senses of Buddhist experts. Maybe they can’t pinpoint exactly which divine power you’ve cultivated, but they can sense the difference from the unique fluctuations of your soul!”

This time, Gavin Norton could no longer take it lightly. As a mere first-level Qi Refining martial artist, he simply couldn’t imagine the realms that only high-level martial artists could touch. Still, he understood that Brian Norton had no reason to lie to him about this.

If this was really the case, then things could get troublesome. Would he have to hide every time he saw a bald monk in the future? But since Brian Norton brought it up, there must be more to it.

“I suppose Father has a way to resolve this?”

“That’s not difficult. You just need to cultivate another Buddhist minor divine power!” Brian Norton smiled slightly. “The higher the level of the divine power, the more concealed the soul fluctuation. If you cultivate another Buddhist minor divine power, you can completely mask the aura of the Kṣitigarbha Origin Blade, creating a false impression for others. Of course, the prerequisite is that this minor divine power isn’t on the same level as the Great Wrathful Vajra Sword or the Kṣitigarbha Origin Blade!”

When Gavin Norton heard this, he almost rolled his eyes. Did they really think cultivating divine powers was as easy as learning the Three Character Classic? Just pick one and learn it? This minor divine power was something he’d comprehended by sudden realization—he was just a kid at the Qi Refining stage. How could he possibly cultivate divine powers through normal means?

As if knowing what Gavin Norton was thinking, Brian Norton said, “Only martial artists who have broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining are qualified to cultivate divine powers. That’s the rule, and it’s common knowledge. But there are always exceptions, and Buddhist divine powers are the exception of exceptions. If you’d comprehended the Golden Roc Spreading Wings Blade, you’d never have the chance to cultivate the Kṣitigarbha Origin Blade. But since you’ve comprehended the Kṣitigarbha Origin Blade—the highest blade divine power among the one hundred and eight minor divine powers—you’re qualified to cultivate any Buddhist blade minor divine power. Not to mention the Guardian Divine Power’s Vajra Demon-Subduing Blade, our The Norton Estate also has the divine power of the Bodhi Law-Suppressing Blade in its collection. Since you’ve comprehended the Origin Blade, cultivating the Bodhi Law-Suppressing Blade’s divine power won’t be difficult. Besides that, The Norton Estate also has a superior Buddhist martial art, which can perfectly complement the divine power you’ve realized, unleashing limitless might!”

Gavin Norton was stunned, his mouth slightly open, not knowing what to do. This benefit came way too fast! He’d thought Brian Norton would lecture him first and then give him a sweet reward, but who would have thought such a big pie would be dropped right on his head? He didn’t even know what to say.