“Respectfully following the teachings of the Ancestor.” Henry Sullivan bent down and bowed. Elder Leaf held an extremely high status in the Taichu Sect, noble in identity, yet without the arrogance of a lofty master. He even encouraged him, which was worthy of respect.

However, most of Elder Leaf’s encouragement was just that—encouragement. Unless one had some extraordinary encounter, a weak-seeded disciple’s future achievements could never catch up to those of a strong-seeded disciple. But how could such encounters be available to everyone?

Stepping down from the testing platform, Henry Sullivan, amidst countless mocking gazes, saw deep disappointment and regret flickering in Edward Bennett’s large eyes.

Being of the colorless weak seed wasn’t such a big deal in itself. It was just that last night, Henry Sullivan’s assertiveness had even made the prince yield, making people think he was formidable. Who would have thought he was just a paper tiger—tough on the outside, hollow within.

Edward Bennett moved his lips, wanting to comfort Henry Sullivan with a few words, but Henry Sullivan instead comforted him: “It’s just a weak seed, nothing to fuss about. Didn’t Ancestor Leaf say that the path of cultivation is full of infinite possibilities, and that hard work can make up for innate shortcomings?”

Edward Bennett gave a shy smile, full of regret and loneliness.

Seeing Edward Bennett’s expression, Henry Sullivan maintained a calm and composed face, but his heart was in turmoil.

With his weak seed aptitude, not to mention his old grudge with Jason Bolton, even those like George Washington whom he offended last night would try to trip him up. He had to improve his strength as soon as possible, or the days ahead would be unbearably difficult.

Yet Henry Sullivan did not lose heart. He firmly believed that hard work could make up for innate deficiencies. What’s more, he still had Little Snake as his trump card. If only those with strong immortal seeds could achieve greatness, then why would the Taichu Sect even keep weak-seeded disciples? They might as well just bring a 【明鉴仙眼】, pick out the strongest seeds, and accept only them.

Edward Bennett was the last of the new disciples to step onto the testing platform. Except for Henry Sullivan, everyone else was scrambling to curry favor with the purple-seeded Jason Bolton and George Washington; no one cared about Edward Bennett’s results—until the 【明鉴仙眼】 burst forth with a magnificent purple immortal light.

Brilliant purple light once again swept across every corner of the testing platform. No one could have imagined that within Edward Bennett’s small frame was hidden a purple immortal seed. The disciple who had snatched Edward Bennett’s blanket last night immediately went weak in the knees, collapsing to the ground. Oh heavens, are you kidding me? Last night I actually stole the blanket of a supreme purple-seeded disciple—how am I supposed to survive now?

As for the elders and masters of the Taichu Sect in the stands, they were already numb with excitement. A single purple-seeded disciple was enough to elevate a sect to the highest level—what about two or three? Was the Taichu Sect about to unify the cultivation world? At the very least, in a hundred or so years, when these three purple-seeded disciples matured, even when facing the alliance leader of the great sects of ten thousand years, they could speak with confidence. Once they fully matured... even the great sects of ten thousand years would have to submit, handing over the alliance leader’s seat to Taichu! By then... wouldn’t the spiritual mountains and veins be Taichu’s for the taking?

“Pfft!” Emily Reed scrutinized Edward Bennett with a strange expression, then suddenly laughed and said to Adam Grant and the others, “Let Jason Bolton and George Washington fight over it. My Baihua Hall only needs Edward Bennett!”

“Why should that be!” Adam Grant retorted sarcastically, “How is Edward Bennett yours in Baihua Hall?”

“Aren’t you an expert in physiognomy? You couldn’t even tell she’s a girl! Isn’t it only natural for female disciples of Taichu Sect to join Baihua Hall?” Adam Grant, who hadn’t looked closely, was left red-faced by the mockery, but still stubbornly refused to admit defeat.

Only after Emily Reed pointed it out did the others realize that Edward Bennett had delicate features and refined looks. Even though she had smeared some black ash on her face, it couldn’t hide her fair skin. She was cross-dressing as a boy, small and unremarkable, but the more one looked, the more she resembled a girl.

“Hmph, that’s not necessarily true. Doesn’t your Baihua Hall want to accept male disciples too? Why can’t our Xiayun Hall accept female disciples?”

Emily Reed smiled contentedly, too lazy to bother with Adam Grant. Barring any surprises, Edward Bennett joining Baihua Hall was a done deal. As for the other two, let them fight it out.

Seeing Adam Grant still chattering on, Elder Howard put on a stern face and scolded, “We’ll discuss this later. I must personally go to Qilin Peak to report this to the Ancestor and let him decide.”

Hearing this, Emily Reed and the others were shocked and secretly distressed. The Ancestor had been in seclusion on Qilin Peak for hundreds of years, ignoring worldly affairs. Why bother him with the “trivial” matter of accepting a few purple-seeded disciples?

If the Ancestor took a liking to them and accepted all three as his personal disciples, wouldn’t that leave nothing for themselves? But the Sect Leader’s decision was not theirs to oppose.

Upon learning that Edward Bennett was a girl, the disciples who had slept near Henry Sullivan last night immediately cast envious glances at him. Damn, why didn’t I have the luck to sleep next to a purple-seeded female disciple for a night?

Very soon, gossip about Henry Sullivan and Edward Bennett spread rapidly in whispers, and even more envious, jealous, and ambiguous looks were cast at Henry Sullivan.

Jason Bolton and William Parker also looked at Henry Sullivan with complicated expressions. If Edward Bennett remembered last night’s kindness and protected Henry Sullivan in the future, it would be hard to make a move against him.

Chapter 0008: Drawing the Immortal Seed in the Spirit Field Valley

Under the gaze of many, Henry Sullivan’s face instantly turned red. No matter how mature he acted, he was still a hot-blooded young virgin, thin-skinned as could be.

Likewise, Edward Bennett, having been exposed, walked down from the testing platform with her head lowered, her face flushed all the way to her neck.