After a lifetime as an enlightenment immortal master, David Clark was seeing for the first time someone who had not yet drawn spiritual energy into their body, yet exuded such gentle and pure spiritual aura. Unfortunately, this young man seemed to have only average talent.

While Elder Clark was still conflicted about Henry Sullivan, suddenly, someone beside Henry Sullivan erupted with the unique aura that comes after drawing spiritual energy into the body, completely drawing his attention.

This time, it was Edward Bennett who drew spiritual energy into her body. Afterward, her cheeks were rosy, and she faintly radiated the extraordinary grace of a woman. Her bright eyes swept over Henry Sullivan, and seeing that Henry Sullivan remained in meditation without reacting, she ignored the envious and flattering gazes of others, closed her eyes, and began to breathe and absorb spiritual energy to nourish her immortal seed, striving to enter the Immortal Sapling stage as soon as possible.

Even though it happened right beside him, under the influence of such a powerful aura and presence from others, Henry Sullivan showed no reaction at all. Judging from his expression and breathing, he neither grew anxious at others’ success nor felt inferior because of it. This mountain-like composure even earned silent praise from David Clark, though it was a pity his aptitude was lacking.

Before Elder Clark could sigh, not far away, Jason Bolton also erupted with the unique aura of drawing spiritual energy into the body, radiating a wild energy—truly, aura is born from the heart.

In less than thirty breaths, three purple-seed disciples had drawn spiritual energy into their bodies one after another, breaking through their immortal seeds.

Chapter 0009: A Steadfast Dao Heart Lasts an Incense Stick

Even Elder Clark couldn’t help but feel jealous at such speed, let alone the other new disciples. After the three purple-seed disciples succeeded in succession, the vast majority became restless and impatient. Drawing spiritual energy into the body requires both courage and caution, and can only be accomplished with a calm mind. In their impatience, they focused only on being bold, hastening the process of drawing spiritual energy and breaking the seed, but the more restless they became, the less likely they were to succeed. Some disciples even turned pale; if not for Elder Clark’s timely intervention, they would have suffered damage to their souls from the spiritual energy and would never achieve much in their lives.

After these three genius purple-seed disciples drew spiritual energy into their bodies in turn, a few hundred breaths later, the gray-seed disciples Ryan Bolton and William Parker also erupted with the aura of drawing spiritual energy into the body. Comparing the speed of breaking through the immortal seed, the gap between gray-seed and purple-seed disciples became apparent.

Although aptitude is not the absolute measure of a cultivator’s future achievements, it is undeniable that those with better aptitude start at a higher point.

In the time it takes to burn an incense stick, several plump colorless-seed disciples also succeeded in drawing spiritual energy into their bodies one after another. Waves of powerful aura surged, making it impossible for others to calm their minds. To avoid going astray, some had already given up.

“Fifteen minutes left,” Elder Clark glanced at the half-burned incense and reminded them.

Immediately, more disciples opened their eyes one after another. Unable to calm their minds, they figured there were still three months left, so there was no need to rush for a day or two.

As time passed, more and more people gave up. The incense was nearly burned out, and the effect of the spiritual energy pill was about to fade. In the entire hall, only Henry Sullivan was still immersed in cultivation. Unlike others who were concerned about time, Henry Sullivan had completely forgotten about it, focusing all his attention on sensing.

He was not anxious, nor impatient—only possessed a heart as calm as still water, seeking the Dao.

Having entered the little snake’s body many times, Henry Sullivan was different from the others. He had already come into contact with spiritual energy several times, so although he was a weak-seed, he understood spiritual energy better than the plump-seed disciples. However, it was much harder for a weak seed to absorb spiritual energy, requiring more control than for a plump seed.

Even before the plump-seed disciples sensed the immortal spiritual energy, Henry Sullivan had already sensed it ahead of them.

It was like a person with an injured leg racing a hundred meters against a normal person—naturally, the injured one is at a disadvantage.

But what if, at the start of the race, the injured person was already only ten meters from the finish line? Even injured, he would have a chance to win against the healthy.

The poor aptitude of Henry Sullivan was a great comfort to William Parker, whom he had given a black eye with a punch. He and Jason Bolton shared the same thought: to master spiritual techniques and take revenge, to torment Henry Sullivan so that he would wish for death but be unable to die.

Many complex gazes fell on the still-persistent Henry Sullivan—some admiring, some disdainful. In Elder Clark’s eyes, there was only appreciation. Though Henry Sullivan’s aptitude was lacking, his Dao heart was steadfast. As an enlightenment immortal master, he knew well that the longer it took to draw spiritual energy into the body and break the immortal seed, the harder it became. Without a firm Dao heart and a peaceful mind, it was impossible to succeed. Henry Sullivan had sat upright until now, still holding true to himself, breathing steadily, persevering without obsession, delusion, or fear—he was one of the most steadfast newcomers Elder Clark had ever seen.

Time was almost up, and only a faint red ember remained on the incense stick.

Henry Sullivan was still sitting upright, unmoved by the loud discussions outside.

As Henry Sullivan’s enemies, George Washington and Jason Bolton were both shocked by his perseverance and endurance, secretly admiring him. At the same time, they warned themselves: if they ever had the chance to finish off Henry Sullivan with one blow, they must not use two—such a person must not be given a chance to catch his breath, or he would surely take revenge!

Elder Clark glanced at the incense and said, “Ten breaths left.”

Elder Clark’s timekeeping sparked even more heated discussion and ridicule: “I bet he definitely won’t succeed!”

“Nonsense, if he could succeed, he wouldn’t be a weak seed!”

“Trash is trash, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!”

……

“Five breaths!”

“Four breaths!”