William Carter was straightforward and efficient, never one for empty formalities. He said, “If you, elder, are so generous, I would be honored to accept. If I survive this great calamity and achieve anything in the future, I will surely remember your guidance with gratitude.” William Carter had been sitting with perfect composure, but now he couldn’t help but cup his hands in a slight salute, thinking to himself, “I risked my life to slay the demon and am being taught a secret art in return—this is a fair exchange, and I can accept it with a clear conscience. There’s no need to refuse.”

　　With this excuse, William Carter felt even more at ease.

　　John Foster had served as the National Preceptor of the Great Yuan in his middle years and had met countless people in his life. The little thoughts of William Carter could hardly escape his notice. With a slight smile, John Foster said, “These two techniques are not secret esoteric methods of my own sect. But their subtlety and wonder are in no way inferior to anything I have learned in my life.”

　　William Carter was slightly taken aback. The esoteric Buddhist sect was extremely mysterious. Though based in Mongolia and Tibet, throughout the ages, many eminent monks and great masters had emerged from it. Not only was their understanding of Buddhism profound, but they also possessed remarkable supernatural powers. Techniques like the Great Mudra and the Vajra King’s Method were said to be so extraordinary that, upon mastery, one could achieve rainbow body transformation and become a Buddha in the flesh. Since John Foster claimed these techniques could rival his own sect’s supernatural powers, it was surely no empty boast.

　　William Carter was simply curious as to what John Foster would teach him.

　　“These two things are originally Daoist arts. I only acquired them by chance. Now, passing them on to you is fate.” As John Foster finished speaking, he raised his thumb slightly, forming a strange mudra, and flicked it through the air. William Carter suddenly felt as if he had fallen into a fiery pit, his whole body growing intensely hot. At the same time, a cold current surged into his forehead, making his head buzz as countless thoughts flooded in, one after another.

　　“This is... this is the legendary Buddhist mind-reading power!”

　 Just now, John Foster’s ability to subdue the ghosts had already left William Carter astonished, but this made him admire John Foster’s cultivation even more. To so effortlessly use, as in the legends, one of the six great Buddhist supernatural powers—mind-reading—to transmit a technique was simply unheard of. William Carter knew that no matter how hard he trained, it would be impossible for anyone to match John Foster’s level of supernatural mastery.

　　As William Carter was lost in thought, John Foster’s voice rang in his ears like a great bell from the heavens: “These two arts—one is the Blazing Flame Sword Light Technique, the other is the Grand Art of Commanding Spirits and Controlling Ghosts. Though one is righteous and the other demonic, each has its own origin. Both are supreme Daoist arts that combine martial skill and magic, cultivating both vital energy and mental power. Young Daoist, why not focus on your cultivation? I will stand guard for you.”

　　William Carter was feeling dizzy and overwhelmed by the countless profound formulas in his mind when suddenly a surge of blazing warmth arose within him, coursing unpredictably through all his major acupoints. It was John Foster using his own power to assist William Carter’s cultivation.

　　Normally, a martial arts master who could project their vital energy a few feet beyond their body would already be considered first-class. Yet John Foster didn’t even need to move; with a mere thought, he could transmit his energy into William Carter’s body. Such cultivation was truly peerless, worthy of awe throughout the ages.

　　In an instant, William Carter’s previously chaotic thoughts became crystal clear. The once-confusing secret formulas now unfolded one by one in his mind. The divine power that John Foster had cultivated over a hundred years, derived from the most unfathomable teachings of the Esoteric Sect’s “Mahavairocana Sutra,” followed the path of pure yang, perfectly complementing the Blazing Flame Sword Light Technique that William Carter had just received.

　　Suppressing all stray thoughts, William Carter focused on the flow of vital energy within his body. In no time, he was completely immersed, forgetting both himself and the world. The blazing energy raced along the meridians described in the Blazing Flame Sword Light Technique, and in an instant, it surged from his dantian to his fingertips. Unconsciously, William Carter extended a finger, and a faint, weak sword light touched a nearby bluestone. Crack! With a sound, this seemingly powerless sword energy sliced a chunk off the stone.

　　Having suddenly mastered such a wondrous art, William Carter was both shocked and delighted, momentarily forgetting even the life-and-death crisis that awaited him.

　　William Carter knew well that without John Foster’s secret assistance, relying solely on his own talent and effort, it would have taken at least ten years to master this supreme Daoist secret art, not just a brief moment. He felt a surge of gratitude toward John Foster.

　　When William Carter looked up, John Foster was smiling silently, sitting off to the side. William Carter thought to himself, “There’s nothing to do right now anyway. Since John Foster said the Dutian Ghost General won’t appear until midnight, I might as well keep practicing. Maybe I’ll be able to use this secret art to protect myself when the time comes.”

　　The Blazing Flame Sword Light Technique was a Daoist method for cultivating sword energy. In practice, one refined their vital energy and controlled it with supreme mental power, forming an invisible sword energy sharper than any blade, capable of cutting through gold and iron and slaying demons and monsters. Its power surpassed even the finest divine weapons. Although William Carter didn’t know the origin of this technique, he had heard tales of the might of Daoist sword energy, and thus deduced that the Blazing Flame Sword Light Technique must be a peerless supernatural art.