After waiting for a moment, Emily Thompson immediately came in carrying two of Chad Sullivan's favorite dishes. In order to suppress that inexplicable craving for jade, swords, and such, he started eating right away, almost wolfing down his food.

As he ate, when his gaze fell on the bowl holding the food, he suddenly choked, unable to catch his breath, and started coughing continuously. Startled, Emily Thompson quickly poured him some water, patting his back to help him breathe, and chuckled softly, “Eat slowly, eat slowly. Even if you’re hungry, there’s no need to rush like this. Take your time, no one’s going to snatch your food.”

Chad Sullivan was completely devastated.

Because he suddenly realized that his craving for the jade plate holding the food was far greater than for the delicious food itself. Although this craving wasn’t as intense as what he’d felt for that piece of warm jade and the ancient sword, once his attention was drawn to these jade plates, he lost all interest in the food on them. It was as if a lavish feast was laid out before you, but you could only eat the plain vegetables from the next table—naturally, your appetite wouldn’t be great.

Emily Thompson saw him suddenly spacing out and asked worriedly, “Why did you stop eating again? Did you choke?”

Chad Sullivan shook his head, looked at the plate in front of him, then at the food on it. Not wanting others to think he was a freak, he said, “Uh, I’ve had enough. If I eat any more, I won’t have room for dinner.”

“Really not eating anymore?” Emily Thompson repeated in surprise. Seeing him nod, she began clearing the dishes from the table. “Alright, then let me know if you get hungry. I’ll have the servants cook something for you.”

Chad Sullivan nodded. Watching Emily Thompson tidy up the dishes and head out to the kitchen, his expression grew a bit hesitant.

A moment later, he stood up, closed the door to a crack, and walked to the outer hall where various gifts were piled up. After searching for a while, he found a piece of ancient jade about half the size of a fingertip. Fixing his gaze on the jade, he felt the surging craving within him...

Very quickly, he realized that what truly increased his appetite wasn’t hunger, nor was it a sudden fondness for eating these ancient jades. It was that mysterious ore that had bizarrely remained inside his body! It was precisely this ore’s attraction to the ancient jades that made him develop such a strong craving for jade, swords, and the like.

Heavens, just having that strange ore inside him had already left him drowsy and mentally exhausted every day. If he added a piece of ancient jade to that, who knew what would happen.

Even so, an instinctive feeling told him that eating all these jades would be greatly beneficial to him!

For a moment, Chad Sullivan was deeply conflicted.

This jade...

To eat, or not to eat?

Volume Two: Sacred Xuanzong

Chapter Two: Tempering the Mind and Spirit

“小湛儿, what are you doing?” The half-closed door was suddenly pushed open. Emily Thompson had already returned from the kitchen and was looking at him curiously, then glanced at the jade in his hand. “Is there something special about that piece of jade?”

Chad Sullivan guiltily put the jade away and hurriedly said, “No, no, I just thought its color was a bit strange, so I was playing with it out of curiosity.”

He didn’t dare tell Emily Thompson about his inexplicable changes. If she found out he’d suddenly developed a craving for things like minerals, who knew what she’d think of him? How would his family and friends see him? They might even treat him as a monster and completely isolate him.

Looking at the lovely and graceful Emily Thompson beside him, as clear as autumn water, he secretly resolved that no one could ever know about the terrifying and absurd thoughts in his mind.

At that moment, footsteps sounded at the door, pulling Chad Sullivan back to reality. He turned his head and saw Michael Bolton coming in from outside. Seeing the two of them in the room, Michael Bolton smiled and said, “You’re both here, so I don’t have to look for you one by one. Now that you’ve both advanced to the fourth level of Qi Refining, it won’t be long before you leave Shunhe City and head to Sacred Xuanzong, three hundred miles from the capital. Once you’re at Sacred Xuanzong, things won’t be as easy as they are here, with everything taken care of for you. There, all the outer disciples compete fiercely for the chance to enter the inner sect. Without some means of self-defense, you’ll be at a great disadvantage.”

Emily Thompson’s bright, watery eyes immediately lit up with joy. “Master, are you going to teach us swordsmanship?”

Michael Bolton looked at her approvingly and nodded. “We’ll set aside Qi Refining for this month and use the time to practice swordsmanship. Come with me.” With that, he turned and led the two of them to the open space in the backyard.

When they arrived, they found that the backyard, which had previously only held some exercise equipment, now had a weapon rack. On it were not only heavy wooden swords made of ironwood, but also many fine steel swords crafted by renowned masters.

Michael Bolton took down two ironwood swords, tossed them lightly, and accurately threw them to the two of them. “These ironwood swords are about the same weight as steel swords and are also very sturdy—perfect for practicing swordsmanship.”