This apprenticeship is not a true transmission. In the Great Daoist tradition, there are two types of apprenticeship. One is the ordinary “du shi.”

Also called “xiao shi.”

Becoming a “xiao shi” only makes you an ordinary disciple of the master, in name only, without any significant cultivation or training.

You simply receive the appropriate Daoist registration and official treatment.

Then there is another type, called “bai da shi,” which is the true core transmission, where you are granted a Daoist title and given gifts and red envelopes.

After becoming a “da shi” disciple, the relationship between master and disciple is like that of father and son, and even in terms of property, there is a corresponding right of inheritance.

The disciple also has many obligations toward the master.

Brian Bolton only learned here that, unlike in those TV dramas from his previous life, not everyone who enters the Daoist sect can casually receive a Daoist title.

From “du shi” to “da shi,” a disciple must go through many tests.

At this moment, Brian Bolton felt a wave of relief in his heart. He knew he had finally taken the right first step.

Even though it was only as a “xiao shi.”

But as long as he could escape the hard life of a menial disciple, he could accumulate attribute points and surely rise step by step to higher levels.

Knock, knock, knock.

As Brian Bolton knelt and kowtowed, under Helen Shaw’s smiling gaze, he finally took an official step forward, breaking away from the status of a menial disciple who could be discarded at any time, and becoming a formal cultivation disciple.

At the side, a trace of envy flashed in Yvonne Sun’s eyes. He didn’t know what kind of dumb luck Brian Bolton had, to be singled out by Master Helen Shaw and accepted as a disciple just like that.

Even he himself, with his family sending so much money every year and serving diligently at the master’s side for four years, still hadn’t been accepted as a disciple by Master Helen Shaw.

In the Great Daoist tradition, when a master takes on a disciple, they must allocate a portion of their own resources and benefits to cultivate the disciple.

So generally, masters are very cautious about accepting disciples, to the point that in many Daoist palaces and temples, the number of disciples remains the same year after year, with no increase or decrease.

Therefore, Yvonne Sun guessed in his heart that there must be some reason why Brian Bolton caught Master Helen Shaw’s eye, making him accept him regardless of his background.

Brian Bolton was born a fourth-class barbarian, his parents were Confucian households, his appearance was unremarkable, and he didn’t seem to have any special talent.

Anyone with a discerning eye could guess that Brian Bolton must have had some major performance recently that attracted Helen Shaw’s attention.

After kowtowing, Helen Shaw looked Brian Bolton over.

“From now on, you’ll follow Xiao Ying. She has a difficult temperament, so you need to keep an eye on her and remind her.”

“Yes.”

Brian Bolton quickly replied.

As a disciple, he had no say in what tasks he was assigned.

From these words, it was clear that Helen Shaw had accepted him for the sake of his daughter.

“In addition, disciples of my Qinghe Palace cultivate ‘Guan Xu Gong’ for scholarly training, and ‘Huichun Jing Shi Fu Dian’ for martial training.

You are lacking in vital energy and blood, so start by practicing ‘Guan Xu Gong’ to nourish yourself.”

Helen Shaw instructed.

“Yes.”

Brian Bolton lowered his head, and a trace of joy finally appeared on his face.

He had always suspected that the “skills” section in his attribute panel likely referred to authentic Daoist techniques.

“May I ask, Master, if one trains martial arts well, can one walk on walls and roofs?

Strike a cow from across a mountain?”

He couldn’t help but ask respectfully.

“Heh.” Helen Shaw smiled. “If you master body techniques to the peak, you can indeed walk on walls and roofs, but humans have limits. Martial arts are created to help us better utilize our own strength.

Of course, there are some martial arts that can enhance and train our bodies, but human limits are what they are—no matter how much you train, you can only reach a certain point.”

He looked at Brian Bolton in front of him, and for a moment seemed to recall something, his gaze distant.

“With martial arts, under the same physical conditions, you can fight five at once, or even ten if they take turns, but that’s the limit.

Also, remember: barehanded fighters generally can’t beat those with weapons, and those with weapons usually can’t beat those in full armor with weapons.”

“Furthermore, if you’re facing elite soldiers, even a master can only take on five at most.”

He paused, then continued.

“Also, the scholarly ‘Guan Xu Gong’ is for self-cultivation and nurturing one’s nature. Unless you pass the martial disciple’s assessment, practicing only ‘Guan Xu Gong’ will merely make you healthy and long-lived, with no other effects.”

Brian Bolton was stunned.

“But I clearly heard before that a palace master succeeded in forming a ‘dan’ and becoming an ‘infant’…” “Oh, that was Senior Brother Senior Brother Bolton from the God of Wealth Hall. Senior Brother Senior Brother Bolton’s Daoist skills are indeed profound, and he did condense a ‘yuan ying,’ but he’s not a martial cultivator. After condensing his ‘yuan ying,’ he was so happy that he accidentally tripped and hit his forehead on the stone steps, getting a huge bump.”

Helen Shaw sighed, “By the Three Pure Ones above, later they called a senior sister from the alchemy room to treat him, and fortunately, it wasn’t serious.”

“.” Brian Bolton was at a loss for words.

“That’s nothing. In my Taiqing Palace, there are quite a few who have condensed inner ‘dan’—at least a couple dozen, most of whom are scholarly Daoists.

Martial cultivators don’t have that leisure; they’re all busy tempering their muscles and bones, honing their strength.

So if your aptitude isn’t particularly good, you mustn’t try to cultivate both scholarly and martial arts at once.

Remember this well.”

Helen Shaw earnestly instructed.

“Then, Master, what are the benefits of condensing an inner ‘dan’?”

Brian Bolton asked again, unwilling to give up.

“If you remain free of illness and disaster, you can live past ninety.”

Helen Shaw smiled.

“This is the art of longevity.”