Moreover, he fully utilized his ability to summarize and condense, simplifying the understanding and learning methods of “spirit talismans,” and compiled these insights into sheets of “phantom talismans.”

These things are the crystallization of a top student’s wisdom—knowledge is money, and that is a truth in any era.

Currently, Nanhai Immortal Cultivation Academy also has affiliated lower-level cultivation classes. In Eric Clark’s understanding, these classes should be considered the equivalent of preparatory courses at universities on Earth, or perhaps secondary colleges, vocational schools, or affiliated high schools—something along those lines.

Of course, the fruits of Eric Clark’s wisdom would not go to waste; he made full use of his soul’s other side—his gift for talking and boasting.

He sold these “phantom talismans” one by one to the even lower-level disciples in those cultivation classes.

At first, Eric Clark just wanted to give it a try, but unexpectedly, the initial results were quite good.

He quickly improved his strategy, focusing specifically on low-level talismans, especially the key points of the low-level talisman assessments in the lower-level talisman classes, and strategically produced “phantom talismans.”

Eric Clark was an elite genius shaped by the infamous exam-oriented education system on Earth. When it came to things like assessments and exams—highlighting key points, guessing the examiner’s intentions, and conducting intensive crash training—he was more than familiar.

His “phantom talisman” market quickly took off, selling several hundred sheets in just a week. All kinds of spirit stones and such came pouring in. Of course, all of this was done in secret. Eric Clark wasn’t exactly low-key by nature, but he was well aware of his current situation, so it was better to keep a low profile...

...

Once again, it was time for the “Spirit Talisman Hall” master’s lecture at Nanhai Academy.

At Nanhai Immortal Cultivation Academy, disciples usually cultivated on their own, but about once a week, each hall would hold a master’s lecture. This was a system set up for innate cultivators of the academy to teach and answer questions for lower-level disciples.

Generally speaking, for lower-level disciples, attendance at these lectures was mandatory.

As for intermediate and advanced disciples, the academy had no special requirements. After all, the cultivation of elite disciples had in some cases already reached the half-step innate stage, and ordinary masters probably couldn’t teach them much anymore.

Besides, elite disciples almost all had their own personal sects. If they had any questions, they could consult their masters face-to-face. How could the efficiency of a master’s lecture—chaotic scenes with hundreds or even thousands of people—compare to that?

Advanced disciples were all very busy, focused on their own cultivation, and pursuing efficiency was naturally their choice.

Eric Clark had already missed the master’s lecture for two weeks in a row, and the warnings from the hall had already reached his dormitory.

This time, the topic of the master’s lecture was “In-depth Analysis of the Swastika Spirit Talisman.” The swastika talisman is one of the more profound basic spirit talismans, widely used in artifact forging, puppet making, alchemy, and many other fields. Eric Clark happened to be researching this swastika talisman recently and had gained some insights.

However, he felt his research was not thorough enough, so with such a lecture available, he was quite willing to listen to the teachings of a senior cultivator.

At the hour of Chen, Eric Clark got ready, put on his robe, hung his storage pouch at his waist, shrank his peachwood talisman sword to the size of an embroidery needle and hid it in his palm, and strode confidently toward Lecture Hall No. 1 of the “Spirit Talisman Hall.”

Today, he deliberately arrived a quarter of an hour early.

But when he got there, Lecture Hall No. 1 was already packed with people. Eric Clark immediately noticed disciples wearing red robes.

These were all the high and mighty senior brothers from the Hongchen Dormitory, rarely seen at ordinary lectures.

Even though he was mentally prepared, when Eric Clark entered, he was still made uncomfortable by the fiery stares from those around him.

“Eric Clark is here! Hey, this kid finally showed up! Haha, after missing two weeks, he’s recovered and is back in action!” someone in the crowd shrieked, followed by a burst of laughter, and in an instant, he became the center of attention.

Eric Clark felt a bit awkward, but at this moment, he could only pretend to be calm and walk in with his head held high.

“Oh, Young Master Zhu, haven’t seen you for a while and your temper’s grown—you’ve learned to ignore people now!”

Eric Clark frowned and stopped in his tracks.

Because he couldn’t move forward anymore. Standing in front of him was a sallow-faced, skinny-as-a-monkey, long-robed cultivator with a wicked grin.

This person grinned, looking at Eric Clark with a sinister gaze, and said, “Young Master Zhu, this road is blocked!”

Eric Clark looked him up and down, and a name popped into his mind: “David Grant!”

Another scoundrel among the lower-level cultivators of the Spirit Talisman Hall, notorious for his sleazy character and typical bully of the weak. Back when Eric Clark was bragging, he actually believed it, constantly trying to cozy up to Eric Clark, practically wanting to lick his feet.

When Eric Clark was chasing after Helen Reed, he was happy to play the sidekick, and indeed gave Eric Clark plenty of lousy advice.

But today, he was turning his back on him and was the first to pick a fight?

“Eric Clark, take down Houzi with your family’s invincible Zhu Clan’s ‘Heavenward Seal’ treasure and crush him!” When someone stirs up trouble, others join in, and soon the whole crowd was egging him on.

This was typical of the style in Dormitory 103—unlike the senior brothers from Hongchen and Hushan Dormitories, who fought with solemnity and an immortal’s bearing.

Only Dormitory 103 was like a marketplace, with everyone acting like street punks.