No need to ask, this must be the work of The Elder Priest. Although I don’t know what he’s up to, even if I die, I’ll at least take someone down with me.

“It’s fine, don’t worry. With The Elder here, I absolutely won’t let anything happen to you.” The Elder Priest comforted him with a smiling face, letting him act out without the slightest annoyance.

Ethan Cooper forced a smile. The fact that he could still manage to smile at this moment was beyond his own expectations—it seemed he really was quite brave.

“The Elder Master, you truly have remarkable skills.” Flattery poured from Ethan Cooper’s mouth, but his hands only gripped tighter, refusing to loosen even a little.

“Haha…” The Elder Priest laughed heartily and said, “This is just a minor trick, nothing much at all. Among The Elder’s five personal disciples, all of them can do this.”

After floating in midair for quite a while, Ethan Cooper grew bolder and tried loosening his grip. Aside from the unfamiliar softness beneath his feet, he actually didn’t fall.

So riding the clouds and mist—turns out the legends are true after all.

A wave of envy surged in his eyes. If he could witness such skills and remain unmoved, then he really wouldn’t be human.

The Elder Priest took in all his expressions, secretly delighted.

For those who cultivate immortality, arduous training is essential, but without extraordinary talent, it often ends up being all for nothing.

A spiritual root is a special constitution that all cultivators dream of. Those with spiritual roots are far superior to ordinary people, whether in learning spells or accumulating spiritual power.

No one knows where spiritual roots come from, but in the world of immortals, there’s a legend: all who possess spiritual roots are descendants of ancient immortals.

Once such people embark on the path of cultivation, their achievements are bound to surpass others. What’s even more enviable is that, throughout history, anyone with spiritual roots has never encountered the Nine Heavens Thunderfire Tribulation at the final step to ascension.

In other words, as long as there are no accidents and they don’t die by violence, becoming an immortal with spiritual roots is almost a sure thing.

No matter how solid an ordinary person’s foundation is, they can never compare to those born with spiritual roots. The path of cultivation is fraught with tribulations, and those who make it through safely and fulfill their wishes are one in a thousand.

The advantage of having spiritual roots in this regard is simply overwhelming.

In Daoism, the inheritance of a sect is highly valued, especially for these small sects established on Earth. If a disciple with spiritual roots appears, it’s definitely something worth grand celebration and brings great honor to the sect.

“So, what do you think? Want to learn?” The Elder Priest squinted his eyes and smiled, as if asking casually, but in his heart, he was already fully focused, just waiting for Ethan Cooper to agree.

It had been over a hundred years since he’d last made such a special move, so he was a bit unaccustomed to it.

Ethan Cooper looked up in shock and saw The Elder Priest’s extremely kind smile.

Scenes of meeting John Harris and Brian Lee flashed through his mind, and suddenly he was struck by a realization.

He had always wondered why Brian Lee had used that astonishing lightness talisman on him at first sight, and why, knowing that the sect’s inner grounds weren’t open to just anyone, he still risked bringing him in.

This The Elder Priest, with his refined and elegant demeanor, had performed a set of rough, steel-splitting moves completely at odds with his image.

Now, he was using cloud-riding as bait to stir up his longing.

If he still couldn’t guess their intentions by now, then Ethan Cooper really would be a fool.

A sudden inspiration struck him, and without caring that he was standing over empty space, he knelt down in midair. Since he was to be accepted as a disciple, surely they wouldn’t let him fall to his death.

“Master above, please accept your disciple’s bow.”

Chapter 9: Transition

After lighting incense and paying respects to the ancestors, under the witness of heaven and earth, Ethan Cooper officially set foot on the path of seeking immortality.

“Ethan Clark, since you have joined my sect, let me introduce you.” The Elder Priest could not hide the joy on his face and said, “Our sect is called the Secret Talisman Sect, and we have unique expertise in the art of talisman-making. Across all of China, there are very few who can match us in this field. No, it can be said we are truly one of a kind.”

Ethan Cooper nodded repeatedly. Secret Talisman Sect—just from the name, it was obvious they relied on talismans for a living; did that even need explaining?

“My Daoist name is Jason Reed, meaning ‘idle cloud and wild crane.’ But over the years, I’ve been busy with worldly affairs and have let down this name, sigh…”

Ethan Cooper listened carefully. This was a tricky line to respond to, so he just grinned foolishly and didn’t offer any opinion.

“In my life, including you, I have taken six disciples. Apart from my eldest disciple John Harris and second disciple Jack Turner, who have both reached the Golden Core stage, my third disciple Brian Lee, fourth disciple George Parker, and fifth disciple Mark Brooks have all reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Hmm… You’ve already met John Harris and Brian Lee; the other three are in seclusion. At most, in two months, they’ll come out, and I’ll introduce you then.”

“Yes.”