However, it was only for an instant. In the next moment, the spiritual energy within his body surged out, and before his eyes, on the surface of his body, it automatically formed a protective membrane.

Kevin Wright's gaze, though still sharp, appeared to Ethan Cooper as merely a bit fierce—no longer carrying the suffocating terror it had just moments before.

Ethan Cooper was secretly startled. He hadn't expected this unremarkable-looking old man to actually be such a rare and formidable master.

Kevin Wright had been startled awake from deep sleep, and his years of self-preservation instinct had caused him to emit a murderous aura to deter enemies. However, when he saw that the person before him was actually Ethan Cooper, he was instantly shocked and dismayed.

His body sprang up from the chair as if fitted with springs.

That chilling murderous aura had already vanished without a trace. At this moment, he looked just like an ordinary old man, wearing a humble and ingratiating smile as he fawned over Ethan Cooper.

With the external pressure gone, the spiritual energy naturally dissipated, returning once more to Ethan Cooper's dantian.

Looking at the old man before him, who gave off an air of servility, Ethan Cooper couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. Was this really the same person who had just shocked him so deeply? How had he become so feeble in the blink of an eye?

He couldn't help but recall the legendary face-changing technique in his mind. The skills of these two really did have a certain similarity—no wonder they were fellow disciples from the same sect.

“Sixth Senior Brother, you’re out.”

“Yes, Zhao... Mr. Zhao.”

“Ah... Sixth Senior Brother, please don’t be so formal with me. I am already endlessly grateful that Master accepted me as a registered disciple. According to the rules, those who entered the inner sect first are senior, so you should just call me Junior Brother.”

Looking at Kevin Wright, whose temples were already graying, Ethan Cooper hesitated for a long time before finally swallowing back the words “Junior Brother Zhao.”

“When did Master accept you as a registered disciple?”

“Replying to Sixth Senior Brother, it’s been over thirty years now.”

“Over thirty years?” Ethan Cooper exclaimed in surprise, then suddenly thought of something and asked, “How old is Master this year?”

Kevin Wright gave a wry smile. Of course he understood what Ethan Cooper meant, and explained, “I only remember that thirty years ago, when Master accepted me as a disciple, he already looked exactly as he does now. Thirty years have passed, and Master’s appearance hasn’t changed at all.”

“Wow... isn’t that like a monster?” Ethan Cooper murmured in amazement.

Though his voice was soft, Kevin Wright beside him heard it clearly. He couldn’t help but smile wryly. If anyone else had said this, he would have already handed them over to Xianyun for punishment. But this person was clearly favored and trusted by the old Daoist Xianyun—definitely not someone he could afford to offend.

So, he could only lower his head and pretend not to have heard.

“How long was I inside?”

“It’s been a month.”

“What? Thirty days?” Ethan Cooper cried out in shock.

“That’s right.”

Seeing his certain expression, Ethan Cooper knew Kevin Wright wasn’t lying. He had actually spent a whole month in the meditation chamber without realizing it.

No wonder people in ancient times could train for a year or more at a time—it really was true.

“Have Master and the others returned?”

“Not yet.”

“What kind of trouble did Lu Jun run into?” Ethan Cooper asked curiously.

Kevin Wright hesitated for a moment. It wasn’t that he wanted to hide anything, but he himself wasn’t too clear on the matter. Still, since Ethan Cooper asked, he could only say, “Sixth Senior Brother, I heard that First Senior Brother explored the ruins of an ancient immortal. After he came out, he was targeted by disciples from other Daoist sects. So...”

Ethan Cooper nodded, immediately realizing that the jade bottle in the safe was probably John Harris's haul from this trip.

“Sixth Senior Brother, you must have been bored out of your mind. For someone to last a whole month in closed-door cultivation on their first try—only a peerless genius like you could do that.” Kevin Wright flattered him from the side, “Truly worthy of being a spiritual root body.”

“Oh? Is a month impressive?”

“Yes! I remember that when First Senior Brother took the Foundation Establishment Pill back then, he only stayed in seclusion for three days before coming out. But you stayed in for a whole month this time. If Master hadn’t specifically instructed that you were born extraordinary and must not be disturbed, I would have gone in to check on you long ago.”

Ethan Cooper was moved and asked, “Did you come in?”

Kevin Wright immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. “I wouldn’t dare. I was just worried, so I waited outside the door.”

“You waited for a month?”

“Yes, but now that you’re out, I can finally relax.”

A wave of emotion rose in Ethan Cooper's heart. He gave a sincere smile and said, “Zhao... Junior Brother, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

He finally managed to say “Junior Brother” out loud.

“Sixth Senior Brother, there’s no need to be so polite. I’ll be relying on your guidance in the future.” Kevin Wright laughed heartily.

Ethan Cooper nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, “Junior Wright, what do you mean by ‘spiritual root body’?”