Old Foster shook his head slightly and said, “Franklin Foster was not a cultivator, but he studied runes in his early years. Later, when he led troops, many skilled practitioners came to serve under him. After verifying with them, this book can be considered the painstaking work of Franklin Foster.”

Brian Carter placed his hand on the wooden box and asked, “So, Old Foster, you mean…”

“It seems you intend to draw talismans. The methods recorded here may be of benefit to you.”

“This blade… has killed countless enemies on the battlefield, and its murderous aura is even stronger.”

Old Foster struggled to sit up, gasping as he said, “If Little Grace has not yet met with misfortune, please… bring the child back safely.”

In his early years, he served in the army. Though he held a civil post, he had witnessed mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and endured the cruelty of war. He was no stranger to life and death, and his experience was vast.

Yet, when it came to his granddaughter, he had barely managed to maintain his composure just now, but now, he could not help but tremble.

Hearing the slight tremor in his voice, Brian Carter also felt heavy-hearted.

“I will do my best.”

……

By the time he returned to his room, the sun was already slanting toward the west.

In the corner of the room lay a black dog, barely alive.

In these times of war and chaos, those who had enough food to feed their own families were already few; only the Stanley Hughes at the village head had enough surplus to feed a dog. Though Stanley Hughes held a minor post, he was quite corrupt in daily life, always taking but never giving.

When Brian Carter hinted at wanting some black dog’s blood, that Stanley Hughes official claimed he was as close to the dog as a father to his son. But when Brian Carter produced a tael of silver, the Stanley Hughes immediately changed his tune, and before leaving, even shamelessly asked how the dog meat should be divided.

But Brian Carter did not kill the animal; he only took some blood, then fed it herbal medicine to keep it alive.

“Tomorrow, I’ll have Henry Collins come take care of you.”

Brian Carter withdrew his gaze and set down the wooden box.

After a while, as dusk deepened, Brian Carter lit an oil lamp and opened the book of talismanic methods.

The dim candlelight shone on his fair face, making it appear a bit sallow.

After flipping through it several times, he could not help but sigh in admiration—this Franklin Foster was truly an extraordinary person. Though not a Daoist, his understanding of talismanic arts was profound.

After reading, Brian Carter finally set the book aside.

He closed his eyes, a look of confusion between his brows.

In the upper realm, he could only walk within the Purple Cloud Palace, and even that was restricted. But now, in the mortal world below, he could travel and search far and wide, perhaps finding fate and opening a broad path.

Yet, all he knew was that he needed to develop an immortal root and Daoist bones, to be able to cultivate, and then seek the path of the immortals.

But he did not know what opportunity he was truly seeking…

Was it an immortal scripture?

An elixir?

A divine herb?

He still had no clue.

With a sigh of frustration, he forced himself to clear his mind.

Looking up, he saw that the time to draw talismans had not yet come.

So he put down the book, visualized the Ninefold Jade Tower, and began his daily, unchanging, yet fruitless cultivation.

Chapter Three: The June Impurity-Dispelling Visualization

Late at night, the moon was gentle as water, light as gauze.

Brian Carter calmed his mind and focused, quietly cultivating.

Because he lacked the proper root and bones, he had yet to enter the true path, still lingering outside the threshold. It could not be called true cultivation—he was only visualizing.

Though he knew he could not cultivate, for years he had never slacked, still following the cultivation method he had learned in the Purple Cloud Palace, practicing daily without neglect.

Day after day, through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, through bitter cold and scorching heat, he never once stopped.

And this method of circulating energy was the “Yellow Court Immortal Classic” he had brought from the Purple Cloud Palace.

But circulating energy was one thing; for the entry-level visualization, he did not practice the Yellow Court method, but another technique.

This method was a secret transmission of the Purple Cloud Palace, called the “June Impurity-Dispelling Visualization.”

The process of cultivation was called “June Visualization of Impurities.”

Back then in the Purple Cloud Palace, unable to find the right method, he tried many techniques, but none worked. By chance, he was finally granted the June Impurity-Dispelling Visualization.

Recalling those days, he could not help but be lost in thought.

……

“This visualization method is indeed extraordinary, but practicing it is not complicated.”

“First, calm your mind, then visualize a bright moon above your head, shining upon you.”

He vaguely remembered, back then in the Purple Cloud Palace, his senior brother Edward Carter, dressed as a middle-aged Daoist, always wore a simple and kindly smile.

He pointed to the top of his head and said, “Then, imagine the moonlight from the sky pouring down on you, illuminating every part of your body, dispelling all impure thoughts from your mind.”

“Let all darkness and filth within you be washed away, your whole being bathed in moonlight, pure and bright.”

“Repeat this practice every night. After half a year—six full months—the moon in the sky will split into six.”

Edward Carter showed a slight smile and said, “When the time is ripe and the days are fulfilled, with the moon shining upon you for six months, all impure and unclear thoughts and foulness within you will be completely illuminated and cleansed.”

“From then on, in the ancestral acupoint between your brows, the Ninefold Jade Tower will naturally arise, corresponding to the nine heavens of cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, Brian Carter asked, “Does it always take half a year?”

“Exactly,” said Edward Carter. “No matter if you have an immortal root and Daoist bones, or poor aptitude and dull talent, you must practice diligently every day without slacking. After a full six months, you will surely benefit.”