He let out a laugh and said, “It’s not like we won’t see each other again in the future. Don’t act like a little girl. Go with Clifford.”

Evelyn Spencer, reluctant to part, bowed again and again before finally leaving the inn with the young Daoist Clifford Bolton. Clifford Bolton led him out of the town. The young Daoist wanted to test Evelyn Spencer’s abilities, so he used twenty or thirty percent of his strength, but saw that Evelyn Spencer kept up easily. He couldn’t help but feel pleased and thought to himself, “Because my master doesn’t get along with the head teacher, he once burned incense before the patriarch’s statue and left to start his own sect. Now, I’m his only disciple, and we’re in need of more.”

“But where can you easily find a youth who is both exceptionally talented and intelligent as well as hardworking?”

“My master is, after all, one of the five great grandmasters in the world. If he were to take on someone unworthy, it would tarnish his reputation.”

“This Evelyn Spencer junior, I’ve heard, once saved Uncle Miao. His character is beyond reproach. He’s only been learning the Hunyuan Stance for a few months and already has such a foundation. His talent isn’t bad, and he’s diligent too. In the future, he’ll surely bring honor to the Taiyi Temple.”

They traveled for most of the day, not seeing a single soul along the way. Each was lost in thought, and neither spoke. It wasn’t until dusk that they finally saw a Daoist temple. The three large characters for Taiyi Temple were written above the gate. The temple doors stood wide open, with no one guarding them. Clifford Bolton walked straight in.

Evelyn Spencer felt a bit of joy in his heart, thinking, “With a new master, I can train in peace. That’s a good thing.” Having lived two lives, he was cautious by nature. Instead of barging in with Clifford Bolton, he tidied his clothes, brushed off the dust, and then entered the temple with a respectful and solemn demeanor.

A middle-aged Daoist was meditating in the courtyard. But beneath him was neither a cushion nor a stone slab, but a large vat filled with clear water. The Daoist hovered slightly above it, two or three inches from the water’s surface. The water rippled constantly, clearly being pushed away by a powerful force.

This scene left Evelyn Spencer dumbfounded. He thought, “Are the martial arts of this world really so magical? Hu Fengwei could spit out half a foot of blue light from the tip of his sword, and this Daoist…”

“No, this is my master, who can actually meditate while suspended above water.”

“What kind of miraculous martial arts are these?”

Thinking that he would soon be able to learn such divine skills, Evelyn Spencer couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. He hurriedly knelt down and called out, “Disciple Evelyn Spencer greets Master.”

He then performed the formal eight kowtows.

The old Daoist didn’t get up when he saw him enter. Only after he finished kowtowing did he gracefully rise and step down from the vat. The old Daoist was extremely tall, over 1.9 meters. In modern times, he could play basketball just based on his height. His features were neither handsome nor fierce, nor could they be called ugly—just very ordinary.

He said with a smile, “My master had a good relationship with the Miao family ancestors. I am of the same generation as Miao Youxiu. He couldn’t take disciples himself, so he recommended you to me. Although I left the mountain with Clifford to found the Taiyi Sect and am in need of disciples, I won’t just take anyone. I won’t accept those with poor character or laziness.”

“Since Clifford brought you back, it means he already approves of you. You may join my sect.”

“Taiyi Sect is just starting out and has no real rules. Since you’ve already kowtowed, you’re now my disciple. Let Clifford arrange a place for you to stay.”

Clifford Bolton bowed and led Evelyn Spencer into the temple, taking him to an empty room near the kitchen. It was originally used for storage. With a slight smile, he said, “Junior brother, rest for a while! I’ll come get you at dinner.”

Evelyn Spencer quickly thanked him, saying, “Thank you for your trouble, senior brother.”

Clifford Bolton smiled and left with ease.

Evelyn Spencer walked around the room. It had been used for storage and didn’t even have a bed, just a few long benches. Seeing there was nowhere to hide anything, he had an idea. He looked up at the beam, stacked the benches, climbed up, and placed his bundle and the Demon-Slaying Sword on the beam, deliberately leaving a corner of the bundle exposed. The vest with the flying money and his regular clothes he tossed on the floor.

Even though things shouldn’t get stolen in the sect, he did all this out of habit.

Just as Evelyn Spencer finished, he heard Clifford Bolton calling from outside, “Junior Brother Spencer, dinner time.”

Evelyn Spencer opened the door, bowed, and followed the young Daoist through the temple to the dining hall.

Chapter 8: Patriarch Feng’s Single Transmission to Seven Friends

Charles Bolton was setting out bowls and chopsticks. Seeing his two disciples arrive, the middle-aged Daoist smiled and said, “There’s not much to eat in the temple, Evelyn, make do with what we have.”

Evelyn Spencer quickly replied, “Master! I come from a poor family. As long as there’s food, I’m not picky.”

Charles Bolton smiled slightly and said nothing more.

The three of them had a simple dinner: a pot of mixed grain buns, a jar of assorted pickled vegetables, and a bowl of vegetable soup.

Having crossed over for more than three months, Evelyn Spencer had been tempered by hardship and was not picky. He ate a bun with pickles and drank a bowl of vegetable soup.