The two of them chatted in the carriage about some experiences in the cultivation world. As for how to gain the trust of the villagers at Lotus Platform, they weren’t worried at all.

The young Daoist glanced outside the carriage. “Senior brother, it looks like we’re almost there.”

Senior Brother gave a slight nod. He pointed two fingers into the air, and a yellow talisman paper appeared out of thin air, with a cloud drawn on it in bright red cinnabar.

He formed a hand seal, silently recited an incantation, then suddenly flicked his fingers and shouted, “Go!”

The yellow talisman instantly exploded into a burst of light, which expanded to envelop the entire carriage and lifted it into the sky. The skinny horse neighed, twisting its neck, its four hooves flailing in the air as the carriage, riding the wind, whooshed toward Lotus Platform Village.

……

Just as the young Daoist William Grant and his Senior Brother Samuel Grant had expected, when their carriage flew over Lotus Platform Village, the simple villagers of the mountains and fields were awestruck and fearful, kneeling in welcome and respectfully inviting the two Daoists down.

Inside the grand house of Village Chief Mayor Foster, Samuel Grant sat upright and motionless, while William Grant briefly explained their purpose.

Upon hearing that “immortals” were going to select a disciple from their village, Mayor Foster and several village elders were so excited they nearly fell ill. Mayor Foster instructed his family to serve the best food and wine to the two immortals, while he went door to door to spread the good news.

The whole village was in an uproar: this was the immortals choosing a disciple! If one could be chosen, it would be a meteoric rise—far more promising than taking the imperial exams!

So, in less than the time it took to eat a meal, all the boys and girls under fifteen in the village had gathered outside Mayor Foster’s house.

Before this, Mayor Foster personally brought fine wine, poured for the two immortals, and with a smile asked, “Honored immortals, I have a presumptuous request—could you perhaps take a look at my son first?”

Daoist William Grant didn’t dare decide on his own and looked at Senior Brother. Daoist Samuel Grant asked, “Before we came, we heard there was an outstanding talent in the village. Whose child is that?”

Mayor Foster couldn’t suppress his smile and cupped his hands to the two. “Haha, that would be my son.”

“Oh?” The two Daoists exchanged a glance. Samuel Grant didn’t dare act superior, so he slightly bowed and said, “In that case, of course, let’s invite your son in first.”

“Very well, very well…” Mayor Foster agreed repeatedly and soon brought in his son, Edward Foster.

Edward Foster was no longer the lazy youth from two years ago who, along with a group of idle village boys, used to mock Brian Carter’s name.

Now, with his intelligence awakened and a great reputation as a prodigy, he carried himself with a certain poise.

Seeing the two Daoists, though he knew they were extraordinary, he still behaved with proper manners, clasped his hands, and bowed slightly: “Student Edward Foster greets the two honored teachers.”

William Grant looked at Senior Brother with anticipation. Samuel Grant, with his hands hidden in his Daoist robe sleeves, formed a hand seal. In his left eye’s pupil, a ring of golden light spun, faint and almost imperceptible.

“Senior Brother, what do you think?”

A smile appeared on Samuel Grant’s face, and he became especially courteous to Edward Foster, rising to greet him: “Young Master Tian, please have a seat. In the future, we may well be equals.”

Edward Foster and his father, along with William Grant, were overjoyed!

“Honored teachers, does this mean my son Yingdong has passed?” Mayor Foster still couldn’t quite believe it.

William Grant also asked, “Senior Brother, what’s the result?”

Samuel Grant said, “Young Master Tian has certainly passed. And he’s brimming with spiritual light—he’s likely one of the ten great spiritual roots. But my skill in reading auras is still shallow, so to know exactly which root, I’ll need to examine him in detail.”

With this, he answered both Mayor Foster and his junior brother’s questions at once.

Mayor Foster was overjoyed and pulled his son down to kneel in thanks. “Yingdong, quickly thank the honored teachers for their great kindness.”

Samuel Grant and his junior brother hurried forward to help them up. “Absolutely not, that would be too much for us brothers to bear.”

Now that it was confirmed Edward Foster possessed one of the ten great spiritual roots, no matter which one it was, as long as he entered the sect, he would surely become a direct disciple in the future, with a status even above Samuel Grant and William Grant. At this point, the two Daoists absolutely did not dare to act superior in front of Edward Foster.

Mayor Foster then had Edward Foster offer wine to the two, who both politely declined, but the four of them drank together.

At this moment, Samuel Grant and William Grant seemed to have forgotten about everyone outside, and enthusiastically shared all sorts of stories from the cultivation world with Edward Foster.

The two were eager to befriend Edward Foster, so they lowered themselves accordingly. Their efforts to curry favor with this future direct disciple were subtle and left a good impression on Edward Foster without seeming sycophantic—their methods were truly masterful.

……

Brian Carter stood among the crowd, with his younger brother Eric Carter by his side.

Like everyone else, they seemed to have been forgotten, waiting outside the house all this time.

After more than the time it takes to eat a meal, some people grew impatient and began to voice their dissatisfaction. Eric Carter tugged at his brother’s hand. “Brother, what are they doing in there? They sound really happy.”

Brian Carter remained standing still. “No need to worry.”

If there was one thing the voice in Brian Carter’s mind had changed most in him over the past two years, it was his composure—far beyond that of his peers. If not for this, he might have already been driven mad by that voice.

He could keep Eric Carter calm, but didn’t need to worry about anyone else.