The little girl Emily Bailey entered, swept her gaze around, and the scorching heat within the cavern was instantly forced back into the fire pit by a visible icy blue chill, leaving only the area around the fire pit retaining its warmth.

Daniel Cooper faced her with utmost respect. “Please wait a moment, Honored One. I will begin right away. If you find it tedious, you don’t have to wait for me—you may walk around as you please. I trust that no one in Su Bao Mountain would dare stop you.”

The little girl gave a slight nod. Now that there were no outsiders present, the “little girl” no longer restrained her aura; an overwhelming pressure instantly filled the entire cavern. The threefold earth fire, pressed by this force, shrank back even further.

Daniel Cooper felt bitter inside and sighed quietly.

He, a dignified master of the Zhiren realm, had to circulate his cultivation technique with all his might just to remain unaffected under such pressure.

Who would have thought that the renowned spiritual artificer Daniel Cooper of the cultivation world was actually being coerced into forging spirit array armor for someone at Su Bao Mountain? If word got out, no one would believe it.

But if it was revealed that the one coercing him was none other than the Dark Domain Demon Lord, one of the top ten on the Demonic Path’s Heavenly Ranking, then everyone would understand. The Dark Domain Demon Lord, the expressionless Emily Bailey, was the only female among the top ten, her identity shrouded in mystery—no one knew her origins.

Ten years ago, she appeared out of nowhere, atop the thousand-zhang-high Broken Cliff Peak and beside the three-thousand surging waves of the Underworld River. In just ten moves, she slew “Qianqiu Demon Lord” Duan Anran, who was then one of the top ten, and took his place. She even renamed Duan Anran’s faction to “Tianxia Society,” consolidating it into an even greater force. Now, Tianxia Society had firmly become one of the three major demonic sects, and the impassive Emily Bailey had become a figure whose very name struck fear into the righteous cultivators!

Daniel Cooper thought to himself that it was their good fortune that Old Ryan Brooks hadn’t realized who “Emily Bailey” was. Otherwise, if he knew this little girl was the infamous Dark Domain Demon Lord, he’d be scared out of his wits! Everyone and everything on Su Bao Mountain, people and livestock included, wouldn’t survive a flick of her finger.

……

Before the mountain-opening ceremony, Wangshan Courtyard was especially lively, with uncle-masters of the Xianren realm coming and going, all heading to the same place: Edward Foster’s small courtyard.

This made the other disciples so jealous their eyes turned red, but there was nothing they could do. With such heaven-defying talent, if you too possessed one of the top ten wisdom roots, the uncle-masters would treat you like a treasure as well.

Many disciples skilled in networking seized the chance to run to Edward Foster’s courtyard, hoping to build a connection.

No one knew what method Old Adam Brooks used, but he actually managed to win over Edward Foster. At the mountain-opening, Edward Foster really did choose Old Adam Brooks as his master.

This made Old Adam Brooks extremely excited. Amid his hearty laughter, he shot a provocative glare at his junior sister Logan Brooks, making the old Daoist nun’s triangular eyes stand up in anger.

Besides Edward Foster and Henry Wright, there were a few other disciples in this batch with decent potential and wisdom roots, but none enough for the uncle-masters to take them as personal disciples before they reached the Daoist realm.

Thus, no other uncle-masters accepted disciples.

After joining the sect, the disciples began their long foundational cultivation training.

……

True Ryan Brooks returned to his Zhiwei Cottage, where his newly accepted disciple Henry Wright stood respectfully in the courtyard, hands at his sides, waiting.

“Greetings, Master.”

True Ryan Brooks waved his hand. “There’s no need for such formality between master and disciple. Come in.”

The two entered the main hall. Seeing a hint of discontent on his disciple’s face, True Ryan Brooks sighed. “Wright, you needn’t mind. When it comes to talent, there’s no such thing as absolutely the best. Edward Foster’s Treasure Glaze Wisdom Root may be among the top ten, but your Five Elements Wisdom Root is not much inferior. In terms of cultivation speed, you’ll definitely surpass him. With your master here to support you, just focus on your training—you’re sure to overtake him.”

Henry Wright bowed. “I understand, Master. Thank you for your guidance!”

Ryan Brooks thought for a moment, then said, “There are some things I hadn’t planned to tell you yet, but now I think I should.”

Henry Wright immediately adopted a posture of attentive listening, which pleased Ryan Brooks. “Before any great upheaval, there are always omens. This time, the Sui Dynasty’s meteor shower was unprecedented in scale, and so many geniuses were born—this is surely a sign of coming change. Recently, the Gui Rong demonic cultivators have been stirring. I fear that within thirty years, a great war between good and evil will erupt!”

Henry Wright’s expression grew solemn.

Ryan Brooks continued, “Talent is only a prerequisite. No matter how great your talent, without resources it’s useless. As the head of Su Bao Mountain, I can guarantee you’ll have more resources than Edward Foster.”

“All you need to do is focus on your cultivation. Before the great war arrives, strive to reach the Xianren realm. When the time comes, we’ll fight side by side. As long as you achieve outstanding merit, the position of sect leader of Su Bao Mountain will rightfully be yours!”

Henry Wright dropped to his knees with a thud. “Thank you, Master, for your guidance!”

……

Su Bao Academy was also on the front mountain, and was one of the more unique buildings there.

It occupied an entire valley, with stone buildings at the front for lectures and a large open area at the back for martial practice.

At this moment, Brian Carter, Edward Foster, and the other new disciples were sitting inside a stone house, waiting for the lecturer to begin the lesson.