Even the man in the silver robe with a calm expression couldn't help but glance at Ethan Brooks a few more times at this moment.

In that instant, the surroundings fell silent. The cultivators who had been striding quickly toward Ethan Brooks subconsciously paused, each of them wearing a strange expression, their gazes at Ethan Brooks filled with confusion.

"It can be done like this..."

"To so openly hand out a pill in front of so many people, and to an inner sect disciple at that—who would dare to keep fighting for it? That would be competing with an inner sect disciple for a pill."

"This method is simple, but why didn't I think of it back then? Damn it, damn it!"

"Damn it, I didn't think of this method back then either, and ended up seriously injured and bedridden for over three months."

After a brief silence, the place erupted into a commotion. All the gazes directed at Ethan Brooks were suddenly filled with countless emotions. Perhaps not throughout all of history, but at least in all the years among the cultivators here, this was the first time anyone had seen such a way of handling pills. Unconsciously, everyone who looked at Ethan Brooks in that instant deeply remembered Ethan Brooks.

Meanwhile, the light from the nine pillars completely faded, but the pill in Ethan Brooks's hand, at that moment, was left untouched—no one tried to snatch it. Such a scene was extremely rare on the day pills were distributed at Reliance Sect.

Ms. Foster's expression quickly returned to normal. Without hesitation, she raised her right hand and grabbed downward. Instantly, the pill that Ethan Brooks was holding aloft flew straight toward her and landed in her hand. Seeing the pill taken away, Ethan Brooks sighed inwardly, but he also knew that this item was a source of trouble for him at the moment. All around, the crowd sighed to themselves, some wanting to vent their anger on Ethan Brooks, but at the thought of Senior Sister Foster, each of them hesitated and gave up the idea.

Ms. Foster hesitated for a moment, feeling that as an inner sect disciple, it was a bit much to accept a benefit from a newly admitted outer sect disciple for nothing.

"I was granted a cave dwelling on South Peak when I was in the outer sect. You may use it." Ms. Foster paused for a moment, took out a white jade slip from her storage pouch, and tossed it in front of Ethan Brooks, who caught it.

"Senior Sister Foster's cave dwelling... This guy is really lucky. That cave is said to be extremely rich in spiritual energy—there aren't many like it in the whole sect."

"Senior Sister Foster says it's a loan, but it's obviously a gift. Just calling it a loan is enough to dispel most people's thoughts. Looks like this kid's pill offering worked perfectly."

"Damn it, why didn't I think of this back then?"

Meanwhile, on the mountain beside the outer sect, the tall elder in gray robes—one of the two elders who had sighed earlier—suddenly had a bright gleam in his eyes, full of strong approval, and burst out laughing.

"This little fellow is interesting. He just joined the sect and already knows to find a backer. Could it be instinct? Good, good, good! This is truly understanding the essence of our Reliance Sect. This one is not bad, very good indeed."

Chapter 0006: The Joy of the Bronze Mirror

Senior Sister Foster's reputation in Reliance Sect was considerable—one could say everyone knew her, because at present, there were only two inner sect disciples in the entire sect.

Besides Senior Sister Foster, the other was the man at Shangguan Xiu's side.

Because of this, Senior Sister Foster's act of lending out her cave dwelling had a powerful deterrent effect, allowing Ethan Brooks to safely leave the square with his spirit stones and Spirit Condensing Pill under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Not until he had gone far did Ethan Brooks realize his back was drenched in cold sweat. Though he couldn't see the gazes from behind, he could keenly sense them, as if countless invisible knives were gradually fading as he hurried away.

After the time it takes three sticks of incense to burn, Ethan Brooks didn't pause for a moment along the way. He didn't even return to his outer sect quarters, but instead, following the directions in Senior Sister Foster's jade slip as quickly as possible, he went to the South Peak of Reliance Sect and found the cave dwelling Senior Sister Foster had mentioned at the foot of the mountain.

Outside the cave was a stone platform about two zhang wide, with a green stone door standing at the end against the mountainside, entwined with vines all around. It was clearly extraordinary, far superior to the two places Ethan Brooks had stayed before.

It was quite peaceful here, lush greenery everywhere, a mountain spring flowing not far away, and the mountain breeze carried away the heat, giving a refreshing feeling.

Ethan Brooks stood at the entrance of the cave dwelling for a long while, his expression gradually showing satisfaction. He was very pleased with this place. By now, he understood that so-called cave dwellings were far more precious than ordinary quarters. No wonder those outer sect peers had looked so envious and jealous when they heard Senior Sister Foster was lending him a cave.

"This is what a place for immortals should be like." With a wave of his right hand, Ethan Brooks sent the white jade slip flying straight to the green stone door of the cave. With a snap, it landed on the door, and a buzzing sound rang out as the cave's main door slowly opened.

The cave wasn't large, only two stone chambers—one for living and cultivation, the other sealed by a stone door. As Ethan Brooks stepped inside, the green stone door slowly closed behind him. With a bang, it shut completely, and the white jade slip flew back into Ethan Brooks's hand. At the same time, a gentle light began to shine from the cave's ceiling.

After looking around the cave, Ethan Brooks was even more satisfied. Finally, his gaze fell on the sealed stone chamber. After a moment's thought, Ethan Brooks pressed the jade slip against it, and the stone door slowly opened. In that instant, a surge of rich spiritual energy rushed out, leaving Ethan Brooks dumbfounded at what he saw inside.