He gently drew out this long sword of Western Region style. On the spine of the sword, there were nine Sanskrit characters, shining with golden light, so dazzling that they overshadowed the sword’s own sharpness. Brian Carter was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, “This doesn’t seem like any kind of magical artifact! It appears to be just an ordinary, high-quality weapon, with someone having used some kind of magic to inscribe these nine Sanskrit characters. Although it looks brilliant, it doesn’t actually possess any real power.”

Although Brian Carter’s experience was still limited, he could tell that this long sword had no spiritual aura at all. It didn’t even qualify as the lowest grade of magical artifact—at best, it was a talismanic weapon.

Mr. Lane had once taught him that the true treasures used by cultivators could only be refined through rare opportunities, acquiring heavenly materials and treasures, and then spending hundreds or even thousands of years of painstaking effort. Without such fortune and effort, it was impossible to succeed. Even a major sect would be considered richly endowed if it possessed seven or eight such treasures, and that was only thanks to the hard work of generations of disciples.

For ordinary cultivators, what they used at most could be called magical artifacts, but even those required decades of diligent effort, refining materials and practicing day and night, before they could be used in magical duels.

A step below that were the common, unranked Taoists and monks, who would draw a few talismans on ordinary objects, giving them some minor function—these could only be called talismanic weapons.

Chapter Two: The True Art of Black Water (Part Eight)

For example, in this mat duel, apart from the horsetail whisk used by the elderly Taoist in the first round, all the other items were merely talismanic weapons. Otherwise, that defeated Taoist wouldn’t have left behind even his pine-patterned ancient sword. Even a single magical artifact represented decades of hard work and endless effort—how could a cultivator bear to part with it?

The two items belonging to Charles Walker, though Emily Foster also called them treasures, were in fact just two magical artifacts that had not yet been fully refined to perfection.

However, since Brian Carter had followed Mr. Lane and only learned the True Art of Black Water, he was quite interested in the nine Sanskrit characters on this giant sword. He silently memorized them, shook his head, returned the giant sword to the shopkeeper, and simply strode away.

The shopkeeper had been full of joy, but when he saw Brian Carter suddenly leave, he didn’t have time to stop him. He could only wait until Brian Carter was far away, then stomp his feet and curse, “That country bumpkin—how did he suddenly get so shrewd?”

Brian Carter returned to the temple, where the abbot and his two disciples were still lying in bed. For these three, getting up when the sun was high in the sky was considered early. They often didn’t leave their rooms until the afternoon or when the sun was setting, just to see if there was anything to eat. They would grab a bite, then go back to their rooms, who knows to do what.

Brian Carter thought for a moment, then casually tossed the bag of flatbread from the Five Yin Bag in front of the abbot’s door, and went to see his master.

Mr. Lane didn’t ask him about the Water and Land Assembly; he just opened his eyes slightly, then was about to enter meditation again. Brian Carter, however, had many questions. Seeing that his master seemed about to start cultivating, he hurriedly recounted everything he had seen and heard that day. When he mentioned Emily Foster, he felt quite uneasy, not knowing if his master would scold him for meddling in other people’s business.

When Mr. Lane heard about He Shan Sect, he snorted and said, “It’s just a minor, unranked sect—not worth mentioning.”

Hearing his master’s tone, Brian Carter realized he didn’t think much of He Shan Sect, so he pleaded, “That girl Emily Foster is truly pitiful. If you’re not afraid of He Shan Sect, Master, could you help her rescue her sister?”

Mr. Lane said, “Even if all nine elders of He Shan Sect came out together, it wouldn’t be worth my making a move, let alone that insignificant George Young.”

Afraid that Mr. Lane would be annoyed at his meddling, Brian Carter quickly said, “If you’re displeased, Master, I won’t go out anymore. I’ll just stay in the temple and practice my spells diligently, and I won’t let my mind wander again.”

Seeing his anxiety, Mr. Lane relented and said, “The Daoist arts I teach are special; only by fighting with others can you gain various insights. I’ll allow you to help that little girl, but you must not use my name. You’ve done well to meddle this time. The The Foster Family sisters are nothing special, but their parents have some background. If you form this good connection, it might benefit you in the future.”

Seeing that Mr. Lane didn’t seem angry, Brian Carter mustered his courage and asked, “Master, I haven’t even mastered the first level of the True Art of Black Water—how am I qualified to help others?”

Mr. Lane chuckled and said, “How do you know you’re not as good as George Young?”

Brian Carter was a bit confused and cautiously asked, “Master! That new disciple of George Young is so powerful—he’s mastered the Hun Tian Banner and the Five Yin Bag. Even Emily Foster, with five hundred years of cultivation, can hardly resist. How could I possibly compare? It wouldn’t matter if I lost, but if I disgraced your name, Master, I could never be forgiven!”

Mr. Lane pointed a finger and said calmly, “Do you know my background? Your master is the head of the Northern Demonic Sect. Aside from those reclusive elders, there are only a few dozen people in the world who could match me. If you revealed my name, even if George Young had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare defy you. It’s just that I don’t want to bully the weak.”

“The True Art of Black Water I taught you is one of the thirty-six true transmissions of the Divine Demonic Sect. Although you’ve only practiced for a short time, if I teach you a few spells, it’ll be enough for you to contend with George Young. Come closer!”

Brian Carter was overjoyed and hurried over. Mr. Lane taught him the secret techniques and said, “If you master these three spells and are clever about it, it’ll be enough to rescue that girl from the The Foster Family.” After passing on the techniques, Mr. Lane waved his hand, letting him go practice on his own.