With Elder Baker's background and means, if he wanted someone to test a technique, he could easily grab a handful at random—there was no need to specifically choose that dying infant from years ago. In James Smith's view, the only explanation was that he himself possessed astonishing talent and extraordinary potential, which caught his benefactor's eye at a glance.

"Your aptitude? In terms of cultivation potential, it's not worth mentioning at all. Even the most unremarkable disciples under wandering cultivators are stronger than you," George Baker said bluntly, pouring cold water over him without mercy.

James Smith was indignant and argued, "That's not true. Ever since I was young, many experts have said I have outstanding talent. There were even a few cultivators who wanted to take me as their disciple and train me."

George Baker still shook his head, "You do have some cleverness, so it's not strange that scholars took a liking to you, but that has nothing to do with me. As for those martial artists and cultivators who thought your potential was good... don't forget, when you were a child and on the verge of death, I once saved you."

Back then, George Baker used his true essence cultivation to help little James Smith repair the damage to his body, naturally leaving some traces of true essence on the child. As a result, those mediocre cultivators mistakenly believed the child had innate spiritual energy, which was a complete misunderstanding.

As for the martial arts experts who took a liking to James Smith, the reason was even simpler. A child who had been healed by George Baker would naturally have an exceptionally healthy body. Even if he lacked cultivation talent, he was definitely suited for martial arts.

Upon learning that he was not actually a cultivation prodigy, James Smith was disappointed but pressed on, "Then why did my benefactor choose me?"

"Do you know what I value most in my lifelong cultivation?" Although it was a question, George Baker didn't wait for James Smith to answer and gave the answer himself: "It's fate."

"That year, I had just obtained this demonic technique and was on my way back when I met your grandfather. Moved by him, I saved you—that was fate. Fate cannot be deliberately arranged; it can only happen naturally. That night, I gave your grandfather that wooden bell. He asked me when you should come to repay the favor, and I said whenever he wished... Let me ask you, why did you wait until you were grown up to crush that bell?"

What elder doesn't wish for their grandchild to see them off at the end? Old Smith was no exception. Since the immortal said it could be any time, he kept his grandson by his side until his own passing. Afterwards, James Smith took it upon himself to observe a year of mourning at home for his grandfather. James Smith truthfully answered George Baker's question.

The joy on George Baker's face grew even stronger: "I have always been wary of the demonic technique in my possession. If I don't practice it, at worst my lifespan won't be extended and I'll die and return to the cycle of reincarnation, which is still better than recklessly practicing it and bringing disaster. So I had long stopped caring about it. For the past ten years, I've been in seclusion, trying to break through to the next level and extend my life by righteous means, so I couldn't even hear the bell's call anymore. But a month ago, a major event happened at Lishan Sword Sect, and the disciples begged me to come out of seclusion. By sheer coincidence, you crushed the bell during the few days I was out. If that's not fate, what is?"

"I was facing a major event in the sect. Although I used a spiritual projection to respond to and look after you, I didn't want to waste my power bringing you here, so I summoned a black eagle to carry you. Because it was a rushed summoning, I wasn't sure how fast the black eagle could travel... Do you know, if it had arrived a day later with you, you would never have seen me again? The fact that it made it in time—how is that not fate?"

"In Phantom City, among 107,603 people, you wandered aimlessly and just happened to run into your childhood friend, Old Eight. That is an even greater stroke of fate!"

After saying all this, George Baker changed the subject and circled back to the beginning: "As I said, I had already given up on practicing that demonic technique, but this series of coincidences all point to you being my 'fated one,' which has made me regain some confidence in that technique."

As for practicing the technique, there was nothing more to say—James Smith would do whatever his benefactor instructed. But from the other's words, James Smith picked up on something else: "You just said... if I had arrived a day later, I would never have seen you again... Do you have something urgent going on?"

He was afraid George Baker would leave, leaving him to figure out the technique on his own. Whether he succeeded or failed in practicing it was secondary; the key was that this technique concerned his benefactor's fate, and he was afraid that without guidance, he might delay his benefactor's life.

George Baker nodded, "That's right. Once dawn breaks, you will never see me again, because my lifespan ends tonight!"

James Smith was shocked and blurted out anxiously, "As soon as it's light you'll... Then what are we waiting for? Let's start practicing right away!"

George Baker laughed again and slowly shook his head, "This may be my last night. What's the rush to practice? There's still one more thing I must do!" As he spoke, he formed a sword seal with his right hand, and a brilliant light shot from his fingertip, piercing through the roof and soaring toward the stars.

A moment later, a clear cry sounded in the sky, accompanied by the flapping of wings. The large black eagle that had brought James Smith here arrived at the summons, hovering low, its head and neck bowed deeply, its eyes full of respect.

George Baker spoke to the black eagle: "You helped me deliver someone, and I will reward you. First, I will help you open your qi sea and assist you in advancing to the level of demon-eyed. Then, I will write a letter for you to take to Lishan Sword Sect. When the sect master sees the letter, he will issue a decree for you. You may then choose a mountain within the lands under Lishan's jurisdiction and become king of that mountain from now on."