Sensing the gazes of Eric Bennett and the others, the young monks from the Martial Monks' Academy, including Edward, blushed, lowered their waists, assumed the proper posture, and strode forward in big steps, determined not to end up grouped with these menial monks.

Seeing them pick up the pace, Eric Bennett was inspired and imitated their posture, lowering his waist and adjusting his stance. Instantly, the bucket full of water felt much lighter.

"This posture is actually quite simple..." Eric Bennett experimented with ways to exert his strength more easily, gradually quickening his steps. Before he knew it, he had left Ethan behind and even overtaken Edward.

"Hmph, you have to start steady, or you won't be able to keep going later!" Edward grumbled resentfully behind Eric Bennett.

Eric Bennett chuckled, thinking that he should switch to a bigger bucket tomorrow, or else there wouldn't be much training effect.

However, the mountain path was difficult and uphill, so by the end, Eric Bennett was still drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

"Pay attention to controlling your breathing." Suddenly, a stern voice sounded in his ear. Eric Bennett turned his head and saw that a patrolling discipline monk had somehow appeared beside him, demonstrating the rhythm of breathing. Both surprised and delighted, he followed the example and adjusted his breathing. Soon, he no longer felt out of breath or exhausted, and made it back to the temple smoothly.

"Use a bigger bucket for water tomorrow," the discipline monk instructed, then went down to meet the other young monks.

Eric Bennett's mouth twitched. Although he had been thinking the same thing, he was still a bit worried that he might not have enough strength.

After a while, Ethan, Edward, and the other young monks also carried their water up the mountain. Seeing the calm and composed Eric Bennett breathing in the "morning light," they were all a bit taken aback.

"It's just... just more strength, that's all," Edward muttered between gasps, feeling, like the other young monks from the Martial Monks' Academy, that they had lost face in front of Matthew, who was clearly not as good as them!

Then, without lingering, they hurriedly left.

"Little junior brother, catch your breath—are you alright?" Eric Bennett hadn't paid them any attention at all and instead asked the heavily panting Ethan.

Ethan nodded, "V-very good... breakfast!"

...

After breakfast, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the east was tinged with red.

Eric Bennett didn't feel any soreness or weakness after the heavy labor; instead, he felt even more clear-headed and full of energy.

"This body is really quite good..." Eric Bennett looked around at the menial monks in the dining hall, all exhausted and slumped over, and couldn't help but feel delighted. No matter what, a good body would be his support in the future.

"The new guy, come with me to the Sutra Hall." William, holding a chicken leg, stood grinning at the entrance of the dining hall. When he saw Eric Bennett look over, he nodded slightly and said, "Well done. Don't give those little brats from the Martial Monks' Academy any face. When you come back tonight, your uncle-master has a reward for you."

"A reward?" Eric Bennett was secretly pleased. Although he found William a bit annoying, who doesn't like rewards?

Before William could answer, Ethan blurted out blankly, "William uncle-master, after opening the orifices, one must not eat meat. You have violated the precepts."

Eric Bennett's head buzzed. He tried to turn and cover Ethan's mouth, but he was a beat too slow.

Sure enough, William's smile froze instantly.

He twitched his mouth and said with a forced smile, "Your uncle-master never violates the precepts."

With that, he never mentioned the reward again and left the dining hall with an ugly expression.

Only then did low chuckles ripple through the dining hall.

Ethan looked at Eric Bennett in confusion. "Senior brother, why are they laughing?"

They're laughing at how silly and clueless you are... Eric Bennett answered inwardly.

But Ethan wasn't concerned about that. He immediately changed the subject: "Senior brother, why did William uncle-master say he didn't violate the precepts when he was clearly gnawing on a chicken leg!"

"Because he hasn't reached the stage of opening the orifices yet..." Eric Bennett replied in a drifting voice, feeling it was necessary to teach Ethan a thing or two about dealing with people, so he wouldn't keep offending others and drag Eric Bennett down with him.

"Oh! William uncle-master hasn't opened his orifices yet." Ethan suddenly understood, his face lighting up as if he had uncovered some crucial secret.

Seeing that William outside hadn't stopped walking, Eric Bennett didn't have time to explain the ways of the world to Ethan and hurriedly called him to catch up.

Winding their way past various Buddha halls and courtyards, Eric Bennett heard only the sound of chanting, ethereal and distant, cleansing to the soul.

"Evening drums and morning bells awaken those lost in worldly fame and fortune; chanting and Buddha's name call back those adrift in the sea of suffering and dreams..." For some reason, Eric Bennett thought of this couplet. The scene was just too fitting.

"Hey, Matthew nephew, have you also heard the couplet at the entrance of Shuiyue Nunnery?" William asked with a smile.

Eric Bennett's hair stood on end, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I heard my father mention it."

He could only blame it on that inexplicable marquis.

William didn't find it strange and said with a sigh, "I once visited Shuiyue Nunnery and saw that couplet at the entrance, so it left a deep impression. At that time, the abbess, with her years of being number one on the Earth Ranking, tried to forcibly break through to the Dharmakaya realm, hoping to attain the 'Golden Body of the Greatly Compassionate and Free Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,' but unfortunately, she failed and passed away in meditation."

"Golden Body of the Greatly Compassionate and Free Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva?" Eric Bennett blurted out in astonishment, his heart inexplicably burning with excitement.