“Blood Blade Monk was himself a grandmaster of the blade, and after comprehending part of the mysteries of the fifth form of the ‘Tathagata Divine Palm’, the three great blade techniques he created upon attaining the ‘Wrathful Vajra Body’ stand at the very pinnacle of the blade arts in the world. There are truly few that can compare with them...”

His narration made the servant monks’ eyes light up with excitement, their minds drifting, but as they listened on, everyone began to feel a bit dejected. Daniel immediately raised his hand and said, “William Shishu, doesn’t our Shaolin have any blade techniques that can compare?”

Indeed, isn’t Shaolin martial arts said to encompass everything? The servant monks also felt a sense of pride in their sect.

William clicked his tongue. “Our Shaolin doesn’t have many blade techniques, but there is one that can rival those three: the ‘Ananda Breaking Precepts Blade Technique’, one of the seventy-two supreme skills. It too is a peak-level art that can communicate with the laws of heaven and earth. Of course, you have to reach the ‘External Scene’ realm to truly unleash its power.”

He gave a general introduction to this divine blade art, making the monks yearn for it, their hearts filled with excitement.

“All right, it’s late. Return to your rooms and practice.” William yawned unceremoniously, then added, seemingly offhand, “Actually, I’m not afraid of Samuel Shidi. It’s just that the Servant Quarters are under the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, so I’m giving him some face.”

He was still brooding over the fright he’d just received.

“Is that so?” A deep, mellow voice suddenly sounded at the doorway.

William’s face instantly turned pale. He quickly forced a smile and said, “Samuel Shidi, I, I...”

Samuel had big ears and still wore a yellow monk’s robe, but now his right hand held a string of reddish-brown prayer beads.

This was just like what Eric Bennett had seen earlier that day in the Discipline Hall, except one was dark yellow and the other reddish-brown.

“William Shixiong, I am no longer in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. I am currently a steward monk in the Discipline Hall,” Samuel said solemnly.

“No wonder you came by to inspect,” William deliberately changed the subject.

That’s even scarier... Eric Bennett secretly clicked his tongue. The unyielding Samuel Shishu had actually joined the Discipline Hall. If he ever caught you slipping up in the future...

Samuel swept his gaze around the courtyard, nodded, and said, “Return to your rooms, and don’t forget to practice.”

After returning to his meditation room, Eric Bennett quietly took out the small jade Buddha, turning his back to David, Henry, and the others as he examined it. He felt its smooth, cool touch, a faint chill seeping into his body, clearing his mind.

“What a rare treasure!” Eric Bennett rejoiced inwardly, turning it over and over, hoping to discover more secrets. But he found nothing, so he forced himself to stop thinking about it and began to attempt meditation. With the help of the small jade Buddha, entering meditation was especially easy this time.

After transforming his true qi, Eric Bennett suddenly frowned, thought for a moment, and took off the small jade Buddha.

The first step in martial cultivation must not rely on external objects. If it becomes a habit, it’s like walking with a crutch in the future.

Without the small jade Buddha, Eric Bennett’s mind became more active, but thanks to his previous two successful experiences, and with the bright moon high in the sky and the deep quiet of night, he finally managed to calm his mind, settle into stillness, from stillness gave rise to wisdom, and from wisdom, true qi was naturally generated.

He circulated his true qi, filling his acupoints. After a full hour and a half, Eric Bennett finally opened his eyes. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to continue cultivating, but he had to ensure he got enough rest—otherwise, tomorrow’s water-carrying and sweeping would consume a great deal of energy.

Having just finished “cultivating the body in meditation,” Eric Bennett now felt clear-headed and refreshed, unable to fall asleep for a while. Turning his head, he happened to see Ethan looking over, apparently just finished with his own practice.

“Little Shidi, not asleep yet?” Eric Bennett was struck by an idea, planning to teach him a bit about the ways of the world.

Ethan nodded blankly. “Almost.”

“Mm, then Shixiong should tell you a few things, some words...” Eric Bennett began a long-winded lecture, but as he spoke, he noticed Ethan’s eyelids drooping, as if about to fall asleep.

He’s not listening at all... Eric Bennett’s mouth twitched, and he frowned in thought. Soon, he came up with a good idea: “This kid seems really interested in jianghu stories. I can weave the ways of the world into those!”

Actually, if he weren’t in a strange land, all alone, Eric Bennett wouldn’t care at all whether others understood the ways of the world. But now, he wanted to use this method to ease the inexplicable frustration of his sudden transmigration.

“Little Shidi, I once heard a story about a great hero. Want to hear it?” Eric Bennett asked with a smile.

Ethan’s eyes immediately opened wide, nodding vigorously. “Thank you, Shixiong!”

This kid is always so offbeat when he talks... Eric Bennett scratched his bald head, gazed at the bright moon outside the window, and began in a drifting voice, “A long, long time ago, there was a Daoist named Qiu Chuji, who passed through a place called Niu Family Village...”

This story seemed to build a bridge between two worlds, making Eric Bennett lose himself in it for a while, forgetting he was just telling a story to Ethan.

...

Three months later, Eric Bennett had grown noticeably taller, but the “Hundred Days Foundation” was only half completed due to lack of time.

As for the young novice Ethan, thanks to Eric Bennett’s series of thrilling “jianghu stories,” he admired him more and more, almost obeying his every word.

However, Eric Bennett still hadn’t gotten the chance to leave the Servant Quarters and enter the Warrior Monk Hall.