Adam Reed respectfully took out several ancient books from his storage ring: “These are Shaolin external martial arts techniques copied from a Buddhist friend, as well as some other body cultivation methods from various sects in Mount Shu. There are also several ancient medical books, and all the documents have been prepared.”

Ethan Brooks didn’t even look at them and unceremoniously put everything into his own ring. Then, after sizing up Adam Reed from head to toe, he smiled and said, “Alright, let’s not waste any more time—let’s start the tribulation crossing. But since you’re about to ascend to the Immortal Realm, aside from your personal flying sword, I’ll hold onto things like your storage rings, pills, flying swords, and the Moonlight Treasure Box for you. Oh, and make sure to remove any formations inside, and while you’re at it, set up a few new ones according to my spiritual power frequency, then rebind them with a drop of your blood.”

“Ah…”

Seeing his shocked expression, Ethan Brooks kindly explained, “Although I can’t cultivate, I’m really not interested in those rich people or money you’ve acquired. Do you understand?” As he spoke, he made a beckoning gesture with his finger.

Only now did Adam Reed finally understand what his master meant by “the price was a bit high” in the end. From what Ethan Brooks said, he wanted everything except for his own Blazing Sword! No wonder he didn’t care about those wealthy people he’d sent out—anything in his storage ring was something money couldn’t buy.

The price was a bit high… Could it be that back then, Master… No, that’s a sin, how could I randomly speculate about Master’s affairs.

“Look at you, about to become an immortal, and you’re still so attached to these worldly possessions?” Ethan Brooks pointed to the sky and said, “There’s plenty of good stuff up there—fairies, peaches of immortality, you name it.”

Adam Reed naturally understood that compared to ascension, these things were nothing. He hurriedly took off his two storage rings, set aside a few personal items in a small storage ring, and handed over all the rest—his accumulation of a thousand years—to Ethan Brooks.

“Mr. Wen, as for the Moonlight Treasure Box, I actually don’t have that item,” Adam Reed said seriously.

Ethan Brooks simply tossed his rings into his own storage ring, waved his hand with a smile, and said, “I was just saying. Alright, get ready to ascend.”

Adam Reed still didn’t quite understand, but there had already been three previous examples, so he had no choice but to believe. He immediately triggered the heavenly tribulation. Dark clouds gathered overhead. In the mortal world, without any preparation, Adam Reed was confident he could withstand at most three of the nine bolts of heavenly lightning required for ascension. Now, everything depended on this Mr. Wen. He just didn’t know how he could help him survive the tribulation—this was a question Adam Reed hadn’t figured out in the past ten years.

No longer suppressing his power, the tribulation began immediately. When the first bolt of heavenly lightning struck, the tense Adam Reed finally understood.

He saw the terrifying bolt of lightning heading straight for him, but when it was still dozens of meters above his head, it suddenly veered off and struck Ethan Brooks instead.

“Mr. Wen, watch out…” But it was already too late. Adam Reed could tell at a glance that Ethan Brooks was just an ordinary person, with some external martial arts skills but not even at the threshold of cultivation. This strike was no weaker than his own full-force attack. Even a small mountain would be reduced to ashes if hit.

The immensely powerful first bolt of heavenly lightning disappeared the moment it struck Ethan Brooks, as if it had sunk into the sea, while Ethan Brooks still stood there smiling.

“Don’t worry, just stand there for a bit and you’ll become an immortal,” Ethan Brooks said with a smile, motioning for the rushing Adam Reed to go back and stand still. The stunned Adam Reed stared at Ethan Brooks in disbelief. Having lived for over a thousand years, he looked at Ethan Brooks as if he were a monster. Even a true immortal couldn’t do this—was this guy even human? Where did the lightning go?

Under his astonished gaze, the second bolt of lightning, even stronger than the first, struck down—with the same result. Only then did he understand why his master and the sect’s grand elder could ascend so smoothly. With this person by their side, it would be hard not to ascend! Good heavens, if the people of Mount Shu knew someone like this existed, they’d go crazy. This was better than any magical treasure. Even Kunlun and Emei only had a little over a thirty percent chance of surviving the tribulation, but with him, wouldn’t that mean no one in the sect would ever have to fear dying at this terrifying hurdle after a thousand years of bitter cultivation?

While his thoughts were racing, eight bolts of lightning had already passed, and the ninth was about to descend.

“Alright…” Ethan Brooks stretched his arms, clapped his hands, and said, “Tribulation’s over. Wish you all the best in the Immortal Realm. Remember to send my regards to your master and the others. Oh, and tell the old man that if anyone figures out that secret, make sure to let me know.”

At that moment, a wave of immortal energy descended, enveloping Adam Reed. His body slowly began to rise into the air. The immortal energy was constantly transforming his body, and Adam Reed could already feel the power of another world.