Eric Dawson's father is one of the highest-ranking and most powerful elders of Guangcheng Mountain. Not only is his personal martial strength off the charts, but his influence and status within the entire sect are firmly among the top five. He is the direct disciple of the current sect master and the strongest contender for the next sect leader.

Ethan Clark's fist gradually clenched, his gaze unwavering as he looked straight at Eric Dawson.

“So this is the legendary unyielding fire in one's eyes?”

Eric Dawson couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, turning his gaze toward the side hall entrance: “Greetings, Elder Bennett.”

An elderly man with white hair appeared at the doorway. Upon seeing him, Ethan Clark and the others quickly bowed in respect: “Elder.”

Just like the middle-aged man who assigned them tasks yesterday, this white-haired elder was also a steward elder of the Steward Hall.

For Ethan Clark and the others at this moment, whether in cultivation or status, he was undoubtedly a figure of great importance.

The old man looked at Eric Dawson with a kindly smile: “So Nephew Yan has arrived? Good, good.”

Eric Dawson said, “Then regarding the matter of Zhenlong Abyss, I ask for your guidance, Elder Bennett.”

Elder Bennett looked at Eric Dawson, Ethan Clark, Alice Warren, and the others, smiling as he spoke: “There has been a sudden abnormal surge at Zhenlong Abyss. The local area has already taken preliminary measures. Your task this time is to take the sect’s special instruments for detecting Zhenlong Abyss and go there to further assist in the investigation.”

He paused slightly, then looked at Eric Dawson: “In principle, this mission only requires you to ascertain the situation and report back.”

“But if there are matters that require immediate decision, Nephew Yan, you may act at your discretion. I trust you can handle it.”

Eric Dawson smiled: “You flatter me, Elder Bennett.”

Elder Bennett also smiled, then turned to the three: Ethan Clark and the others. “How have you been nurturing and familiarizing yourselves with the treasured weapons you were awarded after the recent competition?”

The three of them answered solemnly in unison: “Since receiving the treasured weapons, we have been diligently cultivating and nurturing them, and now we can basically control them.”

In this world, ordinary weapons and armor are called mundane weapons. Above that, there are war weapons, treasured weapons, spirit weapons, and even saint weapons, all of which greatly enhance a martial artist’s abilities.

Higher-level weapons and armor possess powers that can shake the heavens and the earth.

Ordinary craftsmen can only forge mundane weapons. To craft war weapons or above, only martial artists themselves can do it, and weapons of a certain grade require the martial artist to have reached a certain level of cultivation to forge them.

Materials are limited, and the art of forging is difficult and obscure—not everyone can learn or master it. So overall, in today’s world, good weapons at the level of war weapons and above are fewer in number than martial artists of the same level.

A holy land like Guangcheng Mountain is wealthy enough to reward its disciples with fine weapons.

The top three in this round of the new disciples’ competition, including Ethan Clark and the others, each received a treasured weapon as a reward, making the others envious.

Elder Bennett nodded: “Treasured weapons have their own spirit. You must never slack off in nurturing them, only then can they show some of their true power in real combat.”

The three of them nodded quickly. Although the reward was only a low-grade treasured weapon, for them at this stage, it was already a priceless treasure.

With their current cultivation, they could only wield war weapons.

Good weapons are limited. If not for joining Guangcheng Mountain, even getting a war weapon would be a blessing.

Many people with similar cultivation to theirs have to make do with mundane weapons.

Elder Bennett turned his gaze to the eight, including Alice Warren: “These eight are all new disciples. Although they have also taken on training missions, they still lack experience. You eight must look after them more.”

Alice Warren replied calmly, “Yes, Elder.” The other seven quickly agreed as well.

Elder Bennett looked at the sixteen young disciples before him, stroked his beard, and his eyes suddenly fell on Ethan Clark, as if surprised: “Oh? Your cultivation… you’ve already successfully opened your dantian and qi sea?!”

“You hadn’t reached this level during the last competition, and now you’ve advanced another stage in such a short time?”

Ethan Clark replied with calm confidence and a smile: “After joining the sect, the techniques and resources are much better than what I had at home.”

Elder Bennett praised him: “How long have you been here? This is mainly due to your own outstanding talent.”

The other young disciples who joined at the same time as Ethan Clark began to look at him differently: “He was already first in the last competition, and now he’s improved even further in such a short time. We thought we could close the gap, but it’s only grown wider.”

“Although his family background isn’t as good as Senior Brother Yan’s, he’s a genius in his own right!”

As if suddenly remembering something, Elder Bennett continued, “I just remembered, according to your records… you’ve only been practicing martial arts for just three years, right?”

Ethan Clark replied, “Yes, Elder.”

“When I was young, I only trained my body and strength for health. I formally started learning martial arts and techniques at thirteen.”

Elder Bennett smiled with exceptional kindness: “Good, good!”

Eric Dawson, standing to the side, watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitching oddly.

“I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. So this is what they were waiting for.” Eric Dawson looked at Elder Bennett with a half-smile.

Among the other young disciples, someone suddenly seemed to realize something and quietly glanced at Eric Dawson.