Hearing Eric Dawson say this, Elder Bennett smiled slightly, thinking to himself, “It seems he plans to wait until Zhenlong Abyss to make his move.”

Ethan Clark and Alice Warren both felt a chill in their hearts.

But then Eric Dawson suddenly changed the subject: “Since you’re coming with me, I’ll naturally look after you. As the saying goes, ‘To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools...’”

As he spoke, Eric Dawson snapped his fingers: “Jack.”

A tall figure appeared at the doorway. “Young master?”

Eric Dawson said, “Grade B, bring sixteen items here. Focus mainly on defensive types.”

The burly man Jack, who had been standing by his side all along, replied, “Yes, young master.”

Soon, Jack returned, carrying a pile of items into the hall and setting them down in front of everyone.

Brilliant lights flashed, so dazzling that the young disciples couldn’t open their eyes. The intense spiritual energy fluctuations made their blood and qi surge.

“Treasure weapons! They’re all treasure weapons!” Everyone was shocked. “Senior Brother Dawson, these treasure weapons...”

Eric Dawson said nonchalantly, “These are my personal belongings, not the sect’s collection. Giving them to you now is my own decision.”

“There are sixteen in total. Each of you take one, in the order you joined the sect. Step forward and choose in turn.”

For a moment, the hall fell silent. Faint, abrupt sounds could be heard—apparently, some people were swallowing hard.

For their current cultivation level, these were epoch-making treasures. Back then, Ethan Clark and the other two had to go through many trials and stand out in the sect’s competition to be granted just one.

At that time, how glorious was the honor on stage, and how much sweat and effort behind the scenes?

But now, suddenly, everyone gets one?

Even though people like Ethan Clark already had one, for them now, how could such treasures ever be too many?

Yet for Eric Dawson, he casually handed out sixteen of them, without even blinking, as if what he was tossing out wasn’t the dream treasure of every junior disciple, but a pile of worthless scrap.

Moreover, this wasn’t Eric Dawson using his status to take from the sect’s treasury, but his own private property.

Everyone’s gaze toward Eric Dawson instantly became fervent.

But Ethan Clark clenched his fists, unable to hide the anger in his eyes.

He felt insulted by Eric Dawson, as if the other was showing off to him.

Alice Warren looked at Eric Dawson and shook his head slightly.

After his initial shock, Elder Bennett sneered inwardly: “What’s this? Using money to pave the way, buying off the others, isolating Ethan Clark, and flaunting his own wealth at the same time?”

“Although, it’s certainly a grand gesture, and quite effective—he’s regained the face he just lost. But... this is just... just... heh, exactly the kind of thing a spoiled rich kid would do...”

“This boy is nothing to fear. Sooner or later, he’ll bring disaster to his father.” Elder Bennett shook his head with a smile, picked up a suit of armor to examine, and said to Ethan Clark and the others, “Zhenlong Abyss is indeed dangerous. Your Senior Brother Dawson means well.”

Facing everyone’s gaze, Eric Dawson seemed completely unaware, and continued unhurriedly, “Once I’ve given these out, I won’t take them back. These treasure weapons are yours now.”

“However, when you nurture, refine, and use them in actual combat, you must carefully record the details and report them to me. That way, I can summarize and adjust, keep the best and discard the rest, and refine the next batch of treasure weapons.”

Everyone agreed in unison, but then suddenly felt something was off. After a moment, they all looked up at Eric Dawson with expressions as if they’d seen a ghost.

Elder Bennett shuddered, almost dropping the treasure weapon in his hand: “What did you just say?”

Chapter 5: The Two Sides Are Not on the Same Level

Seeing everyone frozen in shock, Eric Dawson seemed not to notice at all, and continued nonchalantly, “I mainly considered your protection, so most are defensive gear rather than weapons. But don’t become dependent or complacent because of this. After all, the point of training is to temper yourselves.”

“N-no... Nephew Dawson, wait a moment.” Elder Bennett stammered, taking a while to get his words straight: “Did you just say, you’re going to refine the next batch of treasure weapons?”

He looked in disbelief at the pile of treasure weapons before him. “You mean, these aren’t your collected treasures, but ones you personally forged?”

Eric Dawson shrugged. “Of course I forged them myself. I have no interest or patience in collecting low-grade treasure weapons.”

These words made everyone swallow subconsciously, but they couldn’t find anything to refute.

Low-grade treasure weapons were priceless to them, but with Eric Dawson’s family background, they were nothing special.

But...

Everyone’s expressions became subtle, and for a moment, it felt as if the world they were in had become unreal.

Everything before their eyes completely defied their previous understanding and common sense.

That Eric Dawson had the cultivation to forge treasure weapons—no one doubted that.

Although they’d never heard of it, it wasn’t unimaginable that Eric Dawson had mastered the art of forging.

But forging even a single treasure weapon was no easy task, requiring a huge amount of time and effort.

How many martial artists who could forge would treat themselves as mere blacksmiths?