While eating, Ian Song focused his mind inside the System, inspecting the three secret manuals obtained from the shabby old monk: Buddha Eye Insight, Vajra Seal, and Lankavatara Scripture.
Fusing Buddha Eye Insight requires three hundred Qi Luck.
Seeing the required Qi Luck, Ian immediately realized that Buddha Eye Insight was likely a divine ability.
Fusing Vajra Seal needs two hundred and twenty Qi Luck, and fusing Lankavatara Scripture takes two hundred and eighty Qi Luck.
"All three of these arts are high-grade stuff," Ian thought, delighted.
However, he didn't plan to fuse them right away, since he wanted to correct the flaws in all three manuals first; after that, their power would definitely multiply.
Next, he checked the manual from the old Daoist.
This manual was called Supreme Clarity Mantra, and fusing it only required thirty Qi Luck—clearly, it was just an ordinary art.
The young Daoist's manual was Celestial Venerable Heart Scripture, and the Qi Luck needed to fuse it actually exceeded fifteen hundred.
Ian couldn't help feeling excited.
This Celestial Venerable Heart Scripture was most likely a super technique that surpassed Grandmaster-grade arts.
"I've struck gold!"
Looks like strong Luck really does mean good fortune—he hadn't expected to get all this just from tagging along with Senior Sister for a bit of fun.
"Young friend, how should we address you?"
Just then, a voice sounded. Ian snapped out of his thoughts and saw that the old Daoist was smiling at him.
"We are disciples of the Cloudwater Sword Sect!"
Chloe Cao declared proudly.
"Cloudwater Sword Sect!"
When the others learned their origins, everyone except the shabby old monk and the chicken-drumstick-gnawing young Daoist showed shock, while Master Wade looked as if everything suddenly made sense.
Although the Cloudwater Sword Sect is based in Mingshan Prefecture, it's still a renowned martial sect throughout the whole Southeast Imperial Province. Only Hanshan Pavilion and Yunlin Monastery rank above it.
But those two sects, while strong, still couldn't overshadow the Cloudwater Sword Sect.
"So you're elite disciples of the Cloudwater Sword Sect—no wonder you both look so distinguished and beautiful!"
The old Daoist hurried to flatter them, clearly trying to curry favor.
"You're too kind, Daoist."
"May I ask how we should address you, young hero?"
One of the martial artists asked.
"I'm Ian Song, and this is my Senior Sister, Chloe Cao," Ian replied.
"Ian Song? Chloe Cao?"
Hearing this, the three martial artists all found the names familiar.
Suddenly, one of them exclaimed, "Wait—are you the Azure-White Twin Heroes who destroyed over eighty mountain strongholds and wiped out more than ten thousand bandits in just over twenty days?"
When Ian heard the nickname 'Azure-White Twin Heroes,' his face twitched—he really disliked that name, thinking it sounded way too tacky.
"We did those things, but we don't deserve a title like Azure-White Twin Heroes," Ian said.
The martial artist said excitedly, "You really are the Azure-White Twin Heroes! I just didn't expect you two to be so young. I'm Hansen Han, disciple of the Yellowstone Sword Sect!"
"Nice to meet you, Brother Han!"
Ian replied with a smile.
"Young Master Song, I'm Eldon Shi from the Nine Rivers Sect."
"I'm Tyson Tie from the Giant Blade Gate!"
"Heh, you can call me Exorcist Trueperson," the old Daoist chimed in.
Ian smiled and greeted each of them in turn, then looked at the shabby old monk. "Master, how should we address you?"
"I'm Ten Precepts," the monk said.
The old monk chuckled.
After everyone introduced themselves, the atmosphere grew much livelier.
Most of the conversation was just the three martial artists and the Daoist flattering Ian Song and Chloe Cao. Chloe clearly enjoyed the attention, while Ian stayed calm and collected.
Before they knew it, midnight was approaching and everyone was full from food and drink.
Master Wade reminded them, "Everyone, please follow me to my daughter's Embroidered Tower!"
As he spoke,
A group of servants entered carrying trays, each piled high with gold.
"This is my token of thanks to you all. If you can rid my daughter of her haunting, there will be an even greater reward!" said Master Wade.
Seeing all that gold, the Daoist's eyes lit up, nearly glowing green with greed. Hansen Han, Tyson Tie, and Eldon Shi all looked sorely tempted.
But none of them spoke—instead, they all looked to Ian Song.
After all, both the Daoist and the three martial artists had come to see Ian as their temporary leader.
"Since Master Wade is so sincere, we won't stand on ceremony!"
Ian said with a cheerful smile—if he didn't accept, the others wouldn't dare take any either, though truthfully he didn't care much for a few dozen taels of gold.
Once Ian spoke, the Daoist and the others all accepted the gold in turn.
The shabby old monk didn't hesitate either.
After pocketing the gold, everyone got up and headed for the Embroidered Tower.
Soon, they all arrived at the Embroidered Tower together.
As soon as they stepped inside, a chill swept over them.
"Everyone, be careful—when my daughter has an episode, she becomes incredibly strong. Not even a Martial Master can restrain her!" Master Wade warned.
Then, the group went up to the second floor, where they saw Lydia Wade lying on the bed.
She was just sixteen, with delicate and pretty features.
"My daughter won't wake until midnight!" Master Wade added.
Sure enough, as soon as midnight struck, Lydia Wade suddenly opened her eyes. Ian Song immediately activated his Luck-Sight Golden Eyes to examine her, and discovered she had two strands of Qi Luck.
One was golden, with just 3 points; the other was black, with a whopping 107 points.
Suddenly, Lydia Wade sat up and swept her gaze over everyone, sending a chill through the room.
"Meat! I want meat!"
Lydia Wade made guttural noises and began searching the room. When she found no raw meat, she tried to head outside the Embroidered Tower.
"Let me handle this!"
The Daoist suddenly pulled out a yellow talisman and chanted an incantation. The talisman flashed with yellow light and shot onto Lydia Wade's forehead.
As the Daoist chanted, Ian Song could sense a faint ripple of spiritual power, but it was extremely weak.
He knew that this talisman couldn't deal with the evil spirit inside Lydia Wade—the spirit's Qi Luck was already at 107 points, its cultivation must be formidable.
Just as he expected.
Lydia Wade's body froze for a moment, but quickly broke free. She tore the talisman off her forehead and shredded it. Her face twisted into a ferocious snarl as she lunged at the Daoist.
"Evil spirit, don't get cocky!"
The Daoist whipped out three more yellow talismans, chanted quickly, and flicked his wrist. The talismans flashed yellow and stuck to Lydia Wade's forehead, chest, and abdomen.
But to the Daoist's horror, Lydia Wade was completely unfazed and charged straight at him.
"Careful, Daoist!"
Ian Song called out and stepped in front of the Daoist. He pressed his palm forward—bang! Lydia Wade was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Lydia!"
Master Wade cried out in alarm.
"Don't worry, Master Wade. She has ghostly energy protecting her—she'll be fine!" Ian Song said.
"That's good, that's good!"
Master Wade repeated, visibly relieved.