Edward Morgan thought for a moment. That was indeed how it was written in the book—William Carter insisted it was Grace Cooper who had captured him; how could he possibly defeat the Right Protector of the Demonic Sect?

“When should we tell her, then?” Edward Morgan asked.

He wanted Lily Harris to see William Carter's true colors as soon as possible, so she could quickly cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness and become a deity. Only after she successfully fused with the godhead would Edward Morgan's debt as a master be considered repaid.

“We have to wait a while,” Grace Cooper said lazily, leaning against the wall. “After William Carter returns, it won’t be long before he comes looking for me. Once a man has tasted this, which one wouldn’t want more? Besides, I can help him improve his strength. After a few times, as the days go by, he’ll find it truly unforgettable and impossible to let go. The first time was forced, but the second and third—are those still forced? By then, even if he tries to deny it, he won’t be able to shake off this experience!”

She frowned slightly. “But didn’t the Honored Lord want me to win over William Carter, cast a long line to catch a big fish, and gather information about the righteous-demonic war?”

“Mm,” Edward Morgan nodded. “That needs to be done. But as for Lily Harris, it’s best to make her give up hope, leave her sect, and switch to cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness.”

“Huh?” Grace Cooper was confused. What did the Honored Lord mean by this? If he fancied Lily Harris, shouldn’t she betray her sect and join the demonic path, then find a way to fall into his hands? Why would she cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness?

“Just do as I say,” Edward Morgan said.

“Then I’ll need to find a few subordinates to distract Lily Harris and give William Carter a chance. Every time they go down the mountain, they stick together, never leaving each other’s side. It’s too hard to find an opportunity,” Grace Cooper said.

“No need. I’ll distract Lily Harris myself for a while,” Edward Morgan said.

“Y-you’ll personally distract her again?” Grace Cooper’s expression stiffened.

“Is there a problem?” Edward Morgan raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not,” Grace Cooper replied with a dry laugh.

Seeing her distrust of Edward Morgan, James Walker said unhappily, “The Honored Lord has ordered Lily Harris to fetch the spiritual herb Snowfire. That way, you can obtain the treasure, and it will be convenient for you to seduce William Carter and plant him in the Shangqing Sect—three birds with one stone.”

“So that’s how it is!” Grace Cooper said respectfully, dropping to one knee. “The Honored Lord is truly wise.”

“Mm.” Edward Morgan nodded with a blank expression.

Author’s note:

James Walker: The Honored Lord is truly wise.

Grace Cooper: The Honored Lord is truly wise.

Edward Morgan: You might not believe it, but I really didn’t think that far ahead.

Chapter 6: Ten-Thousand-Mile Icefield

Lily Harris felt uneasy after receiving a pile of treasures from Edward Morgan. She returned to her sect and meditated for a night, only to find her cultivation had leapt from Foundation Establishment Level Two to Level Seven—a remarkable improvement. She believed this was thanks to the guidance of that mysterious expert.

The education Lily Harris had received since childhood taught her that even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. She couldn’t just sit back and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor, so she requested an audience with her master and expressed her desire to go down the mountain for training.

Lily Harris’s master, Elder Green, was a female cultivator. Most of the female disciples were under her tutelage. The Shangqing Sect did not forbid dual cultivation among disciples, but it did warn everyone that dual cultivation should only be pursued after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. First, this gave disciples whose minds were not yet settled something to look forward to—when people have hopes, they strive for them. Second, after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, a cultivator’s mindset would enter a new realm, and the fleeting emotions of youth would fade. Only truly deep feelings would remain, helping disciples see their own hearts clearly and preventing them from ruining themselves at a low cultivation stage.

The Shangqing Sect always believed that it was better to guide than to block. Rather than forbidding disciples from falling in love, it was better to guide them, so as to avoid rebellious attitudes.

This rule worked well. Some disciples who developed secret feelings for each other would work hard at cultivation so they could be together openly, filling the entire sect with a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

When Elder Green heard that her favorite young disciple had decided to go out and train alone, she smiled with relief, patted Lily Harris’s hand, and said gently, “I was worried you’d be reluctant to leave your senior brother and wouldn’t want to go out on your own.”

“Oh, Master~” Lily Harris blushed and hugged Elder Green’s arm.

Seeing her little disciple finally understand, Elder Green felt greatly comforted and nodded. “It’s good to have ambition. You’re a rare talent. If I hadn’t held you back back then, not wanting you to establish your foundation too early, you probably would have done it at twelve or thirteen. After foundation establishment, your body wouldn’t grow until the Nascent Soul stage. Do you really want to spend a hundred years cultivating in the body of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old?”

Lily Harris felt a bit embarrassed. She was just a child then and didn’t understand anything. If she looked like a twelve- or thirteen-year-old, her senior brother leading her around would be like a father with his daughter—that would be truly terrifying.

Elder Green told Lily Harris not to go to places that were too dangerous after leaving the mountain, and to crush the communication talisman immediately if she encountered danger. She reminded her to observe more and not act recklessly. After giving her many detailed instructions, she also gave her a defensive magic tool that could withstand a full-strength blow from a cultivator at the Soul Transformation stage. Feeling she had covered everything, she finally let Lily Harris take her own token to the administrative hall to register.

There were many disciples in the Shangqing Sect, and everything needed to be properly recorded. Lily Harris’s training would generally last from half a year to a year. If she didn’t return by then, the sect elders would use divination to find her whereabouts, as a way to protect their disciples.