When Master Lin was away, teaching duties often fell to Ethan.
After a few months, the three of them had grown close, their bond as brothers firmly established.
Evan's decent talent, combined with his persistence, eventually won Master Lin over. He was officially accepted as the third disciple.
That year, Ethan was thirteen, Daniel fifteen, and Evan fourteen.
As their relationship deepened, the barriers between them faded. They began to share their thoughts openly.
Daniel would sometimes speak about his late parents, his voice quiet with longing. Evan, on the other hand, had little to trouble him. In fact, he was happier than he had ever been.
Since childhood, Evan had been forced to train in martial arts. His parents had passed away before he could remember them, leaving him in the care of his aunt. She treated him like her own son, but she was strict, always pushing him to improve.
He understood her intentions, but growing up, he had never truly bonded with people his own age.
Now, everything was different.
Here, he could learn real skills. He had two senior brothers close to his age. For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of belonging.
The three often sparred together. Evan soon realized that his eldest brother, despite being younger by a year, was terrifyingly strong.
Evan had trained in martial arts since childhood and considered himself among the best of his peers. Yet every time he fought Ethan, he lost.
Not once. Not even close.
Instead of discouraging him, it only fueled his determination.
One day, as usual, Ethan and Evan were sparring in the courtyard.
Neither of them noticed a small stone near the edge.
Evan stepped on it by accident.
His footing twisted.
At that moment, his blood and qi were circulating intensely. The sudden misstep caused an immediate blockage. His ankle swelled rapidly, becoming so swollen that the boundary between calf and foot blurred.
Cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
Daniel quickly rushed to the well, drew a bucket of water, and prepared a cloth for a cold compress.
Evan clenched his teeth, refusing to complain. He only blamed himself for being careless.
Ethan stepped forward, examined the injury briefly, then placed his hand over Evan's ankle.
Evan was confused at first.
Then he felt it.
A warm current flowed into his ankle, spreading through his meridians. The swelling began to recede at a visible speed.
Within moments, his ankle was completely healed.
Ethan withdrew his hand and stood up.
Evan slowly tested his footing, then looked up in disbelief.
"Senior Brother, what kind of technique was that? It's incredible. Can you teach me?"
Daniel chimed in immediately.
"That's definitely not something Master taught us. His techniques always require incantations or talismans. You didn't use either. That's… unbelievable."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"I can't really explain it right now. You'll understand someday."
The two exchanged confused glances, clearly not understanding what he meant.
Ethan had been stuck at the peak of Qi Refinement for several months with no sign of a breakthrough.
Then one day, something stirred deep within him.
A faint, intangible call echoed in his mind.
Without a word, he walked toward the ancestral altar.
Under the puzzled gazes of Evan and Daniel, he lit three sticks of incense and knelt on the cushion before the tablets.
At that moment, Master Lin returned.
Seeing all three gathered at the altar, he stepped closer. After hearing Evan and Daniel's explanation, a thoughtful expression crossed his face, followed by a smile.
"Your senior brother has likely been summoned by the patriarchs. He's gone to speak with them."
He turned serious.
"You two go outside. From now on, no one is allowed into the mortuary. Guard the entrance. Let him focus."
Startled, the two hurried out and stood watch at the gate, alert and tense.
Master Lin remained behind, quietly standing guard for Ethan.
Meanwhile, as Ethan closed his eyes, he felt his soul being gently pulled from his body.
At first, the force failed. The power of the Sheep Talisman resisted the pull.
Realizing this, Ethan relaxed his defenses and allowed the force to guide him.
The next moment, he found himself in a vast, white space filled with drifting clouds.
It felt like standing in the heavens.
Before him stood three middle-aged men with kind expressions. They wore radiant feathered robes, their bodies surrounded by a soft, celestial glow.
Ethan instinctively tried to kneel, but an invisible force stopped him.
"I am a thirty-sixth generation disciple of Maoshan. May I ask who you are, honored immortals?"
The three smiled warmly.
One of them, with a long black beard, stepped forward.
"I am Mao Ying."
Ethan's heart trembled.
He had suspected it, but now it was confirmed.
These were the Three Mao Patriarchs, the legendary founders of the Maoshan lineage.
He bowed deeply.
"Greetings, honored patriarchs."
A gentle force lifted him upright.
Mao Ying raised a hand and pointed lightly.
A stream of light entered Ethan's mind.
"This is the Supreme Clarity Great Cavern Scripture. Cultivate it well. Do not waste your innate Dao body. We will be waiting for the day you ascend and stand among us."
Ethan quickly responded.
"Thank you, Patriarchs. I will cultivate diligently and never fail your expectations."
The three laughed softly, clearly pleased.
At that moment, Mao Gu spoke with a teasing tone.
"Little Ethan, those abilities of yours…"
Ethan's heart skipped.
For a brief moment, he feared they had seen through his transmigration and the secrets of his talismans.
Before he could respond, Mao Zhong interrupted with a chuckle.
"Enough teasing. There's no need to worry. Those powers of yours are likely tied to the forces of the Twelve Zodiac Spirits. It seems they found you before we did and chose to nurture you."
He glanced at Ethan with amusement.
"Though it seems Lin has done quite well, taking you in as a disciple so early."
Ethan let out a silent breath of relief.
At least now, he had an explanation for his abilities.
Though he wondered how he would explain things if he ever truly encountered those so-called Zodiac Spirits.
Mao Ying spoke again, his tone turning solemn.
"Since you have entered our lineage, you must uphold righteousness. Take it upon yourself to eliminate evil and protect the living."
The three spoke as one, their voices echoing with authority.
Ethan bowed deeply.
"I will remember your teachings and uphold them without fail."
The world spun.
When Ethan opened his eyes again, he was back before the ancestral altar.
Master Lin immediately stepped forward.
"How do you feel? Any discomfort? Which patriarch was it? Did they give any instructions?"
Seeing the concern on his master's face, Ethan felt a warmth in his heart.
"I'm fine, Master. It was the Three Mao Patriarchs. They bestowed upon me a cultivation method called the Supreme Clarity Great Cavern Scripture."
Master Lin froze.
Then his eyes widened.
"What? The Three Mao Patriarchs? And that scripture?"
A moment later, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Hearing the noise, Evan and Daniel rushed inside.
"Ethan, you've been recognized by the patriarchs themselves. You must cultivate well and not disappoint them."
"Yes, Master. I will."
Master Lin smiled and patted his shoulder, pride evident in his eyes.