"An evil soul master…"
Weina held the snow lotus in her hands, her mind going through a fierce storm of thoughts.
She had originally planned that after returning, she would write a letter to her father, the Emperor, asking him to fully support Jiang Jue—tightening the bond between the Heavenly Soul Empire and him.
But now, Jiang Jue's martial soul had mutated into an evil martial soul, and this made her think much more deeply.
As a princess who grew up within the palace walls, she had seen her fair share of schemes and deception. She even knew of some very dark matters. Because of that, her heart was not fragile.
Just as Du Bu Si had said, this world was not simply black and white—there was always a refined shade of grey in the shadows.
But if Jiang Jue's evil martial soul was exposed in the future, it might bring about serious consequences.
"No… how could I be so foolish?"
"Jiang Jue has unparalleled talent, and on top of that, he is an ultimate-attribute soul master. Once he fully grows, that means invincibility. Who in this entire continent would dare to stand on some so-called moral high ground and criticize a peak powerhouse?"
"Right now, the only ones who know Jiang Jue's martial soul mutated into an evil martial soul are the Sect Master and me. Since the Sect Master himself is still advising Jiang Jue, that proves he doesn't care. If even the Sect Master doesn't care, what am I worrying about?"
"And in fact, this might be a perfect turning point for me to grow closer to Jiang Jue."
A flash of inspiration lit up Weina's mind, her thoughts suddenly becoming crystal clear.
It was just like the imperial court: some officials knew each other's fatal secrets. And the more they knew, the closer their bond. With such leverage, betrayal became impossible, and cooperation was safe.
Now that she knew Jiang Jue had an evil martial soul, she had no intention of using that to threaten him—because she understood, some people cannot be threatened. This wasn't the court, and she wasn't the Emperor.
But she could keep this secret for Jiang Jue. That way, she would earn his goodwill, and step by step, their relationship would draw closer.
"Jiang Jue, this secret of yours… I, Weina, will swallow it for life… no, I'll keep it for life."
With that thought, Weina's ice-blue eyes opened, and she slowly rose to her feet.
"Sect Master, I've successfully absorbed it. Oh! Jiang Jue, you're done as well."
At the moment Weina stood, Jiang Jue quickly put away the Soul-Refining Banner. But in his gaze toward Weina, there flashed a hint of amusement.
"This princess… she's not simple."
When Weina finished absorbing her soul ring, Jiang Jue had sensed it with his powerful spiritual force.
But even after hearing his and Du Bu Si's conversation, she did not immediately stand up. She waited until Du Bu Si had finished comforting him, then pretended to have just finished absorbing her soul ring before rising.
What did that mean? It went without saying.
"Yeah, I also just finished absorbing mine."
Jiang Jue replied with a forced tone, his face still pale, like someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.
"Hm? This child Weina…"
Du Bu Si glanced at Weina his eyes flickering. As a Super Douluo, of course he could sense the truth.
But he did not expose her. He wanted to see how she would react after learning Jiang Jue's martial soul had mutated.
Clearly, her reaction was outside his expectations, yet still within reason.
"I'll have to find a chance later to talk with this child Weina, and see what she thinks. After all, this concerns the future of my Body Sect."
Indeed, Du Bu Si had not abandoned his ambition of "descendants without end."
Du Bu Si nodded slightly and said loudly:
"Since both of you have finished absorbing, let's return to the sect. This counts as… double happiness."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Jiang Jue and Weina responded in unison.
For a moment, the three each held different thoughts in their hearts.
In the skies above.
Du Bu Si carried the two of them through the air. Weinalooked at the slightly "dazed" Jiang Jue, and smiled gently, speaking warmly.
"Jiang Jue, are you satisfied with the soul skill you obtained this time?"
A sharp light flickered in Jiang Jue's eyes, but he muttered listlessly, as though showing no interest in anything around him.
"It's alright. I suppose I'm satisfied."
Though his words were flat, Jiang Jue was extremely pleased with his fifth soul skill.
Its name was Scarlet Eye Blood-Ban Art.
The Soul-Refining Banner could emit a blood-red beam that fell upon an enemy, and its effect was to forcibly strip and seal the opponent's martial soul for a period of time!
This ability resembled Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's martial soul fusion technique, Brilliance's Decay, Golden Road.
But unlike theirs, Jiang Jue's Scarlet Eye Blood-Ban came with a built-in lock-on effect.
As long as the target was within one kilometer, once the Soul-Refining Banner caught their aura, there was no chance of missing.
The duration of the seal depended on the difference between Jiang Jue's cultivation and that of his opponent.
Right now, he could seal up to five martial souls at once. As his strength grew, this maximum would increase.
Since seventy percent of a soul master's strength came from their martial soul, if that was suddenly stripped and sealed in battle… the outcome was obvious.
Especially for tool-type martial soul users…
"Jiang Jue, let me tell you—my third soul skill is really powerful. As long as the opponent is within the same major cultivation realm, I can instantly restore forty percent of your peak soul power."
Weina said with excitement, her eyes fixed on him as she shared the news.
Jiang Jue's eyes deepened further.
Soul skills were normally a major taboo—something one wouldn't share lightly, even with close brothers. They were one's hidden cards, even tied to life and death.
But Weina had directly told him. Such openness could only mean she had no intention of exploiting his evil martial soul.
"Ah… pity. It seems the big family of 'Love and Peace' will be missing one member after all…"
Jiang Jue sighed inwardly with some regret.
He had originally planned to invite Weina to his Human Emperor Banner to talk privately. Only that would put him at ease.
But since Weina didn't play by the rules, Jiang Jue decided to postpone that idea.
In truth, as long as Du Bu Si accepted his evil martial soul, the rest of the people hardly mattered to his plans.
After Weinafinished, her face was full of joy, her gaze tinged with expectation as she looked at him.
"Then… congratulations."
Jiang Jue forced a smile, pale and weak.
"Jiang Jue, if you have any problems, you can actually tell me. After all, we're companions—you said that yourself."
Weina's soft voice drifted, her hair fluttering in the breeze, full of care and concern.
"Interesting…"
Jiang Jue nodded faintly, muttering inwardly, and continued to feign confusion and gloom.
He was now playing the victim's role. A normal person, after such a drastic change, couldn't possibly recover instantly.
"Little Jiang, once we return, I'll teach you one of our Body Sect's powerful combat methods—battle techniques!"
Du Bu Si looked back at Jiang Jue as he spoke.
To help Jiang Jue move on, he decided to distract him with something new. And he had already planned to teach Jiang Jue a battle technique when the time was right.
Now was perfect. It might kill two birds with one stone.
(End of Chapter)