"My whole life, I've been striving for this. So I believe that I will definitely break this hundred-thousand-year curse. When that time comes, the new clan genealogy of the Thunder Prison Vine lineage shall be founded by me—Leiming!"
Crackling thunder echoed as tiny purple-gold lightning serpents crawled chaotically around Leiming's body. Fierce winds swept past the cliffside, and an indescribable aura rose.
It was the feeling of fearlessness.
Seeing Leiming standing tall, Jiang Jue nodded with satisfaction.
Since he had decided to obtain Leiming's spirit ring, naturally the best time would be after Leiming reached a hundred thousand years. Once Leiming crossed the hundred-thousand-year tribulation, his quality would definitely rise another level.
Thunder Prison Vine was already among the top tier of spirit beasts. After reaching a hundred thousand years, it would undergo another metamorphosis. By then, the enhancement to his main martial soul would be even greater.
Not to mention, the spirit ring Leiming would provide would come with two spirit abilities—and the spirit bone as well.
That was maximizing profit.
"Born into a poor family, I learned to calculate carefully,"Jiang Jue sighed inwardly.
So every time he hunted a spirit beast, he wasted nothing. He threw beast souls into the Soul-Refining Banner and roasted the flesh to strengthen his physique.
"Brother Jiang, trust me—I guarantee I can reach the hundred-thousand-year tribulation within three years! Actually, I don't even need three—two and a half years is enough!"
Feeling refreshed and full of vigor, Leiming promised Jiang Jue cheerfully, now that his earlier worries had cleared.
"Mm, good. Just go at your own pace."
"But don't go too fast. For now, don't let anyone notice anything unusual."
Jiang Jue nodded lightly and waved casually.
Leiming had been suppressing himself for so long. Now that he was letting go, his cultivation would definitely surge. Jiang Jue also needed time to prepare things in advance.
"All listen to Brother Jiang."
Leiming had no objections. From now on, he would rely on Jiang Jue, so he knew being obedient was most important.
"Good. Then I'll head back first."
Jiang Jue took out a fresh black robe from his spatial ring, put it on neatly, and spoke softly to Leiming.
As expected, compared to humans, spirit beasts were simpler. But that was a good thing…
"Brother Jiang, come often. I'll see you off."
Hearing Jiang Jue was leaving, Leiming calmed himself, shook his massive body, and extended a thick vine from the Thunder Prison Vine group, lifting Jiang Jue and carrying him beyond the cliff's edge.
"Hm? Someone?"
"Could they be elders backing Long Aotian?"
Before even crossing the bottomless chasm, Jiang Jue noticed two blurry figures standing on the hillside beyond the cliff, as though waiting for someone.
Jiang Jue's expression remained calm, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Beat the junior, and the elder comes—he'd seen this many times.
But he wasn't afraid.
The vine extended further across the cliff. A gray, deathly intent flickered in Jiang Jue's eyes.
"Hey! Second Bro, someone's coming out from the sect's body-training ground!"
One of the two figures suddenly shouted, turning to the person beside him.
"I'm not stupid. That should be Jiang Jue,"the other said helplessly.
These two were Lang Ya and Yu Tao—the ones Jin Peng sent to protect Jiang Jue.
"But something's off. Why is Jiang Jue standing on a Thunder Prison Vine? That's… quite something,"Yu Tao said, eyes widening in shock and admiration.
"Senior Lei treats Jiang Jue so well… Why didn't he treat me like that before? He always pranked me—electrocuted me… Ah, I kinda want to try it again."
"Heh, wait till tonight,"Lang Ya patted Yu Tao's back gently.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you can have anything in your dreams."
"…"
Yu Tao didn't argue. He knew Leiming's personality well.
Don't be fooled by how respectful Leiming was to Jiang Jue—outside, aside from Poison Undying and Jin Peng Yi, everyone called him Senior Lei.
Although the sect's founder saved Leiming long ago, Leiming had repaid the sect immensely over the centuries.
Thunder-forge Body Training allowed many lower-talent Body Sect disciples to achieve a second awakening through effort.
"So it's them. Then it's unlikely they're elders backing Long Aotian."
Jiang Jue spread out his spiritual sense, saw who they were, and relaxed. The spirit power he had gathered quietly dissipated.
Crackle!
Jiang Jue leapt from the vine.
Lang Ya and Yu Tao immediately walked toward him.
Leiming, still controlling the vine, did not leave. His voice rumbled out.
"Why is it you, brat?"
The vine pointed at Yu Tao. Because Leiming often channeled lightning through the Thunder Prison Vine group, he could temporarily control them.
"Senior Lei, good day…"Yu Tao scratched his head awkwardly. He had black history with Leiming too—not just Jin Peng.
"All right, cut the crap. See this? This is my Brother Jiang. You better show respect. Next time I come out, if you act up, I'll control you harshly."
Leiming pointed at Jiang Jue, speaking solemnly—as if telling Yu Tao to swear allegiance.
"Bro… Brother Jiang?"
Yu Tao's voice cracked. Eyes bulged. Mouth hung open. A face full of disbelief.
Even Lang Ya was shocked.
A near hundred-thousand-year spirit beast they called "Senior"—calling a human teenager "brother"?
Was the world going crazy?
Jiang Jue simply stood there, calm, not stopping Leiming at all.
Soon, his duel agreement with Long Aotian would spread throughout the Body Sect. Everyone would know.
Since he planned to compete for the Young Sect Master position, there was no need to hide. Playing the pig to eat the tiger wasn't his style. Besides, he needed to flex his strength.
And Leiming, as the king of the Thunder Prison Vine group and essentially the gatekeeper of the sect's thunder-forge training, meant that anyone who wanted to secretly trip him up would have to think twice.
Still want body training? Still want a second martial soul awakening?
"Hey, Jiang Jue, we meet again. I don't know if you still remember me?"Yu Tao asked cautiously once he'd recovered a bit.
"Of course I remember. After all, you 'guided' me into the sect. You're practically my guide. So I should thank you."
Jiang Jue smiled, emphasizing the word "guided."
"Hm?"
Leiming clearly caught the tone. Lightning burst from the vine.
Yu Tao forced a miserable smile and waved his hands frantically. He had been terrified Jiang Jue would remember that incident.
"No need to thank me—no need! All part of the job!"
"Jiang Jue,"
Lang Ya suddenly stepped forward, blocking Yu Tao half behind him,"Elder Jin sent us brothers to protect you."
"Second Bro… you're a real good brother…"Yu Tao's heart warmed as tears welled up inside.