"Leiming."
Jiang Jue smiled faintly and waved his hand. The lightning on the Thunder Prison Vine instantly disappeared.
"So it was Elder Jin's arrangement. Leiming, you may head back first."
"Alright, Brother Jiang—remember to visit often!"
Leiming spoke reluctantly, then the Thunder Prison Vine slowly withdrew, disappearing from their sight.
Jiang Jue glanced over the two men and said softly:
"Then my safety from now on will depend on you two."
As for Elder Jin sending them to protect him, Jiang Jue could easily guess his intention: while protecting him, it also helped him build his own faction.
That was why he had only used Leiming to intimidate Yu Tao a little earlier. After all, the two of them bringing him into the Body Sect was part of his long-term planning.
"Don't worry! With me around, no problem at all."
Seeing that Leiming had left, Yu Tao stepped out from behind Lang Ya, patting his chest confidently.
After all, he was hoping to advance by clinging to Jiang Jue's rise.
"With the two of us here, you can cultivate with peace of mind."
Lang Ya said as well, eyes flickering. He thought to himself:
"Judging from Elder Jin's attitude earlier, Jiang Jue's chances of winning are extremely high."
Half of their futures were now staked on Jiang Jue.
"Alright. I just finished my thunder-body training and was on my way back."
Jiang Jue spoke calmly.
Immediately, Lang Ya and Yu Tao stood on his left and right like two bodyguards, and the three headed toward Jiang Jue's wooden hut.
The cliff behind the mountain was not far from the residential area—only seven or eight kilometers. All three were spirit masters; in no time they arrived at Jiang Jue's hut.
"Would you two like to come in and sit?"
Jiang Jue pushed open the door and asked softly.
"This won't be necessary. We brothers will remain in the dark."
Lang Ya shook his head, politely declining.
He knew Jiang Jue was just being polite, and he wasn't foolish enough to actually go inside.
And since they were both Contra-level experts with high status in the Body Sect, standing stiffly at Jiang Jue's doorstep would be inappropriate. Protecting him from the shadows was the best way.
"Very well."
Jiang Jue nodded and closed the door.
Inside, a large wooden tub was already prepared—the medicinal bath required after thunder-body forging.
"Cultivation is the true path. Without strength, everything is empty."
A sharp glint flashed through Jiang Jue's eyes as he murmured.
His current status was entirely built on his talent. And the enemies he would face in the future could only be dealt with by his own strength.
What he needed to do now was convert all available resources into his own power.
He did not believe in fate—only in the power in his own hands.
Time passed, and night soon arrived.
Knock knock knock!
Clear knocking sounded on the door. Jiang Jue, sitting cross-legged on the bed cultivating, slowly opened his eyes.
"Jiang Jue, are you asleep?"
Weina's gentle voice came from outside.
Night had only just fallen—how could he possibly be asleep?
"No, give me a moment."
He rose from the bed, straightened his clothes, and walked to the door before opening it.
Weina, dressed in a white dress, stood under the soft moonlight, her graceful figure outlined in the glow. Her jade-like arms rested before her as she smiled when the door opened.
"About today…"
She looked at him and asked softly.
"Come in and talk."
Jiang Jue's eyes shifted slightly as he stepped aside.
She nodded lightly and entered the hut.
"Sit wherever you like."
After she stepped in, Jiang Jue said calmly.
They sat on opposite sides of the wooden table. Weina clasped her fair hands together, looked at Jiang Jue, and spoke seriously:
"Jiang Jue, what do you think about my proposal from earlier?"
Jiang Jue pondered briefly, tapping the table with slender fingers.
"You and I are both disciples of the Body Sect now. Isn't the sect's own resources already enough for me to cultivate?"
Although Weina offered support earlier, when Elder Jin later spoke to him, he clearly told Jiang Jue not to have overly close ties with the Heavenly Soul Empire—at least not before he became the Young Sect Master.
Jiang Jue understood Elder Jin's meaning. If the succession of a sect could be influenced by outside forces, that sect was one step from destruction.
He could distinguish priority clearly.
She did not look disappointed. She had prepared her mindset before coming here.
And from Jiang Jue's phrase "you and I are both Body Sect disciples", she immediately understood what he implied.
"Jiang Jue, I know what you're worried about. But once you become the Young Sect Master—perhaps even the future Sect Master—you will inevitably need to work with the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"Isn't the Body Sect already maintaining good relations with the Heavenly Soul Empire? I'm sure the Sect Master and Elder Jin will understand."
Jiang Jue raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't expect Weina to grasp his intention so quickly.
"When I wagered against Long Aotian today, you were there. Aren't you afraid I might lose in the future? If that happens, the Heavenly Soul Empire's investment would be wasted."
Jiang Jue said solemnly, fixing his eyes on her.
"I trust my intuition and my judgment. Although Brother Long is strong, hailed as the number one of the younger generation—that was before you appeared."
Weina spoke firmly, lips tightening.
"But I've only been in the Body Sect for four months. I'm like a rootless water plant, without backing. I can't compare to Long Aotian, whose ancestors have all been here."
Jiang Jue said calmly, meeting her gaze.
"I can become your backing."
Weina's eyes brightened. She placed her small fist on the table and leaned forward slightly—so close that Jiang Jue could smell her subtle fragrance.
"If you want to invest in me, what are you after? Right now, I only represent myself—I can't represent the Body Sect."
Jiang Jue straightened his chest, stopped tapping the table, and leaned forward as well. His eyes locked onto hers.
"I know what I want. I want you!"
"Your future strength!"
Weina smiled brightly, showing her white teeth, though her tone remained firm and unwavering.
"I only hope that before you fully grow, I can establish goodwill on behalf of the Heavenly Soul Empire. And after you grow, you might look after us a little."
"Besides that—I ask for nothing."
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered.
"And this 'look after,' what does it mean?"
"Within your ability. If something is too dangerous or could harm you, you may choose not to do it."
Weina answered without hesitation.
"That's all?"
"That's all!"
(End of Chapter)