"You sure can talk — don't you want to live?"
By Yu Tao's side, Lang Ya secretly tugged at Yu Tao and hissed in a low voice.
Everyone present were elders, all Soul Douluo just like them. With Yu Tao's boisterous and careless personality, it was all too easy for him to throw this meeting into chaos.
"Second Brother, we were the ones who brought Jiang Jue into the sect, we've got to speak up for him! Besides, didn't the Sect Master himself give his word? I'm just repeating what he said."
Yu Tao asked in confusion. He was still counting on Jiang Jue to keep improving — how could he let people slander him casually?
Hearing this, Lang Ya's eyes flickered as he looked at his brother and quietly withdrew his hand.
"Why does it feel like your brow's glowing red and your spirit looks all fired up, Yu Tao… could it be…"
Lang Ya reached out, patted Yu Tao on the shoulder, and said meaningfully, in a heavy tone:
"Not bad. You've grown up."
Yu Tao: "Huh?"
"But it's not your turn to speak up yet. Your body's still too small. The Sect Master will make the decision."
Lang Ya hinted vaguely, then pulled Yu Tao to stand behind the crowd.
"And besides — how do you know Ao Tian doesn't want a rival of equal strength to appear?"
Du Bu Si narrowed his eyes slightly, tapping the table with his palm, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Exactly. It's only under pressure that people improve. Back in the day, the Sect Master and I grew up this way. If someone goes through life completely invincible, wouldn't that be a little boring?"
Elder Jin nodded in agreement, a glint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes as the corner of his mouth curled into a smile.
Everyone froze for a moment, then exchanged looks. Thinking of Long Ao Tian's personality, they all gave subtle nods.
Long Ao Tian — a man whose name matched his nature. His life was like that of a wish-fulfillment protagonist: among the younger generation in the Body Sect, he had beaten every opponent, utterly unmatched, and his temperament was very arrogant.
And every time he defeated someone, he would spout some flashy line, like:"I'm invincible, you can do whatever; in the future, I'll suppress an entire era," and so on…
"Alright, that's enough for this meeting. Jiang Jue will be staying, and we'll focus on cultivating him in the future. If you've got doubts, come to me privately — I'll spar with you myself."
Looking around at the crowd, Du Bu Si waved his big hand and spoke in a low, firm tone. Just as he'd said at the start, everyone here could only give suggestions — the final decision was his to make.
"Oh right, Old Jin, stay behind."
The others answered in acknowledgment, then filed out of the grand hall one after another. Soon, only Du Bu Si and Jin Peng remained in the wide, empty hall.
"Old Jin, what do you think?"
Leaning back against a crimson chair, Du Bu Si asked casually.
With only Jin Peng — the one who had grown up alongside him — left, Du Bu Si's demeanor loosened, his tone unguarded.
"My dear Sect Master, you've already decided — what's the point of asking me?"
Old Jin picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and replied calmly.
"Old Jin, you know this — I have no descendants. The Body Sect still needs someone to carry on its legacy. Ao Tian's talent may be strong, but in the end, he's only a silver-grade second awakening. He can't shoulder the great banner."
At that moment, this powerhouse standing at the peak of the continent actually grew silent.
For a sect, inheritance comes first — no matter what else is lost, the lineage cannot be cut off.
Originally, the position of Body Sect Master wasn't meant for Du Bu Si, but after his elder brother, Du Bi Si, had a fight with Mu En and died not long after returning, the heavy burden of the sect fell on Du Bu Si's shoulders.
But Du Bu Si discovered that ever since becoming Sect Master, he wasn't happy anymore.
On many matters, he could no longer follow his own temper — he had to think of the bigger picture.
Over these years, while he had grown stronger… he had also grown bald.
The top of his head was already bare — a Mediterranean look.
"Sect Master, just tell me what you want me to do."
Jin Peng listened to Du Bu Si's complaints, unmoved. After working together so many years, one pout from Du Bu Si and he already knew what words were coming next.
"Ha! Still, Old Jin, you really get me."
Hearing Jin Peng's words, the sadness on Du Bu Si's face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile.
"Old Jin, I want you to keep an eye on that kid Jiang Jue. You know, while our Body Sect is harmonious on the surface, some people, once their cultivation gets high, always start having unrealistic ideas."
As he spoke, a cold gleam flashed in Du Bu Si's eyes.
"I understand."
Jin Peng nodded slightly — this just so happened to align with his own thinking.
"But still, that Jiang Jue has been in the sect for more than a day now, not touching food. It's a bit annoying. What, does he think the Body Sect's food isn't tasty enough?"
As if suddenly remembering something, Du Bu Si spoke in a slightly resentful tone.
"Hahaha! You dragged the kid here, and you still expect him to be in a good mood?"
Jin Peng laughed, watching Du Bu Si sulk, set down his teacup, and then said:
"Right, Sect Master, if you want to know what Jiang Jue's character is like, why not let him enter the Heart-Enlightening Hall once?"
"The Heart-Enlightening Hall, huh… that's actually a good idea. Alright, let me make the arrangements. Perfect time to see whether this kid's Dao Heart is steady or not."
Du Bu Si murmured twice under his breath, then nodded in agreement.
"No, I'd better go check on the kid. Even though soul masters can absorb soul power to replenish energy, going without food like this isn't right. Future combat skills won't run on soul power alone…"
"Old Jin, don't forget your task."
Du Bu Si reminded Jin Peng again, then in a flash, disappeared from the hall.
"Ay… when will the Sect Master ever fix that impulsive temper…"
"But then again, if he really fixed that temper, he wouldn't be the Sect Master. Ah, this Ku Mao Peak tea really does have a fine flavor."
Jin Peng wasn't surprised by Du Bu Si's behavior. Leisurely crossing his legs, he reached for the teacup, took a light sip, and narrowed his eyes slightly in contentment.
Inside Jiang Jue's small wooden hut.
"As expected of that man — terrifyingly strong!"
Seated cross-legged on a clean, tidy wooden bed, Jiang Jue withdrew his spiritual power from the Soul Refining Banner, his heart secretly in shock.
Because just now, what Elder Yi had described — that new method — was none other than the Soul Spirit that appeared in another timeline.
The emergence of Soul Spirits left Jiang Jue a bit excited. After all, with this, it meant he might someday gain a supportive force behind him…
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Jiang Jue's eyes narrowed, looking toward the door.
"Since the elder is here, why not show yourself?"
"You kid — quite vigilant."
As Jiang Jue's words fell, a dark-green figure appeared. The slightly chubby, baby-faced Du Bu Si looked at Jiang Jue with satisfaction.
This Jiang Jue — no matter how he looked at him, he liked him.
Indeed, when it comes to comparing people, some should just be thrown away; when it comes to comparing men, some should just be replaced.
If not for his elder brother's early death, he might've even suspected that back when his brother was young, he'd… left his scent somewhere.
As he thought about this, Du Bu Si suddenly turned toward Jiang Jue and asked:
"Kid Jiang, have you ever considered… changing your surname?"
Jiang Jue was thunderstruck. This sudden question caught him completely off guard — he even forgot to manage his expression.
How forward could you get!
Are we even that familiar?!
(End of Chapter)