Not long after, Jiang Jue followed the disciple of the Body Sect to the back mountain.
Compared to the towering, majestic buildings surrounding the Hall of Enlightenment, the back mountain was more like a secluded paradise.
Rows of wooden houses were neatly arranged, surrounded by ancient trees, and occasionally, a patch of lush green vegetable fields could be seen.
Here, there were even children — still with childish looks — herding… cows?
Everything appeared so peaceful and beautiful.
Jiang Jue felt as if he had stepped into the ancient past. There was not the slightest trace of soul tools here. Everything seemed so plain, even a little similar to the Valan Village where he once lived.
Back then, Valan Village was poor; but here in the Body Sect, they simply disdained soul tools.
"Let's go, that's your wooden house over there."
The disciple pointed the way and took the lead.
When Jiang Jue approached his wooden house, he noticed that two people were already standing in front of it.
One was a young man, the other a young woman.
The man was tall and burly, at least 1.8 meters, with broad shoulders, a sturdy back, and bulging muscles.
He had long reddish-brown hair parted in the middle, narrow eyes with a cold gleam, a straight nose and square mouth. Though not particularly handsome, he carried a faintly wicked charm — especially with his ever-crooked smirk, giving him an aura reminiscent of a dragon king.
Strangely, his skin was extraordinarily pale and smooth, glowing faintly as if light circulated beneath it. His every movement seemed refined and flowing.
The girl, on the other hand, had jet-black hair cascading down her back, a long white dress, delicate fair arms exposed, and a serene face. In her eyes flickered a faint ice-blue light. Her slender waist could be encircled with a hand, and she carried a subtle, special aura.
Jiang Jue's eyes lit up slightly; he had already guessed their identities.
That young man, if he wasn't mistaken, was none other than the current young sect master of the Body Sect — the future Long Aotian, who would one day take a direct hit from a ninth-level soul tool cannonball with only seven spirit rings and be blasted to the heavens.
And the girl — she should be Weina, princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, and a twin martial soul holder.
"These two came to my place so fast, faster than me. I just woke up…"
"Seems like there's a traitor among the crowd."
Jiang Jue looked at them, lips curling slightly.
The girl's eyes suddenly brightened when she saw Jiang Jue.
"Finally, I see him in person."
Weina was delighted. Since she had arrived at the Body Sect a month ago, she had wanted to meet the legendary Jiang Jue to build a foundation for a future relationship. But no matter how she tried, she couldn't even glimpse his shadow.
This time, as soon as Jiang Jue walked out of the Hall of Enlightenment, someone informed her. She hurried anxiously to wait in front of his house.
But before she could step forward, the young man beside her snorted coldly.
"So you're Jiang Jue?"
He swung his arm and strode toward Jiang Jue.
Jiang Jue frowned, blood surging, soul power gathering, right hand tightening into a fist.
Long Aotian stopped in front of him, looking down arrogantly, tossing his hair, smirking.
"Hello, I'm Long Aotian. I hear you're strong — but so am I."
"I hope in the future you can bring me some excitement. After all, being invincible is so very lonely."
With that, Long Aotian extended his hand.
Jiang Jue smiled faintly and extended his own.
"Jiang Jue."
Their palms met, their eyes locking.
In an instant, blood energy burst forth. An invisible wave spread from them, stirring up a fierce gust of wind.
"Not bad, you've got strength."
A moment later, Long Aotian's smirk nearly split his face, his complexion red as he praised.
But inwardly, he was utterly shocked — because he had actually lost in raw strength!
He was a level 58 Soul King, while Jiang Jue was only barely at level 50.
Normally, he was the one defeating opponents above his rank. But now, he was the one suppressed.
Jiang Jue's bones crackled in unison. After his latest deep meditation, he had reached exquisite mastery over his body. Combined with years of tempering, Long Aotian couldn't compare.
"As expected, the rumors are true. I must build a good relationship with him!"
Weina's beautiful eyes sparkled.
She already knew Long Aotian was considered the number one of their generation. Yet here he was, suppressed by Jiang Jue. That only highlighted Jiang Jue's extraordinary talent — and he was even two years younger than Long Aotian.
Smack!
Just as Long Aotian's skin began glowing, Jiang Jue casually slapped his hand away.
"You're impressive too."
"Huh? Impressive?"
Long Aotian froze, face reddening further.
He was heating up.
Since awakening his Skin Martial Soul, no one had ever said that to him.
"Brother Long, don't be like that."
Weina hurried forward, speaking softly.
Hearing her words, Long Aotian inhaled deeply, forced his flushed face back to normal, and laughed.
"Haha… the weather's really hot today, I'm sweating… haha."
Toward Weina, he felt something indescribable. The reason he had rushed here was simply because he heard she was coming.
"Jiang Jue, hello, I'm Weina. I'm glad to meet you."
"Brother Long has a bit of a hot temper, but he's actually a good person. I hope you won't mind."
She stepped closer, extending her slender hand, her voice soft and gentle.
"Wait… this doesn't make sense. Clearly I lost, yet she's comforting him?"
Long Aotian's eyes widened. He forgot all about his aching hand, because his heart now hurt even more.
"It's fine, I don't mind."
Looking at the beautiful and refined Weina, Jiang Jue shook his head with a smile, extending his hand to hers.
"I feel like… something inside my heart just shattered…"
Long Aotian turned pale green, clutching his chest, muttering under his breath.
"Young Sect Master, should we take you for treatment?"
The disciple who had led Jiang Jue here quickly stepped forward in concern.
"I'm fine! How could anything be wrong with me? Do I look like something's wrong with me?"
Long Aotian straightened his back, raised his chin, and forced a proud smile when he noticed Weina looking his way.
"Jiang Jue, may I speak with you privately?"
Weina asked softly, her eyes full of anticipation.
"No! Nooo!"
Long Aotian panicked inside.
"This isn't convenient right now. I just came out of seclusion, I need to rest well."
Jiang Jue shook his head, rejecting her.
"Thank goodness, he refused."
Weina's eyes dimmed, but Long Aotian was overjoyed.
"However, the evening two days later, I'll be free. You can come find me then, and we'll talk."
"…"
(End of chapter)