"Do I, Long Aotian, truly have no way left?"
"No!"
On the eaves of a grand hall not far away, Long Aotian quietly watched the scene before him, his heart breaking with sorrow.
That day, after returning home, his heart grew increasingly restless, filled with longing.
But he didn't know how to confess his feelings to Weina, nor what identity he should assume to approach and interact with her.
Thinking of today being the appointed time between Jiang Jue and Weina, he had waited outside Jiang Jue's room since early morning. Who would have thought that today the Sect Master would personally take Jiang Jue and Weina to obtain their spirit rings?
His heart had barely calmed a little, but now, seeing the Sect Master laughing and chatting with Jiang Jue and Weina, it tightened again.
"What should I do? My heart hurts so much!"
"It's like I'm hiding in the shadows, secretly watching someone else's happiness…"
"Senior, we actually met the day before yesterday."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly, as if he hadn't noticed Weina's wistful gaze.
As for what he had said that day, he hadn't spoken casually—it was up to Weina how she understood it.
"This guy… at least he's not one of those hypocrites."
Weina's flushed cheeks softened as she thought this inwardly.
In the Heavenly Soul Empire, she was pursued by no small number of nobles. Yet every one of them, when facing her, put on the façade of a gentleman.
Having grown up in the imperial palace, she knew their character all too well—most of them were nothing but pretentious hypocrites.
But with Jiang Jue, it was her first time being left at a loss, and somehow it felt strangely refreshing.
"All right, I'll take you both to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain your spirit rings. Let's go."
As he spoke, Du Bu Si (Poison-Does-Not-Die) gathered two clusters of dark green soul power, forming two protective barriers. But then he seemed to think of something.
In the next instant, he dissolved one of them, leaving only a single shield that enclosed Jiang Jue and Weina together.
"Ahem, after all, the journey is long. To conserve soul power, the two of you will just have to make do."
With two coughs and without giving them a chance to respond, Du Bu Si directly took off into the air.
In the Body Sect, there were no flying soul tools—Du Bu Si disdained such things. In his mind, no matter how advanced soul tools became, they could never surpass traditional soul masters.
"…"
Do you even believe what you just said yourself?
Jiang Jue looked at Weina beside him with a gentle smile, then sat cross-legged within the barrier and began cultivating.
Though called a single shield, the space inside was still ample enough for the two of them to sit apart.
"Weina, princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire…"
Jiang Jue thought silently.
There were still over five years until the Continental Unification War. He had time to continue laying out his plans.
Among the three former empires, the Heavenly Soul Empire was neither the strongest nor the weakest, its greatest strength being its reliance on the Body Sect.
"Didn't expect this bad guy to also be such a cultivation fanatic… but then again, it makes sense. So young, yet already at such a high level."
Weina also sat cross-legged within the barrier, watching Jiang Jue with his eyes half-closed in meditation. She couldn't help but think this to herself.
At that moment, the rising sun cast golden rays over Jiang Jue's body, highlighting his refined features. Paired with his unique aura, it made Weina momentarily lose her composure.
"Cultivate! Cultivate!"
Realizing her lapse, Weina calmed her heart and began cultivating as well.
Sometimes, appearance really was the primary productive force.
Two and a half days later.
At the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
On a warning sign were engraved blood-red words: "Danger! Spirit beasts ahead—proceed with caution!"
Three figures stood before it, gazing at the boundless dense forest. Even from the outside, there was an oppressive feeling weighing on their hearts.
"Once we enter, you two stay close to me. Don't wander off."
Du Bu Si reminded them seriously.
These two were the future of the Body Sect. If anything happened to them, he would never forgive himself.
The Star Dou Great Forest, though rich in spirit beast resources, also housed countless powerful beasts—including many of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.
"Understood."
Jiang Jue and Weina both nodded softly.
"Let's go. We'll head straight to the Mixed Zone. The spirit beasts in the outer region aren't of high quality."
Du Bu Si spoke in a low voice. For their spirit rings, he naturally wanted those with the right age and high quality.
"Once we get inside, we'll first find a suitable beast for Jiang Jue, while also keeping an eye out for one fitting for Weina."
"I'm fine with that. My martial spirit is the Snow Lotus. As a healing-type soul master, I need a beast with both ice and life attributes—that may be a bit harder to find."
Weina smiled gently and explained so Jiang Jue wouldn't be puzzled.
"I'm fine as well."
"Right, Jiang boy, what kind of attribute spirit beast do you want? Light attribute?"
Du Bu Si recalled Jiang Jue's display of light power at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament and asked curiously.
"This… when I come across a suitable spirit beast, I'll let you know, Senior."
Jiang Jue shook his head slightly, speaking softly.
Though the Body Sect's reputation was mixed, he had just joined them—some things were better left concealed for now.
After all, if one suddenly shifted from light to evil attributes, even Du Bu Si might struggle to accept it.
"All right then, when you find a good match, tell me."
Du Bu Si didn't press further, leading them into the Star Dou Great Forest.
The outer region of the forest covered about one-third of its total area and was home to many hundred and thousands of spirit beasts.
But with the pressure emanating from Du Bu Si, those under ten thousand years didn't dare to move. Even the occasional beast over ten thousand years tucked its tail and fled.
So within just half an hour, the group reached the Mixed Zone.
Here, the spirit beasts were much older than those in the outer region. To hold territory here, a beast needed to be at least ten thousand years old, often with some special bloodline.
"From here on, I won't release my aura. Otherwise, no spirit beasts will dare approach."
Du Bu Si suddenly suppressed his presence, instantly appearing like a harmless old man with no soul power at all.
He was preparing to "fish for beasts."
Jiang Jue was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Du Bu Si to enjoy this kind of "playing the pig to eat the tiger" strategy.
Weina covered her mouth, laughing softly.
After the three had walked another ten minutes, a mighty lion's roar suddenly burst out from the dense jungle ahead.
"They're here!"
Du Bu Si barked in a low voice, his fist the size of a sandbag already clenched tight.
The beast emerged, instantly lighting up the dim forest around them.
It was a lion, over eight meters long, covered in golden fur, with glowing golden eyes. Its muscles bulged with power, and a holy aura of light radiated from its body. Between its brows shone a strange sun-shaped mark.
"Roar!"
Seeing the three, the lion let out a furious bellow, its golden eyes brimming with bloodlust. Step by step, it advanced toward Jiang Jue.
In its perception, the boy was the greatest threat, while the bald old man was the least—so it intended to capture the "king" first.
Bang!
Before the lion could even react, the supposedly harmless old man had already reached it in three steps and slammed a heavy punch right into its skull.
Stars exploded in its vision, leaving it dazed and reeling.
In an instant, the beast was stunned.
"Damn it! I've been baited—someone's fishing for beasts!"
PS: Collecting new names for the auspicious beast (¤ω¤)
(End of chapter)