"It's fine, it's fine."
"Elder Jin, you and Senior Jiang deal with your matters first, I'm in no rush."
Weina smiled softly as she looked at the two men. Her fair hand waved gently, her tone calm and graceful.
As the princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, she naturally knew Elder Jin well. Moreover, she herself was intelligent enough to understand exactly how to behave in a situation like this.
Besides, her investment in Jiang Jue on behalf of the Heavenly Soul Empire wasn't something to be accomplished overnight. With him, she had both time and patience to spare.
Elder Jin stroked his beard and nodded slightly at her.
"Weina, once Little Jiang finishes his body training, you can talk again."
"Very well, I won't disturb you further."
Weina responded gently, bowed slightly to Jin Peng, and then turned to leave.
"A sensible girl, that one."
As he watched her walk away, a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Jin Peng's eyes as he murmured quietly.
"Elder Jin, are we still going for body training?"
At that moment, Jiang Jue looked at Jin Peng and asked with a smile.
"Hahaha, you rascal, now you're teasing me too, huh?"
Jin Peng laughed heartily at Jiang Jue's words, his eyes sweeping over him with a growing look of approval.
Heaven truly blessed our Body Sect, he thought.
"What, aren't you going to invite this old man inside for a seat?"
Jin Peng gestured toward the wooden cabin behind Jiang Jue. His earlier talk of "body training" had merely been an excuse to make Weina leave.
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered slightly. From the moment Jin Peng appeared to now, the elder's attitude toward him had changed dramatically from the day before.
The difference was clear—there was now a sense of trust. The kind of trust and warmth an elder might show to a promising younger disciple.
"Could it be… Elder Jin has accepted my false identity and dropped his suspicions?"
Jiang Jue thought quickly, and within a moment, reached that conclusion.
"Please, Elder Jin, come in."
Whatever the reason, Jin Peng's change in attitude was certainly a good thing for him.
The wooden door opened. Jin Peng entered casually, with Jiang Jue following behind and closing the door.
"Little Jiang, what do you think of our Body Sect?"
Seated in a chair, Jin Peng looked at the young man opposite him, his old eyes glinting with light.
"Profound heritage, flourishing strength," Jiang Jue answered after a pause. "With you and the Sect Master at the helm, the Body Sect stands proud among all, and the younger generation… is strong as dragons. A bright future ahead."
"That's true," Jin Peng nodded, "but among the younger generation, you are what makes it flourish."
Jiang Jue's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected the old man to be so straightforward this time.
"Elder Jin, you mean…"
Before he could finish, Jin Peng waved his hand to cut him off.
"No need for modesty. I saw it with my own eyes—you defeated Ao Tian easily just now. In the Body Sect, there's an unwritten rule: every position belongs to those who have the ability to earn it."
As Jin Peng finished, Jiang Jue's heart stirred. Those words were a disguised form of acknowledgment, a signal in itself—
If you have the strength, even the position of Young Sect Master could be yours.
"So," Jin Peng continued, smiling, "whatever ambitions you have—go for them boldly. Don't hold back. Matters of the younger generation should be settled by the younger generation. As for your bet with Ao Tian—I approve."
He smiled faintly as he spoke.
Since Jin Peng had already decided to favor Jiang Jue, he would no longer hesitate. Using the wager between Jiang Jue and Long Ao Tian as a line in the sand—cutting clean and decisive was best.
Jiang Jue's expression flickered, his fingers tightening slightly.
He had come to the Body Sect not only to learn the method for golden-tier awakening of his martial soul, but also—more importantly—to bring this mighty sect under his command.
"I thought it would take more time and obstacles… but it's turning out smoother than I imagined. In that case, I won't refuse the gift."
He thought to himself, then looked seriously at Jin Peng.
"Elder Jin, I won't disappoint your expectations."
Jin Peng's smile deepened.
"Good! That's how a young man should be—spirited, ambitious! The heart should be higher than the heavens themselves. That's what drives one to strive forward."
"When you have purpose, you'll act on it. That's how the Sect Master and I were in our youth."
Jin Peng's eyes gleamed with nostalgia, his tone that of a kindly mentor.
"You're right, Elder Jin."
Jiang Jue replied softly, his deep eyes flickering.
"But I won't stop at being just the Young Sect Master," he thought silently.
What I seek… is to break free of this vast cage—to become a god revered by all!
"Oh, and Little Jiang," Jin Peng added, his tone shifting slightly, "remember this: you're a disciple of the Body Sect. You are now, and you always will be."
"You've learned who Weina really is, haven't you? Although the Heavenly Soul Empire maintains good relations with our sect for now…"
His voice grew serious.
"Those who are not of our sect—their hearts will always differ."
The smile on his face faded, replaced by gravity. He leaned forward slightly.
"Elder Jin, of course I understand. The Sect Master told me the same thing on my first day—once a member of the Body Sect, forever a member of the Body Sect."
Jiang Jue nodded with a faint smile.
He knew that Jin Peng's words were a warning—an assurance that while the sect was willing to cultivate him, betrayal would not be tolerated.
But why would he betray them? After all, his future was his own—and the Body Sect's future… would also be his.
When the time came, he would control both the Holy Spirit Cult and the Body Sect—two of the continent's greatest powers.
And when that moment arrived, he would challenge the entire world.
By then, even Shrek Academy would be nothing more than dust beneath his feet.
"Hahaha! The Sect Master may have a strange temper, but he truly cares for our disciples," Jin Peng said with a laugh.
"Oh, and Little Jiang—when you're cultivating the Impeccable Golden Body, if you run into any problems, come to me immediately. Don't make rash decisions—it could harm your body."
As if remembering something important, Jin Peng reminded him earnestly.
"I understand, Elder Jin."
Jiang Jue nodded. "I was planning to train under the Thunder Tempering again today."
Jin Peng's eyes showed approval, though he still advised,
"Cultivation is good, but don't rush it. The Impeccable Golden Body is the pinnacle secret art of our sect—it's not easy to master. Back then, even I spent an entire—"
"Hm?"
Before he could finish, a faint golden glow began to radiate from Jiang Jue's body.
"You've already entered the initial stage?!"
Jin Peng's expression changed dramatically, blurting out in shock.
(End of Chapter)