"What's wrong, Elder Jin? Was it… too slow?"
Jiang Jue looked at Jin Peng with confusion.
"Too slow?! This is simply…"
"Simply the same as when I first trained—took me only a day to enter the initial stage!"
Jin Peng almost blurted out the truth, but when he noticed Jiang Jue's expectant gaze, he forced himself to stop. He coughed lightly, then said in a calm, deliberate tone.
After all, he still needed to maintain his image as a wise and unfathomable elder.
In reality, when he had first practiced the Impeccable Golden Body, it had taken him an entire week to get started. At the time, only Du Busi had been faster than him—finishing in five days.
The reason Jin Peng hadn't noticed Jiang Jue's progress earlier, during the fight with Long Aotian, was simply that Aotian had lost too quickly—flattened in just three moves.
And Jin Peng had been standing far away, his focus mostly on Dragon Arm Douluo. The battle had ended in a flash, and Jiang Jue hadn't shown his full power.
"I see."
Jiang Jue nodded knowingly, choosing not to expose the elder's little bluff.
Still, his knowing look made Jin Peng's face flush slightly. Fortunately, after so many years of experience, his skin was thick enough to take it.
"Yes, just so."
"Since you wish to temper your body in the Thunder Field, then go ahead. I'll have people prepare the medicated bath in advance for you."
"This time, you can go alone. After all, your future goal is to become the Young Sect Master—it's good to familiarize yourself with how the sect operates."
After saying that, Jin Peng's body flashed with golden light and vanished on the spot.
"Uh…"
Jiang Jue blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected the old man to leave so suddenly.
"But that's fine. I can use this chance to talk to Lei Ming alone."
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes. He stood up and left the room, heading toward the cliff behind the mountain.
Inside Jin Peng's Residence
As a shimmer of golden light appeared, Jin Peng's figure slowly emerged once more.
"Phew… terrifying."
"To think someone could enter the Impeccable Golden Body in just a single day—is he even human?"
"No, no… he's the future of our Body Sect."
Jin Peng shook his head and forced down his astonishment. After all, Jiang Jue was now one of their own. The more monstrous his talent, the brighter the sect's future.
"Greetings, Elder Jin!"
Two voices spoke in unison.
Lang Ya and Yu Tao were already waiting in the room. When they saw Jin Peng return, both hurriedly saluted.
"No need for formality."
"I summoned you both because there's an important matter to discuss—something that concerns the future of our entire sect."
His tone was deep and serious.
Lang Ya and Yu Tao exchanged glances, both seeing the same shock in the other's eyes.
A matter concerning the sect's future?And entrusted to the two of them—mere Soul Douluo-level experts? Could they really handle something like that?
"Please instruct us, Elder Jin. We brothers will see it done!"
Though puzzled, Lang Ya stepped forward solemnly. Yu Tao nodded, showing the same determination.
"Good."
Jin Peng nodded slightly. "If I remember correctly, it was you two who brought Little Jiang—Jiang Jue—into the sect, yes?"
"Yes, Elder Jin."
The two answered in unison.
"Excellent. Then the task I'm giving you concerns Jiang Jue."
The two froze, their faces showing confusion.
Jiang Jue? He had only just joined the sect. What major matter could involve him—and even the sect's future?
"Just now, Jiang Jue and Aotian made a wager. Two years from now, they'll have a duel. The stake is the position of Young Sect Master."
"To prevent anyone from making dirty moves in the shadows, I want you two to act as Jiang Jue's protectors. Are you willing?"
At those words, Lang Ya's eyes flickered with hesitation.
Elder Jin is making us take sides…
Jiang Jue's talent was indeed superior to Long Aotian's, but Jiang Jue was still a newcomer, while Aotian's family had been part of the Body Sect for generations. Between the two, who would ultimately prevail? It was too early to say.
He was about to speak when—
"Elder Jin, we're willing! We'll do it!"
Yu Tao suddenly stepped forward, answering eagerly before Lang Ya could finish. His face was full of excitement, afraid he might miss such an opportunity.
Lang Ya's heart sank. With Yu Tao's words, they were now firmly tied to this matter.
If Jiang Jue won, everything would be great. If he lost, their current cultivation level might protect them from punishment—but their future prospects could be severely limited.
"Very good. And you, Lang Ya?"
Feeling Jin Peng's gaze, Lang Ya took a deep breath and said firmly,
"I'm willing as well."
Since Yu Tao had already agreed, how could he refuse? They'd been brothers since childhood—he wouldn't abandon him now.
Jin Peng nodded with satisfaction. Lang Ya and Yu Tao were among the top middle-generation experts of the Body Sect. Assigning them to guard Jiang Jue would not only protect him, but also help him establish a foundation and allies within the sect.
"Good. From today onward, you'll both watch over Jiang Jue. If he has disputes with others of the same generation, don't interfere. But if anyone else makes a move, you stop them—understood?"
"Understood!"
The two brothers nodded heavily.
"Excellent. Go now—and if you handle this well, you'll be rewarded handsomely."
"Yes, Elder Jin!"
They bowed and exited the room.
"Little Jiang," Jin Peng murmured, eyes narrowing slightly, "don't disappoint this old man."
Outside the Room
"Yu Tao, how could you agree so impulsively?"
Lang Ya sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration.
"Second Brother, this is a golden opportunity! A chance to advance!"
Yu Tao's face was glowing with excitement.
"Advance? This is a whirlpool! A mess that could swallow us whole!"
Lang Ya gave a helpless laugh. His brother was far too naive.
"No, no, no. Think about it, Second Brother—who brought Jiang Jue into the sect?"
"It was the Sect Master, wasn't it? What about it?"
"And who just ordered us to protect him?"
"Elder Jin, of course—wait…!"
Lang Ya froze mid-sentence. He turned to Yu Tao, who now had a rare look of cunning insight on his face.
"Second Brother, when both the Sect Master and the Grand Elder are standing behind the same person—tell me, could Jiang Jue possibly lose?"
Yu Tao grinned. "He's bound to win!"
Lang Ya stared at his brother, astonished. When did this guy become so clever? Did enlightenment finally strike him?
"And when he wins," Yu Tao continued confidently, "we'll rise with him!"
Lang Ya couldn't help but laugh.
"It's not 'rise with him,' it's 'soar to the heavens with him'! No—wait, that's not the right phrase for us either."
Hearing that, Lang Ya was sure again—his brother hadn't changed one bit.
"Then let's give it everything we've got, brother!"
Lang Ya threw an arm around Yu Tao's shoulders, his eyes glinting.
After so many years, the two brothers were once again preparing to take a gamble—just like when they were kids, sneaking off together to butcher the sect's sacred cow and feast on it in secret.
(End of Chapter)