"Disciple!"
Space rippled slightly, and Zhongli Wu had already arrived beside Jiang Jue. His figure halted abruptly, without even disturbing the fallen leaves around him.
"Master."
A smile appeared on Jiang Jue's face as he spoke, his eyes carrying a trace of emotion.
Only when that familiar yet unfamiliar word—"Master"—rang out did Zhongli Wu's frozen body slowly move. He extended a hand and rested it on Jiang Jue's shoulder.
Looking at the person before him, a complex expression surfaced in Zhongli Wu's eyes. He lightly patted Jiang Jue's shoulder.
Seeing that the atmosphere felt a little off, Nether Thunder Douluo hurried forward, stopping behind Zhongli Wu as he spoke:
"Welcome back, Holy Son!"
"I just remembered I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. You two chat."
Nether Thunder Douluo gave a slight bow. After sneaking a glance at Zhongli Wu—who showed no reaction whatsoever—he quietly slipped away.
Sometimes, no reaction was itself a kind of reaction. Nether Thunder Douluo understood this principle perfectly.
Otherwise, how could he have successfully become the leader of the Xishui Alliance after Nangong Wan's death?
There was profound knowledge hidden in these subtleties.
"Still, my mouth really is something today. I was just thinking about the Holy Son, and he actually came back…"
"And I even said earlier that the Sect Master would encounter an opportunity tonight and break through to the level of an Ultimate Douluo. Could that really come true too?"
"Tsk, fooling myself. How could things be that accurate?"
Shaking his head and muttering to himself, Nether Thunder Douluo turned around and headed straight back to Mingdu.
Feeling the surrounding environment and sensing Zhongli Wu's silence, Jiang Jue knew his master's temperament well, so he spoke again:
"Master, it's been a year since we last met. You seem even younger."
"Not bad. After more than a year apart, your cultivation has improved quite a bit… and you've grown taller too."
"Back then, I really shouldn't have agreed to let you participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been taken away by the Body Sect…"
Zhongli Wu shook his head slightly and spoke softly, regret lacing his tone.
When he first heard that Jiang Jue had been abducted by the Body Sect, he had intended to rally the Holy Spirit Cult and storm the Body Sect to bring him back. If not for the letter Jiang Jue left behind—and the timing not yet being right—the Body Sect might no longer exist on the continent.
"Master, I told you I had a way to come back. Look, didn't I return just fine? And I'm much stronger now."
Jiang Jue's smile never faded. Before leaving, he had already arranged everything. Everything was under control—how could anything go wrong?
"Mm. Walk with me."
Zhongli Wu nodded slightly in approval, clasped his hands behind his back, and took the lead into the forest. Jiang Jue's gaze flickered as he followed.
"How was life in the Body Sect?"
Zhongli Wu asked casually.
Jiang Jue stepped onto the soft earth, his thoughts turning.
The Body Sect had spared no expense on him. First came the Enlightened Heart Hall, then the Flawless Golden Body and Thunder Tempering. Even the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo "borrowed" from Mingde Hall was reserved specifically for him.
That level of treatment was truly beyond reproach.
Seeing Jiang Jue remain silent, Zhongli Wu's brows knitted slightly as he thought to himself:
"Could it be that the Body Sect treated my disciple poorly? What a waste of talent! Failing to properly cultivate such a genius—truly courting death. Once the great war begins, the Body Sect will be the first to be destroyed!"
Just as Zhongli Wu finalized this plan, Jiang Jue spoke softly:
"It was pretty good. I'm close to becoming the Young Sect Master of the Body Sect…"
"Hm? What?"
Zhongli Wu stopped in his tracks and glanced back at Jiang Jue, surprise flashing in his eyes. Young Sect Master?
Then he snorted coldly.
"At least that old Poison Immortal isn't blind… though compared to this Sect Master, he's still lacking."
Jiang Jue smiled lightly. What could he even say to that?
It was simply because his twin martial souls fit both the Holy Spirit Cult and the Body Sect perfectly. And among the younger generation of these two great powers, there was a shortage of truly top-tier successors.
"Disciple, how did you manage to come back this time?"
Zhongli Wu asked calmly, though Jiang Jue could clearly hear the concern beneath his tone.
"This time, the Body Sect launched a surprise attack on Mingde Hall. I was part of the team. After Sect Master Poison led the others to break out, I took the opportunity to leave."
"The Body Sect's style of doing things really does resemble that of our Holy Spirit Cult."
Zhongli Wu's eyes lit up. Naturally, he knew about the raid on Mingde Hall. After all, Jing Hongchen had taken his money and failed to deliver on his promise—so when Mingde Hall was attacked, Zhongli Wu actually felt quite pleased.
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered. After a brief moment of thought, he spoke solemnly:
"Master, my future position as the Young Sect Master of the Body Sect could actually be a good thing."
"Oh? How so?"
Zhongli Wu slowed his steps slightly, asking in a calm voice.
"Didn't you say before, Master, that in the future you plan to help Xu Tianran unify the continent? Among the original Three Great Empires, aside from Shrek Academy, the greatest remaining obstacle is the Body Sect."
"And the Body Sect's strength truly cannot be underestimated. They have over ten elders at the Title Douluo level, and Sect Master Poison has already reached the level of an Ultimate Douluo."
"Once I become the Young Sect Master, there will be a lot of room for maneuver."
"By then, we can focus entirely on Shrek Academy and the original Three Great Empires. That would not only reduce casualties, but also allow us to use our combat strength where it truly matters."
Jiang Jue explained methodically.
"Though that Poison Immortal has broken through to the Ultimate Douluo level, our Holy Spirit Cult also has two Ultimate Douluos. And in just a few more years, I myself can step into the Ultimate Douluo realm."
Hearing his beloved disciple praise Poison Immortal, Zhongli Wu felt a little displeased and silently curled his lips.
Though he hadn't yet reached the Ultimate Douluo realm, he had an Ultimate Douluo mother—and Uncle Dragon, after all.
Still, he had to admit that Jiang Jue's words made sense. This approach would indeed reduce losses. After all, according to his plans, the future unified Sun Moon Empire could not be surnamed Xu…
Jiang Jue smiled faintly, naturally picking up on the jealousy in his master's words. A white glow flashed in his hand, and a white jade box appeared.
"Master, this is a gift your disciple prepared for you. I hope you'll like it."
"Oh? Since it's something my disciple prepared, then I'll accept it."
Zhongli Wu raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes as he took the jade box and opened it.
As the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, he had seen countless heavenly treasures. No matter what Jiang Jue gave him, he would accept it.
To him, Jiang Jue's sentiment mattered far more than the gift itself.
The moment the jade box opened, a refreshing fragrance spread through the air. Inside lay the immortal-grade, top-tier Purple Ganoderma.
"Hm?"
Instantly, Zhongli Wu sensed something was off. He had never seen such a strange lingzhi before. Just from its aura alone, he felt his body stir with anticipation.
"Master, are you satisfied?"
(End of Chapter)