Then, Lei Jin said, "Right. But say, Ya, have you ever once experienced something strange, something unexplainable? Like visions you never had before appearing in your dreams?"
"Visions." Lei Ya furrowed her brows deep in thought, her gaze distant. "Perhaps… I always found that the dreams I had could get really weird. But it's hard to remember them, pretty much impossible most of the time, like smoke."
"I see… well then—"
Before Lei Jin finished speaking, a gentle knock on his door sounded out. A soft, melodic voice was soon heard from outside, one that put nerves at ease.
"Uhm… Martial Brother? Martial Sister? Is it alright for me to come in?"
The siblings traded a quick glance at each other. Lei Ya's face was understanding, evidently knowing this was a common occurrence.
While Lei Jin masked his calm and pieced together what was happening. That voice, from his recovering memories, should belong to Li Hua, the only real friend they had inside this sect.
Truthfully, Lei Jin was on guard against everyone that wasn't his sister. But at the same time, he could not deny his curiosity towards Li Hua. After all, it was undeniable that Li Hua was the reason they could stay in the Inner Core section of the sect, a place of privilege. Without her, he could only imagine the utter hell he and his sister would experience as Outer Core disciples, relegated to the lowest ranks.
Thus, Lei Jin nodded and calmly said, "Come in, Hua."
"Ah." Li Hua's voice gained a genuinely excited tone. The door opened, and she stepped right in, her mere presence carrying a radiance that could brighten darkened rooms.
Lei Ya's face was natural as this had happened various times in the past, a familiar comfort.
While Lei Jin kept his usual calm, his gaze subtly assessing. But he couldn't deny the maiden that stepped in the room was a sight very pleasing to the eyes.
She was a beauty, a young maiden wearing a blooming smile that could cool down hell, and she walked with a noble grace that put other noble princesses to shame. Those bright eyes of hers were always filled with wonderment, which amplified the beauty of her near-perfect face.
With a body exuding both grace and sweet temptations, it was no wonder why Li Hua had such a status amongst the sect, despite her family's minor standing.
"You two always have your bouts of staying locked in one place… honestly, you…" Li Hua's voice began to slowly trail off. Her radiant eyes began to slowly widen, fixed on the siblings. Her Spirit Sense fully swept over them, detecting a flow of power, a vibrant, pure Essence Energy that made her body tremble, her soul faintly quiver.
She knew the siblings far better than anyone else at the sect, and what she was sensing now completely destroyed every previous thought she had about their supposed weakness. She nearly dropped the basket of shimmering Spirit Apples lodged in her left hand, her jaw slack.
"I've heard the rumors, but it was all too muddled to truly understand. But there's really no doubt about it… you both completely changed." Li Hua's voice was a soft murmur of disbelief, her gaze fixed on the siblings.
"Haha!" Lei Ya let out an unrestrained, joyous laugh, a sound of pure triumph. She directly walked over to Li Hua, her movements light and confident, pulled her farther into the room, and shut the door behind her with a decisive click. "Let's just say our luck has recently changed these last few days, Hua."
She ended her sentence by giving Li Hua a playful slap on the shoulder.
"Oh!" A simple slap, yet it sent an electrifying jolt throughout Li Hua's entire body. Everything tingled from that simple touch, a surprising surge of pure, potent Essence Energy.
It was shocking. She was a 2nd layer Essence Gathering cultivator, a realm where even a full-force punch from a peak 9th layer Mortal Awakening cultivator wouldn't even make her twitch.
And yet, this playful slap from Lei Ya, who was supposedly still in Mortal Awakening, nearly caused her to lose composure? Naturally, she wasn't using any of her powers or aura, but still, this little tidbit sent down even more waves of bewilderment that rumbled through Li Hua's mind.
Lei Ya was too much in a good mood, too caught up in her own exhilaration, to even notice the split turmoil in Li Hua's expression.
But Lei Jin, ever perceptive, took notice of it. Thus, he spoke up, his voice carrying a calming aura that seemed to put any tension to rest, a soothing balm to Li Hua's startled senses. "Yes, let's just say our life has changed from a recent discovery we've made. And now we're taking the appropriate steps to change our lives for the better. You can essentially say this is the new us."
"I see…" Li Hua blinked, then let out a quiet sigh, a mix of genuine curiosity and fading disbelief.
For a moment, she wanted to ask just what the hell was going on, what incredible secret they were hiding. But with how Lei Jin had worded himself, so calmly and decisively, she knew it was not a wise idea to press for answers now.
Instead, she let out a smile, a mix of genuine warmth and lingering wonder. "2nd to 6th layer Mortal Awakening in just a few days… completely amazing! Even the Grand Elder would be rooted to his spot in disbelief. And here I was thinking of giving you two Spirit Apples to alleviate the burden of your seals…"
She couldn't help but wryly smile down at her basket of shimmering Spirit Apples. These were actually mid-quality Spirit Grade resources, with the special benefit of enhancing one's state of mind and causing one's dantian to become naturally purer, enhancing their foundations. It would be a resource that even great talents in Mortal Awakening would go crazy for.
But sensing the mere sliver of an aura from Lei Jin and Lei Ya, Li Hua could genuinely say even this tiny amount was far more terrifying than the most powerful of Outer Core disciples she'd ever encountered.
Lei Ya was not affected by her mood, her smile unwavering as she casually took a Spirit Apple from the basket. "Come now, Hua. No need for that attitude. Any help is still good help. So I'll just help myself."
With her piece said, she took a bite of the Spirit Apple and was instantly hit with an amazingly refreshing taste. Even as it didn't help much with her current, vastly amplified cultivation, the stream of energy pouring out of the vibrant juices of the Spirit Apple made her quiver a bit, a delightful sensation.
"She's right. We still appreciate the gesture." Lei Jin joined in, taking a bite of the Spirit Apple and feeling the same faint quiver of delectable energy.
"Come. Sit and join us. We can use good company anyways." As he spoke, Lei Jin sat down on the plush carpet, continuing to enjoy his Spirit Apple as he did so, his movements completely casual, as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
Lei Ya followed right behind him, her movements mirroring his, a silent understanding between them.
"Ah…" Li Hua was only a bit surprised. She had thought, a feeling that the siblings would begin to act differently upon reaching this new level of overflowing power.
After all, she had personally witnessed it many times in her life, whether it was in the sect or in her own noble family. Gaining a growing ego after experiencing numerous setbacks in one's life was not strange at all; it was almost expected.
But Lei Jin and Lei Ya just acted as per usual. No special airs, no condescending tones, no kind of ego that made meeting them tense. Her nerves naturally relaxed around them, a sense of genuine comfort settling over her.
Such simple gestures made Li Hua more pleased and content than anything she could receive from a high-class noble or an outstanding genius.
"Yes! My day's been quite tiring without you two. I really wanted a break…" She spoke while joining the siblings, taking a bite out of the delectable Spirit Apple.
"Hoh?" Lei Ya curled her brows in amusement, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What problem is it now? Dear old daddy troubles? Or annoying suitors of idiotic nobles and so-called talents?"
"Hehe~." Li Hua's giggles were like angelic bells, light and melodious. "A little bit of both. I swear, it seems like Senior Sister Qiu is the only one I can speak to when I'm not with you two. If only more were open-minded like her…"
For a brief moment, Lei Ya sent a look to Lei Jin that went unnoticed by Li Hua. By the narrowed gaze on Lei Ya's face, Lei Jin's mind quickly made the guess.
This Senior Sister Qiu and her "amazing open-mindedness" should be the same one who had previously attempted to poison him with some kind of drink.
Lei Jin couldn't have any deep thoughts about this Senior Sister now; he had yet to truly meet her, to gauge her. But he was certain about one thing.
Making an attempt on his life would not go unscathed.
He didn't care who it was, if they were the most beautiful maiden in the fair land or what their reasoning was. It was a lesson he still carried from his previous life: repay kindness with kindness and enmity with enmity.
Sure, for those willing to discuss and debate the ethics of such a way of thinking, Lei Jin could even make the argument against it.
But he didn't give a single damn.
That's how he lived his life, and nothing was going to change it.
For now, he signaled to Lei Ya with his eyes to let this go, a subtle command, and he pushed the conversation forward, redirecting its flow.
"Everyone is always eager for something nowadays. It's just about putting down the idiots and barking dogs who don't know when to quit." Lei Jin stated, his tone firm, a hint of his ruthless pragmatism showing.
"Haha~!" Li Hua giggled, her eyes focusing more on Lei Jin, a genuine admiration in their depths. "If only I could have your way of thinking, Jin…"
Dealing with said attention was natural for Lei Jin; he calmly regarded her with a smile as conversations flowed effortlessly between the trio.
Lei Jin had to admit, while he was still a bit cautious against Li Hua for the simple fact that the current him had just met her today, he could see why their relationship was solid to begin with. There was no formality or walking on eggshells or any of the sort when they talked.
It was just an enjoyable meeting between three life-long friends. It even reminded Lei Jin of conversations he would have with those at work, moments to both pass the time and genuinely enjoy.
Even with the new fantastical possibilities of this new life, Lei Jin could not deny that simple moments like these still felt profoundly pleasant.