"Jiang Jue?"
Hearing the voice, Lang Ya and Yu Tao both froze at the same time. They looked at one another, then stared cautiously into the distance, eyes filled with heightened vigilance.
In front of them, the gray mist slowly converged, and a tall, slender figure gradually appeared.
"How is it, you two—living comfortably inside my Human Emperor Soul–Refining Banner?"
Jiang Jue looked at them and smiled faintly.
"Jiang Jue, why are you treating us brothers like this? For more than a year, we have faithfully and diligently guarded your safety!"
Lang Ya stared straight at Jiang Jue, brows furrowed deeply, his words delivered one by one.
"And besides, the sect has treated you well. Why would you do this?"
"No, no—I never said I intended to harm the two of you, nor do I have any desire to betray the Body Sect."
Jiang Jue slowly shook his head. The Body Sect was to become a force under his command in the future. How could he ever betray it?
"Then what exactly do you mean?"
After hearing this, Lang Ya's tense heart eased slightly. From the moment they entered this place, he had known the two of them no longer had the power to resist Jiang Jue. It was better to appeal emotionally while they could.
After working themselves to death like oxen and horses for more than a year—if nothing else, they had contributed hard effort even if they had no merits.
Moreover, he had truly misjudged Jiang Jue. Jiang Jue was not some weak and gentle little lamb—but a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Weren't the two of you assigned to me by Elder Jin? Since that's the case, why not truly join my ranks?"
"Follow me, and your cultivation resources will never be an issue. Your opportunities for advancement will greatly increase."
Jiang Jue spoke concisely, his gaze flickering as he looked at the two.
Throughout the past year, although the two did not fully understand him, he had seen them clearly.
In fact, the moment Jin Peng assigned them to him, their futures became tied together—one thrives, all thrive; one falls, all fall.
They had no choice but to follow him.
"Second Brother… what do we do?"
Yu Tao scratched his head anxiously, clearly overwhelmed, unable to come up with a solution as panic clouded his thoughts.
"Don't rush. Let me think."
Lang Ya frowned even more deeply, brain rapidly working.
"This Jiang Jue is clearly forcing us to make a choice. But we currently have absolutely no means to resist—our lives are in his hands."
"How ruthless. We were already on the same side, and he still does this—he truly leaves no loophole."
After thinking for a moment, Lang Ya raised his head, staring into Jiang Jue's eyes and said in a deep voice:
"We brothers can completely pledge our allegiance to you—but you must promise never to betray the sect or do anything that harms it."
"That's absolutely not a problem."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly. How could he harm something that belonged to him?
"So—what is your choice?"
"Do we even have any choice? Of course—we swear to follow the future Young Sect Master to the death!"
Lang Ya straightened his expression and declared loudly.
"I'm not the Young Sect Master yet."
Jiang Jue raised an eyebrow at Lang Ya's form of address.
"In the future, you will be. Long Aotian is nothing but a defeated clown before the Young Sect Master."
Lang Ya said seriously.
"Huh? Second Brother, how can you switch sides that fast?"
Yu Tao stared wide–eyed in disbelief, muttering.
"Then offer your loyalty."
"…Offer what?"
Yu Tao froze, confused.
"A strand of your soul."
Jiang Jue said softly, lifting his hand. The soul–control method Electrolux once taught him appeared in his mind and was used once again.
Buzz… Buzz…
Two slight sounds rang out as Lang Ya and Yu Tao each separated a strand of their souls, which floated slowly toward Jiang Jue.
"Hiss… such practiced technique?"
Lang Ya watched as his soul strand spun in Jiang Jue's hand and instantly transformed into a flame–red fire.
One move—and clearly a professional.
"How do I feel that the Young Sect Master's Martial Soul doesn't seem like some mutation? His skill at manipulating souls is even stronger than mine…"
Lang Ya silently thought.
"Awoo!"
Little Tiger was summoned by Jiang Jue and immediately devoured the two soul flames.
"All right, nothing left for you here—go play."
After the soul flames were swallowed, Jiang Jue waved his hand and sent Little Tiger away.
After Little Tiger left, Lang Ya and Yu Tao abruptly felt a deep, indescribable blind loyalty toward Jiang Jue arise from within.
"Tell me—does the sect have any major upcoming actions planned?"
Jiang Jue asked with pointed intent.
He remembered clearly—the embryo of the 100,000–year soul beast at Starlight Auction House had been bought by Mingdetang, not by Snow Emperor. If events followed the same path, the Body Sect would attempt to rob Mingdetang again.
And Poison Immortal had not appeared in the sect for nearly a year. That was highly suspicious.
"A major operation…"
"There actually is one—regarding Mingdetang, and it should take place within the next half–year."
After thinking, Lang Ya replied.
Jiang Jue's eyes instantly lit up—just as he expected.
"It's been a year and a half since the last Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. The timeline matches."
"Looks like my brother–in–law's 100,000–year soul beast embryo is really unforgettable."
"Just don't know which unlucky fellow is sealed inside this time."
Jiang Jue sighed in his heart.
"Yes, Young Sect Master, that's the only major event coming up—targeting the 100,000–year soul beast embryo inside Mingdetang."
"And I even contributed to the planning!"
Yu Tao laughed proudly.
"Oh? You contributed to the planning?"
Jiang Jue was surprised. Over the past year, Lang Ya had taken the lead, and he never expected Yu Tao to have any major ideas.
"It was my idea to dig a tunnel underground, dig all the way into Mingdetang, and catch them off guard!"
Yu Tao nodded vigorously, counting on his fingers as he explained.
"So it was your idea? Tch—genius!"
Jiang Jue's eyes flashed with realization. Truly, Yu Tao was not ordinary—because ordinary people could never think of such a scheme.
"Heh heh heh…"
Yu Tao blushed, scratching his head, while Lang Ya facepalmed helplessly.
"Looks like once we go back, I'll need to find a way to participate in this operation. By then, Huo Yuhao should already be in Mingdetang."
"This time, I won't let you steal the soul tool blueprints. Instead, I'll make Shrek Academy bleed heavily."
"And my stock of spiritual origin is nearly depleted—perfect timing."
Jiang Jue's gaze turned deep as he schemed internally.
"Do either of you know where the Sect Master has gone? He hasn't appeared in the sect for a full year."
Jiang Jue asked again.
"That, we don't know. Probably handling something elsewhere."
Lang Ya and Yu Tao shook their heads simultaneously.
"All right. You two stay here for now. I'll release you later."
With their soul fires in hand, Jiang Jue knew they spoke truthfully. He nodded lightly and disappeared from the Soul–Refining Banner.
"Second Brother, looks like we really will be following Jiang Jue from now on."
Yu Tao said quietly.
"Although his methods are extreme, at least he gave us face. If he wanted to kill us, we wouldn't have been able to resist."
"Besides, following him isn't necessarily a loss. It might even be a bright future…"
"And also—from now on, publicly or privately—always call him Young Sect Master. Be sensible."
Lang Ya patted Yu Tao's shoulder earnestly.
"Got it, brother."
"Loyalty!"
Yu Tao nodded heavily.
End of Chapter