A Wordless Invitation

The Lin Tian incident was like a fishbone lodged between Ji Juechen and Huo Yuhao. The surface peace remained, but both knew that a fundamental difference between them had been laid bare. Huo Yuhao devoted himself even more to studying and improving himself, seemingly using his actions to prove the "possibilities" he believed in. Ji Juechen, meanwhile, immersed himself more deeply in his own swordsmanship and the system's auxiliary analysis. Only occasionally would he stare blankly at the metal dummies on the training grounds for longer than usual.

The system's warning about a "logical paradox" still flickered from time to time, but it offered no clear answer. Ji Juechen set it aside for the moment and focused on the more practical matter—becoming stronger.

That afternoon, just as he was preparing to head to his usual secluded spot in the back hills to practice his sword, he encountered an unexpected figure at a bend in the tree-lined path.

It was Xiao Hongchen.

Gone was the arrogant, overbearing attitude from several days ago, when he had seemed eager to look down at everyone through his nostrils. Now, Xiao Hongchen's face bore a complicated expression—a mixture of unwillingness, frustration, and a trace of... stubborn insistence on finding proof. He stood in the middle of the path, staring straight at Ji Juechen.

"Ji Juechen." Xiao Hongchen spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

Ji Juechen stopped and looked at him expressionlessly, waiting for him to continue.

"I spent three days studying it." Xiao Hongchen did not waste words and went straight to the point. He raised a hand, Soul Power surging as an exquisitely intricate metal component rapidly condensed and took shape in his palm, emitting steady energy fluctuations. "This is a redesigned core energy transmission node based on that sword strike of yours... I discarded every redundant structure that was flashy but impractical, pursuing only ultimate stability and efficiency."

He held the metal component out before Ji Juechen, his gaze blazing. "Tell me, if it were now, could you still pierce it with a single sword strike?"

The system instantly completed its scan and analysis:

[Target: Optimized Soul Guiding Core.]

[Structural stability increased by 47%, energy circulation efficiency increased by 35%, redundancy reduced to 3%.]

[Number of weaknesses: 3 → 1.]

[Weakness intensity: greatly reduced.]

[Evaluation: An outstanding improvement. It has reached the limits of optimization under current materials and theory.]

Ji Juechen glanced at the metal, then at the unquestionable determination in Xiao Hongchen's eyes, and gave the system's objective assessment. "Acceptable."

A somewhat stiff yet utterly genuine smile slowly appeared on Xiao Hongchen's tense face. It was the relief and excitement of being acknowledged by a truly powerful person.

"Enough!" He withdrew his hand and clenched the piece of metal tightly, as though he were holding an invaluable treasure. "I understand... the path I took before was indeed wrong. Soul Tools are not instruments for showing off techniques. They are... bridges to 'reality.'"

He gave Ji Juechen a deep look, said nothing more, then turned and strode away. His retreating figure carried an unprecedented steadiness and resolve.

Ji Juechen watched him leave as the system recorded the data: [Target "Xiao Hongchen" has undergone a fundamental mental shift. Threat level greatly reduced.] Perhaps this was one of the "possibilities" Huo Yuhao had spoken of?

He shook his head and continued toward the back hills.

However, when he reached that familiar clearing, he found that someone was already there.

Huo Yuhao was practicing Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track in the clearing, his figure flickering as afterimages lingered in his wake. Wang Donger watched from the side, occasionally offering a few pointers.

When she saw Ji Juechen arrive, Huo Yuhao's movements paused slightly before he stopped. Wang Donger immediately became wary as well.

The air seemed to freeze for an instant.

Ji Juechen ignored them and walked straight to the other side of the clearing. He stood there with his sword in his arms, preparing to begin his own cultivation.

Huo Yuhao looked at his back, hesitated for a moment, then finally took the initiative to break the silence. "About that day... thank you."

He meant their cooperation at the testing grounds.

Ji Juechen did not turn around, merely giving a faint "Mm."

Another silence followed.

Huo Yuhao seemed to make up his mind and continued, "Your 'eyes' are formidable. But I believe that every ability has its limits and ways to counter it."

Ji Juechen finally turned to look at him. "You want another fight?"

"No." Huo Yuhao shook his head, his eyes clear and frank. "At least until I find a way to counter your ability to 'see through' things, I will not challenge you so lightly again. I said before that you are my best Sharpening Stone. In return, I think I should have some value to you as well."

He paused, then made a suggestion that surprised both Ji Juechen and Wang Donger.

"Perhaps we can occasionally do what we did at the testing grounds. Not sparring, nor fighting to the death. But... exchanging insights."

"Exchanging insights?" Ji Juechen repeated.

"Yes." Huo Yuhao nodded. "My Spirit Detection, your 'insight.' If we can coordinate better, perhaps we can accomplish many things that neither of us could do alone. For instance, delve more deeply into the mysteries of Soul Tools, or... deal with more complicated crises like the last one."

The system panel swiftly provided its analysis:

[Proposal: Tactical exchange and cooperative training.]

[Estimated benefits: Can greatly enrich the combat database, improve ability to respond to complex environments, and provide an opportunity to observe more of target Huo Yuhao's hidden cards and ability operation patterns.]

[Risk: Low.]

[Overall assessment: Extremely valuable. Acceptance recommended.]

Ji Juechen looked at Huo Yuhao, at the pure seriousness and desire to explore in his eyes. He recalled the system's SSS-grade potential rating for Huo Yuhao, as well as the smooth, natural coordination they had shared when fighting together.

"Fine." He agreed again, as concise as ever.

There were no unnecessary pleasantries. The exchange began at once.

Huo Yuhao spread out his Spirit Detection, sharing every detail of the surrounding environment—the flow of the wind, the trembling of leaves, the insects beneath the ground, even the distribution of the thin Soul Power in the air—with absolute clarity.

Ji Juechen, meanwhile, activated [Weakness Insight] and pointed out what he "saw": the structural patterns within the rocks, the stress points in the trees' growth, and even extremely minute energy ripples in Huo Yuhao's Soul Power Circulation that perhaps even Huo Yuhao himself had never noticed.

Neither of them made a move. They merely stood there, exchanging the worlds they saw through words and thought.

Wang Donger watched from the side, dumbfounded. She could see Huo Yuhao's face occasionally reveal expressions of sudden understanding or deep contemplation, while in Ji Juechen's eternally cold eyes, a faint glimmer akin to So that's how it is would occasionally flash.

This was an exchange that transcended words and factions, founded purely upon "the Way" and "principle."

At some point, Jing Ziyan had wandered over as well. When she saw this scene, she covered her mouth in surprise, then a sly smile appeared on her face. She quietly retreated to the side without disturbing them.

As the sun set, it stretched their shadows long across the ground.

When the exchange came to a pause, Huo Yuhao withdrew his Spirit Detection and let out a long breath, his face bearing the satisfaction of gain. "Let's stop here for today. I have benefited greatly."

Ji Juechen nodded slightly as well. The system's database had indeed received quite a substantial supplement.

Huo Yuhao watched Ji Juechen prepare to leave and suddenly said, "Ji Juechen, although our beliefs differ, I think the 'Way' we pursue may perhaps be the same on some level."

Ji Juechen did not stop walking. With his back to Huo Yuhao, he left behind only three words.

"Perhaps it is."

As Ji Juechen and the Jing Ziyan following him from afar disappeared into the twilight, Wang Donger walked to Huo Yuhao's side and softly asked, "Yuhao, do you really think you can become friends with him?"

Huo Yuhao gazed in that direction, his eyes profound. "Friends? Perhaps not. But he... will certainly be an opponent worthy of respect and, at certain moments, the most reliable companion."

Invisible threads had begun quietly linking these geniuses of vastly different temperaments and subtle allegiances together.