Follow Your Heart

"Bu... But they killed my younger brother!"

Light Biao said indignantly. The Vice Pagoda Master Liu before him had the strength of a Soul Douluo and outranked him by far. Even though he was with the Federation, Light Biao didn't dare provoke him.

"You don't seem to understand what I'm saying. Your younger brother killed himself. He broke his own neck, didn't he?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu smiled amiably, but a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes, sending a chill through Light Biao.

"Yes!"

Light Biao opened his mouth, but in the end could only manage one word. He'd always known how his younger brother behaved. He'd thought nothing would happen as long as he was there to protect him, but it seemed they'd finally kicked an iron plate.

A wise man knew when to bow to circumstance. Light Biao wasn't a fool.

Wu Changkong watched the scene, looking first at Vice Pagoda Master Liu, then at Jiang Xiu and the others. Understanding dawned in his eyes, and a thought quietly passed through his mind.

He'd originally seen Jiang Xiu and Na'er's talent and considered trying to recruit them, recommending that they attend Shrek Academy in the future. But now it seemed impossible.

The relationship between the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy had long since deteriorated. Now, they were even faintly at odds.

He'd focus on training Tang Wulin and the others. Sending them to Shrek Academy in the future would also let him atone for his past mistake.

"You're Captain Light Biao, right? You're quite impressive. With your cultivation, being a mere Mecha squad captain is a waste of your talents. You ought to go fight on the front lines."

Jiang Xiu stepped forward and looked at Light Biao with a smile.

"Th-this... I don't understand what you mean."

Light Biao froze, looking at the young man before him, whose cultivation was only at the Soul Elder level. A sense of foreboding welled up inside him.

"Don't worry. You'll understand."

Jiang Xiu said meaningfully. Then he lifted the money Light Biao had stolen from Guang Long and placed it on the table. After thanking Vice Pagoda Master Liu, he prepared to leave with Na'er.

"Thank you, Lord Soul Master! Thank you, Lord Soul Master! I thank you on behalf of my whole family."

The middle-aged shopkeeper was taken aback, then his expression changed. He hurriedly bowed and thanked him again and again. Seeing the money that would save his life returned, his voice trembled faintly.

The other vendors watched Jiang Xiu and Na'er walking away, their eyes full of gratitude. Guang Long had been extorting protection money here for who knew how many years. They'd earned less than he'd taken from them. Now that he was dead, they no longer had to live in fear.

At least, not for a while...

"Tsk. Light Biao, why aren't you taking your younger brother home? What are you standing around for?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu pointed at Guang Long's corpse, which had been dead for some time.

"Y-yes!"

Light Biao was still unwilling, but all he could do now was take Guang Long's corpse and leave dejectedly. Yet Jiang Xiu's parting words continued to circle in his mind.

"Teacher Wu, thank you for stepping in today. You're welcome to visit the Spirit Pagoda sometime."

After Light Biao left, Vice Pagoda Master Liu came over to Wu Changkong and said with a smile.

He knew Wu Changkong's identity. He'd once been a favored genius of Shrek Academy and a disciple of an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion. For some reason, he'd suddenly left Shrek Academy, and his current cultivation of a Six-Ring Soul Emperor clearly didn't match his talent.

"Mm. Perhaps another time. I'll be going back now."

Wu Changkong gave a slight nod. With the matter settled, he drifted away.

As Jiang Xiu had expected, he'd come today intending to warn Guang Long again. Xie Xie and the others were inexperienced and thought a fight would settle everything, but that sort of thing was useless against someone like Guang Long.

He hadn't expected Jiang Xiu to kill Guang Long outright. That certainly settled the matter once and for all.

"Guang Long's death really was strange. Did he kill himself, or did his own shadow kill him?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu stared at the bloodstains on the ground, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile. Then he disappeared into the darkness once more.

"Still, that young friend Jiang is meticulous in everything he does..."

Neon lights blazed as the night breeze swept by.

"Boss, you were so decisive just now. Is that what you call making people submit through strength?"

Na'er walked beside Jiang Xiu along the riverbank, the two of them strolling beside the flowing water.

"Making people submit through strength? Well, it took some force. I used plenty just now. If Guang Long had still been alive afterward, something would've been wrong."

Jiang Xiu chuckled.

"Then does that mean we got rid of a menace for that shopkeeper?"

Na'er waved her dainty fist, her bright eyes gleaming as she asked.

"Yes and no. Just follow your heart."

Jiang Xiu said frankly, his gaze shifting slightly.

"Follow your heart... That uncle just offered to give me more beef for free. We helped him solve his troubles. What goes around comes around."

Na'er murmured thoughtfully, then looked earnestly at Jiang Xiu.

"Boss, what if Guang Long's older brother goes after that uncle?"

"He won't. He probably won't get the chance."

Jiang Xiu said pointedly.

"Didn't you want to get something to eat? Let's go. We have to visit the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform tomorrow, so we should get a good night's rest."

After this, Jiang Xiu understood even more clearly how important strength was. Only with strength could you do what you wanted.

And on the road of cultivation, there were only three realms: ants, fellow cultivators, and seniors.

"How could eating count as tiring?"

At the mention of good food, Na'er's eyes lit up. She turned into a treasure-hunting mouse again and led Jiang Xiu into the crowd.

Late at night.

In an upscale residential district in Eastsea City.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

"Who's there?"

A knock sounded. Light Biao opened the door to find the highest-ranking Federal Councilor in Eastsea City standing outside, with two guards beside him.

"It's so late. Why did you come in person? If there was something you needed, I could've gone to you."

Light Biao's expression changed, and he immediately spoke respectfully.

"Light Biao, this is your latest assignment. Report to the Western Legion immediately. You have two days. If you don't show up in time, you'll be treated as a deserter."

The Federal Councilor took out the transfer order and held it before Light Biao, speaking in a grave voice.

"I'm finished!"

It was as if a bolt from the blue had struck Light Biao. He froze where he stood.

"Just who were those two?"

They had such powerful connections that the incident had happened at eight that evening, and the transfer order was already in his hands.

He regretted everything now. If he'd kept his younger brother in line, he wouldn't have died, and Light Biao wouldn't have been dragged down with him. But it was too late for regrets.

The following afternoon.

Outside the Spirit Ascension Platform at the East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

"Wulin, do you think Teacher Wu was pulling our leg this morning? There are actually people our age who are even more talented than us—and not just one, but two."

Several boys waited outside. One of them, a rather handsome young man, spoke up, clearly unconvinced.

"Xie Xie, there's always someone better. Teacher Wu's never lied to us. We should focus on the exams coming up."

Tang Wulin stood beside Xie Xie and shrugged. Their first year had ended, and they were here at the Spirit Pagoda to enter the Spirit Ascension Platform for their final exam.

Gu Yue, standing nearby, seemed to already know something. Her red lips curved slightly, and no one knew what she was thinking.

"I still don't believe it. If I get the chance, I really want to compete with those two people Teacher Wu mentioned. My strength, Xie Xie's, isn't much worse than theirs."

Xie Xie declared proudly, eager for a challenge.

"Looks like your chance has arrived."

Gu Yue's quiet voice rang out.

Two figures were walking toward them from the far end of the corridor.