Follow Your Heart

"But... those two killed my brother!"

Light Biao spoke with deep resentment, but Vice Pagoda Master Liu before him possessed the cultivation of a Soul Douluo and held a status far above his own. Even as a member of the Federation, he dared not provoke him.

"It seems you don't understand my words. Your brother committed suicide; he snapped his own neck, didn't he?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu offered a kind smile, yet a flash of cold light in his eyes sent a chill through Light Biao's heart.

"Yes!"

Light Biao opened his mouth, but in the end, only that one word escaped. He had seen his brother's usual behavior clearly; he had assumed that with his own protection, nothing would go wrong, but it seemed he had kicked a steel plate this time.

Those who understand the times are wise; Light Biao was no fool.

Wu Changkong watched this scene, glancing from Vice Pagoda Master Liu to Jiang Xiu and the girl. A flicker of realization crossed his eyes, and a thought quietly faded from his mind.

He had originally seen the talent in Jiang Xiu and Na'er and considered whether to recruit them and recommend them to Shrek Academy in the future, but it seemed that was impossible now.

The relationship between the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy had long since ceased to be what it once was; now, they were even vaguely at odds.

He would focus on training Tang Wulin and the others to send to Shrek Academy in the future; that would serve as atonement for his past mistakes.

"Captain Light Biao, is it? You are quite good. With your cultivation, being a mere mecha captain is a waste of your talents. You should be on the front lines killing the enemy."

At this moment, Jiang Xiu stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Light Biao as he spoke with a smile.

"This... I don't understand what you mean."

Light Biao was stunned. Looking at the youth before him who only possessed the cultivation of a Soul Master, a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

"Don't worry, you will understand."

Jiang Xiu said meaningfully. He then raised his hand to place the money Guang Long had snatched back onto the table, offered a word of thanks to Vice Pagoda Master Liu, and prepared to leave with Na'er.

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

The middle-aged owner was stunned at first, then his expression shifted. He hurriedly bowed and thanked them repeatedly. Seeing his life-saving money returned, his voice trembled slightly.

The surrounding merchants looked at the backs of Jiang Xiu and Na'er, filled with gratitude. Guang Long had been collecting protection fees here for who knew how many years; they hadn't earned as much as he had extorted. Now that he was dead, they would no longer have to live in fear.

At least for a while, they wouldn't...

"Tsk, Light Biao, why haven't you taken your brother and left? Why are you still standing there?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu looked at Light Biao and pointed at the now-dead Guang Long.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

No matter how much resentment Light Biao held in his heart, he had no choice but to take Guang Long's corpse and leave in a dejected hurry, yet Jiang Xiu's parting words continued to haunt him.

"Teacher Wu, thank you for your righteous intervention this time. If you have time, feel free to come to the Spirit Pagoda for a visit."

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

He was well aware of Wu Changkong's identity: a proud son of Shrek Academy and a disciple of an elder in the Sea God Pavilion. It was just unclear why he had suddenly left Shrek Academy, and his current cultivation as a six-ring Soul Emperor clearly did not match his talent.

"Mm, we'll see when I have time. I'm heading back."

Wu Changkong nodded slightly. Seeing the matter resolved, he drifted away.

It was exactly as Jiang Xiu had anticipated; he had come today intending to warn Guang Long once more. Xie Xie and the others were inexperienced and thought a fight would settle it, but that approach would never work on someone like Guang Long.

He hadn't expected Jiang Xiu to kill Guang Long outright, which was certainly a permanent solution.

"Guang Long's death is truly bizarre. Did he kill himself, or did his own shadow kill him?"

Vice Pagoda Master Liu stared deeply at the bloodstains on the ground, a meaningful smile playing on his lips before he faded back into the darkness.

"Still, this young friend Jiang handles things with such seamless precision..."

Neon lights shimmered, and the night breeze blew.

"Boss, you were so decisive just now. Is this what it means to subdue others with force?"

Na'er followed beside Jiang Xiu as they strolled along the riverbank.

"Subduing with force? I had to use a bit of force at the time. I put in quite a bit of effort; it would have been wrong if Guang Long had stayed alive."

Jiang Xiu chuckled.

"Does this count as us getting rid of a scourge for that uncle?"

Na'er swung her delicate fist, her beautiful eyes bright as she asked.

"It counts, and it doesn't. It is enough to act according to one's heart."

Jiang Xiu's gaze shifted slightly as he spoke candidly.

"Acting according to one's heart... That uncle wanted to give me free beef refills just now, and we solved his trouble. A cause and an effect."

Na'er whispered thoughtfully, then looked earnestly at Jiang Xiu beside her.

"Boss, what if Guang Long's brother goes to bother that uncle?"

"He won't. He shouldn't have the chance."

Jiang Xiu said with a pointed tone.

"Aren't you going to get something to eat? Let's go. We have to head to the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform tomorrow, so we need to get a good night's rest."

Having experienced this, Jiang Xiu saw the importance of strength more clearly; only with strength could one do what one desired.

On the path of cultivation, there were only three realms: ant, fellow daoist, and senior.

"Not at all. How could eating be tiring?"

Hearing the mention of food, Na'er's beautiful eyes lit up. She transformed back into a treasure-seeking mouse and led Jiang Xiu into the flow of the crowd.

Late at night.

Inside a high-end residential area in East Sea City.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Who is it?"

As the knocking sounded, Light Biao opened the door to find the highest-ranking Federation councilor in East Sea City standing at his threshold, accompanied by two guards.

"It's so late, why have you come in person? I could have just gone to see you."

Light Biao's expression shifted, and he spoke with immediate respect.

"Light Biao, this is your new appointment. You are to report to the Western Legion immediately. You have a two-day limit; any time beyond that will be treated as desertion."

The Federation councilor produced the transfer order, held it before Light Biao, and spoke in a deep voice.

"It's over!"

It felt like a bolt from the blue to Light Biao, and he froze in place.

What exactly were the identities of those two people from earlier?

To have such immense influence—the incident happened at eight in the evening, and the transfer order was already in front of him.

He was filled with regret, but it was too late. If he had managed his younger brother better, the boy wouldn't have died, and he wouldn't have been implicated. But now, it was all too late.

The next day, afternoon.

East Sea Spirit Pagoda, outside the Spirit Ascension Platform.

"Tang Wulin, do you think Teacher Wu was lying to us this morning? How could there be peers in this world more talented than us, and not just one, but two?"

Several youths stood waiting outside. One of the more handsome boys spoke, his tone clearly skeptical.

"Xie Xie, there is always someone better. Teacher Wu has never lied to us. Let's just focus on the upcoming exam."

Tang Wulin stood beside Xie Xie and shrugged. Their first year had concluded, and coming to the Spirit Pagoda for spirit ascension today was their final exam.

Beside them, Gu Yue seemed to already know something; her red lips curled slightly, though it was unclear what she was thinking.

"I still don't believe it. If I get the chance, I really want to compare myself to the two people Teacher Wu mentioned. My, Xie Xie's, strength is not necessarily much weaker than theirs."

Xie Xie looked arrogant and eager to try.

"It seems your chance has arrived."

At that moment, Gu Yue's faint voice drifted over.

In the corridor, two figures were seen walking toward them from the distance.