Wang Hegui, Whom He Hadn't Seen in Six Years

Wang Hegui practically jogged out.

After six years apart, he had grown much more prosperous-looking than before. His face had filled out, his belly protruded slightly, and dressed in the robes of a hall master, he carried a certain official air.

He ran to the entrance and swept his gaze around. He saw no important figure, only a tall, slender youth standing there.

"Where's Yang Jian? Didn't you say Yang Jian was here?"

Wang Hegui looked at the guard, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.

The guard's expression was somewhat strange as he cautiously pointed at the youth beside him.

"Hall Master, this is..."

Wang Hegui froze, then turned to carefully examine the youth before him.

Over six feet tall, with sharp brows and bright eyes, a face like polished jade, and an extraordinary heroic bearing.

He simply did not match the sallow, skinny little child from Wang Hegui's memories, who had been less than three feet tall.

"You're... Xiao Jian?" Wang Hegui's voice trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Yang Jian said nothing and flipped his right hand over.

The Three-Point Double-Edged Saber appeared in his palm. Its silver-white blade glinted with a cold light beneath the sun, its three pointed edges trembling faintly as they gave off a heart-palpitating sharpness.

Wang Hegui stared at the unusually shaped weapon.

The scene from six years ago in the wooden hut of Yellow Fish Village flashed through his mind.

There was no mistake.

"Xiao Jian! It really is you!" Wang Hegui cried, his voice rising with excitement. "You've changed so much that I almost didn't recognize you!"

He examined Yang Jian from head to toe, growing more shocked the longer he looked.

The frail child from six years ago had now grown into an exceptionally heroic youth.

The change was practically like becoming an entirely different person.

"This isn't a place to talk. Come in," Wang Hegui said warmly, personally leading the way ahead.

The office door closed, shutting out the noise outside.

Wang Hegui invited Yang Jian to sit down, personally poured him a cup of tea, and handed it over before taking a seat in the chair opposite him.

His gaze never left Yang Jian, his eyes full of curiosity and amazement.

"Xiao Jian, how have you been these past six years? Have you adjusted well to Spirit Hall?"

"Not bad." Yang Jian lifted the teacup and took a small sip.

Wang Hegui nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he still could not help asking, "You're now... what rank?"

"Could you already be a Soul Ancestor?"

Just now, he had released his soul power senses in an attempt to probe Yang Jian's cultivation.

But the instant his senses touched Yang Jian's body, they were repelled by a terrifyingly vast force.

That feeling was even stronger than that of some Soul Ancestors he had met.

Yang Jian glanced at him without correcting him, merely nodding slightly.

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor was already shocking enough.

He did not want to reveal his true rank, much less let too many people know that he was a Soul King.

Wang Hegui sucked in a cold breath and leaned back in his chair, unable to speak for a long while.

Six years, from rank ten to rank forty.

What kind of concept was that?

An ordinary person who could rise twenty ranks in ten years was already considered a genius. Yet Yang Jian had risen thirty ranks in six years, and that was when soul power became increasingly difficult to improve the further one advanced.

Wang Hegui suddenly realized that the youth sitting across from him was no longer the child from six years ago whose shoulder he could casually pat.

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor holding an Elder Token would surely be treasured by Spirit Hall.

Someone like that was far beyond comparison to a branch hall master like him.

His waist unconsciously bent forward as he became more cautious.

Yang Jian noticed the change in him, but his expression remained unchanged. He did not even give him a proper look.

It was not because he had forgotten his gratitude.

He remembered Wang Hegui's kindness in raising his brother and Xiao Chan for six years.

But favors were favors, and status was status.

If he acted too politely from the outset, what if Wang Hegui took advantage of it and made excessive demands, or kept bringing up this favor in the future? What would he do then?

Given his current status in Spirit Hall,

he could probably easily fulfill any request Wang Hegui made.

But his future goals would only grow greater, and his status would rise ever higher. He could not open that door.

"Hall Master Wang." Yang Jian set down his teacup, his voice calm. "Thank you for taking care of my brother and Xiao Chan these past six years."

Wang Hegui hurriedly waved his hands. "No need to thank me, no need. It was only what I should have done..."

"As repayment," Yang Jian interrupted, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "I will give you two choices."

Wang Hegui was taken aback. Looking at Yang Jian's ever-composed expression, he was secretly startled.

Two choices?

That manner of speaking, that lofty posture.

It seemed Yang Jian's status within Spirit Hall was likely far higher than he had imagined.

"Xiao Jian... no, Lord Yang Jian." Wang Hegui instinctively changed his form of address, lowered his head, and spoke with a slight tremble in his voice. "There's no need for this. I didn't take care of Yang Jiao and Yang Chan in hopes of any repayment..."

"It must be repaid." Yang Jian's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force as he stared at Wang Hegui. "Otherwise, people might think that I, Yang Jian, repay kindness with enmity."

Wang Hegui opened his mouth but did not dare refuse again.

"What choices?"

Yang Jian raised two fingers.

"The first choice: I can arrange for you to take a post at Spirit Hall Headquarters and ensure that you need never worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life."

Wang Hegui's breathing immediately quickened.

Spirit Hall Headquarters!

That was the ultimate dream of every Spirit Hall member.

Once one entered the headquarters, the benefits and treatment would soar to the highest level. Not only would he benefit, but even his family would benefit along with him.

He swallowed, forcibly stopping himself from agreeing at once.

"The second choice..."

"The second choice is that I will give you a higher-tier meditation method, along with one million Gold Soul Coins."

Wang Hegui's hand trembled involuntarily.

A higher-tier meditation method!

He was thirty years old this year, yet his cultivation was only rank thirty-four.

With his current meditation method, reaching Soul Ancestor in the future would already be his limit.

But if he obtained a higher-tier meditation method,

he might have a chance to strive for Soul King, or even Soul Emperor!

And one million Gold Soul Coins would surely be enough to support his cultivation for many years to come.

Two choices.

Each one was weighty enough to leave him breathless.

Wang Hegui remained silent for a long time.

The office was so quiet that he could hear only his own heartbeat.

Yang Jian did not urge him, merely lifted his teacup and slowly drank.

At last, Wang Hegui raised his head, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes.

"I choose the second."

He was only thirty this year. He was still young.

He wanted to become stronger.

As long as he grew stronger, he might not be unable to achieve the first choice on his own.

"Mm."

Yang Jian was not surprised. He casually took out a thin booklet from his robes and tossed it over.

Wang Hegui caught it in a fluster.

His hands were trembling.

He opened the first page and gave it a cursory glance. His breathing immediately grew heavy.

This meditation method was countless times more profound than the one he cultivated.

The cultivation paths recorded within were exquisitely ingenious, unlike anything he had ever heard of.

"I don't have the million Gold Soul Coins with me right now." Yang Jian stood up. "Someone will deliver them tomorrow."

Wang Hegui hurriedly nodded, clutching the meditation method tightly as though afraid it might fly away.

He was not worried in the slightest that Yang Jian would go back on his word.

Given the talent and status Yang Jian had displayed,

one million Gold Soul Coins was probably no more than a drop in the bucket.

"Let's go. Take me to see my brother and Xiao Chan."

Yang Jian walked toward the door.

Wang Hegui snapped out of his daze, hurriedly tucked the meditation method close to his body, and jogged after him.

He walked half a step behind Yang Jian.

His waist was slightly bent.

His attitude was respectful to the extreme.