After Jiang Yunhuang broke through to the Shattering Heaven realm, it was as if he had undergone a nirvanic rebirth.
Like a dormant tiger now awakened, the internal energy within him surged like an endless ocean.
"Grandfather... have you... reached the Shattering Heaven realm?" Jiang Ruoxu asked, his voice trembling. The oppressive aura radiating from Jiang Yunhuang's martial domain had nearly scared him out of his wits.
"Hmm." The old man nodded slowly.
Jiang Ruoxu’s expression became ecstatic. This was the Shattering Heaven realm—a legendary cultivation level, surpassing all martial artists in the entire Dragon Nation's ancient martial world!
Jiang Yunhuang’s gaze settled on Jiang Che, his aged eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Che'er, with a prodigy like you in our Jiang family, the future looks bright indeed."
Jiang Che sighed inwardly. What else could he do?
To ensure he could continue living carefree as a pampered young master, he had no choice but to "elevate" his family’s cultivation levels.
Everyone looked down on spoiled heirs—yet secretly, everyone wanted to be one.
...
Not long after Jiang Yunhuang’s breakthrough, the Jiang family’s courtyard soon filled with visitors.
Leading them was an old Taoist priest holding a horsetail whisk, his demeanor ethereal and sage-like.
"Old Jiang, you broke through again?"
Li Changfeng of the Kunlun Sect leapt gracefully over the courtyard wall, his movements light as a feather.
"Haha, just a stroke of luck," Jiang Yunhuang replied with false modesty, though his tone dripped with unmistakable smugness.
Li Changfeng rolled his eyes. As the leader of the Kunlun Sect, he was actually several decades older than Jiang Yunhuang.
Having ascended to the Grandmaster realm around the same time, their titles for each other had evolved over the years—from "Little Jiang" to "Jiang Yunhuang," then to "Brother Jiang," and finally, "Old Jiang."
As a peak Grandmaster, Li Changfeng could keenly sense the terrifying depth of Jiang Yunhuang’s power. This old fox… his strength had grown even more unfathomable!
Soon, another figure soared into the courtyard.
"Grandmaster Jiang, have you truly taken that step?"
The speaker was Ai Kun, a late-stage Grandmaster from the Ancient Martial Arts Ai Family—a top-tier martial clan specializing in body tempering, renowned for their Iron Mountain Stance and Eagle Claw Technique...
With newfound power, it was only natural to show off a little in front of old friends.
"Grandmaster Jiang, how did you achieve this breakthrough? Could you share some insights?" Ai Kun asked eagerly.
"Haha, today is my grandson’s academic celebration banquet. I’m in high spirits—when one’s mood is good, breakthroughs come naturally."
Of course, Jiang Yunhuang wouldn’t reveal Jiang Che’s Shattering Heaven Pill. Despite their decades-long friendship, he wasn’t foolish enough to spill such secrets.
Li Changfeng and Ai Kun: "..."
"Good mood? Pah! This old man spends every day at foot massage parlors with his juniors, living the happiest life possible—yet I’ve never seen my cultivation improve!"
Ai Kun shot Jiang Yunhuang a look of utter disdain.
...
Jiang Yunhuang soon left the Jiang residence with the other Grandmasters.
Now that he had reached the Shattering Heaven realm, the power dynamics of Dragon Nation’s ancient martial world were about to shift.
Meanwhile, Jiang Che prepared to leave as well—after all, he had plans to party with some ladies in the afternoon!
"Brother… Brother, wait!"
Jiang Ruoxu chased after Jiang Che’s retreating figure.
Jiang Che glanced sideways. "What is it?"
"Brother… thank you for everything you’ve done for the Jiang family," Jiang Ruoxu mumbled, his face flushed.
For a prideful young man like him to express gratitude so openly was no small feat.
"It’s nothing. What did you want to ask?"
Jiang Ruoxu awkwardly rubbed his hair. "Brother… I have a question."
"Go on."
"If you can even refine a Shattering Heaven Pill… do you know any methods to nourish the soul? My… my spiritual energy has been unstable lately."
Jiang Che narrowed his eyes, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
His gaze drifted before finally settling on the ancient ring adorning Jiang Ruoxu’s finger—his smile deepening.
If he’d only suspected before that Jiang Ruoxu had a "ring-bound elder," now he was almost certain. His little cousin had a 90% chance of harboring a secret mentor in that ring!
Asking about soul-nourishing techniques?
Oh, little brother… you’ve just given yourself away.
Only one kind of person would ask such a question.
It reminded him of a novel he’d once read, where the protagonist also had a ring-bound elder. It seemed Jiang Ruoxu’s luck stat was impressively high to possess such a trope!
Generally speaking, a soul powerful enough to reside in a ring must have once been a mighty figure… who’d since fallen from grace.
Jiang Che’s lips curled into a faint smile.
"Soul-nourishing elixirs? As far as I know, only those who surpass the Shattering Heaven realm can manifest their divine soul. Have you… already cultivated one?"
His deliberately shocked tone left Jiang Ruoxu speechless.
[Disciple, stop talking! I suspect he’s onto us!]
Jiang Ruoxu’s master panicked internally.
"Brother… no, I just read about it in an ancient text. I was curious about the soul and wanted to start nurturing my divine soul early… to lay a foundation for future cultivation."
After all, Jiang Ruoxu was just a little brat, and his lies were so flimsy they fell apart the moment he opened his mouth.
Jiang Che smirked, his lips curling slightly. *Sweating bullets now, huh, kid?*
Naturally, he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip. With a half-smile, he fixed his gaze on Jiang Ruoxu’s ring for a solid ten seconds.
Jiang Ruoxu seemed to catch on, nervously clasping his hands behind his back—hiding that ancient-looking ring.
“Ruoxu, you may be my cousin, but you’re also the only younger brother I have. I don’t want to see you stray down some crooked path.”
“From what I know, in ancient times, there were many powerful beings whose bodies decayed but their souls endured. They hide inside artifacts, waiting for so-called ‘fated ones,’ offering petty favors… only to seize their bodies when the time is right.”
That’s right—Jiang Che was sowing discord!
Halfway through Jiang Che’s words, Jiang Ruoxu’s face paled slightly.
*How did he guess so accurately?*
*No… Jiang Che must’ve noticed something! He was staring at my ring just now—he must know about Master!*
Meanwhile, the “granny” inside Jiang Ruoxu’s ring was fuming.
[*Pah!* **You’re** the one who seizes bodies! I’m just… going through a rough patch! A tiger bullied by dogs, that’s what this is!]
[And ‘hiding’ in an artifact? This ring’s got plenty of space! I can lie down, stand up, even do a little jump~~~]
Jiang Ruoxu: “……”
This was the first time he realized his master had… *this* side to her.
She’d always been aloof before, only sparing him a word or two of guidance. But now—
“Brother, I’m fine. Thanks for the spatial storage pouch.”
“No problem. I can refine Soul-Nourishing Pills—and even Body-Forging Pills, the kind that can reshape a physical form.”
Jiang Che gave Jiang Ruoxu’s shoulder a light pat.
In an instant, the ring’s “granny” stopped her grumbling—replaced by sheer disbelief.