Body Sect — ancestral grounds of the sect.
Inside a secret chamber, the powerful aura from moments earlier came from here.
"Hahaha! I have finally taken that step."
"From this moment on, I have truly climbed onto the peak of this continent. My elder brother's wish has been fulfilled, and my Body Sect will enjoy decades of peace."
A figure slowly stood up. His dark-green hair fluttered, and after releasing that burst of immense aura, everything fell silent again. His whole presence returned to a natural, subdued state, leaking not even the slightest breath of soul power.
"Rumble—!"
The chamber's door opened. A golden figure flashed inside. Jin Peng hurried in, face filled with excitement. But when he saw Du Budu, he froze slightly.
Du Budu's emerald-green eyes shone with brilliance. Many of the wrinkles on his skin had vanished, his complexion was glowing red, and even his balding scalp now had a faint layer of new hair. He looked completely reborn.
"Sect Master, y-you… you've taken that step?!"
Jin Peng spoke so excitedly that his words stumbled.
"Correct. I have taken that step."
Du Budu nodded. With hands clasped behind his back, his figure flickered—instantly disappearing. When he reappeared, he was standing behind Jin Peng.
There was no sound of wind, only faint spatial ripples.
"Mastering the power of space… an Ultimate Douluo. Congratulations, Sect Master!"
Jin Peng turned sharply, fists clenched, his face slightly flushed and veins showing on his neck. His eyes were brimming with joy as he bowed.
"Old Jin, you've worked hard this year."
Du Budu stared at the brother who had accompanied him for so many years. He paused, then slapped Jin Peng's shoulder heavily.
"It wasn't hard. As long as you broke through, everything was worth it."
Jin Peng shook his head solemnly.
A sect with an Ultimate Douluo stood at the true peak of the continent — capable of protecting the sect for decades, even a century.
Because Ultimate Douluo, to some extent, represented invincibility.
"Now that the Sect Master has broken through, the younger generation will have several more decades to grow. Truly, Heaven blesses our Body Sect."
Jin Peng sighed inwardly.
"You… always like this."
Du Budu shook his head with a helpless smile. He knew Jin Peng had poured his whole life into the Body Sect, treating it like his own child. His concern for the sect's future was no less than the Sect Master's.
"While I was in seclusion, did anything major happen in the sect?"
Du Budu asked lightly.
"A major matter… yes. The gambling match between Xiao Jiang and Ao Tian."
Jin Peng adjusted his emotions before speaking.
"Oh? Tell me more."
Du Budu's eyes flashed with interest.
Jin Peng summarized everything with just a few concise sentences, but Du Budu instantly understood the entire situation.
"Good. Matters of the younger generation should be settled by the younger generation. Our Body Sect has always respected strength."
Du Budu nodded, satisfied.
Since he had no descendants, the position of Young Sect Master belonged to whoever proved capable.
"Right, Sect Master — something big happened outside the sect too. Two days ago, a massive white dragon appeared above Shrek Academy for several seconds before turning into divine golden light and dispersing. After that, Xuanzi became the new Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion…"
Jin Peng said meaningfully.
"White dragon? Mu En…"
"I didn't expect that just as I reached Ultimate Douluo, the man who killed my elder brother would slip away from this world. Count Mu En lucky."
Thinking of his deceased brother, Du Budu snorted coldly.
"Sect Master, after becoming an Ultimate Douluo, how much stronger do you feel?"
Jin Peng hesitated but still asked.
"Well… if before, I needed a few minutes to kill Xuanzi, now — using full strength — it won't take half a minute before he joins Mu En."
Du Budu thought for a moment, then confidently waved his massive fist.
"Excellent. With Sect Master leading, the upcoming operation in Mingde Hall will be absolutely foolproof."
Jin Peng's confidence strengthened further.
"Is the underground passage almost ready?"
Du Budu asked.
"Almost. Within half a year we can act. And in about two and a half months, we can send people to familiarize themselves with the route."
Jin Peng nodded.
"That hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo — Mingde Hall doesn't deserve it."
"Can they even absorb it properly? Better leave it to our Body Sect."
Du Budu laughed heartily.
"No, Sect Master — you must say it this way: this item is fated to belong to our Body Sect."
Jin Peng smiled and, with a flick of his hand, produced two black hoods.
Du Budu's eyes flashed with nostalgia.
To think Jin Peng still kept these after so many years…
And Du Budu, too, once had countless "fated items" during his glorious youth. Those black hoods were witnesses of those glory days.
Zero-cost shopping… is truly refreshing…
At the same moment — far away, a white-haired youth suddenly shivered for no reason, feeling oddly uneasy…
"Sect Master, have you decided who will receive the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo?"
Jin Peng asked carefully.
Its value needed no explanation — its allocation was a serious matter.
"Jiang brat made a bet with Long Aotian, didn't he? Whoever wins gets the embryo. Since we're nurturing talent, we might as well push harder."
Du Budu responded calmly.
"As for the disciples participating in the operation — they will be rewarded according to merit."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Jin Peng nodded. Since Du Budu was back, it was time for him to resume his original responsibilities as well.
Suddenly, Du Budu asked:
"Right, how has Jiang brat been this year?"
"I can only say this: Sect Master, bringing Jiang Jue back was one of your best decisions."
Jin Peng said seriously.
"Oh? How so?"
Du Budu instantly became curious.
"Hahaha, Xiao Jiang went to obtain his soul ring a few days ago. He should be returning soon. Once you see him, you'll naturally understand."
Jin Peng smiled mysteriously.
"Old Jin, even hiding things from me now? Fine — I'll wait."
"Come. The two of us should drink. Bring out that old wine you've been hiding."
Du Budu was in an excellent mood after breaking through.
"Let's go!"
Jin Peng would never refuse — joyous occasions called for celebration.
Two days later
"Young Master! Wait for me!"
Foot of the Body Sect mountain.
Three figures flew rapidly across the sky.
Jiang Jue flapped his wings, soaring higher and leaving Lang Ya and Yu Tao — both Soul Douluo — far behind.
His dark, blood-colored wings flashed with wind and lightning, and his afterimage stretched into a straight, blazing line across the sky.
(End of Chapter)