Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 98

Rong Jingtang followed comfortably behind Jiang Rui as they walked toward a small thatched cottage.

“Cottage” was perhaps an understatement. Though it was built with rustic materials, every furnishing inside was exquisite. The structure had two stories, connected by three corridors and a staircase; in the outside world, it would be considered a minimalist luxury villa.

With a smile playing on his lips, Rong Jingtang stepped into the house that held such special meaning for Jiang Rui. The interior was simple: a large bed, a square table, and four chairs. There were other rooms, but Rong Jingtang didn’t pry.

Having taken the pill, his body began to heat up. He could feel a warm current surging from his lower abdomen to his heart, as if his internal organs were being bathed in warm water in the dead of winter. At that moment, looking at Jiang Rui’s radiant profile, he felt that even if they spent the rest of their lives here, it would be enough.

Sometimes, in a single second, a person can feel as if they own the entire world. He had felt this ten years ago, and he felt it again now. Both times, the feeling came from the same person. Looking at Jiang Rui’s back as he busily arranged the cultivation formation, Rong Jingtang let out a low, muffled laugh.

The sound brought Jiang Rui back to his senses. He turned to find Rong Jingtang smiling with such soul-stirring charm that his breath caught and his heart skipped a beat. Jiang Rui breathed shallowly, feeling his face grow hot under that gaze. “What are you laughing at?”

Even though Rong Jingtang was a complete novice, Jiang Rui double-checked the formation he had laid out. Every detail was meticulously aligned with the ancient texts; he didn’t dare be careless.

Rong Jingtang shook his head, looking at the seemingly random but carefully planned patterns on the ground. “Nothing. Continue.” He then followed the method Jiang Rui had taught him, removed his shoes, and sat cross-legged on the clean bed. He held his hands in a circle before his abdomen, focusing his mind and breath.

Jiang Rui licked his lips and let out a breath, stealing a glance at Rong Jingtang. Seeing that they were alone, he pulled an ancient book from the void. The characters possessed a unique, classical rhythm. He looked at the four large words on the cover, glanced at the meditating Rong Jingtang, and bit his lip before putting the book away.

Haste makes waste. Rong Jingtang had just started his journey. Using “that method” now might harm him. It was better to be steady; though slower, it was much safer.

Jiang Rui pointed a hand toward the air, levitating Rong Jingtang slightly, then sat cross-legged facing him. Under the nourishment of the Spirit Realm’s energy, the Foundation Establishment Pill had no side effects. Moreover, Rong Jingtang possessed a rare Mutated Ice Spiritual Root, which naturally shared the “water dissolves all things” characteristic, saving Jiang Rui a lot of trouble.

The pill was absorbed with incredible speed. To Jiang Rui’s surprise, in just one month of Spirit Realm time, Rong Jingtang reached the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. While the pill was precious, it was Rong Jingtang’s own innate talent that was truly remarkable. Jiang Rui felt a sudden wave of relief for the laws of this world—if there were other ill-intentioned cultivators around, someone with Rong Jingtang’s talent would be the ultimate target for “dual cultivation” exploitation.

As Jiang Rui was lost in thought, Rong Jingtang opened his eyes. Seeing Jiang Rui staring at him blankly, Rong Jingtang reached out and pinched his chin, tilting his head up. He narrowed his eyes and smiled at Jiang Rui’s rosy lips. “What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Rui shook his head and regained his focus. “We’ve been in the Spirit Realm for quite a while… let’s go out and see.”

Rong Jingtang stood up with a smile, acting as if nothing had changed. If not for the unmistakable aura of authority he now carried, Jiang Rui might have still mistaken him for the frail, beautiful youth of the past.

In the protective formation, Jiang Rui had temporarily severed his connection to the outside world for safety. The moment they stepped out, a sharp pain shot through his thumb, making his heart race with anxiety.

Not only that, his pinky finger—connected to Jiang Xi—was also twitching painfully. Jiang Rui’s expression darkened. He hurriedly dropped Rong Jingtang off at the Rong residence and immediately tore through space to reach Qing City. At this moment, he didn’t care who saw him.

The protective talisman he had given Xiao Lunan was made using blood from his thumb and an ancient array. It was as powerful as having his own divine sense on guard. For his thumb to feel as if it were being severed meant the talisman was under extreme pressure.

Ten fingers are connected to the heart. Jiang Xi had been staying with Xiao Lunan and hadn’t been sent back yet. Something had clearly gone wrong. His father, Jiang Jianheng, hadn’t contacted his mother in a panic, which meant he wasn’t aware of a crisis—or perhaps he felt safe. Therefore, Xiao Lunan and Jiang Xi had to be together, and both were facing a life-threatening danger.

Cold sweat dripped down Jiang Rui’s forehead despite the cool weather. He sensed their location in an undeveloped, desolate suburb and used a space-tear to find them.

Upon arrival, he heard the muffled thuds of suppressed gunfire. Knowing these were weapons enhanced by spiritual tools, he quickly placed a barrier around the area to keep bystanders away and flew directly up the mountain.

No one present would ever forget what happened next.

Xiao Lunan, along with his subordinate Xiao Wu and little Jiang Xi, had broken through an earlier encirclement and were almost back to Qing City when they were betrayed. Xiao Lunan’s trusted driver had attempted to drive the car into a fast-moving river, but Xiao Wu noticed and managed to swerve at the last second.

The car was totaled. The driver pulled a handgun from under his seat and aimed at Xiao Wu, but Xiao Lunan, sitting in the back, lunged forward and snapped the man’s arm.

Xiao Wu skillfully forced the door open, and the three of them scrambled out, only to find more pursuers behind them. They fled up the mountain until they reached a dead end.

And there, suddenly and impossibly, Jiang Rui appeared.