Chapter Twenty-Five: Our Pursuit! (Part One) With heartfelt gratitude to Gong Lingfeng for the divine brush!

The Xia family of Jiangbei!

The foremost aristocratic clan of Jiangbei Province and City, their rumored wealth of several billion was only a speculation from years past. When the old patriarch of the Jiang family was still leading his kin in their arduous struggle, several top leaders of the nation had already made a high-profile reception for the Xia family's ruling members.

During television interviews, they would jovially discuss the nation's economy, their words shaping the very lifeblood of Jiangbei, radiating an aura of power and dominance.

The old patriarch sighed deeply, “If, in my lifetime, I could see the Jiang family attain even half of what the Xia family has achieved in Jiangbei, I would die without regrets.”

At these words, everyone was moved.

Zheng Xuan’s parents gently consoled him, “You needn't be so pessimistic, father-in-law. Shaoqi’s future is limitless. If he one day earns the rank of Colonel, with him at the helm, the Jiang family will surely prosper.”

The old patriarch, having spent his life in business, was always diligent and cautious. Yet, limited by his abilities, his achievements were confined to these bounds.

Now, the family’s future rested with the younger generation, and with one dragon and one phoenix among them, there was at last some hope.

The patriarch cherished Jiang Shaoqi and Jiang Ziyue deeply. Even with a family fortune exceeding ten million, he once spent six hundred thousand on a custom diamond-studded LV handbag for the sixtieth anniversary, gifting it to Jiang Ziyue.

As for the elders, the eldest uncle’s branch was indecisive and mediocre. The second uncle’s family had some talent, but their sharp tongues and narrow hearts kept them embroiled in petty internal squabbles, preventing any real progress.

Jiang Yu’s parents were ambitious, but lacked the skill, relegated to managing a small shop on the outskirts.

Thus, the family’s hopes could only rest with the younger generation.

Before the Xia family, the Jiangs had no choice but to curry favor, sending their juniors to befriend the Xia heirs, laying groundwork for future connections.

“Ah, so be it,”

The old patriarch looked up and sighed, “The fate of the Jiang family is already ordained by Heaven; it cannot be forced.”

With that, he turned and left, leaning heavily on his cane.

Jiang Ziyue quickly followed to support him.

Jiang Shaoqi lowered his head, eating in silence, eyes gleaming with fierce determination.

Zheng Xuan gently took Jiang Shaoqi’s arm, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I believe you will one day lead the Jiang family to greater heights. The dragon of the Jiang family is no empty title.”

Jiang Shaoqi took a deep breath, “I bear the hopes of the family. Ziyue has no grand ambition, so it falls to me alone. The patriarch grows older by the day; I only wish to fulfill his lifelong dream. Yet, this vast world breeds countless talents, and the weight on my shoulders is immense.”

Zheng Xuan’s gaze softened further, “I’ll walk by your side.”

One by one, everyone departed, leaving Jiang Yu alone.

Soon, Jiang Ziyue returned after escorting the patriarch to his room.

She said nothing, silently scooped a bowl of rice and placed it before Jiang Yu. “Eat. In this fierce competition, small families can only rest on the old generation’s modest achievements. All their hope now lies with us.”

She finished with a gentle smile, “At least you took first place in the exam this time; everyone’s eyes are on you, aren’t they?”

A faint smile tugged at Jiang Yu’s lips, “Your expectations of me are nothing but wishful thinking.”

Jiang Ziyue folded her arms and sat beside him, “Let’s hope so.”

“I understand how you feel right now. Anyone would want to prove themselves after enduring so much scorn. But that must be built on genuine strength—when you’re strong enough, all the rumors naturally vanish. Empty boasts only serve one’s ego.”

“Anyone can speak grand words, but how many actually act on them? Again and again, boasting only breeds resentment. Only the weak rely on such methods to satisfy their self-esteem.”

Jiang Yu chuckled, “You’re telling me this because you think I’ve always been full of empty talk?”

Jiang Ziyue pursed her lips and looked at him, “Isn’t it so? I just hope my care brings you a hint of warmth in this cold family. I admit, I was too harsh before.”

“A mere worm—even if I place all my hopes on you and push you hard, you’ll remain a worm, never transforming into a true dragon.”

A trace of guilt crossed her delicate, charming face. “In truth, you’re not so pathetic, but Shaoqi’s brilliance is blinding. Compared to him, you’ve become nothing but the dust beneath his feet.”

She rose with a smile, “I’m grateful to your parents. Since childhood, they’ve cared for me in every possible way.”

The disappointment that once colored her gaze toward Jiang Yu had faded. She smiled openly, “I’ve decided—never again will I demand anything of you. Even if Shaoqi weren’t here, I could carry the Jiang family myself. Do whatever you wish.”

Such a declaration, though sounding liberating, was in truth the family’s abandonment.

When one loses hope in their own goals, they cease to dream.

Jiang Yu’s expression remained calm, his heart as tranquil as an ancient well, undisturbed by the slightest ripple.

“Everyone complains about my incompetence, but who among you has truly tried to understand me?”

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the boundless stars.

“It’s not that I refuse to pursue your so-called achievements, but your self-important success is insignificant in my eyes. My ambitions are for the eternal void—to transcend and soar, to command the heavens and earth, the myriad stars. That is true success, that is true power!”

Jiang Yu returned to his room and sat cross-legged on the bed.

“My current strength has reached the peak of Qi Refinement—I can step into Foundation Establishment at any moment. But this rapid and unstable cultivation, I’ve long sensed its flaws. Swift advancement isn’t true mastery. My highest realm was Nascent Soul, which took thousands of years to reach.”

“But upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, my progress stalled. Only then did I realize that I had pursued quantity over quality. Even a supposedly indestructible Dao heart became shaky.”

“Now, having seized a new body and been reborn for another lifetime, though my cultivation has been destroyed, it gives me a chance to start anew. Previously, I broke through Foundation Establishment after a hundred layers of Qi Refinement. This time, I’ll reach a thousand, ten thousand layers. That is the foundation to cleave open the heavens! Is the immortal path closed? Only because my strength was insufficient. When my power is great enough, if there’s no door, I’ll carve one myself!”

“Without power, people like Li Hao, Xia Hou-sheng, Ma Tianzong, Liu Ban-nan—these worldly magnates—would never revere me as a deity. In the end, all paths serve strength; only I may be served!”

With the acquisition of the Bi Shui Golden Flame, it was time to awaken a divine ability.

In this era of rising firearms, only by awakening a divine power could one hope to protect themselves.

Moreover, the realm of Earth Immortals worshipped by the world instilled a profound sense of crisis in Jiang Yu.

Speaking of the Jiang family, Jiang Yu needed only a single word to propel them to the greatest clan in Jiangbei. Yet, now was not the time, nor did he have the inclination.

Even if the Jiang family ruled Jiangbei, it would be his power they feared, not the family itself.

One day, Jiang Yu would leave the Jiang family, leave Jiangbei. Without his deterrence, the Jiang family would be nothing but an empty name, quickly devoured by countless predators.

In the end, it would only harm these people.

When the time was right, there would be no need for others to ask—Jiang Yu would act on his own. Supporting a mere Jiangbei family was a trivial affair to him.

The days that followed were spent going to school at dawn, cultivating at dusk, day after day.

Until one night, a call came.

Xia Ning’s clear, melodious voice rang out, “Jiang Yu, tonight is my birthday banquet. You promised me you’d attend—you mustn’t break your word.”

Jiang Yu nodded, “Alright, I’ll be there.”

His words were like the imperial edict of a monarch—once given, he would fulfill them no matter the difficulty.

Thus, Jiang Yu seldom made promises.

After hanging up, he gazed at the jade bead bracelet beside him.

He had bought it for a few hundred yuan at a jade shop a couple days ago, almost carelessly.

Each bead had a formation inscribed by Jiang Yu—six in total, each capable of resisting a bullet, making it a true magical artifact.

This bracelet was his chosen birthday gift.

Its mysteries were invisible to the naked eye. Only in the face of danger would the beads activate, unleashing a barrier of spiritual energy to shield the wearer.

Moreover, the formations within each bead could absorb the ambient spiritual energy, meaning the beads constantly gathered power.

The longer it was worn, the denser the energy within, and the stronger its effect when triggered.

In sum, it was a magical artifact that could evolve and strengthen over time.

Beyond its primary function, the wearer would be nourished by the spiritual energy within, becoming robust and immune to illness.

Jade nourishes life; a jade artifact protects it even more.