After burying her mother, Ye Jiao followed after Zhan Jing and Lu Wan. The young boy didn't have any intention to go back so early as he hated staying in his residence too long.
"Won't your family worry if you go missing?" Ye Jiao asked in confusion.
Lu Wan shrugged. "In the Lu Family, I'm known to be a genius and it's easy for me to ask for a practice leave. I only need to say that I want to practice for a set period of time and no one will come to bother me anymore."
How enviable.
Ye Jiao could guess that Lu Wan's treatment in the residence must be very good. This young boy could easily go out and no one would bother him. On the other hand, it was extremely hard for her to get out without an outsider's help.
"By the way, have you learned the basics of the ranks?" Lu Wan asked.
"Basics of the rank?"
"I mean, the difference between each rank until rank 3. This is pretty common in the school," Lu Wan replied. "Eh, wait, you don't go to school."
Ye Jiao smiled bitterly. She couldn't go to school all this time because of that person's interference. It didn't mean that she didn't learn anything, but her mother didn't really teach her much about the difference in the ranks.
"I only know that rank 1 will focus on how to control Eon Energy in your body and strengthen your overall strength," Ye Jiao answered truthfully.
Lu Wan nodded his head. "It's not wrong, but it's not complete. Forming one's core is just the very beginning of your journey because it'll take a long time and a lot of effort if you want to reach the first rank.
The first rank is known as inner body training, which means that you have to learn how to use the Eon Energy that you have gathered inside your body. Pulling it inside is easy because there's some help with your body constitution. Once you've formed your core, you have to learn how to pull them out and make use of them inside your body.
When you are capable of controlling even the tiniest bit of Eon Energy, you'll reach the first rank. At that time, you can feel that your overall strength increases and there's a connection with your core," as Lu Wan explained, he tapped his abdomen. It was apparent that he also included his personal experience when he reached the first rank.
His gesture made Ye Jiao remember that this young boy that was only slightly older than her has reached the first rank. She wondered if she could catch up with him soon.
"The second rank is known as the layer of defense. You have to learn how to pull Eon Energy outside of your body and materialize them to form a defense line over your body. It'll start from a small part then grow bit by bit until it will cover your entire body. Once you have completed it, you have reached rank 2."
"Will there be any difference in the core?" Ye Jiao asked.
Lu Wan titled his head. "The teacher says that you can feel the difference yourself. The amount and size won't change, but there'll be something different. However, this is something that you have to learn by yourself."
"I see."
"Moving on, the third rank is known as the controller. You will be able to extend Eon Energy farther than the previous two ranks and at the same time, the size of your core will double the previous rank."
"Double?" Ye Jiao exclaimed in surprise. She never thought that the difference between rank 2 and 3 would be this much.
Lu Wan laughed. "Rank 4 core will be bigger, more than double of rank 3, so you shouldn't be this surprised."
More than double.
It seemed that Ye Jiao finally understood the reason why many people worshiped those at rank 4. They were truly amazing.
Zhan Jing shook his head. "Don't be amazed with just those ranks. For the true elites, rank 3 is the beginning."
"Yeah, I heard that they're only accepting people who can pass rank 3 before the age of 15," Lu Wan put his hand behind his head. His mouth formed a cheeky grin. "But that's my goal. I'll prove to them that I'm the true genius."
Zhan Jing flicked a glance at Lu Wan. "Your senior brother will reach rank 3 faster."
"...Don't remind me of that annoying b*stard," Lu Wan's face darkened.
Ye Jiao was not sure what had happened, but she could guess that the relationship between the disciples might not be too harmonious. Still, she couldn't feel any malicious intent nor hatred from Lu Wan. There was only pure annoyance, which might be because of their clash in personalities.
Compared to her own grievances, she really hated those people who killed both her mother and father. At this thought, her eyes glinted with ruthlessness.
Flick!
"Master?" Ye Jiao blinked in confusion. Her master suddenly turned around and flicked her forehead.
Zhan Jing looked at Ye Jiao with a serene expression. "Little Girl, what's your martial path?"
"Master, I haven't even made up my mind about that," Lu Wan rolled his eyes.
On the other hand, Ye Jiao opened her mouth. "It's to...."
"There's no need to answer me. Do you think by taking revenge, you're following your path?" Zhan Jing pointed to Ye Jiao's head. "Think of what you want to do carefully, Little Girl."
Ye Jiao nodded her head in slow motion. She had heard from her mother that someone's martial path was extremely important in their growth. Only by protecting their heart and staying pure to their martial path could they achieve higher rank.
By her side, Lu Wan didn't disturb the little girl. He has his own problem in his martial path too as he still couldn't decide on anything.
"Oh yeah, where are we going?" Ye Jiao asked another question to change the topic. The matter of her path and the knowledge of the ranks were thrown to the back of her mind. She would only remember them again when she was about to reach higher ranks.
"Bao Fu training island," Lu Wan replied. "In that place, you have to prioritize your own survival. No matter what happens, you should never show mercy to other people or try to help them."
"What?" Ye Jiao was stunned. From what she knew, helping other people in need was a common knowledge. Why did her senior brother tell her otherwise?
"Path of the assassin is not an easy path," Lu Wan replied, his eyes deepening. The image on his face contrasted the usual rascally look he had. "In that place, even surviving is difficult, not to mention helping other people. You're not allowed to care about everyone around you and just focus on how to complete the objective of the training. Once you show any weakness, they'll take advantage of you."
The grave tone that Lu Wan used caused chills to run down Ye Jiao's spine. She knew that this boy must have experienced something dreadful in that place for him to say something like this. Slowly, she raised her hand and touched her senior brother's hand lightly.
"Don't worry. I'll be okay."
"Good," Lu Wan murmured. "Don't regret your decision. This is the path to hell."
Ye Jiao took a deep breath. She didn't have anyone else who could help her in this world. Her master and Lu Wan appeared at the right time to pave a way for her to follow, but they couldn't help her forever. Her path of martial art solely belong to her, and she would surely follow the path she chose without regret.
No matter how hard it would be, she knew that she had to pass.
"I won't, Senior Brother."