Choose Your Mentor

When Bei Gong Li introduced Beddon to Qian Ren Xue, Qian Ren Xue blurted out, "Isn't this the one who got beaten senseless by Underworld King Douluo before?"

The scene fell into deathly silence. Even Yu Hao Sheng, known for his strictness and composure, had a faint smile appear on his face.

Heavenly Favor Douluo Beddon flushed bright red from Qian Ren Xue's remark, but with so many people present, he could not very well lose his temper. He could only cough awkwardly, hoping to brush the matter aside.

Seeing Beddon's embarrassment, no one spoke up for him. After all, they were essentially competitors now.

In the end, Bei Gong Li stepped in to smooth things over. "That was because Ha Luosa's abilities are rather unusual. He happened to counter Old Beddon."

"Right, right, right," Qian Ren Xue recited mercilessly.

After the introductions, Bei Gong Li looked at everyone and said, "Tell us about your respective strengths and see who Xue'er is ultimately willing to go with."

If Qian Gu Huang Yu had been here, she would definitely have remarked that this was just like reverse-selecting a graduate advisor. Let the advisors introduce themselves first, then explain their own strengths.

Afterward, Qian Ren Xue followed the script she had rehearsed with Qian Gu Die Ting. She first showed that she was unwavering in her support for Spirit Pagoda's leadership, then, after a series of persuasions from Bei Gong Li and Qian Gu Die Ting, agreed to hear Beddon and the others' terms.

Naturally, this did not involve making Qian Ren Xue leave Spirit Pagoda. It merely determined whom she would serve in the future—where her primary affiliation would be.

Le Jing Chen spoke first. "Come back to the Angel Family with this old man. I will personally perform the Martial Soul Second Awakening ceremony for you. Only then will you possess a true Six-winged Angel Martial Soul."

Yet Qian Ren Xue showed no reaction to Le Jing Chen's words. After offering only a formal expression of thanks, she did nothing else. The delight and hope Le Jing Chen had expected never appeared.

How ridiculous. A true Six-winged Angel Martial Soul did not need any Second Awakening. Only subspecies like the Holy Angel needed such methods to raise their limits.

After Le Jing Chen finished, Beddon stepped forward. Qian Ren Xue frowned and silently took a step back, placing Bei Gong Li and Qian Gu Die Ting in front of herself.

Beddon: Was that half-step backward serious? Such a tiny gesture, yet it hurt so much.

"Ha ha ha! Looks like Little Xue is a little afraid of you!" Qian Gu Die Ting laughed heartlessly, making it difficult for Beddon to save face.

In the end, under everyone's amused gazes, Beddon forced himself to say, "As long as you are willing to join Shrek, this old man can represent the Tang Sect and give you an Immortal Herb. You should understand how precious Immortal Herbs are. Both the Original Shrek Seven Devils and Spirit Ice Douluo achieved the great feat of becoming gods with the help of Immortal Herbs. All other terms remain unchanged. You may meditate by the Golden Ancient Tree every day."

Qian Ren Xue's eyes flickered. She had to admit that Immortal Herbs were quite enticing to her, but she did not rush to state her position. She decided to wait and see what Yu Hao Sheng had to offer.

Seeing that Qian Ren Xue was somewhat tempted, Beddon smiled slightly, knowing that he had achieved his goal.

Yu Hao Sheng stepped forward and said, "I am a soldier. I do not like nonsense. As long as you are willing to join the War God Hall, I will gather a complete set of soul bones for you and make you the Son of the War God." After Yu Hao Sheng finished speaking, everyone present looked at him in astonishment. The Son of the War God was the next generation's Hall Master of the War God Hall!

Of course, Yu Hao Sheng had only promised her the position of Hall Master of the War God Hall. The position of commander of the Central Legion would naturally be reserved for his own family. After all, the War God Hall had few direct subordinates, while the Central Legion was the Federation's foremost land army. Moreover, compared to the Federation's major legions, which had practically become hereditary, each generation's Hall Master of the War God Hall was almost always the strongest among the Soul Masters serving the Federation.

In other words, even if Qian Ren Xue became Hall Master of the War God Hall, the next Hall Master would most likely not be her descendant.

Then Yu Hao Sheng cast Qian Gu Die Ting a provocative glance, as if saying, Would you really be willing to give away the position of Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower?

Although the War God Hall had fewer subordinates than Spirit Pagoda, among the continent's four great powers—the War God Hall, Spirit Pagoda, Tang Sect, and Shrek—their status was at least equal.

Qian Gu Die Ting looked toward Bei Gong Li, seemingly seeking her approval. After seeing her nod silently, Qian Gu Die Ting said, "Spirit Pagoda is a democratic organization, not a paradise for dictators. Every generation of Tower Master must be voted on by all members of the Spirit Transmission Tower Council. However, the Tower Master may recommend a Deputy Tower Master—"

Qian Gu Die Ting changed the subject and looked at Qian Ren Xue with a smile. "As long as Little Xue breaks through to Super Douluo, I will recommend you as Deputy Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower."

Qian Gu Die Ting's strategy was truly brilliant. He emphasized that Spirit Pagoda was democratic while also taking a veiled jab at the War God Hall for already bearing the Yu surname. Naturally, Qian Gu Die Ting was not afraid that Yu Hao Sheng would retaliate by bringing up how the previous Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower had been his father, Qian Gu Shi Long, claiming that Spirit Pagoda had long borne the Qian Gu surname. Competing without tearing each other apart had always been the tacit understanding among the major powers.

Naturally, what Qian Gu Die Ting had promised was not Leng Yang Jun's position as Deputy Tower Master. Although the Qian Gu Family was powerful now, it had not yet reached its peak. What he had promised was the position of Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower in the Star Luo Empire—the position Zhang Geyang held in the original story.

Within Spirit Pagoda's organizational system, the Tower Master at Spirit Pagoda headquarters was unquestionably the highest authority. There were two Deputy Tower Master positions: Deputy Tower Master at Spirit Pagoda headquarters and Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower in the Star Luo Empire.

The current Tower Master of Spirit Transmission Tower in the Star Luo Empire was Qian Gu Die Ting's sister, Qian Gu Guang Yao, Bei Gong Li's eldest daughter. That was why he had asked Bei Gong Li for approval earlier.

After all, asking his own sister to retire early and live out her days in leisure was somewhat embarrassing.

Beddon could not help feeling a headache coming on. Leaving aside the fact that Qian Ren Xue was almost certain not to leave Spirit Pagoda for the Tang Sect, the Angel God Qian Ren Xue's bloodline within her alone made it impossible for the Sea God Pavilion's old elders to agree to let her become the Sea God Pavilion Master.

Beddon sighed and said to Qian Ren Xue, "As long as you are willing to enroll at Shrek Academy and remain there until you graduate from the inner court, retaining some ties of teacher-student affection with Shrek, all the conditions I mentioned earlier will stand."

At those words, even Qian Ren Xue could not help viewing Beddon more highly. This was an extraordinary concession.

As Yu Hao Sheng and Qian Gu Die Ting doubled their offers and Beddon voluntarily made concessions, Le Jing Chen's situation became quite precarious.

Le Jing Chen gritted his teeth and declared in a powerful voice, "As long as you are willing to come with this old man, you will be the next commander of the Southern Legion and the Clan Head of the Holy Angel Family."

Qian Ren Xue raised a finely arched brow. Finally took the bait.

Naturally, Qian Ren Xue did not reveal her joy. Instead, she looked toward Bei Gong Li and Qian Gu Die Ting with confused, innocent eyes, seeking their opinion.

(End of chapter)