Leng Yulai's "Reform," King Na'er Plays Qiangu Zhangting Tonight

Night had fallen deep. Spirit Wave City slept peacefully beneath the faint starlight and moonlight, yet the towering Spirit Pagoda at the heart of the city still radiated a dazzling glow.

The great tower was brightly lit. Dozens of Spirit Pagoda stewards stood solemnly with their hands at their sides, and the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed one could wring water from it.

Figures suddenly entered their sight one after another from the sky. Everyone craned their necks and looked upward, their eyes widened without blinking as they observed with all their might.

Once they saw that the arrivals were not from the Qian Gu Faction but a group of unfamiliar powerhouses with profound auras, the Spirit Wave City stewards' hearts jolted. The battle for control of the Spirit Pagoda had already been decided. The Qian Gu Family had fallen, and the Phoenix family had completely taken control of the Spirit Pagoda.

As those figures gradually drew closer, the stewards quickly exchanged a flurry of urgent looks. Every one of them was uneasy, filled with fear and the bitter resignation of accepting their fate.

They were local Spirit Pagoda members from Dou Ling, and their superior was Hua Tao, the Qi Douluo, who had been loyal to the Qian Gu Family. As innocent working stiffs, most Spirit Wave City stewards did not care what their leader's surname was. So long as the boss paid them on time, they would naturally keep their heads down and work.

Ordinary Spirit Pagoda members, like ordinary people, had no control over their own fate. At this moment, the Spirit Wave City stewards feared being made examples of and purged by the Phoenix family.

Rather than await their punishment, they might as well take the initiative. An elderly man clad in the robes of a high-ranking steward suddenly stepped forward. Leading his colleagues, he dropped to his knees with a thud, their foreheads pressed tightly against the icy ground.

"Your subordinates are guilty! We failed to uphold the Pagoda's rules and yielded to the tyrannical might of the Qian Gu traitors. Even death ten thousand times over would not absolve us. We beg the Young Master to punish us severely!"

The old man's beard and hair were both white, and he appeared to be a veteran Spirit Pagoda steward. His refusal to rise from his kneeling position was heartrending, while his aged voice trembled through the air.

Zhao Xuanzhen remained calm. Sweeping his gaze across the kneeling crowd before him, he lightly raised a hand. A gentle yet irresistible current of Soul Power poured forth, lifting everyone from the ground.

"What crime have you committed?" Zhao Xuanzhen said indifferently. "Before Absolute Strength, survival is instinct. The Qian Gu Family was too powerful; you had no second choice."

Hearing this, a trace of relief at having survived the disaster flashed through the old man's eyes. He immediately said respectfully, "The Young Master sees clearly. We truly had no choice, and now our regret is beyond measure. We only ask for a chance to redeem ourselves through service!"

Zhao Xuanzhen waved a hand, clearly not very interested in their declarations of loyalty. He was more concerned with the secrets hidden within Spirit Wave City's Spirit Pagoda.

"Everyone, enter the tower and rest. Xue Si and Xue Qi, contact every Spirit Pagoda Branch. The Tai Chi Douluo will take up residence on the Dou Ling Continent. All Pagoda Masters are to report to Spirit Wave City within three days.

"You. Take me to the underground laboratory."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone dispersed. Those who needed rest went to rest, while those who needed to work overtime went to work overtime.

The two Silver Dragon King's Half-Selves and the Bai sisters took the High-Level Elevator directly to the top floor. Since Zhao Xuanzhen intended to remain for a few days and intimidate the Dou Ling branch, they naturally had to clean out the bedrooms and erase every trace left behind by the Qian Gu Family.

"Yes, Young Master. Please follow me!"

As though granted a pardon, the old man hurriedly bowed and led Zhao Xuanzhen onward.

In the Underground Space, a heavy metal door slowly slid open. Air reeking of metal and decay rushed toward them, and a broad passageway stretching into the distance caught the eye. The walls and ceiling were all cast from thick silver-gray alloy.

This was a laboratory. It should have been spotless, but now only traces left behind by moved equipment remained. The huge cultivation tank at its center was empty, with murky solid residue still inside. Test tubes lay scattered across the experiment benches, making it clear just how hurriedly the personnel had evacuated.

"When did they flee?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked.

"They secretly fled half a month ago. We only discovered it afterward. Qian Gu Ta... Qian Gu Dongfeng even flew into a rage, cursing that a bunch of petty people could not be relied upon," the old man answered honestly.

"The Holy Spirit Cult knew when to read the situation. Their speed in running away was comparable to the Light Darkness Douluo. What a pity..."

A trace of regret appeared on Zhao Xuanzhen's face. The underground research institute in Spirit Wave City had been a collaboration between the Spirit Pagoda and the Holy Spirit Cult, developing a mental suppressant to control the Demon Empress's violent, deranged emotions. Its researchers included Tang Ziran and Lang Yue—Tang Wulin's adoptive parents.

Evil Soul Masters were a pack of inhuman beasts. The victims were innocent. Tang Ziran and his wife had only wanted to earn more Federal Coin and properly raise their own super big eater. If the researchers behind the mental suppressant could be rescued, Zhao Xuanzhen would help remove the Blood Demon Curse and restore everyone's freedom.

"Young Master," the old man said cautiously, "a few days before they evacuated, I delivered experimental materials here. My Martial Soul is a Demonic Sound Bat, so my hearing is sharper than that of ordinary Soul Masters. I vaguely heard this place's leader, the Poison Spring Douluo, mention a few words—something about Lord Blood Demon... North Sea City..."

"I understand." Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly. "You may leave. Assist Xue Si and Xue Qi in taking control of the Dou Ling Continent with peace of mind."

"Yes, sir."

Having successfully kept his job, the old man's face instantly bloomed like a brilliantly flowering chrysanthemum. He happily skipped out of the laboratory.

Zhao Xuanzhen stood alone in the empty Underground Space. Taking out his Soul Guide Communication device, he dialed a number.

Misty Water Mist drifted like a pale silk veil through the spacious, exquisite bathroom of Silver Sparrow Terrace. The air was warm and humid, suffused with the rich fragrance of expensive incense intertwined with a woman's natural scent. The bathing pool had been carved from an entire piece of warm jade, its rippling water reflecting soft, scattered light.

A fair hand emerged from the hazy Water Vapor, its fingertips tinted with an alluring crimson. A wisp of Soul Power flowed out and drew over the Soul Guide Communication device resting on a white jade stand.

The woman held the Soul Guide Communication device in her hand. Her long crimson hair was dampened by the Water Vapor and clung wetly to her smooth shoulders. Water Droplets slid down the elegant line of her neck, passed over the heart-stopping curve beneath her collarbones, and finally submerged into the fullness half-concealed by the rippling water.

Seeing the overseas communication request from her precious disciple, her face—possessing both mature charm and peerless beauty—curved into an indulgent smile. She gently swept aside a wet lock of hair from the side of her neck and pressed the connect button.

"Teacher."

"Xuanzhen." Leng Yaozhu spoke in a lazy, magnetic voice unique to someone bathing, making her all the more seductive. "Has everything gone smoothly?"

"We are resting at the Spirit Wave City branch. Aside from the Hanyun Douluo and Qiangu Zhangting, who escaped, the Qian Gu Faction's core powerhouses have all been executed. We acquired quite a few high-quality Soul Spirits and Soul Bones during this operation. Teacher, remember to have headquarters prepare to receive them tomorrow. Big Bai Sister and Little Bai Sister will use the equipment to transmit the Soul Spirits over a long distance."

"You have worked hard eliminating the enemy. When will you return to the Douluo Continent?"

"The Dou Ling Continent has always been under the Qi Douluo's control, and he has always supported the Qian Gu Family. We will stay in Dou Ling for a few days, help Xue Si and Xue Qi deal with their stubborn subordinates, and let Gu Yue familiarize herself with the spatial fluctuations here. Ideally, we can use the Myriad Beast Sect's divine artifact for transportation next time.

"By the way, Teacher, you can hold a Press Conference on the Douluo Continent and announce the Qian Gu Family's destruction to the public. Colluding with Evil Soul Masters is an unforgivable evil. Our Phoenix family's Spirit Pagoda vows never to coexist with evil."

"Very well."

Leng Yaozhu understood this perfectly. The winners took all, and history was written by the victors. The history books would only record it this way in the future: the Qian Gu Family colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult, then fled to the Dou Ling Continent. The Tai Chi Douluo led a campaign against them. The Qian Gu Family resisted stubbornly and was ultimately destroyed, restoring clarity and order to the world.

While master and disciple discussed matters concerning the Spirit Pagoda, another lovely body soaking in the water beside her suddenly moved.

Splash—

The sound of water shattered the bathroom's stillness. A beautiful figure rose, drawing up a curtain of pearl-like water. Water Droplets rolled down her voluptuous body, whose curves were as full as ripe peaches. Her legs were long and straight, gleaming with a jade-like luster amid the hazy Water Vapor.

"Teacher, was that some noise over there?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked in confusion.

Holding the Soul Guide Communication device, Leng Yaozhu looked up at Leng Yulai, who had risen from the water, and laughed softly. "It is nothing. Yulai and I are bathing together."

Her voice brimmed with joy as Leng Yaozhu said with smiling eyes, "During the time you have been away at sea on the Dou Ling Continent, Yulai has deeply recognized her past mistakes. She willingly chose to spend the rest of her life in solitary confinement at Silver Sparrow Terrace as reflection.

"After I finish handling official matters, I will come keep her company tonight."

Leng Yulai stepped barefoot across the wet jade floor and slowly moved behind Leng Yaozhu. Water Droplets continuously dripped down, pooling beneath her into small puddles.

The Dark Phoenix Douluo bent down and placed both hands upon her sister's smooth, fragrant shoulders. Her fingers kneaded the skin, which had grown even softer from soaking, with just the right amount of pressure. Her movements were neither too light nor too heavy, brimming with an intent to please.

Tilting her head closer to the Soul Guide Communication device, she deliberately softened her voice. "Nephew, I have turned over a new leaf. When you return and the Phoenix family reunites, I will offer you wine at Silver Sparrow Terrace to apologize."

Zhao Xuanzhen could not help pulling the Soul Guide Communication device away from his ear. Leng Yulai's voice came through the Water Vapor, thick and cloyingly sweet as though it had been dampened. It utterly failed to match the Dark Phoenix in his memories, who had remained as crazed as a wild dog even after five years of confinement.

A rotten orange is still a rotten orange. The words were poised to leave Zhao Xuanzhen's throat, but he forcefully swallowed them. The two Cold sisters were blood-related family, and he knew how desperately his teacher wished to reconcile with her younger sister. Leng Yulai changing her nature was a good thing.

"There is another amusing matter." Leng Yaozhu smiled. "A newcomer has recently appeared in politics. She has caught the Federal Speaker's attention and is rising rapidly. Guess who it is?"

"Someone I know?"

"Long Yuxue. She has entered politics," Leng Yaozhu revealed.

"Her..."

The Blood God Army had lost an inconsequential deputy director of the Special Operations Department, while a new political star was steadily rising. Zhao Xuanzhen had no opinion on Long Yuxue's meteoric advancement in politics.

Mo Lan had been an ordinary person. After her father Mo Wu died, she strove tirelessly to rise from a Soul Guide train attendant to the Heaven Dou City Governor, eventually becoming the Federal Speaker through Tang Wulin's Lingering Influence.

Long Yuxue possessed far greater political resources than Mo Lan, especially within the Federal Military. One must never underestimate the influence of the Mirror Douluo, Zhang Huanyun. Many high-ranking military officers had served in the Blood God Army.

"Does she represent the Hawks or the Doves?"

"Neutral... strictly speaking, half a Hawk." Leng Yaozhu smiled. "Her background is the military's Blood God Army. As everyone knows, there are many hardline figures in the military's upper ranks. But Long Yuxue is somewhat special. She supports deeply binding the Federation and the Spirit Pagoda together, which means she has indirectly taken the Spirit Pagoda's side."

Zhao Xuanzhen fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "If Yuxue has the determination and ability, and is willing to safeguard the Spirit Pagoda's interests, then when the time is right, the Spirit Pagoda can give her a push.

"The Federal Speaker's willingness to look after Yuxue likely means the Federal Council's situation has become increasingly severe after the War God Hall defected.

"Teacher, you must be wary of Shrek Academy. Chen Xin Jie defied the world and led the War God Hall out of the Federation. As for this matter... I know about his past romantic relationship with Long Yeyue. It would not be surprising if old feelings had rekindled, but something about it has always felt strange to me.

"How could he dare drag all eighteen War Gods into joining a traitorous organization without caring in the slightest for the War God Hall's and Sea God Family's ten-thousand-year reputation?

"Moreover, the War God Hall has moved into Shrek Academy, far too close to the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters."

"Xuanzhen, that is also what I wanted to tell you."

Leng Yaozhu put away all her emotions and said seriously, "Ya Li was once a reserve War God secretly cultivated by the War God Hall, and she had dealings with Chen Xin Jie, the master of the War God Hall.

"She secretly came to the Spirit Pagoda to see me once. She told me that Chen Xin Jie's aura seemed to have become that of another person. Or rather, he is not entirely Chen Xin Jie. At times he is the original Chen Xin Jie, and at other times, he is a completely unfamiliar presence..."

"Chen Xin Jie is more than just Chen Xin Jie..." Zhao Xuanzhen said quietly. "Did the Holy Spirit Douluo say what Long Yeyue's attitude is?"

"She is cold and indifferent toward Chen Xin Jie, but she treats that person with utmost respect."

"...Teacher, do not rashly act against Shrek Academy for the time being. Wait until I return to the Douluo Continent."

"Mm. Chen Xin Jie is too strange. Fortunately, you left behind two natural guardians, so the Spirit Pagoda should be safe." Leng Yaozhu sighed.

"It is just that Ya Li has not had an easy time. Long Yeyue sees her as an enemy, while Chen Xin Jie sees her as a traitor. If not for the good reputation she has outside, she likely would have quietly died in Shrek Academy already.

"Xuanzhen, get some rest. Come home soon."

Leng Yulai watched Leng Yaozhu hang up the Soul Guide Communication device. Deep within those lowered dark-purple eyes, a scorching gleam flashed by so swiftly that it was difficult to capture.

One month. She had spent an entire month humbling herself, smoothing away her spikes and edges, and bending over backward to flatter Leng Yaozhu. At last, she had successfully warmed her sister's disappointed heart once again and created the image of a prodigal returning to the right path.

All her patience, all her disguise, had been for one ultimate goal!

Feeling the delicate warmth of the skin on her sister's shoulders and neck, Leng Yulai's heart turned cold, but a gentle smile curled across her red lips. Her long legs stepped back into the bathing pool, and amid the swirling Water Mist, the sisters' cuddled reflections appeared upon the shimmering surface...

After coming from the underground laboratory to the top floor, Zhao Xuanzhen saw the two Silver Dragon King's Half-Selves approaching him. Na'er asked with concern, "Zhao Xuanzhen, your complexion looks terrible. Is it because you did not capture Qiangu Zhangting?"

"A new storm has appeared." Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze was distant.

"Then smile in the face of danger," Gu Yue comforted him gently.

"What nonsense are you two babbling about? I cannot understand it!"

King Na'er had limited education and was deeply dissatisfied with the cryptic exchange between Xuan Yue and the zither. Grabbing Zhao Xuanzhen, she charged toward the bedroom and said indignantly,

"Tonight, I will play Qiangu Zhangting and make you happy!"