East Sea Snack Street

After a moment of silence in the car, the driver finally spoke. "Master, we still haven't found him. We've searched all of Eastsea City from top to bottom."

"Is that so?"

Gu Yue's voice was calm, with no trace of anger. She began recalling the direction from which she had sensed the Golden Dragon King's aura. She was certain it had likely been somewhere in this area.

"Search the surrounding cities as well." Her gaze turned toward the window, and she asked, "How far has the Spirit Pagoda's spirit research progressed now?"

"Their spirit research is stuck at making a breakthrough with artificial Ten-Thousand-Year Spirits," Zi Ji answered naturally.

"Ten-Thousand-Year Spirits?" Gu Yue fell into thought.

"It seems Spirit Pagoda Headquarters is researching some kind of project. I heard it's somewhat similar to the Spirit Ascension Platform, but that's only hearsay. I don't have any definite information," Zi Ji said regretfully.

"Hearsay? But if rumors have spread, then it's probably true." Gu Yue did not particularly care. Even if it was mere speculation, knowing a little more was still a good thing.

She withdrew her gaze and leaned against the soft seatback. A hint of exhaustion showed in her eyes, and her shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly, as though they bore a weight she could no longer endure.

The vehicle continued forward, neon lights scattering chaotically across her face and concealing her true emotions.

Gu Yue let out a breath. Whether it was devouring the Golden Dragon King to bring back the Dragon God, or reviving the Soul Beast race, both goals were still far beyond her reach.

For now, the only thing she could do was establish herself in the East Sea Spirit Pagoda and wait for an opportunity to enter Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

As night deepened, the car gradually merged into the traffic. Gu Yue did not speak again. The howling wind beyond the window seemed to tell of her feelings at that moment.

The next day, afternoon.

Inside the Spirit Pagoda training room, the lights were cold and harsh, white illumination flooding the entire space. Heavy breathing echoed through the room, every breath magnified countless times in the silent training chamber.

Li Jinsheng caught his breath slightly, then walked to the Strength Testing Machine under Coach Yu Jun's direction. He was barefoot, dressed only in a short-sleeved shirt and long pants.

Bang!

His Left Fist shot out, and the Soul Guidance Display showed a startling figure: "453" kilograms!

Bang!

His Right Fist struck out, and another number appeared on the display: "469" kilograms.

Such strength might not seem extraordinary to most adult Soul Masters, but Li Jinsheng was only six years old. Less than four months had passed since his martial soul awakening, yet his strength had already improved so dramatically.

Yu Jun clutched the clipboard at his side and stared at the two glaring numbers. Was this kid really not a Body Martial Soul? He had examined him no fewer than ten times. His body was indeed somewhat different from ordinary people's, but he was certain it was not a Body Martial Soul.

At that moment, the training room doors opened and closed soundlessly, and a beautiful figure appeared inside.

Gu Yue walked in slowly, wearing an ancient-style dress. The light purple hem swayed gently with her steps. Looking at Li Jinsheng, she asked curiously, "Why do you work so hard every day? Aren't you afraid you'll wear your body down?"

As she spoke, she took a clean towel from a nearby rack and tossed it to the boy, who was soaked in sweat.

"Cultivation is something that belongs to me. In the end, it's the result of my own hard work, and no one can take it from me." Li Jinsheng caught the towel and wiped away his sweat as he explained his thoughts.

Gu Yue understood what the boy meant. She had initially thought Li Jinsheng was a genius nurtured by the Spirit Pagoda from childhood, but after speaking with Zi Ji in detail, she learned that he was merely a genius who had no choice but to depend on the Spirit Pagoda.

She slowly moved to the wall and asked curiously, "What kind of organization do you think the Spirit Pagoda is?"

Li Jinsheng draped the towel over his shoulder, lightly brushing his chin with his fingertips as he considered the question. "At least for now, I think it's pretty good."

"Be more specific."

"Every year, it awakens martial souls for commoners across the continent for free. That alone is something many forces can't compare to. Although its spirits are ridiculously expensive, they're still a way to obtain soul rings—and the safest way at that."

Li Jinsheng knew that spirits were enormously profitable. Aside from the Spirit Pagoda's core members, no one knew what they actually cost to produce. Gu Yue, however, knew the answer very clearly.

"Is that so..." Gu Yue was not surprised by his answer. How much could a six-year-old child really know? He did not even know some of the core matters she had already encountered.

"Of course, with your family background, you'll definitely become one of the Spirit Pagoda's higher-ups someday. Don't forget to lend me a hand when that happens." Li Jinsheng's tone was casual, almost joking. In any case, he did not think any Spirit Pagoda higher-up would take a liking to him. It was better to focus on what was in front of him than to aim too high.

Gu Yue merely smiled and did not take his words to heart. She was still "young" at the moment, and Zi Ji had to handle many matters for her. Once the time was right, she would personally research these so-called spirits and overcome the hurdle of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirits. Only then could she gain absolute prestige within the Spirit Pagoda and possibly sit upon the throne of the Spirit Pagoda's Tower Master.

At that point, the situation of her Soul Beast race would be temporarily secure.

Pulling back her thoughts, she looked at Li Jinsheng. This child was a genius as well. He might come into contact with the Spirit Pagoda's core in the future. At the very least, he could become a chess piece.

"Li Jinsheng, you should relax once in a while too!" Gu Yue suddenly invited him. "Want to go to the snack street?"

The boy paid it little mind and shook his head. "No time..."

Before he could finish, Yu Jun reached out and pushed his shoulder. "Relax once in a while. It'll help your cultivation too."

Li Jinsheng was pushed two steps forward, his heels scraping the floor. When he turned around, Yu Jun had already raised a hand and made a shooing gesture.

Gu Yue smiled faintly and turned to leave first. The boy tossed aside the towel and reluctantly followed after her, though he did not stop walking again.

Perhaps relaxing a little really would help his cultivation.

By the time they reached the snack street, both Gu Yue and Li Jinsheng were filled with curiosity.

It was a rather narrow street lined with shops on both sides. Before they had even reached the entrance, all kinds of enticing aromas drifted out from within.

Li Jinsheng's nose twitched slightly, as though his appetite had been stirred.

"Sugar-fried chestnuts! Fresh sugar-fried chestnuts! Buy two pounds and get half a pound free!"

"Freshly grilled roasted sausage! Three yuan a skewer, ten yuan for three!"

Vendors called out continuously, their cries echoing through the street. The place was extraordinarily lively.

Gu Yue walked at the front. Listening to the rising and falling calls of the vendors, her pace gradually slowed.

"Which place should we eat at first?" She glanced sideways at Li Jinsheng, who was strolling leisurely behind her.

The boy looked around as though searching for something. Before long, he spotted a more conspicuous shop.

"Let's eat there first—Stewed Pot Beef!"