Nan Liujing: For Two Girls, I'll Have to Work a Little Harder

Spirit Pagoda, 107th floor.

Qian Gu Dongfeng personally poured tea for his elder brother as he asked, "Can you tell me why you did this?"

Lifting his teacup and taking a light sip, Qian Gu Qingfeng calmly said, "Naturally, because I want something."

"?" Qian Gu Dongfeng was confused.

Qian Gu Qingfeng spoke evenly. "The Cold Family sisters are like you and me back then. They shoulder the future of their two families. Now, both sides have begun nurturing their next generation. But unlike our Qian Gu Family's Direct Faction, which has Zhangting, the Cold Family's Direct Faction has yet to produce any exceptionally gifted descendants."

"The Direct Faction is weakening, while talents from the collateral branches are springing up like a fountain. That is the problem. With an opportunity to rise, the collateral branches will inevitably challenge the Direct Faction. Who knows, perhaps one day they may even turn things around."

"Leng Yulai joined the Holy Spirit Cult and was expelled from the family. Leng Yaozhu is alone as well. This has thrown the Cold Family's Direct Faction into a panic. They have secretly gathered wild talents to nurture, but those unaffiliated talents can only ease the problem for a while, not forever."

"At a time like this, I had Liujing take Leng Yaozhu as his master. If she takes him seriously, then once Liujing grows up, he will inevitably become the protector of the Cold Family's Direct Faction, until their Direct Faction produces talents comparable to the Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai sisters. What does that mean?"

Qian Gu Dongfeng's eyes widened. "It means that for many years to come, the Cold Family will be influenced by our Qian Gu Family!"

"Exactly." Qian Gu Qingfeng said whatever suited his audience. "That is why, now that we brothers are meeting today, I need to remind you that Liujing is not only your sister-in-law's sole blood relative in this world, but also someone who can stabilize the peace between our two families. Don't do anything reckless."

"Of course." Having figured out Nan Liujing's identity, Qian Gu Dongfeng's breathing quickened. This was far more reliable than plotting behind the scenes to split apart the Phoenix Family.

Qian Gu Qingfeng said, "When dealing with Liujing in the future, you do not need to be overly enthusiastic. Just treat him normally."

"I understand." Qian Gu Dongfeng assumed his elder brother was reminding him not to be too eager and provoke Leng Yaozhu's displeasure.

Qian Gu Qingfeng glanced at his clearly elated younger brother and casually asked, "How is Father's seclusion going?"

Qian Gu Dongfeng sighed. "No one has ever been able to glimpse the final move of the Unbending Staff Technique since its creation. Father has been in seclusion for a long time without much progress. If he could comprehend it, he could summarize his insights and pass them down. This has always been the greatest regret of every Family Head."

"I do have a guess." Qian Gu Qingfeng had never practiced the Unbending Staff Technique, as his martial soul was not the Coiled Dragon Staff, but he knew exactly how much effort the family had devoted to it.

Qian Gu Dongfeng asked curiously, "Let's hear it."

Qian Gu Qingfeng said gravely, "They say the final move of the Unbending Staff Technique is a move that breaks through to godhood. Is it possible that no one can master it because humans today can no longer break through to the god level?"

Qian Gu Dongfeng gave a bitter smile. "You have thought of that, Elder Brother, but how could Father and I not have considered it? I am already convinced that the final move cannot be mastered because no one can become a god anymore. But Father refuses to accept it and continues tempering himself in seclusion."

"It is good that you have thought of it." Qian Gu Qingfeng replied casually, but his gaze shifted in an instant and his expression turned gentle. "Dongfeng, tell me, how has your elder brother treated you?"

"Very well, naturally." Qian Gu Dongfeng had no suspicions. They were not full brothers by birth, yet ever since Qian Gu Qingfeng married, he had never shown any intention of competing with him for the family inheritance. With no conflict of interest between them, they naturally had a truly respectful bond between elder and younger brother.

Qian Gu Qingfeng chuckled. "Then how about letting my great-grandson practice the Unbending Staff Technique?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Qian Gu Dongfeng instantly regained the vigilance of the Spirit Pagoda's master. "Elder Brother, you should know that the Unbending Staff Technique can only be cultivated by the family's Direct Faction. Outsiders must never come into contact with it."

Qian Gu Qingfeng's eyes were eager. "In order to persuade Leng Yaozhu to take my great-grandson as her disciple, I put in no small amount of effort. Your elder brother has helped you so much, yet you cannot bend the rules just once? No one else will know."

"This..." Qian Gu Dongfeng hesitated slightly.

Qian Gu Qingfeng pressed on. "Besides, true comprehension of the Unbending Staff Technique only begins after reaching the rank of Titled Douluo. Before that, one merely observes and experiences the might of the staff technique. Are you really worried that a little two-ring child will learn it just by looking at it a few times?"

"Besides, this child's Coiled Dragon Staff possesses a Thunder Dragon Soul, not an Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul. It does not possess the unbending attribute. I only want him to experience the strength of the staff technique and leave an indelible mark in his heart, inspiring him to create his own Unbending Staff Technique in the future. You will not even fulfill such a small wish for your elder brother?"

Though Qian Gu Dongfeng was over a hundred years old, he still scratched his head like a child when facing his elder brother.

Under his elder brother's eager gaze, he simply could not bring himself to refuse.

Draining the tea in his cup in one gulp, he flicked his finger. A cluster of nine-colored light floated before Qian Gu Qingfeng.

"This contains the circulation process of the Unbending Staff Technique that I inscribed with Spiritual Power. I originally made it for Zhangting to observe and contemplate in advance. Once your great-grandson breaks through to Soul King, he can come into contact with it while meditating. At that time, corresponding images will appear within his spiritual sea."

Qian Gu Qingfeng snatched it away so quickly that Qian Gu Dongfeng's eyelids could not help twitching several times.

But thinking of his elder brother's character and how that boy's dragon soul was incompatible with the staff technique, he relaxed again.

Meanwhile, the Rampage Period Spirit Ascension Platform was still proceeding in full swing. It lasted seven days, but that did not mean one could remain inside for seven days as usual. Entry was limited to a single day, and the qualification card had to be used again the following day.

As they advanced, Wu Sidu and Ye Xinglan could not compete through words, but they tacitly began competing through their actions.

Both were Two-Ring Great Soul Masters. Facing rampaging soul beasts, they went back and forth, turning a training session into a contest.

Nan Liujing undoubtedly became the counter, recording which girl killed more soul beasts, whose kills had higher cultivation ages, and whose opponents were stronger.

He went on strike halfway through, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by the two girls on the spot. They insisted on squeezing every last bit of use out of him.

He had no choice. To satisfy the two girls, he could only work a little harder.

"They have finally settled down. Judging by the time, it should be nearly evening in the real world too."

Nan Liujing sat on a thick branch of an ancient tree, his legs dangling in midair as he admired the forest at dusk.

The treetops still held a few slivers of sunset like gold foil, while thin shadows had already gathered beneath the tree.

Tiny motes of dust floated along the boundary between light and shadow, each one distinct enough to count. The impassioned roars of beasts in the distance gradually quieted as well.

Occasionally, flying soul beasts flashed past through gaps in the leaves overhead, stirring up a cool breeze.

The two girls rested their heads against Nan Liujing's shoulders, one on each side, neither of them caring whether the gesture was a little too intimate.

Different delicate scents lingered at the tip of his nose as Nan Liujing said helplessly, "Why are you two trying so hard? Your soul spirit cultivation ages have long since reached their limits. Killing more soul beasts will not improve them."

"You wouldn't understand."

The two girls spoke in unison.

After saying that, they abruptly raised their heads and stared at each other across Nan Liujing's chest, as though neither was willing to yield to the other.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!

A thin arc of electricity suddenly emerged between the girls' gazes, clearly a horizontal line stretching from left to right, as though it had burst from their eyes.

Nan Liujing smiled and extended a finger. Lightning Soul Power crackled at his fingertip, slightly distorting the air.

"Mm, now it matches what they show in anime."

"..."

Their staring contest was interrupted by that move, and the tense atmosphere instantly became awkward. The two girls instinctively turned their heads away.

At that moment, a soft breeze slipped through the leaves.

A few strands of hair gently lifted like dandelion fluff testing the wind. Wu Sidu raised her fair, jade-like hand and brushed aside the strands that nearly stuck to her rosy lips, then asked with a light smile, "I plan to apply to Shrek Academy in the future. What about you two?"

Ye Xinglan raised a brow, but Nan Liujing said, "I will probably go too, but there is no rush."

Wu Sidu looked at Ye Xinglan amicably. The latter froze for a moment before politely replying, "I will go too."

Wu Sidu smiled. "Then it seems we can meet again at Shrek Academy. That is it, then. I will leave the Spirit Ascension Platform world first."

Just as she was about to press the rescue signal device, Wu Sidu remembered something and lowered her head to look at him.

"Oh, right, Nan Liujing."

"The candy you gave me just now was fake when all was said and done, so you still owe me a piece of candy in the real world. Remember that, okay?"

"You are getting greedy." Nan Liujing looked at her snowy, lovely face and said irritably.

"Are you giving it to me or not?" Wu Sidu smiled sweetly, without a trace of the valiant bearing she had displayed while slaughtering beasts moments earlier.

Nan Liujing shrugged and said with a smile, "If you want it, I will give it to you. I can shortchange anyone but you."

"Now that's a friend!" Wu Sidu raised her brows at Ye Xinglan. Before the latter could react, she immediately pressed the rescue signal device and transformed into a beam of light as she left.

"I booked a table at Huo Yuhao's Grilled Fish. After dinner, I'll take you home and we can go for a drive too."

Before Ye Xinglan could make any sarcastic remarks, Nan Liujing immediately spoke to cut her off.

Ye Xinglan froze. The words at the tip of her tongue were indeed swallowed back. She gave a dry cough. "That Xu Cang will most likely not let this go. What are you planning to do?"

Nan Liujing spread the five fingers of his right hand. A miniature Thunder Dragon Soul swam through his palm before affectionately flying to the top of his head and curling up there. "When it comes to backgrounds, there are not many people on the Douluo Continent who can compare to me. Let him come."

Ye Xinglan was stunned. It seemed... that was true.

The two left the Spirit Ascension Platform together.

After having Ye Xinglan wait at the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda, Nan Liujing went alone to find his mature beauty of a teacher, Leng Yaozhu.

By now, Leng Yaozhu's home was practically his own. Once his retina was scanned, the door opened automatically.

As he entered, he saw Leng Yaozhu standing before the window, gazing out over the vast dusk scenery of Shrek City.

"Teacher." Nan Liujing stepped forward to greet her, but keenly noticed an uncleaned wine glass on the coffee table.

Someone had been here!

Leng Yaozhu turned around, her charming face carrying a smile. "Not bad. You completed the task your teacher assigned."

Nan Liujing grinned. "Teacher, now that I have completed the task, there should be a reward, right?"

It was the first time Leng Yaozhu had seen her disciple ask for a reward. She asked with interest, "What reward do you want?"

Nan Liujing chuckled. "Can I save the reward for later?"

"Save it?" Leng Yaozhu paused, her smile radiating irresistible charm. "This is the first time I have heard of a reward being saved. Fine, since you are my disciple, your teacher agrees. I owe you one reward."

"Thank you, Teacher." Nan Liujing smiled.

He wanted the reward for when he entered Spirit Forging and began making a mecha. At that time, he could ask Leng Yaozhu to find several masters of auxiliary professions to help him.

Ordinarily, hundred-forged metal was enough to make yellow mechas, thousand-forged metal was purple grade, and Spirit Forged metal was black grade. But all such mechas required manual control, and their operators needed to continuously hone their skills.

What Nan Liujing wanted was a mecha made entirely from Spirit Forged metal. It would not require human control, instead relying on the metal's own soul to move.

It could essentially be understood as the Douluo Continent version of Transformers.

In a sense, such a mecha already counted as a living being.

Nan Liujing had even considered what would happen if, one day, he could upgrade the mecha into something forged entirely through Heaven Forging.

Would it achieve an unbelievably exaggerated mechanical ascension and give birth to an unprecedented mechanical god?

A friend's book, giving it a little promotion.