Spirit Pagoda

The morning sunlight spilled through the curtains into the room. Fang Yang woke up early, ate a simple breakfast, and then headed toward Red Mountain Academy.

The day's classes passed uneventfully until the end-of-school bell rang in the afternoon.

Just as Fang Yang walked out of the classroom, a familiar figure came into view.

He saw that Na'er was wearing a light white dress, standing quietly in the corridor, her silver hair radiating a soft luster under the setting sun.

Fang Yang hurried forward, his eyes full of surprise. "Na'er, why are you here?"

"Hehe, I missed big brother!" A sweet smile bloomed on Na'er's face as she stepped forward and hugged Fang Yang's arm.

Fang Yang asked instinctively, "Does Mom know you came to school?"

"I asked Mom to bring me!" Na'er explained obediently. "Mom is still busy, but I saw that school was almost out, so I came over to wait for you by myself."

Hearing this explanation, Fang Yang finally set his mind at ease.

Just as he was about to take Na'er away, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.

"Fang Yang, who is this...?" Tang Wulin walked out of the classroom.

Yet his gaze was involuntarily drawn to Na'er.

For some reason, the very first time he saw this silver-haired girl, an inexplicable sense of intimacy welled up deep inside Tang Wulin's heart, as if they were meant to know each other.

"Wulin, this is my sister Na'er." Detecting Tang Wulin's strange gaze, Fang Yang turned slightly sideways, nonchalantly shielding Na'er behind him.

"Hello, Sister Na'er, I'm Tang Wulin." Tang Wulin flashed a friendly smile.

Na'er only nodded politely and didn't speak.

"Wulin? What's wrong with you?" Seeing that Tang Wulin seemed somewhat absent-minded, Fang Yang patted him on the shoulder.

Tang Wulin snapped out of it and scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Fang Yang spoke up, "Wulin, it's fine. By the way, didn't you say you were going to Mang Tian Studio to learn blacksmithing? How's the progress?"

Mentioning this, Tang Wulin's eyes instantly lit up. "Teacher Mang Tian thinks highly of me and has officially taken me on as his apprentice!"

When he said this, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Na'er, seemingly especially eager to show off in front of her.

Only, this boastful tone was somewhat different from his usual self.

What left Tang Wulin feeling deflated was that Na'er showed zero reaction, and no fluctuation could be seen within her purple eyes.

As someone who had been through it all, Fang Yang saw right through Tang Wulin's little scheme.

Even so, being Tang Wulin's friend, he still said, "Wulin, congratulations."

"Thanks." Tang Wulin smiled honestly.

The two chatted idly for a bit longer until Tang Wulin checked the time and said somewhat reluctantly, "I have to get to the studio. Let's chat again when we have time."

With that, he left.

As soon as Tang Wulin departed, Na'er sensed something, gently tugging at the sleeve of Fang Yang's garment while a cunning light flickered in her purple eyes. "Big brother, do you dislike that Tang Wulin?"

Fang Yang was slightly stunned, then shook his head in denial. "No, it's just..."

He paused, his voice dropping a bit lower unconsciously. "I don't want him getting too close to you."

"Oh~"

Na'er drew out her tone, a trace of mischief flashing in her eyes. "Big brother, you're jealous."

"Na'er, don't talk nonsense, I am not." Fang Yang's old face flushed red as he hastily denied it.

Watching Fang Yang's flustered appearance, Na'er couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Alright, alright, I promise big brother, I'll stay far away from that Tang Wulin from now on."

For some reason, upon hearing Na'er's words, a wave of warmth surged into Fang Yang's heart, just like a hanging stone finally landing on the ground.

Leaving Red Mountain Academy behind, the two strolled along the streets.

Before long, Na'er suddenly stopped in her tracks, pointing at the candy store by the roadside with sparkling eyes. "Big brother, I want to eat a lollipop~"

She shook Fang Yang's arm in a spoiled manner, her silver hair fluttering along with the motion.

"Alright, whatever you say." Fang Yang lovingly rubbed her hair. Then he took Na'er by the hand and walked into the candy store.

After a while, Fang Yang carried a bag in his left hand, filled with all sorts of flavored candies and snacks, while holding Na'er's hand with his right.

"Big brother, where are we going next?" Na'er asked curiously while eating her lollipop.

Fang Yang's gaze looked toward that towering building in the distance.

He answered softly, "To the Spirit Pagoda."

Aolai City had a branch of the Spirit Pagoda, located right in the center of the city. It was a three-story tower-shaped building, which was the lowest-tier Spirit Pagoda branch; Spirit Pagodas in medium-sized cities would be seven stories tall, and those in major cities reached a full thirteen stories.

As for the headquarters of the Spirit Pagoda, situated in Shrek City, after years of renovations it stood at a full eighty-one stories, hailed as the most magnificent architecture on the Douroland.

As for the Spirit Pagoda itself, it was an organization founded ten thousand years ago by Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao, and because of their cross-era research—Artificial Soul Spirits.

Today, the momentum of the Spirit Pagoda had even surpassed the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, forming a superpower that spanned across the Sun Moon Federation, Heaven Dou Empire, and Star Luo Federation, with countless powerhouses under its banner.

When Fang Yang led Na'er to the front of the Spirit Pagoda once again, that familiar young female staff member immediately recognized him.

"Little fellow, it's you!" Her eyes lit up, a smile broke across her face, and she hurried forward to greet them.

She had a deep impression of this child; the last time he came alone to seek Lord Su Tao, that composure and politeness far beyond his years had left a profound mark on her.

Fang Yang bowed politely. "Hello, Sister."

The female staff member smiled gently. "Long time no see. Is this cute little girl your sister?"

Her gaze landed on the silver-haired girl next to Fang Yang.

Hearing this, Na'er shyly hid behind Fang Yang.

"Yes, this is my sister Na'er." Fang Yang smiled as he rubbed Na'er's soft silver hair, then straightened his expression. "Sister, I'm here this time to find Master Su Tao to fuse a soul spirit."

Hearing this, the female staff member was startled, the smile on her face freezing instantly.

She sized up the Fang Yang before her in disbelief. Only a few short days had passed since the martial soul awakening ceremony, yet this child had actually already reached the realm where he needed to fuse a soul spirit?

Professional ethics allowed her to quickly adjust her expression and put her professional smile back on. "Please come with me, I will take you to see Lord Su Tao right now."

Fang Yang nodded, tightly grasping Na'er's small hand, and followed closely behind.

Under the guidance of the female staff member, Fang Yang walked into the Spirit Pagoda and was led into a reception room he knew well.

"Please wait here for a moment, I will go notify Lord Su Tao right now." The female staff member bowed out, gently pulling the door closed behind her.

Fang Yang first placed the items in his hands onto the coffee table, then had Na'er sit down on the sofa while Na'er curiously examined the furnishings in the room.

Before long, the door to the reception room was pushed open, and a middle-aged man wearing a deep blue robe walked in.

Su Tao's voice was deep and powerful as his gaze fell upon Fang Yang. "Are you planning to fuse a soul spirit?"

Fang Yang stood up and answered without hesitation, "Yes, Uncle Su Tao. I came here this time specifically to fuse a soul spirit and break through to the soul master realm!"

"Good, but before that, I'll take you to test your spiritual power level first."

Subsequently, Su Tao turned and gestured. "Come with me."