Imagine how chaotic it would be in a group battle if he animated the shadows of dozens of enemies at once, only for those shadows to turn on their owners in an instant.
The only limit to this Soul Skill was Soul Power.
The stronger the Hostile Soul Master, the more Soul Power it took to animate his shadow.
With his current Soul Power at Rank 25, he could probably animate around ten enemies at his level, or one enemy two Great Realms above him.
As for enemies at even higher realms, he could still animate their shadows, but the shadows' strength would keep diminishing.
But that was already enough for Wang Zhi.
As his strength increased, this Soul Skill would only become more terrifying.
The next day.
The Youth Ranking Competition continued.
Wang Zhi's opponent that day was a youth from Shanwu City. His Martial Soul was a Flame Lion, and he was a Two-Ring Soul Grand Master.
He was quite strong, but still no match for Wang Zhi.
A Ghost Shadow Ninja working with a Ghost Shadow Warrior forced his opponent off the stage in less than a minute.
Wang Zhi won with ease, securing a place in the Top 64.
Although the Youth Ranking awarded extra points for Sub-Professions, a Soul Master's overall combat strength was ultimately what mattered most.
As for everything else...
It was certainly better to have it, but not having it hardly made a difference.
After all, this was the Douluo Continent, where strength decided everything.
Cheers rang out from the stands.
More and more people were beginning to recognize the name Wang Zhi.
The youth from Hailu City had been defeating one opponent after another without suffering a single loss.
And now, he had caught the attention of certain people.
After the competition ended, just as he was about to leave, a Spirit Transmitter wearing the Spirit Pagoda uniform approached him.
The man was respectful, his tone warm.
"Young Master Wang, the Tower Master would like to see you."
Wang Zhi paused in surprise.
The Tower Master?
Qian Gu Dongfeng?
He hadn't expected the Spirit Pagoda Tower Master to summon him in person.
The competition had only reached the Top 64. Even if he'd performed well, surely he hadn't done enough to attract the attention of someone like that?
Still, he didn't let much show on his face. He simply nodded.
"All right."
Led by the Spirit Transmitter, the two boarded a Soul Guide Elevator and ascended.
The Spirit Pagoda Headquarters towered into the clouds. The elevator continued climbing for a long time before finally stopping.
The doors opened onto a corridor lined with a deep red carpet. Exquisite murals hung along both walls, and crystal lamps stood at regular intervals.
This was the highest floor of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
It was where Qian Gu Dongfeng's Exclusive Office was located.
The Spirit Transmitter led him to a tall door and knocked lightly.
"Come in."
A low voice came from inside.
The Spirit Transmitter opened the door and turned to Wang Zhi.
"Young Master Wang, please."
He gestured for Wang Zhi to enter alone.
Wang Zhi stepped into the office, and the door closed softly behind him.
His first impression was... luxury!
The Spirit Pagoda certainly lived up to its reputation as the wealthiest faction on the continent.
The office was extraordinarily spacious, nearly a thousand square meters in size.
An unknown animal-hide rug covered the floor, so soft that his feet almost sank into it.
Shelves lined the walls, packed with ancient books.
Most eye-catching of all was the desk, made entirely from ten-thousand-year-old golden silk sandalwood. All kinds of exquisite items were arranged across its surface.
A figure stood with his hands behind his back before the Floor-to-Ceiling Window.
The man was tall and imposing. His black hair was neatly combed, and he wore a Deep Purple Robe embroidered with the Spirit Transmitter Tower Emblem along the hem.
Qian Gu Dongfeng, the Spirit Transmitter Tower Master, was one of the most powerful men of the era.
Hearing Wang Zhi enter, he turned around and looked at him.
His eyes were deep, as if they could see through everything.
"Please, sit."
Qian Gu Dongfeng gestured toward the chair in front of the desk, his tone warm.
Wang Zhi walked over and sat down.
Qian Gu Dongfeng returned to his place and sat behind the desk. He studied the youth before him, approval in his eyes.
"I imagine you're wondering why I wanted to see you, Young Friend."
He didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.
"I heard that during the Tianhai Competition, Wu Changkong of Shrek Academy attacked you without bothering to find out what had happened."
"I regret that as well."
"If I'd been there, I would certainly have made sure you received justice."
Wang Zhi's gaze sharpened slightly.
He knew that Qian Gu Dongfeng's words were mere courtesy.
Given his status, how could he really stand up for a youth he'd never met?
Even so, he lowered his head slightly.
"You're too kind, Qian Gu Tower Master."
"Ah."
Qian Gu Dongfeng waved a hand.
"I'm not just being polite."
"I think highly of you, Young Friend."
He paused, then continued.
"Perhaps you don't know much about Shrek."
"They've always been domineering, believing themselves to be the best on the continent and acting without restraint."
"You offended Wu Changkong, and that means you've offended them."
"You'll never be able to enter Shrek now."
"But—"
He looked straight into Wang Zhi's eyes.
"The Spirit Pagoda's doors..."
"Will always be open to you."
Wang Zhi's heart tightened.
Was Qian Gu Dongfeng inviting him to join the Spirit Pagoda?
He didn't answer right away. After a brief silence, he said softly,
"Please give me some time to think it over, Tower Master."
His reply was neither servile nor arrogant. He hadn't refused outright, but he hadn't accepted in haste either.
A flicker of approval appeared in Qian Gu Dongfeng's eyes.
The youth hadn't let his identity and promises cloud his judgment. Instead, he'd kept a clear head—a rare quality indeed.
"Of course."
He nodded, his expression still warm.
"The Spirit Pagoda's doors are right here. Once you've made up your mind, I, as Spirit Transmitter Tower Master, promise that you'll receive treatment equal to that of a core disciple of Shrek Academy's Inner Court."
Wang Zhi inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you, Tower Master."
A short while later, Wang Zhi took his leave.
The office door closed softly.
Qian Gu Dongfeng rose and walked to the Floor-to-Ceiling Window, gazing out at the distant, towering city—
Shrek City.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he fell into thought.
He hadn't personally tried to recruit Wang Zhi into the Spirit Pagoda because of his talent.
The Spirit Pagoda lacked many things, but it certainly didn't lack geniuses.
There were plenty of youths like Wang Zhi who performed exceptionally well in the Youth Ranking every year. When had he ever gone out of his way to meet one?
What truly interested him was something else.
During the Tianhai Competition...
That blade that had gravely wounded Wu Changkong.
That blade light...
He'd investigated it time and again, but had never found out where it came from.
It was as if that blade had been unleashed by Wang Zhi himself, but he knew that was impossible.
No matter how talented Wang Zhi was, there was no way he could gravely wound Wu Changkong, an Eight Ring Soul Douluo, with the strength of a Two-Ring Soul Master.
What's more, Wu Changkong was a disciple of Zhuo Shi, a Sea God Pavilion Elder, and had extensive combat experience. His true strength could only be greater still.
So there was only one explanation...
Before you continue