Qiangu Qingfeng and Leng Yaozhu

The next day, early morning.

The Soul Guide Vehicle returned to the coastal highway, cool sea breeze pouring into the car.

"Wow." Her hair danced across her forehead as Na'er widened her eyes, staring blankly at the sea dyed by the first ray of sunlight. By the shore, waves crashed against the reefs, sending up white spray.

After just one night, she seemed reborn, her personality becoming far more outgoing.

After dinner last night, Nan Liujing had taken her to play on the beach. The little girl had even worked up the courage to greet some aunties who praised her for being cute.

Nan Liujing sat beside her with his phone. After confirming that the flight was not full, he successfully booked a seat beside him.

The night had passed, and no one had come to take Na'er away. Nan Liujing thus fulfilled a promise known only to himself and took Na'er with him.

An hour later, dense clusters of skyscrapers appeared in the distance. Nan Liujing had Uncle Bai, the driver, first visit the most highly rated winery in the city and purchase several bottles of top-quality red wine.

Only then did they head to the East Sea City Spirit Pagoda to visit Tower Master Leng Yi.

Although this trip had been cut short by an accident, Nan Liujing was truly grateful for the conveniences Leng Yi had provided.

Leng Yi was more curious than anything about Nan Liujing, who understood tricks like gift-giving at only six years old and had such a powerful background. Since there was still time before boarding, he chatted with him for a while.

As the branch Tower Master of a Pillar-level Spirit Pagoda, Leng Yi naturally possessed exceptional talent. At only thirty-six, he was already a Soul Saint. Backed by the Spirit Pagoda's influence, he might even have been a Battle Armor Master as well. In Eastsea City, a Soul Master Desert, his strength was enough to rank among the top three.

The exchange ended on a suitable note. When the time was about right, Nan Liujing bid Leng Yi farewell.

After seeing him out, Leng Yi shook his head with worries buried in his heart. He closed the Office main door and quietly sat in his chair.

Moments later, beams of soft light spread from all around the walls, swiftly forming four projected screens before his desk.

Looking at his colleagues of varying ages within the screens, Leng Yi's expression turned solemn. Like him, these people were branch Tower Masters of the Spirit Pagoda, merely stationed in different cities.

Yet they shared one identity: they all belonged to the Direct Line of one of the Spirit Pagoda's ruling families, the Phoenix Family.

At that moment, a powerful mature female voice rang out. "Begin."

At her words, Leng Yi and the four people within the screens all straightened in attention.

"Family Head." The first to speak was the Ming Du Spirit Pagoda Master. He appeared to be around Leng Yi's age, with square Facial Features and neat black short hair combed back, making him appear capable and dignified.

"After screening them, I have identified fifteen suitable geniuses. Please review them."

The surroundings immediately fell silent.

Leng Yi's expression froze. As expected of Ming Capital—geniuses were born there in batches.

One had to know that the baseline requirement for this secret plan was Innate Soul Power of no lower than rank nine, along with a Martial Soul that was at least a top-tier Martial Soul. Special types could be given some leeway, but they still had to be among the best high-tier Martial Souls.

After a moment, the hidden woman's voice rose again. "I selected three. Contact their families. If they are interested, we can discuss matters in detail."

The Ming Du Spirit Pagoda Master quickly received the feedback. Seeing that none of those selected were the ones he had particularly recommended, he hurriedly asked, "Family Head, may I ask why this genius named Xu Yucheng was not selected?"

The woman said indifferently, "The Dark Demon Sickle will backlash against its awakened user. Those who awaken this type of Martial Soul possess extremely weak bodies. They may be strong before becoming Soul Saints, but once they reach Soul Saint, they will immediately be surpassed by geniuses of the same level. They might still become top experts in the future, but the resources they consume will be several times those of geniuses at the same level. It is not worth it."

The Ming Du Spirit Pagoda Master came to a realization. He had focused solely on selecting top geniuses and forgotten that point.

"Next," the woman said.

Soon, the Spirit Pagoda Masters from Ling Dou City, Yan Jin City, and Dragon City each submitted geniuses who had undergone layer upon layer of screening.

The further it went, the more Leng Yi felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Leng Yi."

At last, the woman called his name.

Leng Yi's expression stiffened. In a Deep Voice, he said, "Please punish me, Family Head. On Eastsea City's side, I did not discover any suitable geniuses. Even ordinary geniuses to be sent to headquarters are relatively scarce."

The other four Tower Masters frowned.

Eastsea City was widely acknowledged as a Soul Master Desert, and its output was indeed pitifully low. If it were not by the sea and economically prosperous, how could it have obtained a Pillar-level Spirit Pagoda?

"You should have taken a post in Skysea City," the woman's tone turned icy. Even through the projections, the Tower Masters felt a chill sweep over them.

"Stop the Phoenix Plan on your side for now. Simply recruit conventional geniuses as usual. Strive to break through to Soul Douluo before you turn forty. I will apply to make you a reserve Spirit Messenger, then transfer you away from Eastsea City," the woman said calmly.

"Yes, ma'am." Leng Yi's expression was heavy.

Shrek City. A towering structure stood upon the earth like the peak of a colossal god, its top already hidden amid the Clouds and Fog. Under the sunlight, it gleamed with silver radiance.

This was the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, the Heavenly Spirit Tower.

It had a total of one hundred and eight floors, making it the greatest architectural marvel on the Douluo Continent.

After closing the private communication screen, Leng Yaozhu rose from the soft sofa and poured herself a glass of red wine.

She tipped her head back and took a light sip. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, glowing beneath the sunlight like rising flames, creating a striking contrast against her snowy white, slender neck.

Though she was already over ninety years old, her figure remained full and exquisite. Beneath her simple black dress, the slightest movement outlined the graceful curves of her Delicate Body. At one meter seventy-eight, she appeared especially tall and slender.

Her wine-red Eye Pupils carried a faint amber-like luster. Gazing at the wineglass, she saw an exquisite and beautiful face reflected in the deep liquid. The beauty mark at the corner of her eye made her originally gentle elegance seem far more coldly seductive.

"The higher one stands, the harder one often falls."

Leng Yaozhu murmured to her wineglass, "The balance the Spirit Pagoda maintained for two thousand years has begun to break. A new round of reshuffling has already begun, yet it had to happen in this worst possible era. Should I preserve the Phoenix Family, or should I gamble everything?"

Buzz—

Suddenly, the phone lying on the sofa lit up.

Leng Yaozhu drained the wine in one gulp and said coldly, "Answer it."

The phone screen stopped flashing, and a steady voice emerged. "Tian Feng."

Leng Yaozhu's face froze. Surprised, she said, "We have known each other for decades, yet this is the first time you have called me."

Qiangu Qingfeng explained, "My family..."

"Enough, enough. I know you love your wife." Leng Yaozhu cut him off.

Qiangu Qingfeng paused, then coughed dryly. "I hope to ask you for a favor."

Leng Yaozhu said blandly, "Your father and your Second Brother have been suppressing my Phoenix Family in every possible way, yet you, a member of the Qian Gu Family's Direct Line, actually want to ask me for help."

"What my father and Second Brother do has never had anything to do with me," Qiangu Qingfeng said. "I am asking you as a private individual. Once this is done, I will owe you a favor."

"How great a favor?" Leng Yaozhu asked.

Qiangu Qingfeng said, "As long as I do not fall, I will secretly help your Phoenix Family maintain its current status."

A Trace of surprise flashed through Leng Yaozhu's eyes. She smiled. "Interesting. What are you asking me to do?"

Qiangu Qingfeng said, "Be someone's teacher."

Leng Yaozhu's gaze Slightly Moved as she turned to look at the phone on the sofa.

"She agreed?"

Within the Spirit Pagoda Public Cemetery, Xia Zheng Leng's jade-like hand gently brushed over her grandniece's Tombstone, which did not have A Trace of dust on it.

"She did not refuse, but she did not agree either." Qiangu Qingfeng stood behind her.

"Then she agreed."

Xia Zheng Leng rose to her feet and faced Qiangu Qingfeng. "Your Second Brother only thinks about gaining complete control of the Spirit Pagoda. Over the years, he has constantly suppressed the other ruling families and even assassinated geniuses outside the Qian Gu Family line. He has never considered how enormous a prize the Spirit Pagoda would become if internal chaos broke out at such a time."

"The Federation does not merely detest Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect. They also want to dismantle the Spirit Pagoda, which is likewise not entirely under their control. If the Spirit Pagoda becomes weak first, the Federation's blade will be the first to stab in."

"Qing Feng, you need to decide what role you want to play in all this. The Abyss is watching us like a tiger watching its prey. We humans cannot descend into chaos again."

Listening to his wife's earnest words, Qiangu Qingfeng's expression became grave.

Not wanting to make things difficult for her husband, Xia Zheng Leng changed the subject. "Is it appropriate to have Leng Yaozhu teach Liujing?"

Qiangu Qingfeng naturally continued, "Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua has publicly announced that he will stop performing Heavenly Forging in another twenty years. At that time, if no new Divine Craftsman emerges, one of the three methods for creating Four-word Battle Armor will disappear."

"Leng Yaozhu possesses a method that allows Battle Armor to naturally advance. Letting Liujing come into contact with her is feasible. Even if she does not teach him, Liujing can still benefit greatly from it."

Xia Zheng Leng came to a realization. "So that is why you wanted her to become Liujing's teacher. Then, through our connection, Dong Feng will not dare act recklessly. Once Liujing grows up, he can naturally become the key to maintaining the balance between the two great families, which would be enough to ensure the Spirit Pagoda's stability."

"No one knows a husband better than his wife." The happiest thing in Qiangu Qingfeng's life was neither becoming a Four-word Battle Armor Master nor becoming a Limit Douluo, but finding a wife who understood him so completely.

"Quit flattering me. Has there been an explanation for the Evil Soul Masters in that Small World?" The death of her grandniece would forever remain a thorn Xia Zheng Leng could not pull from her heart.

At this, Qiangu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes. "I personally went to the Star Luo Continent. Near the place where the Small World's rift appeared, I encountered the Nether Emperor Ha Luosa."

Xia Zheng Leng's pupils contracted. "The Nether Emperor?"

"That's right." Qiangu Qingfeng's gaze swept across the Tranquil Cemetery as he said in a Deep Voice, "He most likely came for the Small World as well. Unfortunately, after the Spatial Node changed, the rift had long vanished. After confronting him, we each left."

"Apparently, the Holy Spirit Cult discovered that Small World long ago and sent in a Vanguard. When Sun Kong and the others entered, they alerted the Evil Soul Masters searching inside. That was why, after they split up, Nan Tian and Yue Er were Ambushed."

"The Nether Emperor." Xia Zheng Leng revealed a wary expression, though what she felt even more than wariness was hatred. "What could that Small World possibly contain that the Holy Spirit Cult coveted?"

"I do not know." Qiangu Qingfeng shook his head, yet something strange flashed through his eyes. "But no matter what they coveted, the Small World has already closed."

"I have already applied to convene an Internal Meeting of the Spirit Pagoda and submitted a proposal to Cleanse Evil Soul Masters. The Star Luo Continent is too far away. Forget you and me—even if Yun Ming went, he would gain no advantage. Since that is the case, we will purge Evil Soul Masters within the Douluo Continent."

Xia Zheng Leng turned to look at the photo on the tombstone. "Thank You."

"We are husband and wife. Why thank me?" Qiangu Qingfeng wrapped his arms around her from behind and comforted her. "I know you are eager for revenge, but our mission is to protect Liujing until he grows up. If you truly run off to the Star Luo Continent alone, what if something happens?"

"Wait a little longer. Once the time is right, it will not be too late to seek revenge."

"Alright." Cold, sharp light stirred within Xia Zheng Leng's eyes.

Inside the Heaven Dou Airport terminal, Nan Liujing held Na'er's little hand as they walked through the crowd, his gaze settling on a Handsome Middle-aged Man dressed in white.

In terms of looks, Ye Changming was unquestionably the most handsome among the brothers. His Facial Features were sharply sculpted, and his Brow Ridge was sword-like, carrying a Sharp Aura.

To some Young Girls, that temperament and appearance were an absolute Great Killer. Quite a few secretly glanced at him, though none really dared approach him.

Seeing Nan Liujing walk toward him, Ye Changming's lips curved into a smile. But when he noticed the exquisitely cute little girl beside him, confusion appeared in his eyes.

"Uncle Ye."

Nan Liujing greeted him with a smile and did not forget to introduce Na'er.

"Hello, Uncle Ye." Na'er called out brightly.

Seeing how well-behaved Na'er was, Ye Changming's eyes lit up. With a flick of his hand, a Green-gold Crystal half the length of a thumb appeared in his palm.

"A gift from an elder should not be refused. Take it."

Na'er was drawn to it, her big eyes sparkling, but she still glanced at her brother.

Nan Liujing nodded.

Na'er happily accepted it. "Thank You, Uncle Ye."

Ye Changming said to Nan Liujing, "This crystal is just the right size to be made into a pendant or bracelet. Take it back and have your Uncle forge it."

"Uncle knows how to forge?" Nan Liujing had never expected that.

Ye Changming was somewhat surprised. "Hasn't he told you yet?"

"No." Nan Liujing shook his head.

Ye Changming smiled. "Your Uncle does more than know how to forge. His level is not low either... All right, let's head to the Heaven Dou Spirit Pagoda first, or Xinglan will start making a fuss again after waiting too long."

Xinglan?

Nan Liujing's heart stirred. He had actually guessed right—Uncle Ye's daughter truly was Ye Xinglan.

In the Original Timeline, This Guy had already been somewhat arrogant. After being influenced by Shrek, she had become even more conceited.

Tang Wulin had merely shared a meal with Xu Lizhi, yet she had treated him as someone trying to ingratiate himself, believing he had ulterior motives.

He wondered how Uncle Ye had raised her.

As he thought that, the three quickly left. After getting into the Soul Guide Vehicle, the driver naturally headed toward their destination.

Na'er loved looking at scenery and was immediately captivated by the sights along Heaven Dou City's roads. Ancient-style buildings stood everywhere, entirely different from Eastsea City's skyscrapers.

"Liujing, Uncle Ye will ask you to do something later." Ye Changming spoke earnestly.

Nan Liujing said, "Please tell me."

The gentleness on Ye Changming's face turned into an Old Father's helplessness. "Later, you will form a team with my daughter. She is proud by nature. She was supposed to go to the Spirit Ascension Platform yesterday, but she delayed for a day to wait for you, so she is likely unhappy about it."

"If she speaks sarcastically, do not pay attention to her. Just treat her like air."

Nan Liujing revealed a kind smile. "I understand."

Leng Yaozhu's exact age is unclear. I compared her with Ya Li.