Nan Liujing: For Two Girls, I'll Tire Myself Out a Little More

Then.

Spirit Pagoda, 107th floor.

Qian Gu Dong Feng personally poured tea for his eldest brother as he asked,

"Can you tell me why you did this?"

Picking up his teacup and taking a light sip, Qiangu Qingfeng said calmly, "Naturally, I wanted something."

"?" Qian Gu Dong Feng was puzzled.

Qiangu Qingfeng's tone remained steady. "The Leng sisters are like you and me back then, carrying the future of their two families. Now, both sides have begun cultivating the next generation. But unlike the Qian Gu Family's direct line, which has Zhang Ting, the Leng Family's direct line has yet to produce a particularly gifted new generation."

"The direct line is weakening, while talents in the collateral line are springing up like a fountain. That is the problem. The collateral line now has a chance to rise, and it will inevitably challenge the direct line. Who knows, perhaps one day it may even turn things around."

"Leng Yulai joined the Holy Spirit Cult and was expelled from the family. Leng Yaozhu, meanwhile, is alone. This has caused the Leng Family's direct line to panic. They have secretly gathered and nurtured gifted wild talents, but those outsiders can only ease the problem for a while, not forever."

"At this time, if I let Liujing become Leng Yaozhu's disciple and she takes him seriously, then once Liujing grows up, he will inevitably become the protector of the Leng Family's direct line until it produces talents comparable to the Leng sisters. What would that mean?"

Qian Gu Dong Feng's eyes widened. "It means that for many years to come, the Leng Family will remain under the influence of our Qian Gu Family!"

"Exactly." Qiangu Qingfeng spoke nonsense with a straight face. "So, now that we brothers have met today, I need to remind you that Liujing is not only the only blood relative your sister-in-law has in this world, but also someone who can stabilize the peace between our two families. Do not do anything foolish."

"Of course." Once he understood Nan Liujing's identity, Qian Gu Dong Feng's breathing quickened. This was far safer than scheming behind the scenes to divide the Phoenix Family.

Qiangu Qingfeng said, "From now on, you do not need to be overly enthusiastic toward Liujing. Just treat him normally."

"I understand." Qian Gu Dong Feng assumed his eldest brother was warning him not to be too eager and provoke Leng Yaozhu's disgust.

Qiangu Qingfeng glanced at his obviously exhilarated younger brother and casually asked, "How is Father's seclusion going?"

Qian Gu Dong Feng 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, but he has made little progress. If he could comprehend it, he could pass down his insights. This has been the greatest regret of every family head throughout the generations."

"I have a guess." Qiangu Qingfeng had never cultivated the Unbending Staff Technique because his Martial Soul was not the Dragon Subduing Staff, but he knew exactly how much effort the family had put into it.

Qian Gu Dong Feng asked curiously, "Let me hear it."

Qiangu Qingfeng said in a deep voice, "They say the final move of the Unbending Staff Technique is a move that breaks through to divinity. Is it possible that no one can master it because humans today can no longer break through to the Divine Level?"

Qian Gu Dong Feng gave a bitter smile. "Eldest Brother, you have thought of it, so how could Father and I not have? I am already convinced that the final move cannot be mastered because one cannot become a god. But Father refuses to accept it and has continued tempering himself in seclusion."

"It is good that you have considered it." Qiangu Qingfeng replied casually. Then his gaze changed in an instant, and his expression became gentle. "Dong Feng, tell me, how has your eldest brother treated you?"

"Naturally, very well." Qian Gu Dong Feng had no suspicions. They were not born of the same mother, yet ever since Qiangu Qingfeng married, he had never shown any intention of competing with him for the family inheritance. Without conflicts of interest, they were naturally true brothers who respected one another.

Qiangu Qingfeng chuckled. "Then how about you take out the Unbending Staff Technique and let my great-grandson practice it?"

The moment those words were spoken, Qian Gu Dong Feng instantly regained the vigilance of the Spirit Pagoda Master. "Eldest Brother, you should know that the Unbending Staff Technique can only be cultivated by the family's direct line. Outsiders must never come into contact with it."

Qiangu Qingfeng's gaze was fervent. "To persuade Leng Yaozhu to accept my great-grandson as her disciple, I put in no small amount of effort. Your eldest brother has helped you so much. Can't you bend the rules just once? No one else would know."

"This..." Qian Gu Dong Feng hesitated slightly.

Qiangu Qingfeng pressed on. "Besides, the Unbending Staff Technique can only truly be comprehended after reaching Titled Douluo. Before then, one can only observe it and sense the power of the staff technique. Surely you are not worried that a little Second Ring child will learn it after just a few looks?"

"Moreover, this child's Dragon Subduing Staff possesses the Thunder Dragon Soul, not the Evil Vanquishing Dragon Soul. It does not have the unbending attribute. I only want him to experience the strength of the staff technique and leave an unforgettable impression in his heart, inspiring him to create his own Unbending Staff Technique in the future. You will not even grant your eldest brother this small wish?"

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

Faced with his eldest brother's eager gaze, he simply could not bring himself to refuse.

He drained the tea in his cup, then flicked his finger. A ball of Nine-Colored Light floated before Qiangu Qingfeng.

"This contains the operation process of the Unbending Staff Technique, inscribed with my Mental Power. I originally prepared it for Zhang Ting to observe and study in advance. Once your great-grandson breaks through to Soul King, he can come into contact with it while meditating. Corresponding scenes will appear in his Sea of Consciousness."

Qiangu Qingfeng took it away so quickly that Qian Gu Dong Feng's eyelids twitched several times.

But when he thought of his eldest brother's character and the fact that the boy's Dragon Souls did not match the staff technique, he relaxed.

Elsewhere, the Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform continued in full swing. It lasted seven days, but that did not mean participants could remain inside for seven days as usual. They were limited to one day at a time and needed to use their qualification cards again the next day.

As they traveled, Wu Sidao and Ye Xinglan did not compare words, but they had an unspoken understanding in competing through action.

Both were Second Ring Soul Grandmasters. Facing the rioting Soul Beasts, they traded blows and turned an ordinary trial into a contest.

Nan Liujing undoubtedly became their scorekeeper, recording which Girl killed more Soul Beasts, hunted those with higher cultivation years, and defeated stronger opponents.

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

He had no choice. To satisfy the two girls, he could only tire himself out a little more.

"They have finally calmed 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 with his legs dangling in midair, admiring the forest at dusk.

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

Tiny specks of dust drifted along the boundary between light and shadow, each one clearly visible. The distant, impassioned roars of Soul Beasts gradually subsided as well.

Occasionally, flying Soul Beasts flashed past through gaps in the leaves overhead, stirring up a cool Strong Wind.

The two girls rested against him, one on each side, their heads on Nan Liujing's shoulders. Neither seemed to care whether the gesture was a little too intimate.

Different fragrances lingered around his nose as Nan Liujing said helplessly, "Why do you two have to fight so hard? Your Soul Spirit cultivation years are already full. Killing so many Soul Beasts will not raise them any further."

"You don't understand."

The two girls spoke in unison.

After saying that, they abruptly raised their heads and looked at each other from in front of Nan Liujing's chest, as though neither was willing to yield.

Crackle, crackle!

Suddenly, a thin arc of electricity appeared between their gazes. It was clearly a horizontal line stretching from left to right, as if it had burst from their eyes.

Nan Liujing smiled and extended a finger. Lightning Soul Power flowed from his fingertip, slightly warping the air.

"Mm, just like in anime."

"..."

Their staredown was interrupted by his stunt, and the tense atmosphere instantly became awkward. The two girls subconsciously turned their heads away.

At that moment, a gentle breeze slipped through the gaps in the leaves.

A few strands of hair rose softly like dandelion fluff testing the wind. Wu Sidao raised her fair, jade-like hand and brushed away the hair that had 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 an eyebrow, but Nan Liujing said, "I will probably go too, but there is no rush."

Wu Sidao looked at Ye Xinglan amicably. Ye Xinglan paused before replying politely, "I will go too."

Wu Sidao smiled. "Then it seems we can meet again at Shrek Academy. That is all for now. I will leave the Spirit Ascension Platform World first."

Just as she was about to press the Rescue Signal Device, Wu Sidao seemed to remember something and lowered her head to look at him.

"Oh, right, Nan Liujing."

"The Candy you gave me just now was fake in the end, so you still owe me one in the real world. Remember that."

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

"Will you give it to me or not?" Wu Sidao smiled sweetly, without a trace of the valiant presence she had shown while slaughtering through the Beast pack.

Nan Liujing shrugged and said with a smile, "If you want it, I will give it to you. I can shortchange anyone, but not you."

"Now that is a true friend!" Wu Sidao raised her eyebrows at Ye Xinglan. Before the latter could react, she immediately pressed the Rescue Signal Device and turned into a beam of light as she departed.

"I booked a table at Yu Hao Grilled Fish Shop. After we eat, I will take you home. We can go for a ride too."

Before Ye Xinglan could speak sarcastically, Nan Liujing quickly cut her off.

Ye Xinglan froze. The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back. She coughed lightly. "That Xu Cang probably will not let this go. What do you plan to do?"

Nan Liujing spread the fingers of his right hand. A miniature Thunder Dragon Soul moved across his palm before affectionately flying to the top of his head and lying there. "When it comes to backing, there are not many people on Douluo Continent who can surpass mine. Let him come."

Ye Xinglan paused. It seemed that was true.

The two left the Spirit Ascension Platform together.

After having Ye Xinglan wait at the Spirit Pagoda Main Door, Nan Liujing went alone to find his Big Sister Teacher, Leng Yaozhu.

Over this period, Leng Yaozhu's home had practically become his own. With a retinal scan, the Room Door opened automatically.

When he entered, he found Leng Yaozhu standing by the window, gazing at the vast dusk scenery of Shrek City.

"Teacher." Nan Liujing stepped forward and bowed, but he sharply noticed an uncollected wineglass on the coffee table.

Someone had been here!

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

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

"Save it?" Leng Yaozhu was stunned for a moment. Her smile blossomed with a hundred charms. "This is the first time I have heard that a reward can be 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 stepped into Soul Forging and began manufacturing a Mecha. At that time, he could ask Leng Yaozhu to find several masters of sub-professions to help him.

Normally, Hundred Forging Metal was sufficient to create a Yellow Mecha, Thousand Forging produced Purple Grade, and Spirit Forging produced 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 created through Full Soul Forging. It would not require human control, instead relying on the metal's own soul to act.

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

In a sense, such a Mecha was already equivalent to a living life-form.

Nan Liujing had even considered what would happen if one day he could elevate a Mecha to Full Heavenly Forging.

Would it achieve an unimaginably extravagant Mechanical Ascension and give birth to an unprecedented God of Machines?

A friend's book, giving it a plug.