Huo Yuhao: Aunt Leng, I've Been Targeted

The next day.

Huo Yuhao finished his cultivation in the Spirit Ascension Platform and rose from the pod.

His Eyebrows suddenly furrowed slightly, and an imperceptible sharpness flashed through his eyes.

After thinking for a moment, he stopped hesitating and headed straight out of the Spirit Ascension Platform area. Taking a direct soul-guided elevator, he returned to the 121st floor of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

Familiar with the way, he arrived outside Leng Yaozhu's spacious, brightly lit office. After sensing briefly and confirming that Aunt Leng was inside, Huo Yuhao knocked on the door. Once granted permission, he pushed it open and entered.

"Aunt Leng."

Huo Yuhao walked up to the large desk. Without beating around the bush, he said in a calm yet grave voice, "Recently... someone has been watching me."

"After observing and investigating in reverse over the past few days, I can basically confirm that they belong to the Pagoda Master Lineage."

Huo Yuhao had not noticed it before. But after breaking through to Soul Elder, while using the divine skill Spirit Detection, he had accidentally discovered that someone had their eyes on him.

Leng Yaozhu had been bent over her desk reviewing a set of Archives. At his words, she did not immediately look up; only the pen in her hand paused slightly.

She pointed to the sofa beside him. "Don't stand there. Sit and talk."

After Huo Yuhao sat down as instructed, she finished reading the Archives before slowly setting down her pen. She leaned back into her broad chair, folding her arms before her.

The gentle smile that had been on her stunningly beautiful face receded like the tide, replaced by an icy chill.

"Hmph."

She gave a quiet snort, with no apparent surprise in her voice.

"It is exactly the sort of thing they would do. Such disgraceful tactics have always been the Qiangu Family's style."

Her gaze sharpened, though it unconsciously softened again when it fell on Huo Yuhao.

"Apparently, your growth during this period has truly put considerable pressure on them. It may have even made them feel threatened, so they can no longer sit still."

"Aunt Leng, how should we respond next?"

Huo Yuhao sat upright on the sofa, his clear eyes fixed on Leng Yaozhu.

He understood that, as Aunt Leng's Personal Disciple, he had naturally been classified as part of the Phoenix Lineage's camp.

Though still young, he was not entirely ignorant of the factional struggles within the Spirit Pagoda.

Leng Yaozhu pondered briefly, lightly tapping her fingertips against the polished desktop a few times. A plan had already formed in her heart.

She raised her eyes to Huo Yuhao. "In two days, I will be inspecting several Spirit Pagoda branch towers in the eastern part of the continent. You will come with me this time."

"The final destination is Eastsea City. Not long ago, I accepted a new Personal Disciple there."

"A new disciple?"

A hint of surprise flashed through Huo Yuhao's eyes. He had not heard of this before.

"Mm." Leng Yaozhu nodded affirmatively. "It will be a good chance for you Martial Brother and Martial Sister to formally meet and get acquainted."

"Afterward, you will stay in Eastsea City with your Martial Sister for the time being."

"Stay in Eastsea City?"

Huo Yuhao repeated softly, information about this important coastal city in the east of the continent swiftly surfacing in his mind.

"Yes." Leng Yaozhu nodded. "Qiangu Dongfeng may be consumed by ambition and unscrupulous in his methods, but given his status and position, he will not personally move against you, at least not for now."

"As long as you leave his direct line of sight, he probably will not keep watching you."

"I understand, Aunt Leng."

Huo Yuhao nodded solemnly, agreeing to the arrangement.

Then curiosity rose within him, and he asked, "Aunt Leng, when did you take in another disciple? I had no idea."

At his words, a meaningful smile appeared on Leng Yaozhu's face. She was clearly quite pleased with this new disciple.

"Her name is Gu Yue. She is an unquestionable genius as well. You'll understand once you meet her."

Leng Yaozhu's "in two days" truly meant exactly two days.

Every half year, the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters conducted routine inspections of its major branch towers. This was an important system for understanding local conditions and coordinating resource allocation.

Leng Yaozhu had "picked up" Huo Yuhao at the Old Star Luo City Branch Tower during such an inspection.

And this time, Leng Yaozhu was once again leading the inspection team for several branch towers in the east.

Early in the morning, the inspection team gathered in the grand, enormous main hall on the first floor of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

Dressed in ordinary clothes, Huo Yuhao stood quietly in the assembly area and waited.

He was thinking about the mysterious Martial Sister named Gu Yue whom he would meet on this trip, as well as what life in Eastsea City might be like.

Then, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar, tall figure strolling over from a side passage at an unhurried pace.

The man stood straight and tall, dressed in a silver robe. His silver hair was impeccably combed, his face stern, and he exuded an aura that kept strangers at a distance.

It was Huo Yuhao's teacher, Han Tianyi!

Surprise flashed through Huo Yuhao's eyes. In his understanding, this teacher of his acted entirely as he pleased and almost never took part in any administrative matters or group activities within the Spirit Pagoda, much less a routine inspection like this.

He immediately strode over, curiosity in his voice. "Teacher? Why are you here too? Are you... coming with us on the inspection?"

Han Tianyi stopped and cast Huo Yuhao a sidelong glance, letting out an unreadable snort through his nose. "Isn't it because of you, brat?"

"Because of me?" Huo Yuhao pointed at himself, utterly bewildered. What did this have to do with him?

Seeing his clueless expression seemed to irritate Han Tianyi even more, and he explained in an even more "impatient" tone.

"Hmph. That girl Leng Yaozhu sent you off to a place like Eastsea City. How could she possibly rest easy?"

"As the Vice Tower Master, she has far too many duties to leave headquarters for long, much less stay in Eastsea City watching over you the whole time."

He lifted his chin, wearing an expression that said, "This old man had no choice." "So she set her sights on this old man, didn't she?"

"Sending this old man along with a little fellow like you to Eastsea City."

"Officially, I'm going as an accompanying advisor. In reality... hmph, isn't it just making me your free bodyguard for a while?"

Though his words were full of disdain and his tone stiff, Huo Yuhao could still hear this teacher's concern for him beneath what sounded like complaints.

Warmth surged through Huo Yuhao's heart. Looking at Han Tianyi's seemingly reluctant profile, his expression turned incomparably solemn as he gave him a deep bow. "Thank you, Teacher!"

Han Tianyi seemed a little awkward at such a serious expression of gratitude. He hurriedly waved a hand, turning his face away, though his voice remained as stiff as ever.

"Alright, alright, cut it out. This old man isn't doing it all for you."

"I was getting a little tired of staying at headquarters anyway. Changing places, looking at the sea, feeling the breeze, getting some peace and quiet—it's not bad."

After saying that, he ignored Huo Yuhao and headed straight toward Leng Yaozhu, who had already assembled everyone and was looking in their direction.

Huo Yuhao watched his teacher's retreating back, the corners of his lips rising slightly.

With Elder Han accompanying and protecting them, this trip to Eastsea City suddenly felt especially reassuring.

His anticipation for that coastal city—and for Gu Yue, the junior sister he was about to meet—grew even stronger.