Herta's Choice?

"Mu Chen... Saint Craftsman, it had indeed been a long time since we last met!"

This time, Leng Yaozhu's expression changed. She had not expected Mu Chen to arrive so quickly. It seemed Yuan Bao'er was no easy opponent either!

But on second thought, there was nothing strange about it. After all, she was a Saint Craftsman's wife. If she had been so easy to handle, someone would have set a trap for Mu Chen long ago.

"Haha, it had indeed been some time. But Tower Master Leng, compared to the last time we met, you were still as beautiful as ever. Truly worthy of being the Spirit Pagoda's foremost beauty!"

The moment the words "foremost beauty" left his mouth, Mu Chen immediately felt a chill run down his back. When he turned his head, he found Yuan Bao'er's gaze had sharpened, frightening him into a cold sweat.

However, Yuan Bao'er still understood priorities. She gave him a subtle signal, indicating that she would deal with him after they returned!

"Not at all, people outside simply exaggerated." Leng Yaozhu covered her mouth as she laughed, then continued, "Isn't Saint Craftsman Mu Chen's wife just as beautiful? And you have two adorable little girls as well. Once they grow up, perhaps they may become 'foremost beauties' too!"

Foremost beauty?

Foremost beauty of where?

The Spirit Pagoda?

Hearing the implication in Leng Yaozhu's words, Mu Chen immediately said, "Then I must thank Tower Master Leng for her praise. Today, I originally intended to come to the Spirit Pagoda with my wife and daughters to choose a suitable Soul Spirit for my daughter. Unfortunately, work delayed me, which was why I arrived late."

After saying that, Mu Chen looked toward Yuan Bao'er. Only after she nodded did he continue, "Since we have already selected a suitable Soul Spirit, my family shall not trouble Tower Master Leng any longer. Farewell!"

"Wait!" Seeing that they intended to leave, Leng Yaozhu stepped forward to stop them.

"What does Tower Master Leng mean? If you have something to say, please say it plainly."

Neither Mu Chen nor Yuan Bao'er wanted Herta to be drawn into the competition between major factions so early. That was why they had kept Herta hidden all this time. Yet no one had expected such an accident to happen today. In the end, it was all because Herta was simply too talented!

Mu Chen should have considered it long ago. How could someone with a God-level Martial Soul possibly have poor Mental Power? Sometimes, not even the smallest detail could be overlooked!

Since Leng Yaozhu was determined to stop them, they could only lay everything out in the open.

"It is like this. I had originally been inspecting Eastsea City recently when I suddenly received news that an exceptionally gifted child with extremely high Mental Power had appeared at the local Spirit Pagoda. That was why I came to take a look." Leng Yaozhu knew her actions were already making people dislike her, but her identity as the Spirit Pagoda's vice tower master left her no choice.

All for the sake of this little genius called Herta!

At nine years old, her Mental Power had already reached 378 points. As long as she did not die halfway through her journey, she would certainly become an Ultimate Douluo in the future! Furthermore, Herta was Saint Craftsman Mu Chen's daughter. In the future, she would at least possess a set of Three-Word Soul Armor. How could such a genius fail to attract attention?

Even if she had to shamelessly force the matter, Leng Yaozhu could not simply let them leave like this.

"Alas!" Leng Yaozhu sighed and put on a regretful expression. "Saint Craftsman Mu Chen may not know this, but although the Spirit Pagoda controls Soul Spirit resources and holds an influential position in the Soul Master world, appearing to flourish like the midday sun... in truth, we are beginning to show signs of lacking worthy successors."

"How could that be? The Spirit Pagoda has so many members. How could it possibly lack successors?"

"Indeed, if we were speaking of ordinary successors, we could have as many as we wanted. But a true top-tier powerhouse can directly shatter the balance between factions! Let me give a simple example: Skybearer Douluo... Do you understand now?"

Skybearer Douluo Yun Ming was publicly acknowledged as the strongest person on the entire continent!

He was an existence that ordinary successors from countless factions could never reach in their lifetimes. Even top geniuses still faced an insurmountable gulf when compared with Yun Ming.

However, when Yun Ming was mentioned, an imperceptible glint flashed through Leng Yaozhu's eyes. It seemed her relationship with Yun Ming was not so simple either.

"So, the moment I heard there was a genius here, I immediately sealed off the news and rushed over... The Spirit Pagoda needs a powerhouse in the future who can influence the overall situation!"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone present fell silent.

"Tower Master Leng, do you think that highly of Herta?"

"Of course! Do you know how much Mental Power I had when I was her age? Only ninety-seven points—not even one-third of this child's! If even she cannot become an Ultimate Douluo, then what am I supposed to be?"

"But for Herta, this is a little too early..."

"Alas! I understand your concerns, Master Mu Chen, and little sister Bao Er. If little Herta appears in the eyes of those important figures this early, it will certainly draw the attention of people with ill intentions."

Leng Yaozhu's expression then turned serious as well. "I also know that with the Forging Association's influence, you can certainly protect this child. But that will only be temporary. In terms of combat ability, pure Forging Masters truly cannot match top Soul Masters. That is an acknowledged fact."

Mu Chen frowned, but he did not object, because Leng Yaozhu was right. His relationship with Leng Yaozhu was much like that.

The identity of a Saint Craftsman gave Mu Chen a social standing no weaker than Leng Yaozhu's. But if he and Leng Yaozhu fought, she could crush him to death with one hand. That was the power of a level ninety-nine assault-type Titled Douluo who was also a Four-Word Soul Armor Master!

"However, if the Forging Association may not be able to protect this child, what if the Spirit Pagoda is added as well?"

At those words, Mu Chen understood Leng Yaozhu's intentions. "You... intend to cooperate with the Forging Association as well?"

"Deep cooperation!" Leng Yaozhu smiled slightly. "I intend to take this child as my disciple and treat her as my direct successor. In the future, I also plan to have her inherit the position of Spirit Pagoda Tower Master. I believe that fellow Qian Gu Dongfeng will not object."

"And she is also a Saint Craftsman's daughter, is she not? With that connection, it will be enough for the Spirit Pagoda and the Forging Association to deepen their cooperation further."

"This..." To be honest, after listening to Leng Yaozhu for so long, Mu Chen was already deeply tempted, because he could not find any reason to refute her.

But at that moment, Yuan Bao'er took over the conversation. "But in the end, shouldn't all this depend on little Herta's own choice?"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone turned their gaze toward the brown-haired girl. Yet when they saw her, they found that her expression remained unchanged, without the slightest sign of panic. She formed a stark contrast to Mu Xi beside her.

"Calm in the face of danger. What excellent temperament—truly promising material!" Leng Yaozhu could not help but sigh. "I almost want to take her as my goddaughter!"

Yuan Bao'er rolled her eyes at those words, but she still walked over to Herta and said seriously, "Little Herta, your father and I both believe that you need to choose your own future."

"We originally did not intend to let you come into contact with these matters so early. But one cannot hide forever. Since we have run into it head-on, we can only accept it."

"The Spirit Pagoda is renowned throughout the continent, and Aunt Leng is also a Four-Word Soul Armor Master, one of the continent's top powerhouses. If you can receive her personal guidance, it will certainly be of great help to your future."

"Little Herta, the choice you make now will certainly have far-reaching effects on your future. But do not be nervous. No matter what you choose, your father, mother, and sister will support you!"

"Do not panic. Tell us your choice!"

Under everyone's gaze, Herta pressed her lips together. "I do not want Father and Mother to be put in a difficult position, and I want to help you too!"

"So, my choice is..."

This chapter took a great deal of effort to write. For a newcomer like me, it was exhausting!

And the world of powerhouses was so troublesome—everything was a game of maneuvering.