First Arrival at the Spirit Pagoda

A few days later, Shrek City.

As the private plane touched down at the military airfield on the city's outskirts, Luo Yang looked through the porthole and saw this legendary city for the first time.

It was a metropolis living in the cracks between history and reality.

Ancient bluestone streets coexisted with holographic billboards, and hundred-meter-tall Soul Tool skyscrapers stood beside traditional buildings with flying eaves and arched brackets.

Moving through the streets and alleys, one could see both elderly people leisurely walking with young soul beasts and patrol squads driving mechs.

On the chests of those mechs, the green Shrek monster emblem was clearly visible.

"The Shrek Self-Defense Army," Blood Eight said, pointing to a line of black mechs driving past outside the window. "One hundred thousand personnel, all at the level of Soul King or higher. This is the confidence Shrek has to challenge the Federation."

Luo Yang nodded, though his gaze was somewhat cold.

In the original story, when that God-Slaying Soul Tool Shell fell a few years later, this "confidence" failed to protect the city.

Millions of lives were reduced to charcoal, and its glory turned to scorched earth.

"Self-inflicted," he said softly.

Blood Eight turned her head to look at him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing." Luo Yang withdrew his gaze. "I just think... having such an independent armed force while constantly shouting about neutrality and non-interference in politics is quite hypocritical."

Calling it a self-defense army was a farce; it was clearly an elite legion capable of overthrowing a small nation.

Not to mention how many members of the Federal Council came from Shrek, influenced by it both openly and covertly. In the hearts of many ordinary citizens, the prestige of Shrek Academy was even higher than that of the Federation.

Such a behemoth, standing above the national system, was an eyesore that had to be removed from any perspective.

Blood Eight was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Say that in the legion if you must. In Shrek territory, watch your tongue."

The car drove into the city center, and the silhouette of the Spirit Pagoda gradually became clear.

It was a giant tower in every sense of the word.

The white-gold tower body pierced the clouds, appearing as if plated with divine light under the afternoon sun. The base covered several square kilometers, and every hundred meters, a ring-shaped platform was deployed with defensive Soul Tools.

The spire even disappeared into the clouds, with only the faint ripples of Soul Power visible at its tip.

"It really brings back memories." Blood Eight looked up at the giant tower, a rare trace of nostalgia appearing on her cold, beautiful face. "I used to come here often to challenge the Spirit Ascension Platform to hone my combat skills and earn contribution points to exchange for resources."

Luo Yang also felt a sense of shock.

This was the wealthiest organization on the continent, bar none. By monopolizing the business of creating and selling spirit souls, its wealth was likely equivalent to several hundred Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sects at their peak.

After all, soul masters were the cornerstone of the continent, and the Spirit Pagoda had already spread everywhere, reaching every corner where soul masters existed.

The spirit soul system created by Huo Yuhao and Electrolux had indeed benefited future generations, but it had also given birth to such a behemoth...

Luo Yang felt a surge of emotion.

He wondered, if Electrolux were to see the Spirit Pagoda today, would he be gratified or disappointed?

He grew more eager to accumulate enough "Undead Power" to resurrect that Holy Necromancer.

Because of the plot, Electrolux had fallen too early, leaving Huo Yuhao with an incomplete inheritance.

If he could bring him back to the world, whether it was through necromancy or other aspects, it would be an immeasurable help.

As the two thought, they walked toward the main entrance of the Spirit Pagoda.

"Where did these bumpkins come from? Don't be an eyesore at the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda!"

But at that moment, a harsh voice interrupted their thoughts.

A middle-aged man with a hooked nose, wearing a Spirit Pagoda uniform, blocked the door, eyeing the two of them as if they were trash.

This remark caused some people nearby to look over.

In all fairness, Luo Yang and Blood Eight were wearing standard legion uniforms, which were indeed out of place with their surroundings, but they were nowhere near looking like "beggars."

This middle-aged man was simply looking down on others, or perhaps he was just in a bad mood and taking it out on someone else.

Luo Yang frowned slightly.

If even a doorman at the Spirit Pagoda felt he was superior to others, the atmosphere of the place was evident.

Blood Eight's beautiful eyes turned cold instantly.

As a dignified Blood God, she fought bloody battles on the front lines of the Abyss, protecting everything, including these people, only to be insulted like this now.

But before she could react, a cold, clear female voice came from inside the tower:

"Since when is it your place to judge the guests I have invited?"

The sound of high heels striking the marble floor was crisp and rhythmic.

The crowd automatically parted.

A dress as fiery as a blaze came into view first.

Then came long, slender legs, a slim waist, and flowing wine-red hair.

When that face was fully revealed, the surrounding crowd gasped.

Leng Yaozhu.

Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo.

The oppressive aura radiating from her red dress was immense, especially when those crimson eyes swept over them, making the air temperature seem to plummet by several degrees.

"Heavenly Phoenix Pagoda Master?!"

The hooked-nose man's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"H-Heavenly Phoenix, Your Excellency, I... I didn't know these were your guests..."

"Do you know now?" Leng Yaozhu's voice was soft, yet it scraped against the man's eardrums like a blade.

"I do! I do!" The man nodded frantically, turning to bow ninety degrees to Luo Yang and Blood Eight. "Distinguished guests, it was my dog eyes that failed to recognize greatness! I was blind! Please, in your magnanimity—"

His shift from arrogance to obsequiousness was laughable.

Luo Yang remained expressionless.

"If apologies were useful..." Blood Eight sneered.

"I deserve to die! I truly know I was wrong!" The middle-aged man's legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.

"Take him to process his resignation." Leng Yaozhu cut him off, speaking to the Blue-Eyed Twins who had followed behind her. "Blacklist him permanently from the Spirit Pagoda and all affiliated enterprises."

"Understood." Bai Haoze replied.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man slumped to the ground, his face ashen.

In Shrek City, being permanently blacklisted by the Spirit Pagoda system was practically the end of one's career.

Bai Haoze signaled for two security guards to drag him away, keeping a wide distance herself, clearly finding him repulsive.

Having dealt with this interlude, Leng Yaozhu turned back to the two, the frost on her face melting into an apologetic expression.

"My apologies, I have let you both witness something unsightly."

Blood Eight frowned. "Heavenly Phoenix Pagoda Master, I do not wish to see this happen a second time. Otherwise, the Legion will not feel at ease entrusting Luo Yang to you."

"I guarantee it," Leng Yaozhu said solemnly, her gaze then falling upon Luo Yang.

In that instant, Luo Yang felt her expression change.

It was not the look one gave a strange child, but rather as if she were looking through him at someone else, filled with nostalgia, sorrow, and a trace of imperceptible guilt.

"So, you are Luo Yang," she said softly, then performed an action that surprised everyone.

She crouched down, opened her arms, and pulled Luo Yang into an embrace.

It was light, yet firm.

Luo Yang froze.

It wasn't because of the hug, but because of the scent emanating from Leng Yaozhu.

It was a very distinct fragrance, a mixture of faint incense and the scorched sensation of air after being burned by flames.

And the temperature of her body, transmitted through the thin fabric of her clothes, was shockingly hot.

"Your eyes..." Leng Yaozhu released him, cupping his face in her hands, her crimson eyes gazing deeply into his. "They are exactly like your mother's. For a moment just now, I thought she had returned."

Luo Yang didn't know what to say.

Leng Yaozhu did indeed have a connection with his parents, but the extent of that relationship remained unclear.

"You can rest easy living here from now on." Leng Yaozhu stood up and took his hand. "Just call me Aunt Leng."

"Aunt Leng," Luo Yang obediently replied.

Leng Yaozhu smiled.

The coldness in her crimson eyes melted completely into gentle warmth.

"Such a good boy." She ruffled his hair again before turning to Blood Eight. "Blood Eight, thank you for your hard work. You've escorted him all the way here."

Blood Eight shook her head, though her gaze remained fixed on the hand Leng Yaozhu was holding.

She felt a bit sour inside.

It was like a head of cabbage she had planted herself, nurtured for six years until it was finally lush and vibrant, only to have it handed over to someone else, pot and all.

Even though she knew it was for the best, it was still... uncomfortable.

"Let's head inside; let's not stand at the entrance." Leng Yaozhu held Luo Yang's hand and gestured with a smile to Blood Eight. "I have arranged everything."

The three of them walked into the Spirit Pagoda.