At that moment, the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff Emperor strode toward Qiangu Zhangting, who was slumped in the corner.
Killing intent shone undisguised in its golden eyes.
This man had once used every cruel method he could think of to force it into submission.
Now it was time for him to pay.
"Y-You... stay back!"
Qiangu Zhangting struggled to get up, but the agonizing pain in his chest left him unable to move. For the first time, the fear of death descended upon him with such terrifying clarity.
"I'm the only heir to the Qiangu Family! If you dare kill me, my grandfather will tear you limb from limb—"
The mastiff gave a savage grin and raised its sharp claws.
No!
Qiangu Zhangting's eyes filled with despair.
He hadn't inherited the Spirit Pagoda yet. He hadn't stood at the peak of the continent. How could he die here?!
Just as the claws were about to fall—
"Stop!!!"
A thunderous shout exploded through the room!
A terrifying shockwave erupted out of nowhere, blasting the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff Emperor away. It tumbled through the air several times before barely managing to steady itself.
At some point, a figure had appeared in the doorway of the Testing Chamber.
He was an old man with snow-white hair and beard, his face stern and imposing.
Simply standing there, he made the air in the entire room grow thick and heavy with the pressure radiating from him—the aura of a true powerhouse at the very summit of the continent.
Qiangu Dongfeng.
The current Master of the Spirit Pagoda, a Level 98 Super Douluo, and the head of the Qiangu Family.
"Who dares lay a hand on my grandson?!" His voice was low, but it carried a chilling force.
"Grandfather!" As if he'd grabbed a lifeline, Qiangu Zhangting scrambled over on hands and knees. "It was them! They're trying to kill me! Grandfather, you have to get justice for me!"
Qiangu Dongfeng's gaze swept over Luo Yang and the others like an icy blade.
Leng Yaozhu and Blood Eight stepped forward at the same time, shielding Luo Yang as they each released their Soul Power to resist the terrifying pressure.
"Pagoda Master Qiangu, shouldn't you first get the facts straight?" Leng Yaozhu said coldly. "Your grandson was the one who attacked first and threatened to kill someone."
"So what?" Qiangu Dongfeng replied impassively. "Can these outsiders compare to my grandson's life?"
Qiangu Zhangting broke into a smug sneer.
With his grandfather backing him, let's see how you dare act arrogant now! That silver-haired woman and that damned little brat both had to die!
But his smile froze the next second.
Blood Eight spoke.
"Qiangu Dongfeng."
Her voice was perfectly calm.
"If Luo Yang loses so much as a single hair here today, the Blood God Legion will have a long talk with the Spirit Pagoda."
The Blood God Legion?!
Qiangu Dongfeng's expression changed dramatically.
Qiangu Zhangting had never heard of the Blood God Legion. After a brief moment of confusion, he scoffed, "The Blood God Legion? What kind of backwater force is that? Even the Federation's Speaker has to bow before our Spirit Pagoda—"
"Smack!"
A loud, crisp slap cut him off.
Qiangu Zhangting clutched his cheek and stared at his grandfather in disbelief.
His grandfather had never hit him before!
"You little fool!" Qiangu Dongfeng roared. "I've spoiled you so much over the years that you think you can get away with anything! Do you have no idea what you're saying?!"
He wanted nothing more than to give his foolish grandson a few more slaps!
His usual arrogance and bullying were one thing, but to be so ignorant and reckless about something involving the very foundations of their forces—
Qiangu Zhangting was stunned.
Hadn't you been the one to tell me all that?
The Qiangu Family was the strongest force on the continent. Even the Federation had to heed their wishes...
"Sorry." Qiangu Dongfeng turned to Luo Yang and Blood Eight, his anger instantly subsiding. With grave sincerity, he said, "I failed to discipline him properly. On behalf of the Spirit Pagoda, I offer the Blood God Legion's esteemed members... my highest respect."
He had held on to his position as Master of the Spirit Pagoda through sheer force and fierce loyalty to his own, but when it came to matters of right and wrong, he was never confused.
The Blood God Legion stood on the front lines against the Abyss Plane. Without them, not only would the entire Spirit Pagoda suffer a catastrophe, but the whole continent would be doomed.
Leng Yaozhu remained expressionless.
Blood Eight only gave a cold laugh and said nothing.
A strange thought suddenly struck Luo Yang.
Why did this feel so much like Sword of Coming, which he'd read in his previous life? The Blood God Legion was like the Sword Qi Great Wall, and he seemed to have become Ning Yao.
Seeing that Blood Eight still looked displeased, Qiangu Dongfeng's heart tightened. He knew that unless he paid a price today, there was no way to settle this peacefully.
"Since this was a conflict between youngsters, let's put an end to it here."
Changing tack, Qiangu Dongfeng took a silver bracelet from inside his robes.
"This is a Storage Soul Tool with an internal space of a thousand cubic meters. I'd prepared it as a gift for Zhangting, but I'll give it to this young friend as compensation."
"Grandfather!" Qiangu Zhangting panicked. "How can you give him the Empty Silver Bracelet—"
"Silence!" Qiangu Dongfeng glared at him, then held the bracelet out again.
Luo Yang didn't take it. He merely glanced at the exquisitely crafted bracelet and said coolly, "I don't like secondhand goods."
This kid... certainly knew how to sting!
Qiangu Dongfeng: "..."
Leng Yaozhu's lips twitched slightly.
Blood Eight nearly burst out laughing.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Qiangu Dongfeng drew a deep breath, forcing down his frustration.
He knew that unless he offered something genuinely tempting, there was no way to turn the page on this.
When he held out his hand again, something else rested in his palm.
It was a pendant.
At its center was a gem about the size of a thumbnail, its green deeper than any other.
The gem hadn't been cut. Instead, it looked like a naturally formed crystal of life. The moment it was exposed to the air, an indescribable aura of life quietly spread around it, making even the surrounding air seem fresher.
Leng Yaozhu's gaze fell upon the pendant, and her beautiful eyes shifted slightly.
Blood Eight's eyes narrowed as well. She could sense the pure, vast life energy contained within the gem.
"Child," Qiangu Dongfeng said, looking pained. "I obtained this long ago during a fortuitous encounter. It's called... Gold of Life."
Gold of Life!
Luo Yang raised an eyebrow.
"This item is exceedingly rare. It contains immense yet gentle life force. Worn over a long period, it can nourish the body, strengthen one's foundation, and even nurture the spirit."
Qiangu Dongfeng explained, his voice tinged with reluctance.
"It's of no use to me anymore. Please accept it, young friend, as an apology from the Spirit Pagoda."
This time, Leng Yaozhu spoke first. "Since it's offered in good faith by Pagoda Master Qiangu, you should accept it, Luo Yang."
Only then did Luo Yang take the pendant.
The instant it touched his hand, a warm, vital energy flowed through his palm and into his body, lifting his spirits.
"Then... thank you for your generous gift, Pagoda Master Qiangu." Luo Yang wore an innocent smile. "I never expected to be so lucky today. Young Pagoda Master Qiangu gave me a Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff Soul Spirit, and now Pagoda Master Qiangu has given me a piece of Gold of Life. Truly, double the joy."
"Pfft..."
Blood Eight nearly laughed out loud, then quickly covered it with a cough.
The corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth also curled up almost imperceptibly.
The vein at Qiangu Dongfeng's temple throbbed. He felt as if a mouthful of blood were stuck in his chest.
That brat had done it on purpose! He was twisting the knife!
But he still had to force out a smile more painful than a grimace.
"Not at all... I'm glad you like it, child."
He didn't want to spend another moment here. If he stayed any longer, he'd be so furious he'd injure himself internally.
"Pagoda Master Heavenly Phoenix, please see to our esteemed guests from the Blood God Legion. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
With that, he grabbed the still-dazed Qiangu Zhangting and turned to leave.