The Spirit Pagoda Master and the Valkyrie Battlesuit

"In summary, these are the resources required to launch this project, along with the potential pros and cons. I wonder what your opinions are?"

He could already sense the subconscious thoughts and ideas of everyone present through the Void Archives.

As Qiangu Mingyue asked the question, the smile on his handsome face grew increasingly cordial.

"The Leng Sisters are willing to support this project."

"My family supports it as well."

"My family opposes it."

"..."

After a moment of silence, it was time to take sides. Following the lead of the Leng Sisters, representing the other major family within the Spirit Pagoda, the councilors began to make their decisions.

"It seems there are still a few councilors who hold differing opinions. What do you think, Mingyue?"

He looked meaningfully at those councilors who had expressed dissent, all of whom hailed from the Federation and other major powers.

Qiangu Dieting turned his gaze toward Qiangu Mingyue.

"To be the Pagoda Master yet still be shackled by these so-called councilors—truly, this is the result of power being too fragmented."

However, facing the gaze of everyone present, Qiangu Mingyue's smile remained unchanged as he sighed softly.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was left in shock.

"Mingyue?" Qiangu Dieting frowned in astonishment.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Young Master Mingyue, what is the meaning of this?"

"Do you know what you are saying right now?"

"..."

All the councilors present were in disbelief.

Although everyone knew that power at the top of the Spirit Pagoda was decentralized, the Spirit Pagoda was a neutral force, and its system was intentionally designed that way—after all, it had been established by the first Pagoda Master, the Spirit Ice Douluo, who had already attained godhood!

Therefore, everyone had always complied with it out of habit.

For a moment, no matter how good an impression Qiangu Mingyue had made on the councilors just moments ago, they all began to feel that he was being far too presumptuous.

"Heh. 'The Spirit Pagoda belongs to the people of the world'—that is far too broad a concept. In a world whose essence is the strong preying on the weak, adhering to old systems is hardly a good thing."

"So, get up, Father. You are truly ill-suited to sit in this position."

With a light chuckle, the Void Archives manifested, and Qiangu Mingyue simply snapped his fingers.

Under the shimmering golden light of the Void Archives, the subconscious minds modified by the authority of the Herrscher of Sentience began to execute his will.

"You!" Qiangu Dieting, still stunned by his words, suddenly froze, rising expressionlessly to vacate his seat.

Without hesitation, Qiangu Mingyue sat down. In the chair representing the Pagoda Master, he rested his chin on one hand while rhythmically tapping the table with the other.

A few breaths later, all the councilors ceased their chatter; as they sat up straight, they all became equally expressionless.

"Very good. Now, I declare the 'Research on the Essence of Martial Souls' project officially established."

"And I, Qiangu Mingyue, as the founder of this project, shall also take credit for this discovery and succeed as the next Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda following Qiangu Dieting's abdication."

He issued the command in an indifferent tone, and as the councilors voiced their agreement, Qiangu Dieting used a special Soul Tool to link to the Spirit Pagoda's central hub, broadcasting the news of his abdication and Qiangu Mingyue's succession to all major powers and the entire Spirit Pagoda.

In an instant, the Spirit Pagoda was shaken!

The entire continent was plunged into shock!

[13 years old: Since the day you announced your succession as Pagoda Master, countless doubts and malice have arrived in waves.]

[But under the influence and manipulation of your Herrscher of Sentience authority, Qiangu Dieting and all the councilors of the Spirit Pagoda stepped forward to support you.]

[This scene left all the powers on the continent completely dumbfounded.]

[It also forced every power on the continent to accept this bizarre fact!]

[Ding! Side quest "The Pagoda Master seat rotates, it's my turn this year" completed perfectly!]

[14 years old: One year into your tenure as Pagoda Master, supported by the massive resources of the Spirit Pagoda, your research into the "Essence of Martial Souls" has deepened significantly.]

[However, since you became Pagoda Master, the Leng Sisters have visited you much less frequently.]

[It wasn't until Leng Yulai came to see you alone that you learned Leng Yaozhu felt you were no longer the person you once were.]

[Because they felt they were standing still while you moved forward, they decided they must cultivate diligently so that they could one day stand proudly by your side.]

[You were thoughtful after hearing this. After hosting Leng Yulai and seeing her off, you drafted a new research plan titled "Valkyrie Battlesuit" following your "Essence of Martial Souls" project!]

[15 years old: Progress on the "Essence of Martial Souls" research began to slow, so you shifted your focus to accelerate the development of the "Valkyrie Battlesuit" project.]

With the knowledge reference of the Void Archives, you quickly manufactured quite a few entry-level Valkyrie Battlesuit sets.

At 16, the entry-level Valkyrie Battlesuit you produced was highly acclaimed among low-level soul masters. The prestige of the Spirit Pagoda rose significantly once again!

However, in the eyes of soul masters who possessed Battle Armor, the Valkyrie Battlesuit you created still fell a bit short.

After gaining a deeper understanding of this world's forging profession and various special metals, you began to improve the Valkyrie Battlesuit.

At 17, after integrating the manufacturing processes of soul guidance technology, Battle Armor, mechs, and the Valkyrie Battlesuit, you developed a brand-new version of the Valkyrie Battlesuit.

It combined the enhancements and defense of Battle Armor, the ability to mount and utilize soul guidance cannons and weapons, and even the functionality to embed a core to transform into a mech, all in one!

Once this armor was released, it was initially met with skepticism and contempt, but after a few live combat demonstrations you arranged, the soul masters wearing your invented Valkyrie Battlesuit completely crushed those using Battle Armor and mechs.

You nodded in satisfaction. After conveniently researching a set of armor that even ordinary people could use, you delegated the entire production process and took the opportunity to categorize the Valkyrie Battlesuit into five grades: S, A, B, C, and D.

The prestige of the Spirit Pagoda climbed once more, becoming a holy land-like existence among hundreds of millions of ordinary people, low-level soul masters, and mid-level soul masters!

At 18, having been in charge of the Spirit Pagoda for five full years, you found yourself stuck in a bizarre dead end regarding the subject of "Essence of Martial Souls," so you began attempting to pioneer the main quest.

But the main quest was not so easily pioneered. You prepared to calm your mind, and as Leng Yulai's coming-of-age ceremony was approaching, you decided to take a small vacation for yourself during this period.