Leng Yaozhu was silently reflecting, there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Come in." Leng Yaozhu collected her thoughts and resumed the dignified demeanor of the Vice Tower Master.
The door was pushed open, and a young woman who looked like a secretary walked in, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Tower Master has heard of the His Excellency Dragon God and would like to invite Your His Excellency Dragon God to a chat after dinner."
Leng Yaozhu frowned slightly and glanced at Long Yuan.
Long Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Understood."
He naturally knew that his itinerary could not be kept from Qiangu Dongfeng's ears, but of course he did not hide it, or rather, he also intended to meet this Spirit Douluo.
The secretary left.
Leng Yaozhu put down her chopsticks and lowered her voice, saying, " Qiangu Dongfeng is a man of deep thoughts; you must be careful when dealing with him."
Long Yuan nodded and continued eating.
Gu Yuena remained silent, but simply placed another piece of food on his plate.
After the meal, Long Yuan, accompanied by Leng Yaozhu's secretary, went to the top floor alone.
Qiangu Dongfeng's office is on the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda, specifically the eighty-first floor.
The elevator doors opened, revealing a huge circular space with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, offering a panoramic view of Shrek City. In the center of the office was a large mahogany desk, behind which sat a middle-aged man.
Qiangu Dongfeng appeared to be in his early forties, with a dignified appearance. He wore a well-tailored dark suit, and his hair was neatly combed. He had a gentle demeanor, but his eyes were sharp, as if he could see through people's hearts.
Seeing Long Yuan enter, he stood up and greeted him with a broad smile.
" Your His Excellency Dragon God, Dragon God, I have long admired you. I have always wanted to meet you, and today I finally have the opportunity."
Long Yuan shook hands with him. "You're too kind Tower Master Qiangu."
The two sat down on the sofa, and the secretary brought in two cups of tea before leaving.
Qiangu Dongfeng picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and said slowly, " Your His Excellency Dragon God has broken through to the Titled Douluo level at such a young age; it is truly astonishing. The Spirit Pagoda is honored to have such a genius as you."
Long Yuan picked up his teacup but didn't reply.
Qiangu Dongfeng didn't mind and continued, "I heard that His Excellency Dragon God is also the vice president of the Blacksmith Association, an eighth-level Saint Craftsman, with a promising future."
While everyone may carry a sedan chair, Long Yuan has never been fond of such flattering words.
Long Yuan put down his teacup. " Tower Master Qiangu, please speak frankly."
Qiangu Dongfeng smiled, put down his teacup, and said seriously, "Alright, then I'll get straight to the point. I would like to formally invite His Excellency Dragon God join the Spirit Pagoda."
Long Yuan raised an eyebrow. " The Tower Master Qiangu is truly forgetful. Aren't I already the Vice Tower Master of the Eastsea City Branch Tower?"
"That's different." Qiangu Dongfeng waved his hand. "That's just nominal. I'm talking about officially joining and becoming a core member of the Spirit Pagoda."
He stood up, walked to the window, his back to Long Yuan, and slowly said, "Let me speak frankly. Although the Spirit Pagoda is powerful, it doesn't have many truly capable individuals who can stand alone. Your Excellency Leng is one, but I know her situation; demigodhood is her limit. We need fresh blood, we need young powerhouses like you."
He turned around and looked at Long Yuan.
" Your His Excellency Dragon God, I believe in your potential. If you are willing, I can secure you a position as an elder or Honorary Elder. The compensation and benefits will be excellent, with priority access to resources. Moreover, you will not need to be stationed at headquarters permanently; you only need to lend a helping hand in crucial moments."
Long Yuan remained silent for a while.
The position of Elder is second only to the Tower Master, Vice Tower Master, and Spirit Envoy in the Spirit Pagoda. Elders are qualified to attend the Spirit Pagoda Council and hold a very high status.
The fact that Qiangu Dongfeng offered these conditions shows considerable sincerity.
"What are the conditions?" Long Yuan asked.
Qiangu Dongfeng smiled, "There are no strings attached. The Spirit Pagoda is eager for talent, and as long as you are willing to join, we will naturally provide you with our full support. Of course, if the Spirit Pagoda encounters difficulties, we hope you can also lend a helping hand."
"Besides, you attacked someone from Shrek. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. For that reason alone, I'm willing to invite you, aren't I?"
Long Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Okay. But I have one condition."
"Please speak."
"My identity does not represent the position of the Blacksmith Association. The Blacksmith Association is the Blacksmith Association, Spirit Pagoda is the Spirit Pagoda. I will not use the resources of one party to benefit the other."
Qiangu Dongfeng paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
" Your His Excellency Dragon God is indeed a wise man. Very well, I agree. The position of Honorary Elder only represents your personal status within the Spirit Pagoda and does not involve any other forces."
Long Yuan nodded. "Then thank you very much, Tower Master Qiangu."
With his keen insight, he naturally understood Qiangu Dongfeng's plan.
The position of elder or Honorary Elder actually depends on his own attitude. If he is truly willing to join the Spirit Pagoda, then he can become an elder, or even higher.
However, since he has severed ties with the Blacksmith Association, he is now Honorary Elder.
Although there isn't much difference between the two, or rather, Qiangu Dongfeng simply refused to bow down to him on behalf of the Spirit Pagoda.
Well, it's probably just the awkward psychology of politicians; Long Yuan won't comment.
Qiangu Dongfeng walked back to his desk, took out a dark gold token from the drawer, and handed it to Long Yuan.
"This is the token of Honorary Elder. Please keep it safe. I will have someone deliver the specific benefits and permissions to you later."
Long Yuan took the token, glanced at it, and put it into his Storage Soul Tool.
Qiangu Dongfeng laughed again, "It's a rare occasion for Your His Excellency Dragon God to visit Shrek City. Why not stay a few more days? I'll have someone arrange it."
Long Yuan shook his head. "No need, I have other things to do, I'll leave tomorrow."
Even the Qiangu Dongfeng cannot hold me back; I stand up and see Long Yuan to the door.
" Your His Excellency Dragon God, the Spirit Pagoda will henceforth be your home. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."
Long Yuan nodded and turned to leave.
When they returned to the 64th floor, Leng Yaozhu and Gu Yuena were still there.
Seeing Long Yuan enter, Leng Yaozhu asked, "Are you done talking?"
Long Yuan nodded.
What did he want with you?
"Let me join the Spirit Pagoda."
Leng Yaozhu frowned. "It's that simple?"
Long Yuan nodded.
Leng Yaozhu was silent for a while, then sighed, "I don't know what Qiangu Dongfeng is thinking all day. But it's good that you've joined; having an official identity in the Spirit Pagoda will make things easier."
Gu Yuena remained silent, simply watching Long Yuan quietly.
Long Yuan sat down next to her, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.
I'm going back to Heaven Dou City first thing tomorrow morning.
Gu Yuena nodded without saying anything.
Leng Yaozhu glanced at the two of them, then tactfully stood up. "I have something to do, you two talk."
After saying that, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Only Long Yuan and Gu Yuena remained in the room.
Long Yuan threw the token in front of her.
Gu Yuena tilted her head to look at him. " Honorary Elder?"
Long Yuan nodded.
Gu Yuena said indifferently, "They are rather stingy."
Long Yuan's lips curled up slightly. "Who cares about all that? Let's just reserve a spot first, then we'll have a legitimate reason to act, right?"
Gu Yuena didn't say anything more, she just leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Outside the window, the night view of Shrek City was dazzling, and the light from the Golden Ancient Tree was particularly soft in the night.
Long Yuan put his arm around her shoulder. "You told me something happened in the Star Dou Forest, and that's why I rushed over here. So what is it?"
Gu Yuena smiled and turned her head to look at Long Yuan Yuan's handsome and resolute profile.
"The thing is, I miss you."
"Oh, you actually lied to me!"
Gu Yuena sat up straight and looked seriously into Long Yuan's eyes. "I am their lord, and my affairs are the affairs of the Star Dou Forest."