Ten thousand years ago, the Douluo Continent had been divided among four great empires, while Shrek Academy stood aloof from worldly affairs.
As Soul Tool Technology developed, the Sun Moon Empire gradually grew stronger than the three original empires. As it happened, a formidable ruler named Xu Tianran rose to power in the Sun Moon Empire, and he launched a war against the three original empires.
The Dou Ling Empire was the first to fall to a lightning-fast invasion. The Heaven Dou Empire followed soon after, leaving only the Star Luo Empire to struggle on.
But the most melodramatic twist came at the end. The Sun Moon Empire's commander, the War God Empress Ju Zi, had given birth to a child for Xu Tianran—but the child was not of the Sun-Moon Imperial Family. The child's father was Huo Yuhao, founder of the Spirit Pagoda.
In the final days of the war, Huo Yuhao turned the tide, and the Sun Moon Empire withdrew its troops. But by then, Xu Tianran was dead, Huo Yuhao's child had already been named crown prince, and Ju Zi had the Sun Moon Empire's military firmly under her control.
"Hahaha, that's not quite fair. When Xu Tianran took the throne, he had quite a few of his own brothers killed. What happened later, when the imperial family changed hands, was only to be expected."
Leng Yaozhu shook her head slightly and chuckled.
At her words, Mu Ye and Han Tianyi looked rueful. Back then, every emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had fought his way to the throne. Killing one's brothers had nearly become a time-honored tradition.
Later, because the Sun Moon crown prince was Huo Yuhao's child, and because Shrek Academy—which had ties to Huo Yuhao—and the Tang Sect, which was steadily rising, were involved, along with all manner of unspoken reasons, the true Sun-Moon Imperial Family gradually vanished from public view.
Even after the Sun Moon Empire unified the Douluo Continent and became a federation, members of the Xu Family rarely appeared. The three top-tier Martial Souls passed down through the family gradually fell into decline. As for why, the major powers currently in charge of the Federation knew the answer all too well.
"But Tower Master Leng, why are you bringing this up now?"
Mu Ye studied her, then asked in a low voice.
"As I said before, I mean no harm. The grudges of ten thousand years ago have no bearing on the present. Your sect is rebuilding from the ground up, and I'm willing to support you. I hope that when the Body Sect grows powerful again, it will become friends with the Phoenix Clan."
Leng Yaozhu considered this for a moment, then laid out her thoughts plainly. The Phoenix Clan seemed powerful now, but the younger generation had no leading figure. And her younger sister was...
Given Jiang Xiu's talent, Leng Yaozhu wanted to invest in him early. After all, the world wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was about human relationships. What was more, an individual's strength could indeed surpass many other things.
Even if the investment failed, with the Phoenix Clan's current resources, it would cost them no more than a drop in the ocean.
"Good. It's a deal."
After considering it, Han Tianyi and Mu Ye exchanged a glance and agreed.
The Body Sect had nothing to its name right now. There was no way they could lose.
"By the way, Tower Master Leng, I forgot to tell you: I'm only one of Xiao Xiu's masters. His Grandmaster is Dong Zi'an, the Western Legion's commander."
At the last moment, perhaps feeling that the Body Sect didn't carry enough weight, Mu Ye brought up Dong Zi'an.
"Oh? Then it seems the Phoenix Clan will truly gain a powerful ally in the future."
A flash of delight passed through Leng Yaozhu's beautiful eyes.
The Qiangu Family, which now held power in the Spirit Pagoda, had been secretly stripping away her authority as deputy tower master. Qiangu Dongfeng had even been making improper advances toward her.
The Qiangu Family's strength came not only from the many powerful members of its own clan, but also from its numerous allies in the Federation. If she could befriend Jiang Xiu, perhaps she could draw the Western Legion, that colossus, to their side.
"Jiang Xiu, you really are a lucky star for me."
Leng Yaozhu's red lips curved into a cool, alluring smile as she murmured to herself.
"To show my sincerity, the Phoenix Clan owns a street in Shrek City. I'll give it to the Body Sect for free. You can build your sect headquarters there."
Having made up her mind, decisive Leng Yaozhu spoke and handed Mu Ye a contract she had prepared in advance.
It seemed she had already been sure how things would turn out today.
"Tower Master Leng, you know how to do things right."
Mu Ye nodded slightly, took the contract, and praised her.
To become the Phoenix Clan's leader, Leng Yaozhu had needed both nerve and strength.
Now that everything was settled, Han Tianyi felt a quiet surge of joy. It was as if heaven itself favored the Body Sect. Ever since Jiang Xiu arrived, everything had been moving in a better direction.
"Now that this is settled, let's see how Xiao Xiu and Na'er are doing."
Han Tianyi pointed to the Soul Guidance Screen on the wall.
"Right, let's see how Xiao Xiu and Na'er are doing. I wonder what Na'er's First Soul Spirit is?"
"Her? Yesterday, after seeing Xiao Xiu fuse with the Unyielding Soul Spirit, she insisted on trying it herself. Then she went and fused with one too. She really doesn't know how to make things easy for me."
Leng Yaozhu sounded as if she were complaining, but her voice was full of amusement, with a hint of pride—as if to say that Na'er was every bit as good as Jiang Xiu.
"Na'er... what a good girl."
Watching the poised Na'er on the screen, a thought surfaced in Mu Ye's mind, and his thoughts immediately began to stir.
Inside the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform.
Ancient trees towered overhead, and lush greenery stretched in every direction. The sky was a deep blue, the fresh air invigorating, and now and then, the clear notes of birdsong rang out in the distance.
Just then, the air rippled faintly, and Na'er and Jiang Xiu appeared.
"Let's go. Time to start our journey of improvement."
Light gleamed in Na'er's beautiful eyes. With a wave of her delicate hand, countless silver rays converged, and a long, slender silver-white spear appeared. Strange dragon patterns covered its length, and its tip was tinged with purple. The moment it appeared, the surrounding elements rippled.
"So this is the divine Silver Dragon Spear."
Jiang Xiu's eyes narrowed as he sized it up. The Golden Dragon Spear was in Tang Wulin's hands, while the Silver Dragon Spear was in Na'er's.
"Mm. Let's go."
Jiang Xiu summoned the Shadow Monarch and headed into the forest, with it following at his side.
In the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform, after a Soul Beast was killed, one-tenth of its energy went toward increasing the age of a Soul Ring. For example, if Jiang Xiu killed a hundred-year Soul Beast, his First Soul Ring would gain ten years.
"Xiao Xiu, what do you think of the Soul Beast Clan?"
Na'er walked lightly at Jiang Xiu's side. Pointing toward a ten-year Flowery Squirrel that had appeared ahead, she probed him indirectly.
With her own strength, reviving the Soul Beast Clan in the human world would be difficult. She needed helpers, and she felt that Jiang Xiu would be a perfect choice.
He was young and inexperienced. With the peerless wisdom of Great King Na'er, she could definitely lure him over.
"What's this 'Xiao Xiu'? Call me Brother Xiu."
At her words, Jiang Xiu's mouth twitched. His handsome face grew stern, and he spoke in a serious tone.
He had no idea what this little Silver Dragon King wanted, but it was obvious she had her eye on him. She might as well have written "Come into my bowl" across her little face.
"Brother Xiu?!"
Na'er's beautiful eyes went wide. She was the Silver Dragon King, the Soul Beast Co-Lord, a mighty leader destined to guide the Soul Beasts to revival—and now a human child was asking her to call him brother. How dare he!
Before Na'er could reply, howls rang out around them. A pack of vicious Gale Demon Wolves was charging toward them from the distance, murder in their eyes. Mixed in among the hundred-year wolves were ten-year ones, and there were nearly thirty of them.
"Hey! See those Gale Demon Wolves? Whoever kills more of them gets to be the boss from now on. How about it?"
Na'er's eyes lit up as she swept her spear through the air.
"Sure."
Jiang Xiu's gaze shifted, and a trace of amusement flickered in his eyes. If Gu Yue came to the Spirit Pagoda in the future and discovered that Na'er had become his underling, he wondered what her reaction would be.
Besides, Gu Yue and Na'er were both part of Jiang Xiu's plans for the future. They would be tremendous allies.
"Whoosh!"
Darkness surged around Jiang Xiu, and he charged forward with the Shadow Monarch.
"Hmph. Human brat, you'll belong to Great King Na'er in the future."
Na'er murmured to herself, swept her spear sideways, and followed close behind.
"In this bet, I've got the upper hand!"
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