"It's gone. This time, there's really not a single one left."
Looking at the oranges Jiang Xiu had taken from her, Na'er was on the verge of tears. She gazed at him pitifully. Those had been her stash, and now Jiang Xiu had squeezed every last one out of her.
"Fine, I'll take the job. Tell me, who do you want me to kill—ah, no, whose turf do you want me to help you dominate?"
Jiang Xiu peeled an orange and glanced at Na'er's pitiful expression, finding it rather amusing. She looked no less aggrieved than he had felt in his previous life when someone stole the food he'd ordered.
"You agreed?!"
Seeing Jiang Xiu accept, Na'er instantly dropped her pitiful act. The corners of her mouth curved like crescent moons as she stepped up to him, her expression turning serious.
"I've already gathered all the information beforehand. The other girl is a Soul Grandmaster, and her Martial Soul is an Elementalist, an elemental type. Hmm... also, her intelligence probably isn't very high, and she might go berserk with animal instincts."
"Boss, when the time comes, give her a thorough workout. Best of all, beat her until she's utterly defeated."
Light flickered in Na'er's violet eyes. She occasionally threw a little punch, as if she could already picture the scene. The more she talked, the more excited she became.
At her words, Jiang Xiu's eyes twitched slightly. Why did it feel like Na'er and Gu Yue were so at odds? They were practically a pair of squabbling rivals.
"Could this be the clash between humanity and beastliness? One thought from god to demon?"
Jiang Xiu chuckled inwardly.
"Jiang Xiu, are you even listening?"
Seeing the smile on Jiang Xiu's lips, Na'er rose onto her tiptoes and leaned her pretty face close to his, her beautiful eyes wide open.
Just then, a breeze swept by. Na'er's silver hair fluttered, carrying a faint fragrance as it brushed across Jiang Xiu's handsome face.
"I'm listening, I'm listening. I'll definitely carry out Princess Na'er's instructions."
Jiang Xiu chuckled and popped the peeled orange into Na'er's mouth. Only then did she lower her heels, reassured.
"Gu Yue, even though you took seventy percent of the origin power, I, Na'er, have a hired fighter. So you'd better submit obediently."
Na'er thought smugly. She could see right through Gu Yue's intentions. Gu Yue wanted nothing more than to join the Spirit Pagoda, just like her, and prepare for the revival of the Soul Beast Clan. But one pagoda couldn't house two dragons. She had to strike first.
The struggle for Spirit Transmission had always been like this!
"Then we'll leave with Master tonight!"
Na'er lifted her delicate chin. This time, victory was definitely hers!
"Sure. It's only morning, so we still have plenty of time. Come and learn to engrave Soul Guidance Arrays with me for a while. We'll need that skill when we make Battle Armor later."
Jiang Xiu nodded, then led Na'er to a tree in the courtyard and took out two books on crafting Soul Guidance Core Arrays.
Over the past four years, aside from improving his cultivation and expanding the Shadow Lord's legion in the Abyss Plane, he had also been advancing his other major professions in tandem.
Na'er looked at the densely packed Core Arrays in the book before her, and her eyes instantly glazed over. She propped her head up with one hand.
"I can't learn this. I really can't!"
The cowlick on Na'er's head drooped as she sighed helplessly.
Although she was a top student from Star Dou Great Forest Cultural Co., Ltd., when faced with these Core Arrays, all she could do was live up to the "limited" part of her education.
Glancing at the handsome boy beside her, Na'er raised her delicate brows and called softly,
"Jiang Xiu, Jiang Xiu."
"I'm here."
"What are we having for lunch today? Spicy grilled meat noodles or braised chicken with rice?"
"Either is fine."
Like a little yellow bird, Na'er fluttered around Jiang Xiu, chattering away. Jiang Xiu's lips curved from time to time as the hours slipped by.
The sun shone bright upon the world. The wind stirred the treetops. They were young, in the prime of their lives.
Evening fell, and the sun sank in the west.
Fiery clouds spread across the sky. Their gorgeous light reflected off the towering metal walls of the Spirit Pagoda, as if the setting sun had fallen upon the earth.
At the foot of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, Na'er stood beside Jiang Xiu and watched the bustling street before them. Her beautiful eyes darted around as though she were waiting for someone.
"Xiao Xiu, Na'er."
A cool, elegant voice rang out from a distance. Leng Yaozhu emerged from the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, her graceful figure clad in a red dress. Her jade arms glimmered, and her dark red hair matched the setting sun perfectly.
Compared with four years ago, time seemed to have left no mark on Leng Yaozhu.
But a middle-aged man was following beside her. He was tall and rather handsome, with a high nose bridge and slightly small eyes. A powerful aura of intimidation radiated from him.
After speaking, Leng Yaozhu walked straight toward Jiang Xiu and Na'er, never sparing the man beside her so much as a glance.
"You two little ones, let's go."
Leng Yaozhu stopped in front of them, a faint smile appearing on her cool, beautiful face. She was about to lead them out of Shrek City.
"Yaozhu, would you like me to accompany you to the East Sea? The Spirit Pagoda isn't very busy these days, after all."
The middle-aged man cleared his throat and called out from behind her.
"Thank you for your concern, Tower Master Qiangu. I can go by myself. Besides, it's not work hours, so you don't need to keep following me."
Jiang Xiu's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the man behind Leng Yaozhu. He immediately recognized him as the current Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda and head of the Qiangu Family, Qiangu Dongfeng.
Of course, Qiangu Dongfeng had been pursuing Leng Yaozhu in secret.
"By the way, Tower Master Qiangu, we're not that close. You can just call me Leng Yaozhu."
Before Qiangu Dongfeng could reply, Leng Yaozhu turned and gave him a perfectly polite smile.
A smile could sometimes be courtesy, and sometimes a warning.
With that, Leng Yaozhu led Jiang Xiu and Na'er into the distance, disappearing into the crowd.
Qiangu Dongfeng watched them go, his expression turning slightly grim. But then he thought of something, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
"Leng Yaozhu, once my Qiangu Family has complete control over the entire Spirit Pagoda, you'll be mine sooner or later!"
He scoffed inwardly, seemingly certain of victory. Although his grandson, Qiangu Zhangting, didn't have the makings of a Limit Douluo, he could prepare Immortal Herbs and Battle Armor for him. Then the Qiangu Family would rise to another level.
Within the Spirit Pagoda, who would dare crowd them out? Who would dare defy them? The Phoenix Clan was nothing but a flock of barnyard fowl, growing more decrepit by the day.
With that thought, Qiangu Dongfeng turned confidently and went back inside the Spirit Pagoda.
To be honest, he had been rather busy these past few days. He'd only claimed to be free just now to create a chance to be alone with Leng Yaozhu.
Night fell.
A pitch-black Black-Grade Mecha flew through the sky, punching through one thick cloud after another.
"Xiao Xiu, Na'er, get some rest early. We'll reach the East Sea tomorrow. Then it'll be up to the two of you to show what you can do."
Inside the cockpit, a smile glimmered in Leng Yaozhu's beautiful eyes, and her red lips curved.
"Master, that Gu Yue is nothing but a braggart who's asking to be killed. Tomorrow, just watch me—Jiang Xiu, that is—probe her true strength!"
Na'er raised her delicate chin, her violet eyes brimming with confidence.
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