East Sea City Spirit Pagoda (Two Chapters in One)

Days passed by, one after another.

Chu Yan's daily routine had long since been set in stone.

He would rise before dawn every morning and head to the Martial Arts Arena to practice the basic movements of the Hunyuan Staff Technique, repeating each one hundreds of times until his arms ached and his clothes were soaked through with sweat.

This was followed by an hour of soul power cultivation in the training room the Chu Clan had built specifically for him, where he would close his eyes and guide his soul power through his meridians in a slow, steady cycle.

The soul power within him was far more robust than it had been when he first awakened. Although he was still some distance away from reaching level twelve, that sense of fullness grew a little stronger with each passing day.

After lunch was his free time. Sometimes he would flip through his grandfather's Soul Guidance Array Notes. Although the contents of the small booklet were profound, they were clearly organized and progressive, explaining everything from the most basic energy circuits to the complex principles of soul guidance array superposition. He read it with great relish.

Consequently, he became extremely interested in the crafting of soul guidance devices and began to study the knowledge behind their creation.

Only at night did he reserve time for the Yan Divine Weapon.

Closing his bedroom door and sitting cross-legged on his bed, he would summon the dark gold staff, hold it in his hand, and sink his spiritual power into it to establish a connection with the five small golden swords.

For the past few days, he had been attempting to control the sixth small sword, but he was always lacking that final touch. It felt as though his spiritual power was being blocked by an invisible barrier that he simply could not break through.

However, he was not anxious.

Spiritual cultivation, much like soul power cultivation, required things to come to fruition naturally; it could not be rushed.

During these days, he would also occasionally visit the Xu Clan.

Ever since she awakened, Xu Xiaoyan had been brimming with energy, pestering Xu Xiaoyu every day with questions about how to cultivate soul power, leaving Xu Xiaoyu completely overwhelmed.

Once, when Chu Yan visited the Xu Clan, he happened to catch Xu Xiaoyu being chased by his younger sister, who was asking, "Brother, how exactly do you release your second soul skill? I want to learn about it in advance!" Xu Xiaoyu was rolling his eyes in frustration—she hadn't even obtained her first soul ring yet, and she was already asking about her second! Seeing Chu Yan arrive, he felt as if he had been granted an amnesty, and he bolted away after tossing out a quick, "Go ask your Brother Yan!"

Xu Xiaoyan then turned and pounced in front of Chu Yan, looking up with her small face as she said, "Brother Yan, Brother Yan, teach me!"

Chu Yan smiled helplessly and sat down to patiently explain some of the basic essentials of soul power cultivation to her.

Although the Xu Clan had its own system of inheritance, Xu Xiaoyan seemed to particularly enjoy listening to him. Every time he finished, she would tilt her head to ponder for a long while before nodding earnestly and saying, "I've remembered it."

Life went on at a steady, unhurried pace, and in the blink of an eye, it was August 28th.

That afternoon, as Chu Yan was in his room reading his grandfather's Soul Guidance Array Notes, a familiar set of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

Chu Yuntian knocked and asked, "Yan'er, are you in?"

"Father, come in," Chu Yan replied.

When Chu Yuntian entered, he was holding a gold-embossed invitation.

"Yan'er, I have something to tell you."

Hearing this, Chu Yan closed his notes and looked up at his father.

Chu Yuntian walked over to the desk, placed the invitation on the surface, and said, "On the morning of the 30th, you are coming with me to the Spirit Pagoda."

"The Spirit Pagoda?" Chu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. He produced his own soul rings; what was the point of going there?

"Our family has cooperated with the Spirit Pagoda for many years, and our relationship has always been good. They are holding an internal event on the 30th. It isn't a particularly large-scale affair, but they have invited prominent figures from East Sea City and the surrounding areas, along with their successors," Chu Yuntian explained. He paused, lowered his voice, and continued:

"The point is, a Vice Pagoda Master from the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda will be coming in person."

"A Vice Pagoda Master?"

Chu Yan's brows twitched slightly.

The Spirit Pagoda was one of the top soul master organizations on the continent. Its headquarters, the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda in Shrek City, was led by Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng, a level 99 Limit Douluo who held down the fort and shook the continent with his power.

There were two Vice Pagoda Masters: one was the Nether Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang, who was stationed in the Star Luo Empire year-round, and the other was...

"Leng Yaozhu."

Chu Yuntian spoke the name with a hint of reverence and continued, "Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, a level 99 Limit Douluo, a four-word battle armor master, and Vice Chair of the Spirit Pagoda Council. She is one of the core high-level figures of the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda herself and holds considerable sway in both the Federation and Shrek City."

After a brief pause, Chu Yuntian looked at Chu Yan and continued, "And since Vice Pagoda Master Zhang Geyang is currently handling affairs in the Star Luo Empire and cannot possibly come to East Sea City in the near future, the one coming this time can only be the Sky Phoenix Douluo, Leng Yaozhu."

Chu Yan listened quietly. His expression remained calm, but his heart stirred slightly.

Leng Yaozhu.

He had been deeply impressed by this name when he read the original work in his past life.

A level 99 Limit Douluo, possessing the Sky Phoenix martial soul, she was a top-tier powerhouse of the extreme assault type, wielding both fire and wind attributes. Her strength ranked only behind Qiangu Dongfeng and a few other demigod-level existences on the continent.

More importantly, she was one of the few high-ranking figures within the Spirit Pagoda who held a moderate stance toward soul beasts.

Within the Spirit Pagoda, the Qiangu faction advocated for the unbridled acquisition of soul spirits to maximize the exploitation of soul beast resources, while Leng Yaozhu had always advocated for moderate protection and sustainable development. The two had been politically opposed for years, forming a delicate balance of power within the council.

However, Chu Yan's view of Leng Yaozhu was rather complex.

On one hand, she was indeed a powerhouse with immense strength, status, and vision. If he could gain her appreciation and protection, it would be of great benefit to the development of the Chu Clan and his own future.

On the other hand, she possessed a trait he did not quite agree with: she was too sentimental, or perhaps, too prone to letting her heart dictate her judgment.

In the original work, her feelings for the Sky-Prop Douluo Yun Ming persisted throughout the entire story; even years after Yun Ming had fallen, she never forgot him.

In many key decisions throughout the original work, she had been influenced by these feelings, leading her to intentionally lean toward Shrek Academy.

In Chu Yan's view, a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the continent often lost their necessary judgment if they were too deeply entangled in their emotions.

Naturally, he would not voice these thoughts in front of his father.

"Vice Pagoda Master Leng coming to East Sea City is indeed a rare opportunity," Chu Yan said in a steady tone.

Chu Yuntian was not surprised by his son's indifferent reaction; after all, his son had been composed since childhood, and few things could ever cause him to show any significant emotional fluctuation.

He continued, "I want you to come with me. There is no harm in meeting these big figures early. Your talent is clear—innate full soul power, a special martial soul, and mental power far exceeding your peers. If you can show your face before the Vice Pagoda Master, even if you don't catch her eye, it would be good to at least become a familiar face."

He paused here, his gaze turning a bit more serious as he looked at Chu Yan.

"Yan'er, you must understand that in this world, talent alone is not enough. Who stands behind you determines how far you can go. The Chu Clan is a force in East Sea City, but on the scale of the entire continent, it is merely a drop in the ocean."

Chu Yan nodded and said, "I understand, Father."

Seeing his son's proper attitude, Chu Yuntian patted his shoulder with satisfaction and smiled.

"Then it's settled. I'll come to get you on the morning of the 30th. Dress appropriately."

"By the way, if you happen to catch her eye and she considers taking on a disciple, then accept. That way, our family can move closer to her faction."

"Take on a disciple?" Chu Yan raised an eyebrow.

"It's just a possibility." Chu Yuntian waved his hand, his tone lightening as he added dismissively, "Don't think too much about it. It's uncertain whether she'll even take a liking to you. Just stand by, see the world, and let everything else take its natural course."

Chu Yan nodded without saying anything more.

However, he knew very well that he had learned quite a bit about Leng Yaozhu from reading the original work in his past life.

The Sky Phoenix Douluo, the greatest beauty of the Spirit Pagoda, was peerless in her elegance. Her temperament was passionate yet noble, and while her strength was immense, her personality leaned toward the gentle side.

If he could truly become her disciple, given her connections and resources within the upper echelons of the Federation, it would be a massive boost for both his own growth and his future plans.

August 30th, early morning.

Chu Yan changed into a moon-white brocade robe, cinched at the waist with a silver-gray woven belt. The fabric was the cloud-patterned brocade specially supplied to the Chu Clan, light and breathable; as he moved, the hem fluttered slightly, making him look clear and untainted by the world.

He stood before the mirror to adjust his collar, confirming that every detail was neat and proper.

Around his neck hung the Ice Heart Jade Marrow pendant his mother had given him, the pale blue crystal emitting a warm luster in the morning light. On his left forearm, he wore the Portable Basic Soul Guidance Array Recorder; the silver-gray bracer hugged the lines of his arm, appearing at first glance like a simple piece of jewelry.

Chu Yuntian was already waiting outside the manor gate.

He wore a deep purple formal robe today, with the Chu Clan's emblem embroidered on the cuffs and collar. He looked dignified and official, possessing the bearing of a clan head who had long held a position of power.

Seeing Chu Yan walk out, he looked him up and down and nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad, you look sharp."

Father and son boarded the Chu Clan's soul guidance vehicle, which pulled smoothly out of the gate and merged into the morning traffic of East Sea City.

The East Sea City branch of the Spirit Pagoda was located at the end of the central avenue in the heart of the city, serving as one of the most prominent landmarks in the entire metropolis.

As one of the eighteen major branches of the Spirit Pagoda organization, these eighteen massive towers were known as the "Eighteen Heavenly Pillars," each symbolizing the absolute authority of the Spirit Pagoda on this continent.

As the vehicle turned the final corner, Chu Yan saw the towering structure through the window.

The base of the Spirit Pagoda was octagonal and occupied a vast area; even from a distance, one could feel its magnificent and imposing aura.

The tower was constructed entirely of a special stone that shimmered with a pale gold luster. It narrowed inward every ten stories, progressing layer by layer until it reached the spire at the top.

The entire tower stood over a hundred stories tall, exceeding four hundred meters, making it stand out like a crane among chickens even in the high-rise-filled East Sea City.

Chu Yan watched quietly out the window, his heart devoid of any particular emotional fluctuation.

Although the Spirit Pagoda was spectacular, it was not enough to shock him.

The soul guidance vehicle stopped in the plaza in front of the Spirit Pagoda.

Many vehicles were already parked in the plaza, various models of soul guidance cars arranged neatly, their bodies stamped with the emblems of different families and factions.

Chu Yan's gaze swept across the area, pausing for a moment before one particular car.

The door of that vehicle bore an ice-blue emblem—the crest of the Xu Clan.

"It seems the Xu Clan has already arrived," Chu Yuntian remarked casually, following his son's gaze.

Father and son stepped out of the car and walked toward the main entrance of the Spirit Pagoda.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the majesty of the building.

The main entrance was over ten meters high, with two heavy bronze-gold doors standing open. The door frames were engraved with dense, intricate soul guidance patterns that emitted faint, flickering energy fluctuations.

Two rows of Spirit Pagoda staff in black uniforms stood before the door, their postures respectful and efficient.

Chu Yuntian presented the invitation, and after the staff verified it, they respectfully stepped aside to let them pass.

The moment he stepped into the first-floor lobby of the Spirit Pagoda, Chu Yan's attention was captured by the scene before him.

The interior of the lobby was even more magnificent than it appeared from the outside. The floor was paved with dark gold stone, its surface featuring naturally formed, dazzling textures that glowed with a warm luster under the illumination of the soul guidance lights.

Huge stone pillars rose from the ground to support a dome dozens of meters high. The pillars were also engraved with complex patterns that flickered under the lights, flowing slowly as if they were living things.

But what truly drew the eye were the colorful murals on those pillars and the dome.

The murals used a large expanse of gilded gold as a base, with rich and magnificent colors depicting grand historical scenes.

The most eye-catching one was located on the massive wall directly in front of the lobby.

In the painting, a grand city stood in the distance, with towering walls and fluttering flags. Above the city, a figure hovered in mid-air, his eyes shining like stars. Surrounding his body were several figures: a peerless woman in white, a peerless woman in green, an entity like an ice flower, a giant bear, and a massive white worm.

Under their protection, the young man was surrounded by soul rings of strange and brilliant colors, radiating a dazzling light.

Opposite him lay a boundless tide of beasts.

Those soul beasts came in all shapes and sizes, massive, hideous, and terrifying. In the distance of the mural, they surged forward like a tidal wave, while that young man stood alone before the city, facing thousands of soul beasts single-handedly.

This mural depicted the story of the Spirit Pagoda's first Tower Master, the inventor of soul spirits, Spirit Ice Douluo Dai Yuhao—or rather, Huo Yuhao—leading human soul masters to resist the great tide of soul beasts back in the day.

The murals of the eighteen branch Spirit Pagodas each recorded a different part of the story; only by piecing them all together could one see the complete historical scroll.

As for the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda, the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, it recorded the final battle between Spirit Ice Douluo and the strongest soul beast, Beast God Di Tian.

Chu Yan stood before that mural for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the image.

He certainly knew the outcome of that battle: Huo Yuhao had won, leading humanity to victory in that war.

But after that, he and his wife vanished together, never appearing before the world again.

Various speculations circulated throughout the soul master world; some said they had gone to a secluded place, while others claimed they had broken through to a higher realm.

Because he had read the original work, Chu Yan knew clearly that they had gone to the God Realm.

"Yan'er, let's go." Chu Yuntian's voice came from ahead.

Chu Yan withdrew his gaze and stepped forward to follow.

Deep in the hall was a row of exclusive VIP passages. Several staff members in silver-gray uniforms stood at the entrance, and upon seeing the invitation Chu Yuntian presented, they respectfully guided them into a private elevator.

The interior of the elevator was much more spacious than a standard one, its four walls also engraved with soul guidance array patterns. There were no numbered buttons for floors, only a palm-sized sensor panel.

A staff member pressed the panel, the elevator doors slowly closed, and then it ascended smoothly.

The elevator ride lasted longer than expected, continuing for several minutes before slowly coming to a halt.

The moment the doors opened, a magnificent, resplendent hall revealed itself.

It was an extremely vast banquet hall with deep red carpets covering the floor. Dozens of exquisitely crafted soul guidance chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their warm yellow light casting a soft and bright glow over the entire hall.

Dozens of round tables were arranged on both sides of the hall, covered with pristine white tablecloths and neatly set with tableware, leaving ample space between each table.

In the center of the hall was an open area, where several long tables were laden with a dazzling array of food and drinks.

Chu Yan's gaze swept over the long tables and paused slightly.

Roasted soul beast meat, pickled snacks, exquisite fruit platters, various drinks... the variety of dishes was incredibly rich, and several of them were clearly made from high-quality soul beast meat.

He vaguely recognized one of the thinly sliced meats with pale golden patterns; it should have been the tenderloin of some century-level earth dragon soul beast.

Ingredients of this quality were rare even at high-end banquets in East Sea City, which made it easy to imagine how long the East Sea Spirit Pagoda had been preparing for Leng Yaozhu's arrival.

Chu Yan's gaze swept further into the distance. Many people had already arrived, gathered in groups of two or three to converse.

Most were middle-aged men accompanied by younger ones, looking much like the situation with the Chu Clan—all influential families and powers from East Sea City and the surrounding regions.

Just then...

"Uncle Chu! Brother Yan!"