After finishing a standard set of basic staff techniques, Qian Jue planted his feet as he lowered the staff. He was calm and composed, his little face showing no sweat or sign of exertion. Only his eyes shone clear as stars.
"Grandpa, I just..."
Before Qian Jue could finish, Qiangu Qingfeng scooped him up and lifted him high above his head.
"Hahaha! You've just entered the Force realm! That set was proof enough that you've stepped into the realm of 'Staff Force.'"
"My younger brother, who's hailed as the Qiangu Clan's greatest genius in a century, was nowhere near your level at your age."
Qiangu Qingfeng's face brimmed with indescribable joy.
He'd spent years living in seclusion, away from the world, while Qiangu Dongfeng basked in the limelight. Everyone thought he cared nothing for fame or fortune and had no competitive streak.
In truth, Qiangu Qingfeng was more competitive than anyone.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone away for twenty years, only to return and publicly defeat his younger brother, who had been riding high at the time.
He simply didn't compete because he'd already proven with his strength that he was better than his brother.
Even so, their father still hadn't chosen Qiangu Qingfeng.
All these years later, it remained a thorn in the heart of someone as proud as him.
Under Qiangu Dongfeng's leadership, the Spirit Pagoda had indeed risen step by step, reaching a stalemate with Shrek Academy.
His younger brother had long been paving the way for his grandson. The next Pagoda Master might well be Qiangu Zhangting.
Rumor had it that his grandnephew was exceptionally talented and had much of Qiangu Dongfeng's flair in his youth.
Being overshadowed by his younger brother over this had always left Qiangu Qingfeng feeling stifled.
Now, after meeting Qian Jue, he'd watched the boy go from knowing nothing to understanding what "force" meant in just fifteen minutes.
Wasn't this talent far superior to Qiangu Zhangting's, who'd become a third-generation rich kid by being piled high with resources?
Qiangu Qingfeng believed that, given the same resources, his grandson would far surpass Qiangu Zhangting in the future.
"Junior brother."
Gu Yue had appeared from who knew where. After calling softly to him, she wrapped her arms around Qian Jue from behind.
Qian Jue stiffened. A faint fragrance brushed past his nostrils, making him feel a little flustered.
Wait, you're not my big sister. Why are you suddenly getting all touchy-feely?
For the great cause of reviving the Soul Beasts and to win over my grandpa, would you really sell your body and soul?
That's so baby!
Still, this feels pretty nice. It's not like I'm losing anything.
Enjoying the heartbeat and warmth against his back for a moment, Qian Jue finally asked, "Senior sister, what are you doing...?"
Gu Yue's little face flushed ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. Then she let go and stepped back two paces. "That was just a little reward. Congratulations on your breakthrough."
Xia Zhengleng and Qiangu Qingfeng stood side by side, watching the two children. They exchanged a glance and smiled meaningfully.
"Xiao Qian, you'll have to treat your senior sister well from now on. You mustn't let her down," Qiangu Qingfeng said with complete seriousness.
"You've got a good foundation. When you grow up, there'll surely be a whole flock of beauties around you. No womanizing—that's our family rule. If you want to break it, you'll have to beat me first."
Gu Yue was delighted to hear this, and looked at Qiangu Qingfeng with heartfelt gratitude.
Grandfather, you're truly wise. This excellent family tradition must be passed down forever!
But Qian Jue wasn't happy about it.
"Monogamy can be true love, and I can do true love with multiple partners too."
Come on, what's the point of coming to Douluo if I don't build a harem? In my last life, I raised nine little Dragon Kings, but died before I could enjoy myself.
I can't make the same mistake twice in this life.
"Can't you learn something good? You've inherited that bad habit from your grandpa."
"Hehe, I'm not like Grandpa. My future wives will all be my wings!"
"You little rascal! I'm going to give you a proper lecture on our family rules today!"
Qian Jue's complaints made Qiangu Qingfeng's beard bristle with anger. Grandfather and grandson chased each other around the villa's courtyard, making Gu Yue and Xia Zhengleng laugh.
The air was filled with cheer.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Shrek City.
Lan Muzi sat in the waiting room at the Soul Guidance Train station, quietly awaiting the express train to Eastsea City.
"Meng Yin, I have some things to take care of over the next few days, so I won't be home tonight."
She replied with an emoji and reminded him to be careful while he was away.
Warmth filled Lan Muzi's heart. Sure enough, his wife was the best.
Once he got to Eastsea City, what excuse and method should he use to coax Qian Jue back to Shrek City?
He wondered if Her Excellency Heavenly Phoenix was in Eastsea City too.
If he openly went there to snatch the child, she'd be entirely justified in beating him up.
What a headache. This was such a headache.
Why did he have to get saddled with such a mess?
Lan Muzi was troubled and could only pray that everything went smoothly on this trip.
Suddenly, a figure came up beside Lan Muzi without a sound, not disturbing anyone else nearby. The person was like a ghost.
Lan Muzi tensed at once and tried to stand, but a hand pressed down on his shoulder, pinning him firmly to his seat.
"Kid, it's me."
Hearing the familiar voice, Lan Muzi recognized her and hurried to pay his respects.
"Greetings, Elder Cai."
The silver-haired old woman nodded, then sat down beside Lan Muzi without a hurry.
"You reacted pretty quickly. If you keep working at it for another three to five years, you might be able to make a push for Titled Douluo."
The visitor was none other than the dean of Shrek Outer Court and one of the Sea God Pavilion Elders, Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er.
"What brings you here?"
Cai Yue'er didn't answer Lan Muzi's question directly. Instead, she asked, "You're going to pick up a child and bring him back to the academy, aren't you? I heard that child seems to have been taken as a disciple by Leng Yaozhu, that bitch?"
Lan Muzi's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no!
"It was Sister Yue who asked me to go. After all, that child is practically one of ours at Shrek."
Cai Yue'er nodded. A smile appeared on her aged face. "Then we're on the same side."
"Sister Yue just came to see me. She was worried you wouldn't handle things properly, so she asked me to help you. If they refuse to give that promising talent back, I can back you up."
Lan Muzi was already drenched in sweat, and he could barely keep his expression under control.
Teacher, oh, Teacher. You're deliberately stirring up trouble!
As the senior disciple of the inner court, and someone who'd been at the academy for so long, he didn't know every last detail of the previous generation's grudges and grievances, but he'd heard enough to understand the gist.
Back then, Silver Moon Douluo and Heavenly Phoenix Douluo had both fought tooth and nail over the Pavilion Master.
They were rivals in love, even though the Pavilion Master had married Ya Li.
Both had lost out, so by rights they ought to have felt a kind of kinship with each other.
Elder Cai had a quirky, headstrong disposition and did as she pleased. She'd been at odds with Heavenly Phoenix Douluo for a long time.
Things might have been a little better on Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's side. She had a steady temperament and knew to keep the bigger picture in mind. At least she wouldn't let things devolve into an outright falling-out.
But this one, with her headstrong ways, had caused no end of trouble across the continent back in the day. The old Pavilion Master had even had to personally lead people to bring her back. It was only after she'd served as dean of the outer court for years that she'd finally calmed down a little.
Now Sister Yue wanted Elder Cai to go to Leng Yaozhu and demand the child.
Lan Muzi shuddered.
Am I going to die too?
Lan Muzi felt as if his heart were bleeding. He was nearly ready to grab his communicator and write his wife a farewell letter.
"The train's here. Let's go."
"Y-yes, all right."