Shrek City, Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
At the top of the tower, in the Pagoda Master's office.
"Well, well, isn't this my dear big brother? What brings you here today?"
Qiangu Dongfeng sat in the main chair, playing with the wineglass on his desk as he watched Qiangu Qingfeng walk in through the door, looking rather amused.
His dear big brother had once beaten him soundly. The two brothers had never liked each other, even as children.
Qiangu Qingfeng had lost badly that time, defeated in public at the height of his glory, when he had basked in the limelight and stood out above everyone else.
After winning, he had even deliberately said something like that.
If their father hadn't been there, and the Spirit Pagoda hadn't needed stability, that old affair would never have been settled even now.
But Qiangu Dongfeng no longer resented his big brother. Their father had given him the position of Pagoda Master, and that alone proved everything.
He was the best choice to lead the Spirit Pagoda.
What did losing one match matter when he had won the larger contest?
But that didn't mean the brothers were close. Ever since that duel, they had rarely seen each other, usually only showing their faces at high-level Spirit Pagoda meetings.
So Qiangu Dongfeng was rather surprised by his big brother's sudden visit.
"Do you know about my grandson?"
Qiangu Qingfeng shook his head. Ever since he'd taken over as Pagoda Master, he hadn't had a single day of peace. He had poured his heart and soul into making the Spirit Pagoda the greatest force on the continent.
He barely paid much attention even to his own grandson, Qiangu Zhangting. How could he possibly keep track of his big brother's grandson?
Qiangu Qingfeng smiled faintly, a confident look crossing his face—the same confidence he'd worn when he defeated him all those years ago. "Here's Xiao Qian's file. Have a look."
Qiangu Dongfeng furrowed his brow, but still picked up the file on the desk and glanced over it.
The farther he read, the more his expression changed.
By the end, Qiangu Dongfeng had leapt to his feet in excitement.
"Are—are all of these things true? Big brother, please, you have to answer me."
Qiangu Dongfeng sat in his chair and shot back, "Do you think I'm the sort of person who'd do something without being sure of it? If I were, you wouldn't have lost so badly back then."
Qiangu Dongfeng nearly ground his back teeth to dust.
That old bastard still dwelled on that little victory and defeat every day.
It seemed Father had been right to pass the position on to me. My big brother cares far too much about winning and losing. He couldn't lead the Spirit Pagoda.
Suppressing his anger, Qiangu Dongfeng said, "If this is true, then I'm willing to pour all the Qiangu Clan's resources into raising my grandnephew."
"Oh? What about your Zhangting?"
Qiangu Zhangting, Qiangu Dongfeng's grandson, had shown extraordinary talent from a young age.
In the Spirit Pagoda, everyone considered him the next Pagoda Master. His standing was practically that of the Spirit Pagoda's crown prince.
Qiangu Dongfeng walked to the window. From the top of the tower, he could take in the whole of Shrek City.
"He's enjoyed so many resources, and I've spared no effort in cultivating him as my successor. So Zhangting must also contribute to the Spirit Pagoda."
Qiangu Qingfeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected his younger brother to be so resolute, without the slightest hesitation about favoring his own descendant.
"Big brother, you should know better than I do what it means to comprehend the Indomitable Staff Intent at six years old."
Qiangu Qingfeng pointed toward Shrek Academy in the distance, its ancient green tree shrouded in mist. Resentment colored his voice. "Why has Shrek Academy always managed to keep the Spirit Pagoda under its thumb?"
"Setting aside that bullshit sense of honor they use to win over so many people, isn't it because they have the greatest man of this era?!"
The memory of how Yun Ming had defeated the father he'd believed invincible had haunted Qiangu Qingfeng like a heart demon.
The woman he loved but could never have had also been deeply enamored of that greatest man of the era.
If Yun Ming had simply accepted her love, Qiangu Qingfeng might have been able to let go. But that man had always loved only Ya Li, rejecting every other woman who professed her love for him.
That had indirectly driven Leng Yaomo's younger sister, another genius of the Spirit Pagoda, to flee and become an Evil Soul Master.
Why did Yun Ming get to have all the good things?
And Shrek was always perched on the moral high ground, suppressing the Spirit Pagoda at every turn.
Who couldn't see that the Federation was just an empty shell nowadays?
The Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda, and the War God Temple—four mighty factions, each controlling its own territory.
He wanted the Spirit Pagoda to become the greatest force on the continent and the Qiangu Clan to become the Federation's true rulers. That was certainly selfish.
But what right did Shrek have to stand on the moral high ground and condemn his selfishness and ambition?
The best and brightest of the inner court took part in so-called academy examinations. Some even infiltrated military installations to steal aircraft or blueprints for core Soul Guidance Technology.
Taken one by one, which of these wasn't treason?
And there was the Tang Sect. According to intelligence reports, they had even been building a military fortress beneath some major city, digging until they'd nearly hollowed it out.
There was no conclusive proof, but given the Tang Sect's habit of keeping a hundred rabbit holes to escape through, it was probably true.
Put the two sides together, and the only difference was between a hypocrite and a true scoundrel. Neither had any business calling the other clean.
"I told you about Xiao Qian only because I want him to reach the pinnacle of this world one day. If you intend to use him as a pawn, I'll be the first to stop you." Qiangu Qingfeng's aura condensed around him, light flickering behind his head as his thoughts took tangible form.
Even Qiangu Dongfeng, himself a Limit Douluo, found that pressure difficult to deal with.
It seemed his big brother's secluded years hadn't made him neglect his cultivation. He had become a seasoned demigod.
Qiangu Dongfeng chuckled. "Hahaha, don't worry, big brother. Why would I do something so vile? I'm counting on my grandnephew to help me get a proper bit of revenge."
"Then end your cooperation with the Holy Spirit Cult. They have no bottom line. Working with those lunatics is like inviting a tiger into your home."
"Even if you bring down Shrek and the Tang Sect, can you be sure the Spirit Pagoda and the War God Temple can handle those Evil Soul Masters from the Holy Spirit Cult?"
Qiangu Qingfeng voiced his concerns. He had only recently learned that his younger brother was working with those inhuman creatures.
He didn't know the details, but it was obvious that the target had to be Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect.
Since he couldn't break through the united front of the two great factions by conventional means, his dear little brother was bound to take an unconventional route. It was no surprise he'd chosen to work with the Holy Spirit Cult.
Qiangu Dongfeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected his big brother to know about his plans.
No matter. He was already halfway through with them.
"Don't worry. Before, I had no choice."
"But there's no way I'm backing down now. You know me, big brother. I always play it safe unless I'm forced into a corner."
Qiangu Dongfeng walked over to Qiangu Qingfeng and straightened his collar, brushing the dust from his shoulder. "I hope my grandnephew can grow beyond even our expectations."
"I understand what you're asking for. I'll report this to Father. He's still in seclusion, but when he sees such a promising young talent, I imagine he'll make an exception and come out."
Qiangu Qingfeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected his younger brother to value Qian Jue so highly that he'd ask their father to come out of seclusion and teach him.
He had only come here hoping Qiangu Dongfeng would take the time to guide Qian Jue. After all, his martial soul wasn't the Coiling Dragon Staff, so he didn't have a deep enough understanding of the Indomitable Staff Technique's finer points.
"All right. I'll wait to hear from you."
With that, Qiangu Qingfeng swept out of the office.
Qiangu Dongfeng stood alone in the office, silently gazing at the continent's greatest academy in the distance.
"I wonder what this place will look like when the fireworks bloom. I can hardly wait."