Clear Spirit City, Father and Son

Clear Spirit City

A small tourist city in the southern Federation, rich in natural beauty. Mountains surrounded it on all sides, like barriers painstakingly carved by nature itself, guarding this peaceful and beautiful little city.

The climate here was pleasant. Sunlight gently spilled over every inch of land, while the breeze carried wisps of fresh air.

Underground, several Rivers converged here. For thousands of years, they had flowed silently beneath the city, bringing it an endless stream of life and vitality.

In recent years, Clear Spirit City's tourism industry had developed quite well. Every summer, nearly a million visitors came to sightsee and escape the heat.

During this peak tourist season, the little city became especially lively. The streets teemed with people, tourists dressed in all kinds of clothing, their faces brimming with excitement and joy.

It seemed the turmoil of the outside world had not affected this little city's tranquility in the slightest.

In recent years, the Spirit Pagoda had also noticed the area's potential for development. Among Clear Spirit City's many visitors were no doubt Soul Masters who might have needs such as Spirit transmission or Spirit Soul fusion.

Thus, they placed greater importance on the branch pagoda here.

Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda, VIP Room

A middle-aged man entered with a young man, carrying several documents. They approached a youth, and the middle-aged man said respectfully, "Lord Inspector, these are the Spirit Soul sales records for the Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda over the past few years. They include the proportions of Spirit Souls of various attributes and Soul Masters' purchasing trends. Please review them."

The youth was Zhou Mingyu. Having become an inspecting Spirit Envoy, he had arrived at the Clear Spirit Spirit Pagoda two days ago for an inspection.

He accepted the documents, straightened up slightly, and began reviewing them carefully.

The Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda was already the third Spirit Pagoda he had inspected. By now, he had gradually become proficient in inspection work.

His gaze swept rapidly across the documents. At times, he frowned slightly; at others, he nodded softly, as though pondering something.

Ten minutes later, after Zhou Mingyu finished reading, he turned to the assistant standing beside him and said in a steady, firm voice, "Check everything carefully. If there are no issues, report it to headquarters."

His assistant was named Liao Shan. He was tall and lean, with loyal competence in his eyes.

Upon hearing Zhou Mingyu's instructions, he immediately took the documents and replied, "Yes!"

He then respectfully accepted the documents from Zhou Mingyu with both hands.

He was also from the Tianhai Spirit Pagoda, personally selected by Zhou Mingyu from among Tianhai Spirit Pagoda's younger generation as his assistant and confidant.

Back then, Zhou Mingyu had discovered Liao Shan's potential among many young members. Though still young, Liao Shan handled matters seriously and responsibly, and possessed both great interest in and a deep understanding of the Spirit Pagoda's operations.

Therefore, Zhou Mingyu had brought him along this time, entrusting him with miscellaneous tasks that did not involve confidential matters, intending to train him as his future assistant.

Liao Shan also knew this opportunity was hard to come by, so he put his utmost effort into his work.

After Liao Shan left, Zhou Mingyu looked at Pagoda Master Zhao and said, "Pagoda Master Zhao, this inspection of the Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda is nearly complete. Thank you for your active cooperation these past few days. I will report it truthfully to headquarters."

"Not at all. Cooperating with your work is simply our duty," Pagoda Master Zhao hurriedly replied.

Zhou Mingyu waved a hand, approval showing in his eyes. "No need to be modest. The Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda has developed so rapidly over the years, and Pagoda Master Zhao deserves great credit.

After this inspection, I expect you will soon be promoted. Let me congratulate you in advance, Pagoda Master Zhao."

Now that the work had concluded successfully, Zhou Mingyu felt especially relaxed. He also understood that in an enormous organization like the Spirit Pagoda, maintaining good relations with local pagoda masters would greatly benefit his future work.

"Whether I get promoted or not is nothing important. We are all working for the Spirit Pagoda; it can hardly be called a contribution."

After exchanging a few flattering remarks, a spark of enthusiasm flashed through Pagoda Master Zhao's eyes. He suddenly said, "Ever since you arrived, you have been busy with work the entire time. You must be exhausted.

Why not let someone take you around Clear Spirit City tomorrow to enjoy the scenery and relax?"

Zhou Mingyu frowned slightly and considered it for a moment.

He thought of how he had spent every day recently occupied with inspection matters, his nerves constantly stretched tight. He truly was somewhat tired.

So, he nodded. "All right. Then I'll trouble Pagoda Master Zhao."

Hearing Zhou Mingyu agree, Pagoda Master Zhao turned and pushed the young man who had come with him forward. "This is my son, Zhao Lin. If Lord Inspector does not mind, my son can take you sightseeing tomorrow."

Zhou Mingyu looked Zhao Lin up and down, then smiled and nodded. "Sure. With Young Master Zhao leading the way, I'm sure I'll be able to take in all the beautiful scenery around Clear Spirit City."

After reaching an agreement, Pagoda Master Zhao left with Zhao Lin.

In the deep, silent corridors of the Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda, the stone path beneath their feet gave off faint tapping sounds, mingling with the somewhat heavy footsteps of the father and son.

Zhao Lin looked puzzled. He secretly glanced at his father beside him, then finally could not help asking, his voice carrying a hint of youthful confusion, "Father, doesn't headquarters send an inspector every three years? You never seemed to take it this seriously before. Why go to such lengths this time?"

Pagoda Master Zhao stopped and turned around, looking deeply at his son.

The wall lamps in the corridor flickered with dim yellow light, casting shifting shadows across his face and making his expression appear particularly grave.

Slowly, he reached out and gently placed a hand on Zhao Lin's shoulder. In a heartfelt tone, he said, "Son, you are still young. There are some things you do not understand yet. This inspector, Zhou Mingyu, is no ordinary person.

He is a top prodigy whom headquarters is focusing on cultivating. At such a young age, he has already begun to make a name for himself in the Soul Master world. His future achievements are beyond measure.

You must build a good relationship with him this time. This is one of the few chances you will have to come into contact with a top prodigy."

Zhao Lin furrowed his brow slightly, seeming not to fully understand his father's good intentions.

He looked at his father, stubbornness in his eyes. "Father, I don't understand. I can become strong through my own efforts. Why must I rely on someone else?"

Pagoda Master Zhao sighed. His heart was filled with mixed emotions. Only he himself knew that this so-called "promotion" was merely meant to make room for the children of great families.

He had overseen the Clear Spirit City Spirit Pagoda for many years. Though he had worked diligently enough, in the intricate Soul Master world, he was nothing more than an insignificant chess piece.

He had already spent his life muddling through in this small Clear Spirit City, wasting his best years in this little town. But he could not let his son repeat his mistakes.

His son was different. He had been born with eighth-rank Soul Power. Yet Pagoda Master Zhao also understood that the path to becoming strong was filled with hardships and obstacles. Personal effort alone was far from enough; resources and connections were all indispensable factors.

Take soul rings, for example. A single ten-thousand-year soul ring would be enough to directly block his son's future path.

For this reason, he had even given up his chance at promotion, exchanging it with the higher-ups for an opportunity for his son to join the inspection team Zhou Mingyu belonged to.

At that thought, Pagoda Master Zhao's voice choked slightly. He tightly clasped his son's hand. "Son, I have no regrets left in this life, but you are different. You have limitless potential.

A top prodigy like Zhou Mingyu has enormous resources and connections behind him. If you can gain his favor and help, your future path will be much smoother. This is a rare opportunity. Your father does not want you to miss it."

Listening to his father, Zhao Lin gradually came to understand his good intentions. Looking at his father's weathered face, he felt a sharp ache in his heart.

He nodded firmly. "Father, I understand. I'll work hard to build a good relationship with Lord Inspector."

A warm current surged through Zhao Lin's heart. He could feel his father's deep love and expectations.

He silently swore that he would seize this opportunity and not let down his father's sacrifices.

The father and son walked side by side through the corridor. The lights stretched their shadows long and longer, as though telling of their beautiful hopes for the future.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingyu, in the VIP room, withdrew his spiritual power. He now understood why Pagoda Master Zhao had been so enthusiastic. Watching the father and son depart, he sighed.

"Parents' hearts are full of pity for their children."