Journey to Eastsea City

Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. In the blink of an eye, another three months had passed.

Morning classes had ended, and sunlight slanted in through the windows.

Ziyang lounged against the back of his chair, while Austin Griffin's two heads drooped, dazed with sleepiness.

Na'er sat beside Ziyang, looking like a corpse—do not disturb; if necessary, burn paper offerings.

Leng Yaoyu stood before the podium. Just as she was about to say something, the communication Soul Tool at her waist suddenly began to vibrate.

"Bzz—"

The faint vibration was especially clear in the quiet classroom.

She lowered her head to glance at it, her brows knitting slightly as her fingertips tapped the Soul Tool several times.

A string of text appeared before her.

It was a message from the East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

A child from Eastsea Academy intended to join the Spirit Pagoda. Her martial soul excelled at controlling multiple elements.

"Teacher, is something the matter?" Ziyang suddenly asked.

"There is indeed something." Leng Yaoyu smiled faintly. "A soul master who has mastered seven elements has appeared at the East Sea Spirit Pagoda."

"Seven?" Na'er lifted her head, a red mark from the desk still on her forehead.

"Water, fire, earth, wind, light, darkness, and space." Leng Yaoyu repeated, "Seven elements. A nine-year-old two-ring soul master."

Ziyang froze. Why did that description sound so much like Gu Yue? Was she already a two-ring soul master at this time?

"Her martial soul is the Elemental Envoy." Leng Yaoyu said, "I plan to make another trip to Eastsea. Ziyang, would you like to go back as well? You have not returned to Eastsea City in a long time, have you?"

Before Ziyang could answer, Na'er had already straightened up, instantly becoming alert. Seeing Gu Yue would be awful, but skipping class was far more delightful.

"Eastsea City? Does that mean we can go out and have fun?" the girl asked excitedly.

Leng Yaoyu glanced at her, then looked at Ziyang with a smile. "Consider it a few days off for you two. Do you not want to go?"

"I'm going."

Two voices burst out at once.

Ziyang sprang up from his chair, while Na'er had already pounced to Leng Yaoyu's side and wrapped both hands around her arm. "Teacher Leng, when are we leaving?"

Leng Yaoyu swayed helplessly from the shaking and reached out to rub Na'er's head. "Pack your things. We leave this afternoon."

Na'er cheered. "Wonderful! No classes—we're going out to play!"

Ziyang followed behind at an unhurried pace and gave Austin Griffin's heads another pat.

"Let's go. We should head back too."

Leng Yaoyu remained where she was, watching the two children's backs vanish around the end of the corridor. Her gaze returned to the communication Soul Tool.

Come to think of it, this was Eastsea again. Had they not said that Eastsea lacked talented soul masters?

Afterward, she left as well.

Afternoon arrived quickly.

Leng Yaoyu had already brought Ziyang and Na'er aboard a Black-Rank Mecha.

Na'er lay against the porthole, watching the rolling sea of clouds outside. Then she suddenly turned and asked, "Teacher Leng, will that soul master who uses multiple elements return to Spirit Pagoda Headquarters with us afterward?"

Leng Yaoyu adjusted the autopilot and said, "That depends."

"Depends on what?"

"First, on her own wishes. But before that, she must pass the test."

Leng Yaoyu explained it to Na'er.

At that, Na'er's eyes shifted. She had naturally guessed who the other person was long ago, but she had no desire to see Gu Yue and become fusion material for the Silver Dragon King.

Her gaze turned to Ziyang, and she spoke weakly, "Ziyang..."

The boy had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing that voice, he abruptly opened them. Na'er definitely wanted something.

He looked at Na'er's watery eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

"...What?"

"Isn't Eastsea going to test that soul master?" Na'er sat beside Ziyang. "The two of us will test her together."

"Do we really need both of us?"

"Of course." Na'er nodded. "Our Spirit Pagoda is not somewhere people can enter whenever they want."

"Not going. Too troublesome," Ziyang said helplessly.

Na'er's expression fell for a moment, then quickly recovered. She reached out and hugged Ziyang's arm. "Come with me."

Ziyang was speechless. Girls were really hard to deal with. He could only watch as Na'er shook his arm.

After a moment, he let out a long breath. "What do you want me to do?"

Na'er's eyes lit up, and she deliberately leaned closer. "Like this, we..."

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course." Na'er sat up straight, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

"...Just this once." Ziyang looked away, seeming a little guilty.

Na'er, meanwhile, revealed a sly smile.

Leng Yaoyu sat in the pilot's seat and glanced at the two of them. "Do whatever you like. Just do not offend her."

Meanwhile, at the East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

The pagoda master's office was on the top floor. Beyond the windows lay a deep blue coastline, waves breaking into white foam against the reefs.

Li Jing stood before the window with his back to the door. He wore a gray robe, his slender frame like a stalk of bitter bamboo.

Gu Yue sat in the chair opposite him, her fingers folded over her knees, her posture upright as though she were waiting for something.

"Gu Yue, I have already uploaded your information to headquarters." Li Jing turned and looked at Gu Yue. "Senior figures from headquarters will come personally to test you."

Gu Yue nodded but did not speak.

"I heard you have performed well at Eastsea Academy," Li Jing continued. "You joined some Zero Class. Perform well. Sky Phoenix Douluo also wishes to see your Elemental Control."

"There will be a test?" Gu Yue asked, her voice cool and clear.

"More or less." Li Jing turned around, his gaze falling on her face. "If you pass, you can enter headquarters directly and receive personal instruction from Sky Phoenix Douluo."

Gu Yue nodded, but a glimmer flashed through her eyes.

Like a hunter watching prey walk into a trap, or a chess player watching an opponent make a move into the game.

"I understand. I will prepare well."

Li Jing looked at her with a complicated expression. The last person he had seen who was so mature beyond their years had seemed to be a six-year-old child, but that child had been an orphan. He had thought so much because he had no way out.

This one had clearly been raised by a family.

"Then prepare yourself well," Li Jing said.

Gu Yue rose to her feet. "Thank you, Pagoda Master Li. Then I will return to the academy first."

Watching her leave, Li Jing turned back toward the window.

Not long after, Sky Phoenix Douluo's mecha landed on the top floor of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda.

The hatch opened, and the sea breeze swept in with salty air, lifting Leng Yaoyu's skirt.

She was the first to descend the gangway, her crimson dress like a blazing flame beneath the sunlight.

The personnel of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda all lowered their heads in salute.

Ziyang followed behind, but his steps paused.

He looked at the familiar building before him, then at the azure coastline in the distance. Excitement filled his eyes. He had finally returned.

After making some preparations, I'll go see the director and the others first.

"What's wrong?" Na'er suddenly asked.

"Nothing." Ziyang shook his head and looked in a certain direction beneath the Spirit Pagoda. "I just suddenly realized that I have been away for three years."

Leng Yaoyu walked at the front, then turned to look at them. "Keep up. Rest for a day first. Ziyang, if you want to visit the director at the orphanage, you may go."

"Thank you, Teacher." Ziyang spoke as he left ahead of them.

Na'er followed curiously after him.