Soft white light bathed the broad platform at the top of the enormous Spirit Pagoda. With a faint ripple in space, Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Wu Siduo, Xie Xie, and the others slowly appeared. Having just finished an intense trial, they looked somewhat tired, but excitement sparkled in their eyes. Wu Siduo in particular still felt the newly fused power of ice and fire stirring within her, giving her a distinctive aura.
"We're finally out." Xie Xie let out a long breath and stretched his aching arms.
"Yes, we gained a lot this time." Tang Wulin smiled and nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at Gu Yue.
Just then, a tall, graceful figure slowly emerged from the entrance to the hall ahead. She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman who appeared to be only in her thirties, her perfectly tailored qipao showing off every curve of her flawless figure. Its design was strikingly unusual, a seamless combination of red and white: one side blazed as boldly as raging fire, while the other was as pure and noble as ice and snow. The glimpse of calf revealed as she walked was fairer than snow, and each step seemed to tread upon the heartstrings. Her waterfall of red hair hung loosely down her back, with a few strands falling over her chest. Her phoenix eyes shone as her gaze shifted, combining an Eastern woman's gentleness with the authority of someone accustomed to command.
"Teacher!" At the sight of her, Gu Yue's normally cool expression instantly turned respectful, and she hurried forward to bow.
Tang Wulin's heart stirred. Gu Yue's teacher? Wouldn't that make her the Spirit Pagoda's esteemed deputy master, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu?
"Yes, it seems this trial helped you quite a bit." Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly. Her gaze swept