Half a year earlier.
On the ninety-ninth floor of the Spirit Pagoda, soft light filled the spacious hall. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the outline of all Shrek City lay spread below.
Tang Qingye stood to one side. Leng Nu Jiao stood respectfully with her hands lowered and called softly, "Teacher."
Dressed in the Spirit Pagoda's fitted silver-gray uniforms, Da Bai and Xiao Bai both bowed. "Lady Heavenly Phoenix."
Wu Siduo stood a little farther away and inclined her body slightly. "Aunt Leng."
Leng Yaozhu sat in the seat of honor, wearing a fiery red dress.
After prolonged tempering through dual cultivation, the Sword of Life forged from gold of life had already merged into her Sea of Consciousness. The power of the purgatory great flame demon had permeated her meridians, and her Phoenix Martial Soul had completed its transformation, developing ultimate fire. She had already touched the threshold of Limit Douluo.
Her gaze swept over the people before her, her expression calm.
"I summoned you here because I have something to entrust to you. I intend to enter seclusion and attempt to reach Limit Douluo. It may take a few months, or as long as a year. Someone will need to handle the many affairs within the pagoda."
Da Bai and Xiao Bai grew solemn and stepped half a pace forward.
"The pagoda's records, scheduling, and external negotiations will fall to you two. You know the Spirit Pagoda's affairs, great and small. Make sure nothing goes wrong."
Leng Yaozhu addressed the twins.
Her gaze then settled on Leng Nu Jiao. "Nu Jiao, you're no longer that young, either. You'll also take part in handling some of the pagoda's less important matters. Gain more experience."
"Yes, Master."
Leng Nu Jiao gathered her skirts and accepted the instruction.
Finally, Leng Yaozhu looked