Holidays felt vastly different from time spent at the academy, with the most obvious difference being the newfound freedom.
"Brother Luo Chuan, what's that delicious snack over there…?"
"Brother Luo Chuan, why don't we go challenge the pagoda…?"
"Brother Luo Chuan…"
East Sea City—the place where Gu Yue had accompanied Luo Chuan for so many years—held endless curiosity and longing in Na'er's heart.
Thus, aside from cultivation, Tang Luochuan and Na'er often explored various places in East Sea City, from the Forging Master Association and the Mecha Master Association to even the Spirit Transfer Pagoda.
Given their abilities, they didn't just dominate—they made the intermediate-level Spirit Ascension Platform seem effortless.
"Young Master Luo Chuan, Miss Na'er…"
"Could you… maybe go a little easier?"
Nan Ye, the master of East Sea City's Spirit Transfer Pagoda, watched the two figures flickering across the screen and the artificial soul beasts that vanished the moment they glanced their way, letting out a long sigh.
First, there was Young Master Luo Chuan, who was already a force to be reckoned with. Now, there was this Miss Na'er, appearing out of nowhere—were they really trying to shut down East Sea City's Spirit Ascension Platform for good?
Were artificial soul beasts not lives too? (Sobs)
"…"
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Far away in Shrek City, Gu Yue quietly set her plans into motion. Under the guidance of her mentor, Leng Yaozhu, she prepared to face off against the Thousand Ancient Family—an inevitable confrontation in the future.
Now, aside from her own forces, she had an absolute trump card: Luo Chuan!
"Gu Yue, Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng is the current leader of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda. His father, Qiangu Dieting, was the previous Pagoda Master. Both father and son are pinnacle-level…"
That day, Leng Yaozhu brought Gu Yue to a pavilion, standing before the highest authority of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda.
"Yaozhu, you've come."
As they entered the hall, the gaze of a middle-aged man settled on Leng Yaozhu, his face brimming with unconcealed warmth as he spoke softly.
He was none other than the current Pagoda Master of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, one of the world's top powerhouses—a Four-Word Battle Armor Master, Qiangu Dongfeng.
"Pagoda Master, this is my disciple, Gu Yue."
"And don't call me that."
Leng Yaozhu shot him a cold glance, her tone indifferent.
"Do we have to be so distant…?"
Qiangu Dongfeng's smile didn't waver in the slightest as his gaze shifted to Gu Yue, his eyes gradually narrowing.
He had long heard that Leng Yaozhu had taken in an exceptional genius. Now that he saw her in person, she truly was a rare prodigy on the continent.
"53rd-rank Soul King…"
"Yaozhu, is she even seventeen?"
Qiangu Dongfeng couldn't help but ask.
Seventeen? Let him think—what was his own disappointing grandson's cultivation at seventeen again? Probably 46th rank?
"Address me as Leng Yaozhu or Deputy Pagoda Master."
"Secondly, Yue'er just turned thirteen."
Leng Yaozhu replied coldly.
"…"
Qiangu Dongfeng fell silent.
"Grandfather, do we have guests today…?"
"Hm? Your Majesty, Heavenly Phoenix!"
At that moment, a young man in his twenties appeared before the group. His eyes landed on Leng Yaozhu, and he immediately bowed respectfully.
He was none other than the strongest genius of the Qiangu family in this generation—Qiangu Dongfeng's grandson, Qiangu Zhangting. His Martial Soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff, and he was a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse.
"Young Master Qiangu."
Leng Yaozhu responded with a faint acknowledgment.
"How's your cultivation coming along, boy? Why have you left seclusion so soon?"
Qiangu Dongfeng's tone was more one of exasperation, as the young man before him paled in comparison to the prodigious girl beside him.
As for Gu Yue...
She didn't even glance his way.
"Ahem, I'm still some distance away from becoming a Soul Sage..."
Qiangu Zhangting replied awkwardly. Currently only at level 63, the rank of Soul Sage seemed like a distant dream...
For a twenty-year-old, his talent might be considered decent, but as the young master of the Thousand Ancient Family, it was rather underwhelming.
Before he could finish speaking, however, his gaze flickered, his attention completely captured by Gu Yue standing beside them. He stared at her, momentarily stunned.
"Grandfather, Your Majesty Heavenly Phoenix, who is this...?"
Unable to contain himself, he blurted out the question.
"This is Gu Yue, your senior Heavenly Phoenix's disciple. A thirteen-year-old Soul King—a top-tier genius."
Qiangu Dongfeng answered slowly.
"Gu Yue..."
"Thirteen years old, a Soul King!"
Hearing his grandfather's introduction, Qiangu Zhangting couldn't help but freeze, his gaze deepening as he studied her, lost in thought.
"Hello."
"I'm Qiangu Zhangting."
He introduced himself with a smile.
"..."
Gu Yue remained silent in the face of the undisguised scrutiny. Apart from Luo Chuan, she had no interest in any other man, let alone someone whose earlier gaze...
She disliked it intensely.
"Gu Yue."
She replied coldly.
"In the future, Gu Yue will visit often. You and Zhangting can exchange pointers—you're both around the same age..."
Qiangu Dongfeng said with a smile.
If such a genius could be tied to his grandson through marriage, that would be nothing short of perfect.
"Right!"
Qiangu Zhangting chimed in eagerly.
"..."
Gu Yue stayed silent.
"Tower Master, while that may be, our Yue'er likely won't have many opportunities to come here in the future..."
Leng Yaozhu, having noticed Gu Yue's attitude, couldn't hide her reluctance.
She could see right through the grandfather and grandson's intentions. This Qiangu Zhangting was far from an upstanding junior—he couldn't hold a candle to Luo Chuan.
"It's fine."
"It's good for young people to interact."
"Zhangting, show Gu Yue around. I have some matters to discuss with your senior Heavenly Phoenix."
Qiangu Dongfeng smiled. While he and Leng Yaozhu might not have much of a connection, who could say for the younger generation?
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Gu Yue, this way please..."
Qiangu Zhangting was more than willing, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Gu Yue. The girl fascinated him beyond measure.
"Tower Master, you—"
"Teacher, I happen to be interested in the surroundings. Why not let him show me around?"
Just as Leng Yaozhu was about to speak, Gu Yue flashed a "harmonious" smile and spoke plainly.
With that, she strode out ahead.
"You—"
"Very well."
Leng Yaozhu was taken aback, but knowing her disciple's temperament, she didn't press further and simply gave a light nod.
"This—"
"Gu Yue, wait for me!"
Qiangu Zhangting hurried after her, calling out, but his pace was always a step behind—he simply couldn't catch up.
"That's more like it."
Watching as his grandson had already made contact with the other party, a faint smile appeared on Qiangu Dongfeng's face.
However, what he didn't know was that in a place beyond his sight and perception, a barely discernible energy had surged into Qiangu Zhangting's body.
And his already feeble grandson, at this very moment, had completely turned into a walking corpse.
"This fellow's mental power is indeed pitifully weak."
"Then let him be the first breakthrough point."
Gu Yue's calm expression showed no change whatsoever, her gaze still refusing to even glance in their direction.
The young master of the Thousand Ancient Family, tsk—this identity at least makes it worth the Old Demon's effort.
(End of chapter)