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In the midst of this violent energy storm, the heavy alloy door of the office silently slid open.
A young man dressed in a well-tailored white suit, handsome but with an air of aristocratic arrogance, walked in.
This was Qiangu Dongfeng's highly anticipated grandson, Qiangu Zhangting.
"Grandfather?"
Qiangu Zhangting looked at the chaotic room and the almost murderous rage on his grandfather's face, startled inside but maintaining a composed exterior.
"What happened? Who made you so angry?"
At twenty-seven, he was already a Title Douluo, and under the family's full support, had achieved the status of a Three-Word Battle Armor master. His power and position had vastly improved, yet in front of Qiangu Dongfeng, a Limit Douluo with immense authority, he still remained respectful.
Qiangu Dongfeng's chest heaved violently as he forcibly suppressed his raging anger, slowly reining in his out-of-control soul power.
His bright eyes glinted coldly as he hurled the report from the Star Luo Empire towards Qiangu Zhangting. "Read it yourself! Zhang Geyang... is gone!"
Qiangu Zhangting took the report and quickly scanned it, his brows furrowing more deeply. The report was cautiously worded, only mentioning that Deputy Tower Master Zhang encountered an unknown attack in the western suburbs of Star Luo City. A massive energy impact crater was found at the scene, and it was suspected that he had… perished. The exact cause was still under thorough investigation.
"Deputy Tower Master Zhang perished?!" Qiangu Zhangting's voice carried disbelief. "Grandfather, how is this possible? On the Star Luo Continent, there are very few beings capable of threatening him, let alone erasing him without a trace. This matter must be suspicious!"
"Suspicious?" Qiangu Dongfeng sneered, his voice like grinding ice chips. "Of course I know it's suspicious. The question is, what is this suspicion, who is behind it, and who could possibly achieve such a feat?"
"Leng Yaozhu, she doesn't have the ability! Tang Sect? Shrek Academy? They wouldn't dare to lay hands on my Spirit Pagoda's Deputy Tower Master. Could it be the Star Luo Imperial Family? Where would they get such power?"
Qiangu Zhangting paused for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Your humble grandson cannot guess. But to accomplish something like this, either they orchestrated a perfect trap, wielding power far beyond what Zhang Geyang could imagine, or... they possess some means we cannot comprehend, transcending common sense."
He thought about the molten rock pit and the residual devastating earth divine might described in the report, feeling an inexplicable chill.
Qiangu Dongfeng waved his hand irritably, as if trying to dispel the gloom before him. "Enough. The loss of Zhang Geyang is a major blow to our Qiangu lineage. There will inevitably be turmoil in Star Luo. We need to quickly send someone to stabilize the situation and thoroughly investigate this matter."
He took a deep breath, his turbid gaze refocusing on Qiangu Zhangting, filled with undeniable expectation. "Zhangting, the most important thing now is you."
"Me?" Qiangu Zhangting was slightly taken aback.
"Yes!" Qiangu Dongfeng declared firmly. "With Zhang Geyang dead and no outstanding successors in the Leng family, the future position of Spirit Pagoda Tower Master belongs to you."
"But remember, the position of Tower Master fundamentally depends on strength. Although you are already a Title Douluo with Three-Word Battle Armor, your soul power at Level 91 is still far from enough."
Qiangu Zhangting's heart tightened, and he bowed respectfully. "I understand, I will practice diligently without stop."
"Practicing diligently alone is not enough." Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes gleamed sharply. "The Spirit Pagoda has ample resources; what you need is a breakthrough opportunity, to fully push towards Level 95."
"As long as your soul power breaks through to Level 95, I will immediately build momentum for you, allowing you to legitimately start taking over core tower affairs. With no successors in the Leng family, no one can compete with you."
He paused, a calculating cold light flashing in his eyes. "As for those three disciples Leng Yaozhu took in... Hmph, that guy Gu La, and that Qing Luli, their talents are indeed monstrous. Keeping them around Leng Yaozhu remains a hidden danger. Find an opportunity to make that Gu La disappear completely. As for that Gu Yue..."
An image of Gu Yue's clear, stunning yet slightly immature face flashed in Qiangu Zhangting's mind, but he felt no significant ripple. "What does Grandfather mean?"
"This girl's talent is equally astonishing, and she is highly trusted by Leng Yaozhu. If we can win her over, making her one of us in the Qiangu family, it will not only neutralize a potential opponent but also greatly enhance the prestige and strength of our Qiangu lineage within the tower. That would be the best option."
Qiangu Dongfeng appeared to be considering the big picture. "If you are interested, try pursuing her. If successful, all will be well. If not..." He didn't finish, but the coldness in his eyes said it all.
Qiangu Zhangting frowned. He had no particular feelings for the unfused Gu Yue; though beautiful, her icy and distant demeanor froze people off.
As for Qing Luli... every time he got close, any amorous thoughts vanished as if purified by holy light, making him keep his distance reverently.
Pursuit? He could have any woman he wanted; why bother with these two hard nuts? Nevertheless, since his grandfather mentioned it, he respectfully acknowledged, "I understand, I will look for opportunities."
After discussing some details about internal power transitions within the Spirit Pagoda and responses to the Zhang Geyang incident, Qiangu Zhangting excused himself, leaving Qiangu Dongfeng alone, contemplating in the midst of chaos about the terrifying force capable of easily eradicating a Super Douluo, hidden somewhere.
...
While Qiangu Dongfeng was angrily smashing his desk, in another core area of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, within Deputy Tower Master Leng Yaozhu's office, the atmosphere was quite different.
Leng Yaozhu still wore a plain green dress, sitting gracefully behind her large desk, exuding a gentle demeanor, though her autumnal eyes carried a barely perceptible sharpness.
Gu La stood before her, tall and poised, concealing his aura, already at the Soul Emperor.
"Zhang Geyang is dead." Leng Yaozhu cut straight to the point, her tone as casual as discussing the weather.
Gu La timely displayed a perfectly measured expression of surprise and confusion. "Dead? Deputy Tower Master Zhang? In the Star Luo Continent? How could this happen?"
Leng Yaozhu's calm gaze fell on Gu La's face, as if penetrating all his disguises:
"Not long after you returned from the Star Luo Continent. He died mysteriously, leaving behind only a massive molten rock pit. The Star Luo Empire is at a loss."
"Such an event?" Gu La frowned slightly, his expression solemn. "Could there be such perilous places in the Star Luo Continent, or... could a hidden expert have acted? During my travels in Star Luo, I never heard of such a terrifying presence."
He denied it outright, naturally, with clear eyes, showing no flaws.
But Leng Yaozhu's strong intuition subtly linked Zhang Geyang's sudden death to the disciple before her.
However, Leng Yaozhu merely watched him silently for a few seconds, then lightly shook her head, choosing not to pursue the matter further.
She picked up the warm, clear tea beside her, sipped it, as if discussing an irrelevant stranger.
"It's better that he's dead." She put down the teacup, her voice still gentle but carrying an icy indifference. "Saves trouble. That old dog Qiangu Dongfeng must be furious now."
Gu La understood. His teacher was indeed perceptive, but she chose silence. Zhang Geyang's death weakened Qiangu Dongfeng's direct line of power, which was indeed a "good thing" for the Leng family.
Leng Yaozhu's gaze returned to Gu La, carrying a hint of scrutiny, then slight surprise. "Hmm? Your soul power... broke through to Soul Emperor?"
Previously distracted by Zhang Geyang's affairs, she now clearly sensed the stable and powerful soul fluctuations at the sixty-level emanating from Gu La.
"Yes, Teacher." Gu La admitted frankly. "During my training in the Star Luo Continent, I stumbled upon a peculiar place and luckily obtained some opportunities, leading to this breakthrough."
Leng Yaozhu nodded, not delving into her disciple's secrets. For her, the advancement of her disciple's strength was paramount.
She shifted the topic, her tone becoming more serious. "Since you are now a Soul Emperor, the forging of Two-Word Battle Armor must be immediately prioritized. This is a critical step for soul masters to truly ascend to high-tier combat strength, not to be taken lightly."
She paused, looking at Gu La. "Shrek Academy's help to you has reached its limit."
"That place is ultimately for laying foundations and fostering teamwork. With your current strength and path, staying at Shrek offers little benefit and may even hinder your development."
Gu La had anticipated this. Shrek's resources and teaching system were treasures for ordinary geniuses, but for someone like him, possessing a system, future knowledge, and even the ability to borrow divine-level powers, it was insufficient.
Staying there offered more utility in maintaining connections and cover identity.
"I understand." Gu La responded respectfully. "I will quickly contact the academy to arrange for early graduation procedures."
He calculated timing mentally, realizing that the status of being an inner disciple of Shrek still held some conveniences, such as... accessing those deeply hidden "foundations."
Leng Yaozhu nodded satisfactorily, giving a few more reminders about key points regarding battle armor materials selection and core array design.
Gu La noted them carefully.
Leaving Leng Yaozhu's office, Gu La did not return directly to his residence but instead strolled to a scenic platform with excellent views within the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.
From here, one could see the architectural complex symbolizing the soul master sanctuary in the center of Tian Dou City—Shrek Academy.
The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the iconic Sea God Lake of Shrek Academy, shimmering with ripples.
But Gu La's gaze did not linger on the grand teaching buildings or bustling simulated training areas. Instead, it pierced through space, as if falling on the isolated, mist-shrouded, legendary Sea God Island separated from the main campus.
Deep within his eyes, there was no reverence for deities or excitement for challenges, only a pure investigative light akin to a scholar examining a precious sample.
"Shrek Academy, maintaining its position as the continent's top academy, leaving the federation powerless, producing generations of strong individuals, what hidden depths remain?"
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