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Back in Leng Yaozhu's office, the crimson-clad Deputy Pagoda Master finally dropped her formal demeanor, radiant with satisfaction. "Making that old fox Qiangu Dongfeng eat his words isn't easy. Four hundred-thousand-year spirit soul selection rights—this outcome far exceeds expectations."
"You may keep one for yourself or assign the others to trusted allies. Just register them with the Pagoda. Do you have preliminary plans?"
Gu La swiftly assessed his allies.
Liu Niandao, Yin Wansheng, and Bo Xi had deep ties to the Tang Sect, the Federation, and Star Luo Empire respectively. Granting them hundred-thousand-year spirit souls would invite unnecessary suspicion. Their factions' leaderships would naturally cultivate these talents—no need for his intervention.
Bai Yuan's connection to him was already public knowledge—no need for concealment. One slot was his.
Mu Yi, a Body Sect disciple, possessed exceptional potential with a simpler background—worthy of investment.
Qing Liuli, already a core Spirit Pagoda disciple, had better prospects with a Bodhi Tree spirit soul prepared by him. She didn't need this opportunity.
Du An commanded an entire dimensional realm but remained sensitive in this timeline. Still, this slot could secure him a powerful ally.
Ming Baixue hadn't yet broken through to Level 70 and required a robust hundred-thousand-year spirit soul as backup. Alice could claim this spot on her behalf.
Thanks to his profound understanding of primal spirit soul contracts, Gu La had myriad methods to ensure absolute loyalty without lingering risks.
He swiftly allocated the slots to his avatars.
"Teacher," he announced, "I'll contract one myself. The other three go to three friends of mine."
Leng Yaozhu's eyes crinkled warmly. She knew these "friends" were likely Gu La's mysterious avatars but didn't press. "Understood. Delay no longer—Qiangu Dongfeng might renege or face interference from his family. Have your 'friends' arrive swiftly to complete the procedures."
Gu La nodded, messaging his avatars immediately. "The last one will arrive by afternoon."
"Excellent," Leng Yaozhu affirmed. "I'll personally escort you this afternoon."
Seizing the moment, Gu La casually inquired, "Teacher, has anything significant happened in Shrek City recently?"
Leng Yaozhu, unusually relaxed, indulged her disciple's curiosity. "Significant events? Nothing noteworthy. Shrek City remains peaceful."
Seeing no clues about the impending explosion, Gu La dropped the subject. After taking his leave, he returned to his dust-covered forging room, immersing himself in the subtleties of higher-tier "Heavenly Refining."
***
That afternoon, a streak of light blazed from Tian Dou City's direction. Body Sect Master Mu Ye piloted a mech, swiftly delivering his disciple Mu Yi to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.
Mu Yi had already graduated under Mu Ye's tutelage, needing only to refine the Innate Secret Arts. But upon hearing someone would gift Mu Yi a hundred-thousand-year spirit soul, Mu Ye abandoned his friend—the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua—and raced here with his disciple.
He cared little about Mu Yi's hidden affiliations. Having witnessed Mu Yi's Platinum-level Body second awakening, Mu Ye knew his potential was limitless—he might even undergo a third awakening! This was the Body Sect's hope for resurgence. No opportunity to strengthen him could be missed.
At the Spirit Pagoda gates, Gu La greeted them. Mu Ye, familiar with Gu La from his forging studies under Zhen Hua, clapped his shoulder heartily. "Good lad! Years apart, yet your abilities soar, and your connections multiply!"
Inwardly, Mu Ye was stunned. Mu Yi, cultivated under his intense guidance, possessed bloodline strength like a pumping forge, Platinum Awakening, perfected Body techniques, and Ultimate Wood attributes enhancing his life essence. Among peers, his vitality should be unmatched.
Yet Gu La's bloodline intensity rivaled Mu Yi's. 'How did this boy cultivate such power?'
Gu La smiled faintly. His gaze briefly met Bai Yuan, Mu Yi, and Alice—silent data exchanged in an instant.
"Uncle Mu, Teacher awaits us inside," he said.
Mu Ye sobered. "Duty first."
This spirit soul determined whether Mu Yi could swiftly and stably break through to Level 99, becoming a Limit Douluo. Mu Ye never doubted his disciple would reach that pinnacle.
***
The five entered the Spirit Pagoda, proceeding unimpeded to the core Spirit Soul Tower.
Leng Yaozhu awaited them. Mu Ye saluted respectfully; she nodded in return, her eyes sweeping over Gu La's companions. She was inwardly startled.
These three radiated profound, solid foundations—geniuses among millions.
When she'd given Gu La the Golden Ancient Tree spirit years ago, she'd never imagined it would birth such an unreasonable Thousand Visions of the Forest skill.
Her gaze lingered longest on Alice—unmatched beauty, unique aura—a "new" avatar she'd never seen.
Gu La introduced them, also addressing nearby staff: "Teacher, these are my friends: Bai Yuan, Mu Yi, and Alice."
Leng Yaozhu smiled warmly. "Welcome."
The trio bowed respectfully.
Dropping pleasantries, Leng Yaozhu stated plainly: "Hundred-thousand-year spirit souls possess complete consciousness and formidable power. Within the advanced Ascension Platform, they exist as 'living' entities."
"Securing their approval and departure isn't trivial. While the Spirit Soul Tower spares you the hunt and battle, you must still earn their acknowledgment. Who goes first?"
"I will." Bai Yuan stepped forward.
Leng Yaozhu nodded. "What type of spirit soul do you seek?"
She sensed Bai Yuan hadn't reached his cultivation bottleneck—temporary sealing was possible until breakthrough.
Bai Yuan's Abyss Devourer martial soul had plateaued in devouring capacity. "Any hundred-thousand-year spirit souls focused on devouring?"
Leng Yaozhu seemed unsurprised. "We have options." She signaled a staff member to explain.
A staff member approached deferentially. "Four devouring-type hundred-thousand-year spirit souls are recorded."
"First: the hundred-thousand-year Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor. A top-tier insect spirit soul. Its lethality and devouring nature surpass the Death Spider Emperor and Human-Faced Spider Emperor, but its evil, savage nature makes it nearly impossible to tame. Risk of backlash is extreme."
"Second: the hundred-thousand-year Human-Faced Spider Emperor. Similar to the Soul-Devouring variant. Both were artificially created and cultivated but remain sealed deep within the tower—no one dares risk fusion due to backlash fears."
"Third: the Gluttonous Python. An ancient serpent species with insatiable appetite, rumored to grow endlessly. Scholars believe it carries traces of the ancient divine beast Bashe's bloodline."
"Due to self-cannibalism from endless hunger, its race perished. This spirit soul was recreated from fossil DNA. The host must endure its overwhelming appetite."
Mu Ye interrupted, voice booming: "What nonsense! Is the Spirit Pagoda scamming people with defective goods?"
The staff member glanced at Leng Yaozhu, who gave no sign to stop him. "Your honor, devouring attributes inherently stir desires within soul masters, leading to corruption."
"Especially these spirit souls—devouring is their instinct, refined to hundred-thousand-year mastery. Their residual willpower is overwhelming, easily triggering loss of control."
Bai Yuan remained calm. "Continue."
He'd already weathered consciousness corruption. After Starlight Baptism and two bloodline evolutions, external spiritual influences posed little threat.
The staff member proceeded: "Lastly—a creature that drifted through a spatial rift years ago. A silver wolf-like spirit soul that devours powerful souls to strengthen itself."
He displayed holographic projections of all four.
Bai Yuan's gaze lingered on the silver wolf—reminiscent of Fenrir from Norse myth—but considering his own top-tier dragon-king-level bloodline foundation, he chose decisively: "I select the Gluttonous Python."
Inside a private contract dimension, Bai Yuan materialized. Darkness surrounded him, save for a four-hundred-meter serpent coiled ahead. Its obsidian scales gleamed; cold vertical pupils locked onto Bai Yuan with primal hunger and greed.
It sensed extreme danger from Bai Yuan, but instinctual appetite overrode caution. Jaws wide, it lunged with a flesh-tearing snarl!
Bai Yuan frowned. 'So gluttonous it ignores mortal peril?'
In the observation room, Gu La questioned: "Weren't we told combat wasn't required?"
Before Leng Yaozhu replied, the staff member hurriedly explained: "Normally, no—but the Gluttonous Python is an exception. Soul-Devouring and Human-Faced Spiders are cunning but communicable. This one's 'reason' is pure hunger—it rarely accepts conventional acknowledgment. Other spirit souls pose no such issue."
Within the dimension, Bai Yuan snorted coldly.
Instantly, his Two-Word Battle Armor, "Abyss Devourer," manifested. True Body activated. An aura surpassing ordinary Titled Douluos erupted as he charged forward. With bare hands, he seized the python's jaws, unleashed abyssal power, and slammed it to the ground—proceeding to ruthlessly dominate it through brute force.
Outside, Mu Ye shook his head slightly, pride in his voice: "This boy's growth is terrifyingly fast."
Leng Yaozhu nodded thoughtfully. 'How does he maintain such clarity amid devouring power?' She wondered if this was Shrek Academy's doing—or her disciple's own secrets.
The battle was one-sided. Overwhelming power left the Gluttonous Python near death, its ferocity shattered. It transformed into dark light, forcibly sealed within Bai Yuan to await his breakthrough.
Bai Yuan exited swiftly. A staff member in the corner recorded his martial soul data—sometimes human eyes proved more reliable than instruments.
Watching Bai Yuan secure the spirit soul, Leng Yaozhu offered teacherly guidance: "Your mastery of devouring power is profound, so I'll say little on that front. However, you can improve in fusing strength with attack—blending substance and illusion."
Knowing Bai Yuan was Gu La's avatar, she held nothing back.
Her slender hand lifted. A blazing "Phoenix Flame" danced on her palm, heating the air until it warped.
"But look closely," she said, surprising them. "What you see is merely condensed fire-attribute soul power—not true flame."
Her gaze swept their puzzled faces. "The 'flame' you perceive is your eyes interpreting heat and light effects, amplified by your spiritual power to deceive your mind. Yet—"
Her tone turned authoritative. "Struck by this fist, an enemy suffers not just soul power impact but real burns and soul-scorching agony. This is the high-level application of spiritual will and soul power essence: illusion becomes reality, reality becomes illusion. Strike where unprepared; wound the core."
Understanding dawned in Bai Yuan's eyes. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty Heavenly Phoenix. Your wisdom enlightens me."
He realized this was the key to merging his formidable spiritual power with abyssal devouring force—enhancing attack unpredictability and lethality.
Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly. "Next?"
Mu Yi stepped forward, voice steady. "Your Majesty Heavenly Phoenix, I request to exchange a batch of soul-refined metals—all over ninety percent fusion rate—for the Golden Lion Mastiff spirit soul in your repository."
"Additionally, I offer this hundred-thousand-year spirit soul selection right in exchange for resources to elevate the Golden Lion Mastiff to hundred-thousand-year grade."
He knew his Body Sect innate techniques granted peerless defense at his level. Even with Platinum Awakening's fivefold boost, his offensive power lagged behind top-tier assault martial souls.
Thus, he chose the universally acknowledged supreme assault beast—the Golden Lion Mastiff—to counter this weakness with its domineering might.
Leng Yaozhu grasped his intent instantly. High-quality soul-forged metals would greatly benefit the Spirit Pagoda's soul device development. Elevating a designated spirit soul to a hundred-thousand-year grade consumed vast resources, but offsetting it with a selection right was logistically sound.
"Agreed," she decided. "But Mu Yi—consider carefully. The Golden Lion Mastiff is fiercely proud. In battle, it's uncontrollably violent, preferring death to submission."
"Even with your resources to elevate it, it may refuse to serve a human soul master. Forced fusion carries extreme risk."
Mu Yi's confidence radiated. His bloodline surged subtly, exuding mountainous stability and hidden sharpness. "No matter. I'll make it willingly acknowledge me—to stand shoulder-to-shoulder."
His certainty wasn't arrogance. Platinum-level Body second awakening granted not just physical enhancement but life-tier dominance and potential. He believed absolute strength and promise would tame this arrogant beast.
"Very well." Leng Yaozhu gestured to the staff. The Spirit Soul Tower connected directly to the advanced Ascension Platform—no relocation needed.
Mu Yi entered a wilderness dimension. A colossal beast lay there—lion-bodied, Mastiff-headed, covered in radiant golden fur. Even as a spirit soul, its aura of a beast king's ferocity assaulted the senses.
Sensing Mu Yi, it raised its head. Golden eyes held no submission—only appraisal and arrogance. A low, threatening growl rumbled in its throat.
Mu Yi spoke no words. He unleashed his meticulously tempered bloodline might. White-gold light shimmered beneath his skin as an aura matching a hundred-thousand-year beast's pressure rolled back.
He crooked a finger at the Golden Lion Mastiff. Calm eyes held undeniable challenge.
"Lose to me. Submit."
ROAR—!
The Golden Lion Mastiff, enraged by such blatant provocation, became a golden lightning bolt. Claws tore the air with earth-shattering force.
Mu Yi didn't flinch. Innate techniques surged; Platinum Awakening activated—fivefold attribute boost. His Three-Word Battle Armor, "Indestructible Solid Gold," manifested. Skin turned jade-white as he met the strike with a single punch!
BOOM!
Fist met claw. Metal-like clangs echoed. Shockwaves rippled, shaking the golden dimension.
Mu Yi stood firm, unmoved.
The Golden Lion Mastiff staggered back half a step, rage deepening—but beneath it flashed disbelief. 'This human's strength and defense defy all logic!'
The battle intensified.
The Golden Lion Mastiff unleashed pounces, bites, sonic roars—every innate ability unleashed.
Mu Yi stood like a cliff against crashing waves. Defense maximized, his body became a weapon: fists, elbows, knees, shoulders—each strike carried mountain-shattering force and Ultimate Wood's penetrating vitality.
No flashy soul skills. Only the Body Sect's supreme techniques and Platinum Awakening's physical might clashed with this hundred-thousand-year spirit soul in primal, brutal combat!
Outside, Mu Ye nodded repeatedly, pride swelling. 'This is the Body martial soul's true glory! Overwhelming force conquers all!'
Leng Yaozhu was impressed. Mu Yi's raw power and combat will were extraordinary—no wonder he dared challenge the Golden Lion Mastiff.
The fight raged. The Golden Lion Mastiff's assaults grew fiercer, yet Mu Yi's absurd defense held. Worse, Mu Yi's counterattacks—infused with Ultimate Wood's life-penetrating force—began destabilizing the spirit soul's form.
Finally, after another head-on clash that forced it back, the Golden Lion Mastiff halted.
Panting heavily, its golden eyes locked onto Mu Yi's unshaken figure. Rage gave way to complex emotions—shock, reluctance, but above all, recognition of absolute power. No surrender! It raised its proud head, releasing a battle-ready growl.
Mu Yi's patience snapped. Borrowing Bai Yuan's spiritual might, he forcibly activated the spirit soul contract, pressing the Golden Lion Mastiff to the ground.
Losers cannot resist forced contracts. Pride meant nothing. Afterward, Alice's "training" would turn even the proudest beast into a docile pet.
Mu Yi approached, placing a hand on the beast's massive snout. His vibrant, life-infused bloodline energy flowed gently, stabilizing its agitated form.
"Follow me," he said, voice steady yet powerful. "I'll show you wider skies. Help you reach greater heights."
The Golden Lion Mastiff lifted its head, battle-fire in its gaze. At last, it lowered its head. Golden light condensed into a solid stream, willingly merging into Mu Yi. Acknowledgment earned.
Mu Yi secured the Golden Lion Mastiff spirit soul and resources for its elevation.
Exiting the platform, Leng Yaozhu nodded approvingly. Mu Ye clapped his shoulder hard—pride needing no words.
"Next." Leng Yaozhu's gaze settled on the breathtaking Alice.
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