Watching Mu Yi successfully subdue the Golden Lion Mastiff, Leng Yaozhu's gaze shifted to the remaining two.
Gu La stepped forward first. "Teacher, I'll take the next slot. I need a rather special spirit soul—preferably one closely tied to soul attributes."
This was clearly for his death-governing avatar "Du An," aiming to further enhance his dominion over the soul domain.
Leng Yaozhu considered briefly. "Due to the Holy Spirit Cult's evil soul masters, the Spirit Pagoda strictly regulates spirit souls involving soul attributes. Authorization typically requires Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng's personal approval."
Her tone shifted, carrying a faint smile. "However, I hold certain special privileges granted by the Pagoda Master. Within those limits, you may choose freely."
In truth, the Holy Spirit Cult had repeatedly pressured or traded with Qiangu Dongfeng to obtain soul-attribute spirit souls best suited to them. But even when dealing with devils, Qiangu Dongfeng would never surrender the highest-tier soul spirit souls—typically offering only inferior alternatives.
Staff members began introducing options matching Gu La's request:
"The Pagoda currently holds three hundred-thousand-year spirit souls meeting the 'soul' criteria:
First: the Death Bird. Born from a rare mutation of a dark-attribute raven, evolving into a pure death-attribute soul beast.
It doesn't manipulate darkness—it directly channels and controls a thread of death law, possessing unique sensitivity and influence over souls.
Second: the Nightmare. Specializes in infiltrating living beings' dreams, weaving nightmares to feed on targets' soul power and negative emotions. Insidious and hard to defend against.
Third: the Evil Soul Attendant.
A unique entity formed when a Spirit Beast Douluo-level evil soul master's resentment-filled soul fused with countless tormented souls he'd imprisoned.
Its consciousness is chaotic and dim, retaining only pure suffering and hatred for all living beings. Extremely difficult to communicate with, highly dangerous."
The staff member added after a pause: "The Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor mentioned earlier also consumes souls—it could loosely count as a fourth option."
Gu La decided instantly—what better spirit soul for a Death God's envoy than the Death Bird, symbolizing death's herald and wielding death's power itself?
"I choose the Death Bird," he stated decisively.
The staff offered no further warnings. Most had heard of Leng Yaozhu's personal disciple—a twin martial soul genius. Though his specific martial souls were confidential, he was considered "one of us." His choice must reflect calculated confidence.
Gu La was teleported to a dedicated contract dimension within the Spirit Soul Tower.
Gloomy light filled the space. A massive raven perched on withered branches—its feathers ink-black, yet its beak and talons were an eerie grayish-white, as if drained of all life.
But Gu La's keen eyes saw the truth: those black feathers weren't solid—they were unstable soul power illusions, revealing the spirit's unsteady post-mutation state and core instability.
The hundred-thousand-year Death Bird opened eyes that seemed to peer through life and death's cycles. It scanned Gu La, then spoke in a dry, dispassionate human voice:
"Human, your life force is vigorous, your potential vast… but your aura doesn't resonate with death. You… are not the one I await."
Before it finished, Gu La shifted martial souls in thought. A thread of pure Death God divine power—belonging to his "Du An" avatar—seeped out under precise control. He transmitted silently:
"Cooperate. I'll find you a true master who can guide you to death's ultimate law—someone who'll stabilize your core."
The Death Bird trembled imperceptibly. Its hollow eyes blazed with unprecedented light!
From that thread of divine power, it sensed death's true essence—far purer and more primal than its own grasp!
A strong premonition told it: following this human might resolve its mutation's flaws and even elevate it further!
Its pride and arrogance shattered instantly. With two crisp caws, it withdrew all death energy, transforming into a gray-black stream of light that willingly flowed into Gu La's hand, smoothly subdued and sealed.
When Gu La exited the dimension, the Death Bird's seal glowing on his forehead, Leng Yaozhu's eyes flickered with approval.
In her view, her disciple—even without being a Great Spiriter—already rivaled formal Great Spiriters in spirit soul contracts and soul communication.
***
Finally, it was Alice's turn. She glided forward, smiling before speaking. Her silvery laughter carried a strange magic—
Every staff member, regardless of gender, froze mid-motion. Tasks forgotten, gazes fixated obsessively on her flawless face.
Even Leng Yaozhu couldn't suppress a flash of awe. She sensed Alice used no soul power or charm skills—this was pure, transcendent allure, radiating from life's essence and divine nature itself.
Alice, accustomed to such reactions, spoke gently of her needs:
"I seek a healing and support-oriented spirit soul. Preferably one with some connection to soul power—that would be ideal."
Clearly chosen for Ming Baixue, who needed auxiliary and healing strength.
The flustered staff member snapped out of his daze, face flushing. Determined to please Alice, he frantically searched while explaining:
"Healing-type spirit souls are rare and precious, with few compatible soul masters. The Pagoda currently has five qualifying hundred-thousand-year options:
First: the hundred-thousand-year Dream Tapir. Natural enemy of the Nightmare clan. An exceptionally rare spirit soul that assists—even enhances—psychic healing effects. Rumored to nurture and heal damages at the spirit soul and even soul levels."
Seeing Alice's interest, he pressed on fervently:
"Second: the Evil Eye Tyrant. A rare light-and-spirit dual-attribute variant of the Evil Eye Tyrant species, possessing unique light-based healing abilities—but still highly aggressive."
Alice shook her head slightly, seemingly unsatisfied.
He hurried on: "Third: the hundred-thousand-year Merfolk Priestess. A healer of the merfolk race with considerable water-attribute and life-healing abilities. But its intelligence is exceptionally high, and its temperament… somewhat unpredictable. Not very obedient."
Alice gave an imperceptible nod for him to continue.
"Fourth: the Rainbow Dragon spirit soul. The ultimate dream for support-type soul masters—its auxiliary prowess supposedly rivals the legendary Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Drawback: it has zero combat capability. Also, this spirit soul was recreated via ancient gene-cloning technology… Its temperament is rather aloof and proud."
Watching from the side, Gu La and the others exchanged knowing glances. The staff member was clearly bewitched by Alice's charm, deliberately saving what he considered the best options for last.
"Last," the staff member took a deep breath, "the Emerald Swan. An early capture from Star Luo Great Forest's core zone—originally a ten-thousand-year Emerald Swan, elevated to hundred-thousand-years through Pagoda techniques. A pure, powerful healing spirit soul with a gentle nature."
After considering all options, Alice tapped her chin with a slender finger. Her choice surprised everyone: "I'll take the Dream Tapir spirit soul."
Her reasoning: the Dream Tapir's abilities were more versatile, especially its soul-level nurturing and healing—potentially more beneficial for Ming Baixue's future growth. Combat weaknesses could later be compensated through other means, like bloodline enhancement.
Entering the contract dimension, she faced a ten-thousand-year Dream Tapir—resembling an anteater with an elephant's trunk, surrounded by soft, dreamlike halos.
Without displaying any power or coercion, she relied solely on indescribable warmth and sincere words to converse with it.
Moments later, the Dream Tapir spirit soul was genuinely persuaded—or rather, utterly captivated by her charm. It gently transformed into a seven-rainbow-hued energy orb, carefully guided and sealed by Alice, destined for Ming Baixue.
Thus, Gu La and his avatars secured four exceptionally precious hundred-thousand-year spirit souls—a bountiful harvest.
Leng Yaozhu observed her disciple's "operations," satisfaction deepening in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng, sitting far away in his office, would likely have turned livid had he known how "perfectly" his forced concessions were distributed.
***
As the group left the Spirit Soul Tower sector, Mu Ye lingered briefly. Confirming Mu Yi had no further business, he immediately ushered his disciple into the mecha and departed—guarding against theft with palpable suspicion. Gu La could only smile wryly. He has no intention of restricting his avatars' freedom.
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