"By the way—this is your token," Leng Yaozhu said gently, pulling a delicate golden token from her spatial soul-guided device and handing it to Fang Yang.
"Thank you, Teacher," Fang Yang accepted it with both hands, voice solemn.
"Mm," Leng Yaozhu nodded, satisfied, eyes warm with approval.
"This token signifies my authority—and grants you privileges across the Spirit Pagoda."
"If you face any trouble, present it without hesitation."
Fang Yang carefully stored the token, bowing slightly: "Understood, Teacher."
Just then—his soul-guided comm chimed sharply.
He froze, apologetic eyes flicking to Leng Yaozhu: "Teacher, I…"
"Answer it," she waved it off, smile kind.
"Yes," he nodded, activating the comm.
"Fang Yang."
A familiar, steady voice echoed through.
"Senior Liu Yang," Fang Yang recognized instantly, tone respectful.
"Are you at Heavenly Spirit Tower?" Liu Yang cut straight to the point.
Fang Yang hesitated, then confirmed: "Yes, Senior. What do you need?"
"Come to me. I've arranged an escort," Liu Yang ordered.
"On my way, Senior," Fang Yang replied immediately.
The call ended abruptly.
Fang Yang turned to Leng Yaozhu: "Teacher—Senior Liu Yang summons me."
Her eyes flickered with surprise, then calmed: "Go."
"Yes, Teacher," he bowed, then glanced at Gu Yue, voice softening: "I'll return for you soon."
"Mm," Gu Yue nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips.
As Fang Yang left, Gu Yue watched his back, longing in her eyes.
"Already missing him?" Leng Yaozhu teased, amused.
"Teacher…" Gu Yue murmured, ears flushing pink, turning away.
"Alright, alright—I'll stop," Leng Yaozhu laughed, eyes knowing.
She saw right through her disciple's heart.
After a pause, Gu Yue asked curiously: "Teacher—who is Senior Liu Yang?"
"His power is unfathomable," Leng Yaozhu grew grave.
"He's the one Old Pagoda Master Qiangu Dieting personally visited."
"His status dwarfs ordinary Limit Douluos."
"I see…"
---
Outside, Fang Yang spotted his escort—Su Tao.
"Fang Yang—you're here," Su Tao smiled warmly.
"Come—Senior Liu Yang awaits."
"Uncle Su, I—" Fang Yang started.
"Inside—we'll talk there," Su Tao gestured firmly, kind yet unyielding.
Fang Yang followed him into a study—simple, elegant, scented with aged parchment.
Liu Yang sat centered, gaze calm as still water.
He motioned for Fang Yang to sit, grace in every movement.
Fang Yang bowed deeply: "I pay my respects to you, Senior Liu Yang."
"No need for formalities," Liu Yang waved it off, nodding to Su Tao.
Su Tao stepped back, sealing the room with a barrier.
"Fang Yang—let me introduce myself properly," Liu Yang said gravely.
"I am Zi (Purple)—the Primordial Plane Spirit of the Douluo Plane, foremost of the Seven Consciousnesses."
"Call me Liu Yang… or Zi."
"What…?"
Fang Yang stunned, shock flashing in his eyes.
Su Tao chuckled softly: "And I am Lan (Blue)—one of the Seven Consciousnesses."
Fang Yang fell silent, mind racing to process this revelation.
He'd suspected Liu Yang's importance—but never this!
"Why reveal this now, Seniors?" he asked calmly after a beat.
Liu Yang's expression turned grim: "You know of the Divine Realm… and Tang San, yes?"
Fang Yang didn't deny it—only waited.
"Twenty thousand years ago, Tang San was an outsider," Liu Yang intoned, voice heavy.
"Oh?" Fang Yang raised a brow, surprised they knew Tang San's origins.
"I even helped him awaken his martial soul," Su Tao added, nostalgic.
Fang Yang stared—speechless.
The Plane Spirits hadn't just observed Tang San—they'd shaped him!
"Tang San was chosen by the Primordial Plane Spirit as the Chosen One," Liu Yang continued, regret weighing his words.
"We nurtured him to elevate Douluo into a Divine Realm… but…"
He sighed: "The Divine Realm discovered our plan. They granted him godhood—and he betrayed us."
Pain cracked his voice: "Worse—he became their enforcer, sabotaging Douluo Planet's growth."
"He twisted our second Chosen One, Huo Yuhao, into a loyal dog."
"Huo Yuhao's potential—wasted as Tang San's pawn."
Rage ignited in Liu Yang's eyes: "But Tang San's ambition wasn't sated."
"For his parents—Tang Hao and the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor—"
"he murdered the Primordial Plane Spirit… and crowned Tang Hao as Plane Lord!"
He closed his eyes, haunted by memory:
"In his final moments, the Primordial Plane Spirit split his consciousness into seven fragments—hidden across Douluo."
"That is our origin."
(Author's Note: Fanon lore!)
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