The first stop of Leng Yaozhu's inspection tour was a second-tier city named Ten Thousand Stars, located in the eastern part of the continent. When the inspection team arrived at the Wanxing City Spirit Pagoda, the Pagoda Master, Lin Feng, was already leading a group of high-level officials to welcome them respectfully.
This regional Pagoda Master was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties. He had a kind face and a smile that always preceded his words. He warmly welcomed everyone into the pagoda. Huo Yuhao quietly followed by Leng Yaozhu's side, his gaze discreetly falling on Lin Feng. He noticed that the Pagoda Master's gaze lingered on him for a noticeably long time. Clearly, the sudden appearance of a youth like him in the high-level inspection team had caught the man's attention.
Once everyone was settled in the main hall on the first floor, Leng Yaozhu took the initiative to introduce him. This is my Disciple. He is along to gain some experience and won't be participating in the official inspection work.
A flash of realization crossed Lin Feng's eyes, and his smile deepened. His tone became exceptionally kind as he turned to the boy. So it is Pagoda Master Leng's brilliant student. Is this your first time in Wanxing City? Would you like me to arrange for someone to show you around? Although our city isn't as bustling as the major hubs, it still has some unique sights and places to visit.
In Lin Feng's mind, a child of this age was at a time when they loved to play. He likely wouldn't be interested in the dull work of adults. Leng Yaozhu didn't answer but instead looked at Huo Yuhao, letting him make his own decision. Huo Yuhao met Lin Feng's gaze. After a moment of thought, he looked at Leng Yaozhu and nodded slightly, indicating his agreement.
He indeed had no interest in the inspection process. Rather than participating in those boring procedures, he might as well take this opportunity to see an unfamiliar city. Leng Yaozhu smiled and nodded. Then I will have to trouble Pagoda Master Lin to go to the effort.
Not at all, it's just a small matter. Lin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, his smile humble. He scanned the surroundings and quickly locked onto a certain direction, calling out in a raised voice, Qingyuan!
Not far away, a youth sitting on the steps looked up. Huo Yuhao's gaze was sharp, and he caught sight of the youth closing a book. On the dark cover, he clearly saw the three words Huo Yuhao. His heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that this person might be one of his fans.
The youth was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate features and a scholarly air about him. He swiftly tucked the book into his storage spirit tool, stood up, and walked over quickly. He stood properly in front of Lin Feng. Teacher.
Lin Feng introduced him with a smile. This is my Disciple, Du Qingyuan. He then gestured towards Huo Yuhao. This is Pagoda Master Leng's Disciple. Qingyuan, you will accompany this young friend around the city today. Make sure to host him thoroughly.
Du Qingyuan followed the gesture and his gaze landed on Huo Yuhao. He gave a proper salute to Leng Yaozhu and a nod to the guest before looking at his teacher. Don't worry, Teacher.
Afterward, Lin Feng led the party away to begin the routine inspection. The hall suddenly became quiet, leaving only the two youths standing opposite each other. After a brief silence, Huo Yuhao was the first to smile. Hello, my name is Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao? Du Qingyuan repeated the name. His eyes suddenly lit up as his restraint vanished instantly. Are you also an admirer of the Spirit Ice Douluo? You actually took the exact same name as him!
Huo Yuhao just smiled and nodded without explaining much. Du Qingyuan, however, seemed to have found a kindred spirit. His expression became noticeably warmer, and even his tone grew lighter. Teacher told me to show you around, but to be honest, there is nothing special about the Spirit Pagoda here. It cannot compare to the headquarters at all.
He naturally reached out and put his arm around Huo Yuhao's shoulder with the frankness of youth. Come on, I'll take you around the city! Not far from here is a place called Yuhao Grilled Fish. The taste is absolutely authentic.
Seeing that Huo Yuhao didn't object, Du Qingyuan led him toward the main entrance. As the two walked side-by-side, Huo Yuhao asked casually, What book were you reading while sitting on the steps just now? Since it was related to him, Huo Yuhao was naturally quite curious about which biography the other boy was reading.
Du Qingyuan paused and turned his head in surprise. You saw it? A flash of embarrassment crossed those clear eyes, followed by the excitement of finding one of his own kind. As I thought, you are also a fellow traveler!
He suddenly grabbed Huo Yuhao's sleeve and led him behind a quiet pillar on one side of the hall. After making sure no one was watching, Du Qingyuan mysteriously took a book out of his storage spirit tool and shoved it into the boy's hands. Here, since we share the same interests. He lowered his voice, his tone carrying the solemnity of sharing a precious treasure. I am giving this book to you. It's my personal collector's edition; it is hard to find outside.
Huo Yuhao looked down at the book in his hands. On the deep blue cover, the gold-stamped title glinted slightly in the light. The Untold Story of Huo Yuhao and the Auspicious Beast.
His gaze froze on that line of text for a full three seconds. This title... the content inside, is it even decent? Du Qingyuan watched his expression and couldn't help but chuckle twice.
This contains precious records of when the Spirit Ice Douluo met and befriended the Auspicious Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest! The author is said to be a senior scholar from Shrek Academy, and the research is extremely rigorous. He spoke with great excitement, his fingertip tapping a small emblem on the edge of the cover. Look here, it is a collector's edition certified by the Research Society. I had someone bring it from Shrek City. You must take good care of it.
Huo Yuhao rubbed the texture on the cover, unsure of what expression to make. Besides the title, there was a simple drawing on the cover. A faint human figure in the forest stood facing a brilliant golden beast from afar. The concept was actually somewhat profound.
Huo Yuhao looked up, meeting the youth's pure eyes, and stored the book in his own storage spirit tool. Thank you. His voice carried a trace of subtle emotion. I will read it carefully.
While putting away the book, Huo Yuhao recalled the historical facts he had seen in the library of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. The one favored by the luck of the forest, the Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Ni. Later, she shed her beast form and entered the human world under the name Wang Qiuer. The history books only contained a few brief notes about her emotional entanglements with him, and in the end, she had sacrificed herself to become his spirit ring.
Although he knew the book likely didn't contain anything serious, he still couldn't help but feel curious. However, now was clearly not the time to read. He had already followed Du Qingyuan out of the main entrance. Outside was a wide plaza paved with white stone slabs. The sunlight cast the pagoda's shadow across the ground, creating a clear boundary between light and dark.
Du Qingyuan led the way to the right as if he knew the path well. After walking about a hundred meters, a lane paved with bluestone appeared ahead. The shop is right in there, Du Qingyuan introduced with a smile. They use spirit power to control the heat, so the grilled fish is crispy and tender. They have even researched several new dipping sauces.
Before he could finish, both of them stopped in their tracks at the same time. A faint vibration came from the air, mixed with the hum of spirit power collisions. The smile on Du Qingyuan's face vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and a flash of coldness appeared in his eyes. Someone dares to fight within the jurisdiction of the Spirit Pagoda?
As the Personal Disciple of the Pagoda Master, he had known since childhood that this plaza and the surrounding streets were all under their jurisdiction, where private fighting was strictly forbidden. He instinctively wanted to rush into the alley. As the young leader here, how could he allow someone to behave insolently right in front of his home?
However, just as his toes left the ground, he came to a sudden halt. Du Qingyuan turned his head, his gaze falling on Huo Yuhao beside him. The task his teacher had given him was to accompany Huo Yuhao well. If they encountered any danger over there, it would not be good.
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