Outside the Spirit Ascension Platform.
The egg-shaped pod opened, and the energy surrounding the two individuals stabilized as their soul ring years were solidified and enhanced.
Leng Yaozhu was still waiting there, her gaze sweeping over them both.
Seeing the deeper, more subdued aura emanating from Gu La—seemingly fused with the earth—and the intelligent excitement shining in Qing Liuli's eyes, she understood without needing further explanation.
"It seems your gains were considerable."
Leng Yaozhu spoke indifferently, her tone betraying neither joy nor anger. However, the hint of indulgence in her eyes as she looked at Gu La remained unchanged. "Still, the commotion was quite significant. Nearly thirty percent of the platform's spirit beasts were consumed by you two—it will take time to recover."
Gu La's expression remained calm. "Thank you, Master, for providing this opportunity. I will ensure that I contribute to the Spirit Pagoda to make up for the losses."
His words were not empty promises; they were mainly meant for others to hear. His decision to stay at the Spirit Pagoda had its own deeper purpose.
Qing Liuli quickly bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master. My research has made significant progress. Within the next year, I'm confident I can attempt to master the technology of creating artificial thousand-year-old spirit souls."
"Mm." Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly. "Qing Liuli, return to organize your data and report. Gu La, stay behind."
Qing Liuli, holding her precious box, respectfully took her leave.
"For the time being, you will remain at the Spirit Pagoda."
Leng Yaozhu gazed at Gu La, her tone carrying a deeper implication. "Familiarize yourself with the tower's various operations, especially those related to spirit soul research, energy reserves, and communication and coordination processes with various factions. The waters of the Spirit Pagoda run deep. As my disciple, you will inevitably need to interact with these matters in the future."
Gu La's heart stirred. He immediately grasped Leng Yaozhu's intention.
She was paving the way for him, allowing him to delve into the core of the Spirit Pagoda, access confidential information, and accumulate connections and experience.
At the same time, it subtly implied that she wanted him to display his strength and potential. After all, Qiangu Dongfeng and certain factions within the Spirit Pagoda were not an unbreakable monolith.
"Yes, Master," Gu La replied respectfully. This suited him perfectly. Staying at the Spirit Pagoda would allow him to maneuver more conveniently, access certain "resources," and… irritate Qiangu Dongfeng!
---
At the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda, inside Qiangu Dongfeng's private chamber.
A few days earlier, the soul-guided communicator in the chamber lit up with a blinding crimson light. A heavily distorted voice, brimming with resentment and violence, rang out—it was the Ghost Emperor:
"Qiangu Dongfeng! Where is Blood Bone Douluo?! Where is Leng Yulai?! Why is there no news at all?! Are you telling me the people I sent to assist you have simply vanished without a trace?! You owe me an explanation!"
Qiangu Dongfeng sat in his expansive chair, his face dark enough to drip water.
The disappearance of Blood Bone Douluo and Leng Yulai had caught him completely off guard, especially Leng Yulai. Her position was highly sensitive—as one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Holy Spirit Sect, she had the authority to know parts of the plan to destroy Shrek Academy.
He had mobilized every intelligence network at his disposal, but like a stone sinking into the ocean, the two had seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving him feeling profoundly uneasy and manipulated.
"An explanation?"
Qiangu Dongfeng's voice was icy, barely suppressing his rage. "Ghost Emperor, shouldn't I be the one asking you? Your people failed miserably in the ambush, resulting in total annihilation by Shrek Academy! Not a single survivor was left! And now you dare demand answers from me?"
"What happens to Blood Bone Douluo is none of my concern. As for Leng Yulai… hmph, she's one of your Holy Spirit Sect's Four Heavenly Kings. Her movements are mysterious—how should I know where she is? Perhaps she saw the situation turning sour and went into hiding herself."
"Bullshit!" The Ghost Emperor's voice suddenly rose, filled with raw fury. "The last message Blood Bone Douluo sent back stated that the mission had failed and he was being pursued. Leng Yulai then went to assist him, and after that, there was no further contact."
"Qiangu Dongfeng, don't think I don't know what you're scheming. Are you trying to cut ties with our Holy Spirit Sect and claim everything for yourself? You haven't explained the situation on the Star Luo Continent yet. And let's not forget, aside from my sect, who else would dare execute your plans so boldly!"
Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes flashed with cold light. The Ghost Emperor's accusations struck at his inner unease, particularly regarding the mysterious Phoenix True Fire on the Star Luo Continent. But he would never admit to any mistakes or concealment.
"Ghost Emperor, watch your words."
Qiangu Dongfeng slammed his hand down on the armrest, his powerful soul power causing the entire chamber to hum. "I do not need to explain my actions to you. Trust is the foundation of our cooperation. Your people's failure reflects your incompetence."
"Leng Yulai's disappearance is also your internal issue. Don't try to shift the blame onto me. As for the Star Luo Continent… I've already said, Leng Yaozhu wasn't there. Believe it or not."
His tone was firm, unyielding to threats and exuding undeniable authority. "The Spirit Pagoda does not tolerate uselessness. If your Holy Spirit Sect cannot even handle such minor matters, then perhaps we need to reassess our cooperation. That is all."
Click!
Qiangu Dongfeng abruptly cut off the communication, and the crimson light instantly extinguished.
His chest heaved, his eyes burning with flames of anger and deep apprehension. Was Blood Bone dead? Had Leng Yulai disappeared? What hidden forces did Shrek Academy possess?
What was the truth behind that mysterious Phoenix True Fire? And what about that Gu La… It was all like an invisible web, pressing down on him with unprecedented pressure.
"Worthless! All worthless!"
Qiangu Dongfeng growled under his breath, rising irritably from his seat. He walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling Shrek City, his gaze filled with malevolence.
The serpent of the Holy Spirit Sect seemed to be slipping out of control. He needed to accelerate his plans. Shrek Academy… and that troublemaker Gu La… must be dealt with soon.
---
Shrek Academy, the start of the new semester.
After more than a month's absence, the academy was still brimming with youthful energy and a strong atmosphere of cultivation.
Gu La returned to the academy quietly, as if he had never left. His presence was even more restrained and profound, imbued with a sense of stability gained from immersing himself in the core affairs of the Spirit Pagoda.
The first class of the new semester was held in Shrek Academy's most advanced mecha training ground.
On the spacious training field, dozens of standard-issue mechas gleamed with metallic coldness, radiating a blend of power and technological beauty.
This lesson focused on mecha piloting.
The instructor was a senior mecha combat expert from the inner court, but even he felt an invisible pressure when he saw the figures of Gu La, Bai Yuan, Liu Niandao, and others among the students entering the training field.
The reputations of these monstrous students had long spread throughout the academy.
"Mech piloting hinges on achieving unity between man and machine. A powerful soul master does not necessarily make a skilled mecha pilot! Soul power is the energy source, spiritual force is the bridge, but ultimately, controlling the mecha relies on your mastery of subtle body movements and your ability to instantly process feedback from the mecha!"
The expert stood on the high platform, his voice resonating. "Now, everyone will enter their training mechas in sequence to undergo basic adaptability training. Familiarize yourselves with walking, running, turning, and gripping with the mecha arms."
The students climbed into their respective training mechas, and the cockpit doors closed, lighting up the complex control interfaces inside.
For a moment, the training ground echoed with the roar of engines and the grinding of metal joints. Many of the students' mechas moved clumsily and stiffly, like infants learning to walk, stumbling and bumping into each other. Several mechas nearly collided.
However, when the others instinctively turned their attention to Gu La's mecha—number 047—the sight before them made them hold their breaths.
The mecha, entirely silver-gray, seemed to come alive the moment Gu La entered it, as if infused with genuine vitality.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)