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Top Floor of the Spirit Pagoda.
"Grandfather, I feel that Bai Xu isn't as mediocre as the records suggest. For his age, he's quite strong, and his talent is remarkable," said Qiangu Zhangting.
"Hmm, I've seen him too. The boy is indeed impressive—at least he doesn't fawn over you just because you're the grandson of the Spirit Pagoda's master. As for his talent... he's strong, Zhangting. Stronger than you were at his age," Qiangu Dongfeng replied solemnly.
"What?" Qiangu Zhangting was taken aback that his grandfather would say such a thing. He had also been a Soul Emperor at that age—what was so special about it?
"Such talent is wasted as a mere secretary to a woman. Recently, the matter of the Spirit Pagoda's expansion in the Douluo Empire needs to be discussed with their royal family. Take a few people with you—your trusted subordinates, Zhangting."
"Are you suggesting I bring Bai Xu along?"
"Mn. Test him. If he's willing to accept your recruitment and pledge loyalty to the Qiangu family, we can certainly cultivate him. But if you can't control him... such a person..." Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes turned cold, though he left the rest unspoken.
"Ultimately, it depends on your judgment after this trip. Pack your things and prepare to leave. I've already issued the mission in the name of the Pagoda Master—no one would dare refuse."
Qiangu Zhangting frowned. He disliked these power struggles between factions, but he had no choice. The glory of the Qiangu family could not end with him.
Yet, he felt there was still much he needed to learn.
After Qiangu Zhangting left, Qiangu Dongfeng slowly took out his soul communicator and dialed the master of the Spirit Pagoda's Douluo branch—Hua Tao, known as the "Breath of Qi" Titled Douluo.
"Master..." Hua Tao's voice was steady as he awaited orders. Qiangu Dongfeng's control over the Spirit Pagoda was absolute. Almost all core members of the branch pagodas were his trusted subordinates—even cooperation with evil soul masters could be entrusted to them without hesitation.
"Hua Tao... Zhangting will be visiting the Douluo Empire soon. The secrets of our research must not be revealed to him yet. Remember—ensure his safety."
"Understood."
Qiangu Dongfeng exhaled deeply, his mood lightening. He murmured to himself, "Calculating the time... it should begin in a few months. Yun Ming, oh Yun Ming, don't disappoint me now. Let me see just how far you've come!"
A faint smile curled his lips. The grand ambition of the Spirit Pagoda would ultimately be realized in his hands.
Both Shrek and Yun Ming had to die. Their rift had widened over time, partly due to Leng Yaochu, and partly because of the humiliation Long Yueyue had inflicted upon the previous Spirit Pagoda Master. Perhaps these were the hidden threads that had led things to this point.
---
Gu Yue's Office.
Bai Xu frowned at the mission notification on his soul communicator. Only ten days had passed since that evening banquet, and he hadn't seen Qiangu Zhangting since. The intent behind this message was far too obvious.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Yue said, "The Douluo Spirit Pagoda... isn't that where Na'er's adoptive parents are imprisoned? The branch pagoda collaborating with evil soul masters in secret... Are you going?"
"I'll go. Refusing isn't an option," Bai Xu replied nonchalantly.
"I'm worried. Your current strength might not be enough to handle a Titled Douluo-level opponent," Gu Yue stepped closer, gripping the hem of his sleeve.
"Who's to say? Maybe I really can kill a Titled Douluo now," Bai Xu chuckled, already making his own estimations.
Gu Yue froze, then relaxed. She knew that if Bai Xu said so, he truly could. He never made empty boasts.
"Take this. Even though you already know its purpose and it's no longer mysterious to you, you must keep it." Gu Yue extended her hand, her gaze slightly evasive. In her palm lay a silver dragon scale—both of them knew what it signified.
Bai Xu covered her hand, gently pushing the scale back. With confidence, he said, "No need. No one in this world can kill me."
"Then I'll wait here for your return." She didn't insist further.
"Alright."
They embraced. After a long moment, Gu Yue whispered, "Will you save Na'er's parents?"
"Not now, at least," Bai Xu answered.
Na'er wanted to rescue her parents, but this was her own wish as Na'er. Could she order Di Tian to save two humans in the Douluo Empire?
Could she ask Gu Yue to leave the Spirit Pagoda and save them?
Would she even ask Bai Xu to go?
No. She wanted to do it herself—but strength was the main obstacle. Whether it was Tang Wulin or Na'er, neither was ready yet.
"There's one more thing I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"My and Na'er's origins are becoming increasingly unstable. Perhaps... the next time you return, the one you meet will be Gu Yuena." Gu Yue's eyes dimmed slightly.
Gu Yuena was Gu Yue. Gu Yuena was also Na'er. So why did it sadden her?
"As our understanding of the world deepens, Na'er and I have experienced different things. Our personalities and values have similarities, but at the core, we're still different. And Gu Yuena has already emerged—her experiences are built upon mine and Na'er's, yet they're also vastly distinct... But our fusion is inevitable. Bai Xu, perhaps you really shouldn't have taught us so much. That way... Gu Yuena would simply be Gu Yue and Na'er combined. We could both stay by your side."
Bai Xu fell silent, comforting the Gu Yue in his arms. A trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes before he spoke with resolve: "I'll solve this. Don't worry. I promised—I'll stand with you through the ages."
Hearing his firm words, Gu Yue buried her face in his chest, tightening her arms around his waist. In a voice so soft only she could hear, she whispered, "I'll wait for you."
---
Nightfall.
A Secluded Hall in Shrek City.
"My Sovereign."
"Mn. Have the two of them been informed about the news regarding the Beast Platform?" Gu Yue crossed her legs, looking down at the kneeling Di Tian. Today, she was different—less gentle, more aloof.
"Yes. They've agreed to lead the soul beasts to thrive in the miniature world of the Beast Platform. The relocation is currently underway."
"Even with the power of two minor deities, maintaining a small plane is impossible. They'll come to us." Gu Yue listened to the soul beasts' reports as usual.
Yet she smiled faintly, murmuring to herself, "It's time for you to sleep. With our origin unstable, I'll take over from now on."
"I'd like to stay a little longer..."
"Haven't you had enough? You are me, and I am you. Have a few words from Bai Xu made you reluctant to merge? Or do you truly believe he can resolve the instability between you and Na'er?" Gu Yuena had awakened.
"No. He's been researching the Silver Dragon's origin these past few years. You and I both know he might succeed. His power of creation surpasses even our prime. He casually guides soul beasts, bestows life, commands reverence wherever he goes—even in crafting ten-thousand-year artificial spirit souls, his contributions are immense. It seems there's nothing he can't accomplish," Gu Yue sighed.
"At the end of the day, isn't he just a scoundrel? Wanting the three of us to coexist—when we are fundamentally one!"
Gu Yue smiled. "The one who decided on coexistence wasn't Bai Xu—it was you. Na'er and I would have merged perfectly. If you refused, even Bai Xu wouldn't be able to find traces of us."
Gu Yuena fell silent. She had emerged during their time at Shrek Academy, influenced by both Gu Yue and Na'er, and thus held feelings for Bai Xu. But as their personalities grew more distinct, a sense of conflict arose within her.
It was like a secondary body rebelling against its primary—how could one person feel so conflicted? Especially when Bai Xu hadn't even noticed her, treating her as nothing more than Gu Yue's dominant incarnation. The displeasure only deepened.
"Hmph! I won't let him off so easily." Gu Yuena ignored Gu Yue's question, storing this grievance in Bai Xu's name.