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Lingbo City, Top Floor of the Spirit Pagoda Branch
Around a massive round table sat the high-ranking officials of the Spirit Pagoda branch—seven individuals collectively known as the Seven Giants of the Spirit Pagoda in the Douluo Empire.
"Have we made contact with the visitors from that side?" Hua Tao asked.
"We have. They're not here with good intentions. Two 96th-ranked Super Douluos—Mo Teng and Xie Long—both notorious evil soul masters who wreaked havoc on the continent in their early years. Along with Poison Spring from the underground laboratory of the Spirit Pagoda, that makes two Super Douluos and one Titled Douluo. This lineup..." The deputy beside Hua Tao trailed off, hesitant to continue.
"What's there to fear? With me here, plus the six of you Titled Douluos, can't we keep them here?" Hua Tao snorted, his disdain for evil soul masters evident.
Another person spoke up, "Branch Master, are we really going to engage in combat here at the Lingbo City headquarters? Our old rivals, the Tang Sect's Li Yunzhe, are watching our every move!"
"Precisely why I chose the headquarters. The Lingbo City Spirit Pagoda is equipped with a defensive soul tool barrier capable of withstanding soul-guided artillery shells of level seven and above. Once activated, no one outside will be able to spy on us. When the battle is over, we can claim that the Holy Ghost Church attacked our branch, allowing us to walk away unscathed."
Hua Tao's tone shifted as he turned his gaze to the elderly man sitting opposite him at the table. "How is the progress on the drug research?"
"It's nearing completion... but we still need some more time," the old man replied respectfully.
"Hmph, useless. How long has it been? If you can't figure it out, then there's no need to continue. Once this is over, kill them all and pin the blame on the Holy Ghost Church."
After hearing the report, Hua Tao straightened up and issued orders. "Recently, relocate some of the lower-level personnel. Only trusted confidants will participate in this ambush. As for that old dog Li from the Tang Sect who opposes us, ignore him. No matter how capable he is, he has no authority over our Spirit Pagoda!"
From the very beginning, Hua Tao had never regarded Bai Xu as a threat. A mere Soul Sage—even if he had broken through to become a Soul Douluo in three months, so what?
With a group of Titled Douluos, even Super Douluos present, how could a mere Soul Douluo turn the tables?
---
Meanwhile, the Holy Ghost Church was completely unconcerned.
Xie Long's soul communicator buzzed, and a message flashed across the screen, making his eyes gleam. "Those old fools have lost their minds? They actually want us to strike at Bai Xu directly in the branch headquarters? Could this be some kind of trap?"
Hearing this, Mo Teng chuckled faintly. "The only one in that branch worth my attention is Hua Tao, the 'Air Douluo.' Since when have the others been a threat to us? Don't overthink it. The Spirit Pagoda will handle the aftermath. We just need to retrieve Bai Xu's corpse and leave."
"A mere Soul Sage, yet the Ghost Emperor dispatched both of us. Such an overreaction," Xie Long said dismissively. After all, a Soul Sage truly couldn't cause any major upheaval.
"The Ghost Emperor has his reasons. It's not our place to question them."
As they spoke, a hunched figure entered and bowed respectfully. "Honored leaders, the drug research is nearing its final stages. It should be completed in a few months."
The newcomer was none other than Poison Spring, a 91st-ranked Titled Douluo specializing in drug research among the evil soul masters.
"Leave the research to your subordinates. This time, you'll be dealing with someone personally," Mo Teng said with a smirk.
"Your orders, my lords?"
"Soon—about five days from now—a young man from the Spirit Pagoda named Bai Xu will arrive at this branch. Don't worry about the others. Poison him directly, but ensure his corpse remains intact." Xie Long had no intention of dirtying his own hands.
"Understood."
With two 96th-ranked powerers standing before him, Poison Spring didn't dare refuse. He accepted the mission without hesitation.
A mere Soul Sage? Capturing him would be child's play.
Yet, the face on the virtual screen looked somewhat familiar...
---
Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
Qiangu Dongfeng stood by the window, gazing into the distance. The once-irritating Shrek Academy had long since vanished, and the direction that had once housed his most despised sight was now clear. The remaining matters were trivial in comparison.
"Heh, this plan kills two birds with one stone. If the Spirit Pagoda branch is attacked, it will not only silence those scheming politicians but also dispel rumors of collusion between the Spirit Pagoda and the Holy Ghost Church. From then on, the two factions will be sworn enemies. And besides..."
Qiangu Dongfeng fell silent. Had Bai Xu done anything to provoke the Qian Gu family?
In a way, yes—he was a little too talented.
Moreover, his lover was the Spirit Pagoda's most dazzling rising star—the Silver Dragon Princess, Gu Yuena. Qiangu Dongfeng could see that both of them, like his own grandson Qiangu Zhangting, possessed the potential to become Limit Douluos. If they were allowed to grow, Zhangting might face difficulties in the Spirit Pagoda after his own retirement.
And if Bai Xu died... if Zhangting remained infatuated and Gu Yuena was willing, he could even play matchmaker and arrange for her to marry into the Qiangu family.
The Spirit Pagoda would then remain firmly in the hands of the Qiangu family. Three hundred years later... it would still bear the Qiangu name. Perhaps one day, they could even control the Federation and unify the continent.
"Heh, everything I do is for the Spirit Pagoda—for the Qiangu family!" Qian Gu Dongfeng sneered, his eyes betraying a trace of madness. Deep down, he knew that Leng Yaozhu had been suspicious of him ever since the destruction of Shrek Academy, though she lacked proof.
But... those who achieve great things must not be bogged down by trivialities!
Shrek Academy was just an institution. Destroyed? So be it. Given another chance, he'd do it again without hesitation. For twenty thousand years, it had monopolized the title of the continent's top academy, its influence permeating every industry. Claiming neutrality while secretly supporting politicians and the military—hypocrisy at its finest.
"If you must blame someone, blame yourselves for standing in the Spirit Pagoda's path. And I am merely the one clearing the way for our glorious future."
As for Bai Xu... dead men tell no tales. The world would never lack for geniuses.
---
Douluo Empire, Port City.
"Sir, we've arrived in the Douluo Empire."
A subordinate knocked on the cabin door and delivered the report.
Bai Xu, dressed in his pristine Spirit Pagoda uniform, asked, "Have we made contact with the branch in the Douluo Empire?"
"Yes. They said everything has been arranged for you, but they request your presence at the Lingbo City branch. They mentioned having important documents related to your mission."
The two disembarked from the ship, but no representatives from the branch were waiting to receive them. Typically, personnel arriving from headquarters would be greeted by branch officials for guidance and coordination. This time, however, there was no one—as if they intended to slight Bai Xu from the outset.
"Huh? I specifically instructed them to meet us at the port."
"Seems they didn't come. Let's head to Lingbo City." Bai Xu didn't dwell on it. After handing over some Federation coins to his subordinate, they drove toward the Lingbo City branch.
"Sir, the weather's turning gloomy," the Plane Spirit transmitted telepathically.
"Rain's coming. No matter—I have a plan."