Just as Long Yeyue journeyed far to the Douling Continent, back at the Spirit Pagoda headquarters in Shrek City, Leng Yaozhu began her forceful offensive.
Without seeking Qian Gu Dongfeng's approval, she publicly declared that, to thank the powerful soul beasts who assisted the Blood God Legion in the Endless Mountain Range—an action that not only saved the entire Blood God Legion but also indirectly saved all of humanity and the entire Douluo Continent—the Spirit Pagoda would release all soul beasts that were being held for soul spirit research.
Not only that, but the Spirit Pagoda would also return all soul spirits made from the souls of soul beasts to the soul beasts.
At the same time, Leng Yaozhu also declared that after a soul master's death, the Spirit Pagoda would buy back the soul spirits originally purchased from the Pagoda at the original price.
All soul spirits made from soul beasts would be returned to the soul beasts.
"Leng Yaozhu, is she insane? Does she know she's shaking the very foundation of the Spirit Pagoda?" This was Qian Gu Dongfeng's first reaction when he heard the news. He was furious. For something this massive, Leng Yaozhu had not only skipped informing the Pagoda's council but hadn't even told him, the Pagoda Master, in advance.
Leng Yaozhu's actions clearly showed that she had no regard for him as Pagoda Master.
Without hesitation, Qian Gu Dongfeng rushed to Leng Yaozhu's office.
When he saw her again, even someone like Qian Gu Dongfeng was momentarily stunned.
Leng Yaozhu, the number one beauty of the Spirit Pagoda—and arguably the most beautiful woman on the continent—was undeniably breathtaking. Her beauty was unquestionable: jade-like complexion, fiery yet delicate temperament, radiant and full of vitality like the sun.
Though he had long been familiar with her, today she seemed like a completely different person.
First, Leng Yaozhu appeared even younger than when she had departed for the Blood God Legion. She glowed with vitality. Even in the plain black uniform commonly seen in the Spirit Pagoda, her brilliance couldn't be concealed. Her stunning face beneath her fiery red hair was like a flower blooming in the morning sun—vivid and mesmerizing.
But what stood out the most was her aura. If she used to be like fire, now she was fire incarnate—regal and imposing.
"She wasn't even this terrifying during the last special meeting of the Sun and Moon Federation," Qian Gu Dongfeng thought bitterly. He had done so much—even colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult—yet now he had been utterly left in the dust by Leng Yaozhu.
"Pagoda Master, what brings you here?" Seeing Qian Gu Dongfeng frozen at the door, Leng Yaozhu took the initiative to speak.
"Vice Pagoda Master Leng, why didn't you inform me in advance before making those public declarations? Why didn't you bring it to a vote with the Spirit Pagoda council before releasing the news? Don't you think that's inappropriate?" Qian Gu Dongfeng asked in a low voice.
"The original purpose of the Spirit Pagoda was to ease tensions between soul masters and soul beasts. I don't see anything wrong with what I've done," Leng Yaozhu glanced at him. Though she released no pressure, Qian Gu Dongfeng still broke out in cold sweat from the overwhelming sense of pressure.
He was shocked. He had known that Leng Yaozhu had progressed rapidly in her cultivation, reaching quasi-god level with Divine Origin spiritual power, far surpassing him.
But even with that expectation, he hadn't imagined her to be this powerful.
His Qian Gu family's martial soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff. For generations, they cultivated the Unyielding Staff Technique.
This technique fought against the strong without fear and never yielded.
Qian Gu Dongfeng had trained it to the eighth form and had mastered the true meaning of "unyielding."
But one look from Leng Yaozhu made him feel like he was facing an untouchable existence. Even his hard-earned, unyielding spirit trembled and cowered, unable to rise.
"Is Divine Origin spiritual power really this terrifying?" he muttered internally. Not even when facing Yun Ming had he felt such pressure.
"What you're doing—neither I nor the rest of the Spirit Pagoda leadership will support it. The Sun and Moon Federation won't agree either," he said through gritted teeth, even though he knew the gap between them was now unbridgeable.
Leng Yaozhu's actions had crossed their bottom line.
The Sun and Moon Federation would never agree. If humanity wanted to continue advancing its soul spirit technology, soul beasts were necessary for experimentation.
This was a matter that affected the entire soul master cultivation system. The Federation could not afford to back down.
"Pagoda Master Qian Gu, are you really that naive? Do you truly believe the soul beasts helped us in the Endless Mountain Range out of kindness? If we don't repay what we owe them, humanity will suffer the same fate as the abyssal creatures. And when that time comes, the first target will be the Spirit Pagoda. Ten god-level soul beast powerhouses—equivalent to second-rank gods. Tell me, how do you expect the Spirit Pagoda to resist them?" Leng Yaozhu replied coldly.
"What, you think the soul beasts would retaliate against humanity?" Qian Gu Dongfeng shot back.
"With everything humans have done to soul beasts over the years, if I were the Soul Beast Sovereign and had the power, I would lead the soul beasts to retaliate," Leng Yaozhu answered calmly.
Hearing this, Qian Gu Dongfeng's expression grew solemn. "This matter must be carefully deliberated."
"Deliberated?" Leng Yaozhu chuckled. "And how would you like to deliberate? Maybe go negotiate with the soul beast powerhouses?"
"But making announcements without consulting anyone is going too far," Qian Gu Dongfeng retorted.
"You're mistaken. I didn't just announce it—I already implemented it. All soul beasts held at Spirit Pagoda Headquarters have been released. All soul spirits created from soul beast souls have already been returned to the soul beasts. As for the other branches, I've issued orders requiring their full cooperation with Xia Yi to release all such soul beasts and soul spirits," Leng Yaozhu said flatly.
"That's impossible. If a soul beast had left the Spirit Pagoda, I would know about it!" Qian Gu Dongfeng shook his head furiously.
"There are so many god-level soul beasts. You think it's hard for them to open a space portal straight into the Spirit Pagoda?" she replied.
Hearing this, Qian Gu Dongfeng's face turned ashen. He stared at her in disbelief. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"If you don't believe me, go see for yourself," Leng Yaozhu said casually with a shrug.
Qian Gu Dongfeng's face was dark as he turned and hurried out. If Leng Yaozhu wasn't bluffing, he couldn't even begin to imagine the extent of the damage the Spirit Pagoda had just suffered.
Watching him go, Leng Yaozhu shook her head nonchalantly. She had no reason to bluff. If she said she did it—then she did it.
Now, the entire area of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters where soul beasts had been held was empty. All soul spirits made from soul beast souls—including those stored in the Spirit Ascension Platform and Soul Spirit Tower—had been given to Xia Yi.
Xia Yi had already transported them to the embryonic Soul Beast Divine Realm.
Next, Gu Yue would use the power of the divine artifact Dragon God's Heart to resurrect these soul beasts.
Only by resurrecting them could the true revival of soul beasts begin.
At this point, Xia Yi had already left Shrek City and headed to the nearby city of Tianyu.
Tianyu City was small, located between Shrek City and Heaven Dou City. It had one of the Spirit Pagoda's minor branches.
There were only soul spirits here—no soul beasts, not even a Spirit Ascension Platform.
According to Leng Yaozhu, only the main tower and eighteen regional branches of the Spirit Pagoda had Spirit Ascension Platforms and dedicated research facilities.
Only with their research facilities would they have captive soul beasts for study.
Therefore, Xia Yi's main targets were the eighteen branch towers. As for the smaller ones, he only needed to inspect their storage for soul spirits made from soul beast souls, reclaim them, and leave the artificial ones behind.
Since this mission involved soul beasts, Leng Yaozhu didn't send Leng Yulai along.
Instead, Leng Yulai returned to the Sun and Moon capital to withstand pressure from the Federation on Xia Yi's behalf.
Leng Yaozhu herself stayed at headquarters to hold the internal line and prevent Qian Gu Dongfeng from playing any tricks.
If she wasn't present, even if the soul beasts had absolute strength, Qian Gu Dongfeng would still find ways to obstruct them.
If that happened, he might truly provoke the Soul Beast Sovereign—something Leng Yaozhu wanted to avoid.
Human soul tool technology was indeed advanced, but it still paled in comparison to ten god-level soul beasts.
Gu Yue, along with the Nine Dragon Kings, was continuing to expand the embryonic Soul Beast Divine Realm, hoping it would absorb the abyssal plane's power soon and fully stabilize.
Thus, accompanying Xia Yi were only the Demon Empress, Lan Fozi, Ditian, and Bi Ji and Zi Ji.
Xia Yi was responsible for coordinating with the Spirit Pagoda branches. Ditian, Bi Ji, and Zi Ji acted as deterrents and representatives of the soul beasts.
The Demon Empress stayed hidden in the shadows to ensure total security.
With Ditian and the others in the open and the Demon Empress in the dark, this team could only be described as foolproof—ensuring that not a single soul beast or soul spirit made from soul beast souls would be missed.
(End of Chapter)