Leng Yaozhu stared at Qiangu Dongfeng in shock, wondering if this is the same person she knew all those years ago.
From what she knew and recalls of Dongfeng, he wasn't the type to surrender his position so easily.
This was terribly true since the Spirit Pagoda has given the Qiangu Clan even more power.
'Then again, he has been changing ever since the attack of the Calamity.' Thought Leng Yaozhu.
While Gu Yuena herself blinked her eyes when she heard the words of Qiangu Dongfeng.
"Are you trying to give me the Spirit Pagoda Master position?"
Qiangu Dongfeng didn't say anything for a bit as he recalled why he was even mentioning this.
#
"Seeing as you came to visit me, it looks like you are interested in three favors I promised." Said Qiangu Dongfeng as he stared at Tang Wulin with a smile.
They were sitting in a soul cafe in the city of Mingdu, a place that Qiangu Dongfeng recommended they met at.
"Alright, what is that you want? A new spirit soul? Spirit Pagoda sponsorship? Or maybe my position?"
"Neither, well it's not for me." Tang Wulin said, causing Qiangu Dongfeng to arch a brow.
"It's not for you? Oh, is this favor for your friends? Does one of them need a new spirit soul?"
"I want you to offer the position of Spirit Pagoda to Gu Yue." Said Tang Wulin, causing Qiangu Dongfeng to chuckle.
Yet at the same time staring at Tang Wulin in wonder, wanting to figure out the exact reason behind this.
"Is it because she is your girlfriend? I am sure-"
"No, it's not because of that. It's because she is the best and most suited for the Spirit Pagoda, I am sure you understand this."
"Even better than you?"
"For the existence known as the Spirit Pagoda, could there be anyone better than her?"
"Hmm, I agree that her recent projects are history-breaking. And if they were to become a success, it would increase the importance as well as the strength of the Spirit Pagoda."
"All in all she is pretty qualified to be the next Pagoda Master... Except her strength is lacking compared to yours. Unlike you who can turn into a God Level being, she is still only a Soul Douluo."Said Qiangu Dongfeng causing Tang Wulin to nod his head.
"I agree but the next time you meet her, she will be even stronger than you. So with that said, I want you to offer her the position and then..."
#
"Yes, I am offering you the position of the next Pagoda Master." Said Qiangu Dongfeng while thinking.
'To think he would have her again in the position instead of him? Even with all of the benefits and power that it comes with...' Thought Qiangu Dongfeng.
Gu Yuena glanced at her teacher who was expressing a look of shock and disbelief, making her realize he didn't tell her before.
'Still, this does make the plan far easier.'
"I do... But don't I need a majority vote to be voted in?"
"Technically you do but because of how damaged we were and how we're rebuilding right now. The voting process can be skipped if the current Pagoda Master thinks their successor is worthy."
"And you think I am?"
"Not completely as I need to see how strong you are. So we will be sparring-"
"Dongfeng! Are you out of your mind? How could you want to fight with the-"
"Yaozhu, don't tell me you haven't perceived it yet? The undeniable fact that we can't see through her spiritual power and also her cultivation."Qiangu Dongfeng said as he narrowed his eyes with Leng Yaozhu falling silent.
As it was true, she did notice she couldn't pick up on Gu Yuena's strength or spiritual power at all.
It wasn't amiss to say every time she tried to inspect her or sense her power, it always failed. She couldn't pick up anything from her, as if she was nothing more than an ordinary human.
"She might be hiding her power, but that wouldn't make sense since we would still be able to sense it. From our cultivation base being so high or she is at or even stronger than us."Said Qiangu Dongfeng as the words of Tang Wulin were starting to make sense.
Why he insisted that Gu Yuena would be the best choice. And also why he wanted him to fight her, so she could give him even more proof she was the best choice.
'The question is how did he know she would be so strong? Unless he predicted the Sea God Trials would push her this far...'
"So for me to gain the Pagoda Master position, I just need to beat you?"
"Yes." Said Qiangu Dongfeng with his lips twitching.
In all honesty, he would be delighted if she could last a while with him but Tang Wulin made sure to say.
'If she doesn't beat you, then she isn't ready for the position.'
Qiangu Dongfeng couldn't help but think that brat was crazy, as even with Gu Yuena strength increased.
Compared to him who has lived for hundreds of years, how could she win? One has to remember a fight between two Limit Douluos isn't just about a cultivation base.
But also their practical mastery over the laws of the world as well the wisp of divinity they came across from cultivating.
Gu Yuena was only nineteen years old, how could she compare to an old monster like Qiangu Dongfeng?
'Still, considering he had such confidence in her. This might be tough.'
"Okay, I will fight you." Said Gu Yuena with a nod of her while Leng Yaozhu glanced at both her student and Dongfeng.
Before letting out a sigh, wondering what was going inside both of their heads. Still if what Dongfeng was implying is true, that meant her student was already a Limit Douluo at her age.
'Such a thing... It is very terrifying.' Thought Leng Yaozhu with her expression changing.
"We will do it in the secret training ground, come on." Said Qiangu Dongfeng causing Gu Yuena to nod her head.
But before both of them could leave the office, Leng Yaozhu moved to grab Dongfeng while she smiled at Gu Yuena.
"Go on ahead, I just need to talk to the Spirit Pagoda Master for a few seconds." Said Leng Yaozhu causing Gu Yuena to arch a brow but she still nodded her head and went on.
"Laozhu-"
"Are you an idiot? Do you not understand and get that we're about to go to war right now? Why in the world would you want to fight her when we may need you and her help in this incoming battle!"
"... I understand where you are coming from, but this is an obligation I have to do and something I want to see."
"An obligation and something you want to see?"
"Aren't you curious? If she really is a Limit Douluo or not... At the very least, our spar will only be a light one. I just need to see if he has what it takes to withstand the mantle of being the Pagoda Master."
"Still..." Leng Yaozhu trailed off wondering if this is the best choice or not.
"Fine! But if things get out of hand, I will be stopping you both."
"I would be thankful if you did."
#
A gentle breeze swept through the whole Sea God Island, forming ripples on the sea.
"Uh, captain... Is this okay?"Questioned Zhuo Shi as he glances at Yun Ming.
Yun Ming was casually sitting on the edge of the Island, with a fishing pole in his hand and humming a gentle toon.
"Hm? What is okay?"
"You know what I mean... Just sitting here and doing nothing."
"But we are doing something, fishing." Yun Ming said merely as he smiled indulgently at the glittering water.
"Aren't we being a bit too relaxed? We do have ships on their way to us, as well as hidden dangers around us..."
"That's why we have to be or at the very look like things aren't bad."
"Huh?"
"You don't need to be so tense. Getting all worked up and nervous would only destroy the illusion we have so far. The illusion that we still don't know anything and are playing in their hands."Said Yun Ming as he felt the rod quiver in his hands.
"We need to keep acting like we are only aware of the incoming ships that are heading our way. In a way, we are using ourselves as bait for the fishes in the dark."
"And just when they think they have us, we will swoop in and destroy them all." Said Yun Ming as he hauled up the rod, pulling the blue-scaled fish out of the water.
"This is also the mindset of the Federation and Spirit Pagoda; it's why they are only focusing on the incoming naval battle."
"... It's still hard to shake off the feeling."Muttered Zhou Shi causing Yun Ming to chuckle.
"I didn't expect it to be, after all. All of us are betting our home on this bet."
It was then a silvery light erupted from behind both of the men causing them to turn around.
As the light began to fade, they were able to see the figure of an extremely beautiful woman.
"Na'er? Did you just come back?"Questioned Yun Ming with a smile, as he was thrilled to see his student.
Although he did notice she changed a bit, she seemed a bit more mature and her body developed even more.
"Hehe, yes." Said Na'er as she skips to her master who chuckled as he stood up and opened his arm for her.
"So the little princess has returned home." Chuckled Zhou Shi as he saw Na'er hugging Yun Ming before smiling charmingly at him.
"Indeed, I heard you underwent the Sea God Trial, I wonder just how much stronger-"
Yun Ming stopped talking as he blinked his eyes before narrowing them at Na'er's figure.
"Yun Ming?"
"Na'er... What is your rank now?"Questioned Yun Ming as he furrowed his brows.
His spiritual sense couldn't pick up or sense anything from his student, not her level of strength or any information.
Something like this could only mean she is either at the same level or stronger than him.
It was known he had one of the best if not the best spiritual power in the world.
Through his hellish and strong training with no use of rare herbs or any external factors, he was able to train himself to a Limit Douluo.
Allowing his potential to be so terrifying and almost unsurpassable. So to have Na'er who was only a Title Douluo at the time appear to him again but he can't see through her was alarming.
"Not telling."
"... You."Muttered Yun Ming with a frown but at the same time, this proves his theory.
'She really reached the same level as the others and me. A Qusai-God Limit Douluo at her age.' Thought Yun Ming while wondering if this generation was just the gradual emergence of monsters.
One that comes from a lineage of gods and who can causally fight God-Level beings while making miracles.
Another was supposedly reinventing and optimizing the spirit souls of the Spirit Pagoda. Doing a project that will help them revive even divine beast spirit souls from long ago.
The emergence of the youngest and most talented Blacksmith in history, with her, already being close to a Title Douluo in her twenties.
Others with high cultivation, comprehension, and strength while being a part of the Shrek devils.
And then there is his student, who can be considered the youngest soul master to reach the limit in history.
At the age of 17!
Something he doubts could ever be repeated or broken in the oncoming years.
'The new generation really does surpass the old... But isn't this a bit too much?'