In the morning, Shrek City was even more bursting, people walking everywhere. Xueqin, who was alone, was walking all over the city, he was wearing black trousers with a white shirt, with a black jacket with golden adornments. The quality was indubitable and adding his usual bright aura, he seemed the son of nobles or rich people.
Not used to such a big cities and to that big crowds, Xueqin would have a problem with direction. Fortunately, his objective was the Spirit Pagoda. An incredible tall tower with over 80 layers piercing the heaven was difficult to lose.
Xueqin slowly traveled, approaching the Spirit Pagoda. When he arrived, the imposition of the immense tower was enormous, it was shouting money and power. Lifting his head, trying to see the peak, seemed a futile intent, only being able to hurt his neck.
A little overwhelmed, Xueqin shyly entered the big building. He found himself in a huge hall, what it seemed to be spirit masters walking everywhere, Xueqin not knowing exactly what they were doing. The ceilings were high and in a dome form, over them some murals were drawn.
Xueqin was so surprised by all of it, looking at them that he didn't sense a woman approached him and touch his shoulder "It's your first time at the Spirit Pagoda, little boy?"
Xueqin flinched at the sudden actions. He turned over the voice to see a beautiful woman with blue hair wearing what it seemed to be the Spirit Pagoda's uniform.
Xueqin recovered from his stunned state nodding at the woman "Yes, it's my first time. Sorry, about staying still, big sister" He made a cute regretful face that made the woman want to hug him "I was stunned watching the beautiful pictures."
"Don't worry, everyone is like that the first time seeing them" The woman smiled at him "Do you know who are the people depicted in them?" Xueqin shook his head.
"They are one of the most important people over the Douluo Continent's history, the founders of the Spirit Pagoda" She signaled at an image with a handsome blue-haired young man with seven figures surrounding him, some humanoid being and what seemed to be spirit beasts "They are the founder Huo Yuhao, the Spirit Ice Douluo, with his 7 spirit souls. He protected humanity, facing of the spirit beasts. It is said that he even transcended humanity becoming a god!" The woman said excitedly, in her voice great respect could be felt.
She turned to point at the image of a very beautiful girl with blue hair and a radiant pair of butterfly's wings "She is Huo Yuhao's wife, the Dragon Butterfly Douluo, Tang Wutong. Together with Huo Yuhao, they were considered the strongest pair."
Then, she signaled to another mural. There was a lone girl with blond hair with thick gray glasses that covered her eyes. Cold air could be felt from the picture, seeing the seriousness in her expression. She was wearing what seemed to be a military uniform with a scientific white coat over it. Two strange multicolored guns covered her arms with some propulsor over her legs while over her was a beautiful 9 layered glass pagoda with 9 different colors. She wasn't particularly beautiful but had a strange charm in her.
"She is the other founder of the Spirit Pagoda, the Nine Colors Douluo, Ning Maya. Opposite to Huo Yuhao, she focused most of her time over the development of Soul Guidance Device, being considered the creator of the mechas as how we know them today. With her weapons, she deterred most of the spirit beasts that attacked the mainland. With all her accomplishments, she made the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan one of the strongest that even last today." The woman explained even with more respect than with Huo Yuhao. Xueqin didn't know why but he frowned a little as he observed the image of Ning Maya.
"It was said that Huo Yuhao had luck and destiny in his side while Ning Maya had the most incredible intelligence under her, being a ten thousand genius. Even Huo Yuhao recognizing Ning Maya superiority in the technology field." The woman explained "They considered themselves rivals, but at the end, they worked together for a greater good, forming together the Spirit Pagoda."
"Woaw" Xueqin opened his mouth excited at the stories of the strongest of 10.000 years ago.
"They are very important people that deserves all of our respect" Nodded the woman "Now that I think about. Why did you came here, little boy? Are you lost?"
Xueqin recovered from his stupor, shooking his head "I am here for my first spirit soul" Xueqin took out Mucheng's letter "My master told me show this."
"Let me see" The woman took the letter and her face, instantly, paled "T-this is...!"
"Something wrong, big sis?" Xueqin asked worried by the woman.
"No, nothing at all, young master" She lowered her head in respect, returning to Xueqin the letter. For her, the little cute boy in front of her had become a kind of unreachable existence "I will make known your presence, young master. Wait here for a few seconds" She said before going away leaving a confused Xueqin behind.
After 20 seconds, the woman returned followed by a tall man who wore gray robes. The woman had her head lowered a little, showing that the man was a far higher rank than her at the Spirit Pagoda.
The man looked attentively at Xueqin "Could you show me the letter, sir?"
Xueqin nodded, giving him the letter. The man took the envelope and opened it. He read it and nodded at it "Follow me, sir" The man started walking, Xueqin following him to the east wing of the building, arriving at a luxurious elevator platform that seemed to not be used by anyone from the surroundings.
The man signaled Xueqin to enter, both of them climbing some floors, reaching the 9th layer. Leaving the elevator, a new wide hall appeared in front of him with two gray doors. The tall man approached the right one, leaned Mucheng's letter to a panel and introduced some password, the door opening.
"From here, I am unable to continue. I will pray that you have a productive time, sir" The man gave Xueqin the letter and bowed as Xueqin a little surprised crossed the door, finding a corridor in front.
The door closed behind him "What's happening?!" Xueqin shouted shocked now that he was alone. He looked at the letter and there was only a drawn badge of a 9 layered pagoda, some energy surging from it "Master must as a cardinal must be very important even here" Xueqin mumbled for himself.
Continuing walking across the corridor, he arrived at what seemed a luxurious waiting room with some sofas that seemed very comfortable and glass tables. Over the ceiling, another big picture was drawn, this time representing a girl and a boy hugging.
Xueqin could faintly recognize the girl as the same at the reception hall, Ning Maya. However, she was very changed. Her glasses were gone, revealing sharp gray eyes that even if they were beautiful, they were very oppressive like nothing could escape from her gaze. Her hair had also changed becoming a multicolored hair, it was like a beautiful rainbow falling over her that really suited her. Instead of the military uniform, she was wearing a long yellow dress that hugged her perfect curves.
She was extremely beautiful now, even comparing it with the Dragon Butterfly Douluo, especially the big lovingly smile adorning her face as she hugged with her right arm the left arm of the boy next to her.
He was a tall and extremely handsome young man, a head taller than Ning Maya. He had long icy blue hair. His face features seemed to be sharp and cold, however, as he looked over Ning Maya, they smoothen, looking at her with a loving gaze and smile.
Both of them held a sword with their free hand. Ning Maya held a shining 9 colored greatsword made of glass while over the man's hand there was a thin sword made of pure ice.
They were undoubtedly a perfect couple, madly in love with each other. Xueqin looked stunned at Ning Maya's image, a sense of familiarity and longing coming from it. He didn't have any doubt that this was the true Ning Maya rather than the one drawn in the reception hall that caused a frown at him.
"Good morning" A melodic little girl voice broke his trance state.
(A second time today) Xueqin flushed a little embarrassed before turning to the voice. There stood an incredibly cute young girl about the same age as Xueqin. She had a beautiful short pink hair with amethyst eyes, a warm and beautiful smile over her face. Wearing a cute princess pink dress, she seemed more a perfect cute doll than a girl.
She made a low reverence with perfect etiquette "I am Ning Weilan. Pleased to meet you" She lifted her face, smiling brightly at Xueqin.