Yuanen Yehui deliberately lowered her already chilly voice.
Xie Xie shivered instantly, quickly waving his hands. "No, no! I wasn't thinking anything—absolutely not!"
Though he whispered, the entire carriage could still hear him loud and clear.
At once, everyone inside the vehicle wore strange expressions.
Only Gu You remained calm. So what if someone saw something? Admit it boldly. Hiding it only makes things more awkward if you're found out later.
Aside from Xu Lizhi, who didn't seem to understand what was going on, the rest knew exactly what Xie Xie was referring to.
Yuanen Yehui's face flushed slightly. Though still dressed in her usual male disguise, her makeup skills were excellent, and her expression didn't look particularly unnatural.
As for Xie Xie—his face turned pale. The reason was simple: two slender fingers were pinching a bit of flesh on his thigh, twisting it 180 degrees.
He clamped a hand over his mouth to suppress a scream. His pained expression made everyone else chuckle inwardly, but no one offered him any sympathy.
Xu Lizhi, as always, was so chubby that the entire row of seats felt cramped.
Gu You and Gu Yue's sides were completely pressed together. Even then, there wasn't enough space. Gu Yue had to tilt her body slightly against the car wall, with half of her hip sitting on Gu You's thigh.
As the soul-powered car rumbled along, occasional bumps caused their bodies to jostle. The areas where their bodies touched gradually warmed.
Soft and springy, the contact made both their faces flush.
'So this is… the limit of this body?'
Gu You questioned himself internally. Having a reaction was perfectly normal. If he didn't, that would mean something was seriously wrong with his body.
He was a teenager, at the height of puberty. His body tensed involuntarily. It was an incredibly awkward feeling.
The butler drove swiftly and steadily. The soul car soon exited Shrek City's inner district and merged onto the highway, slowly making its way toward the most iconic building in the outer city—Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
No one in the car spoke. A faint yet unmistakable air of youth and hormones lingered in the atmosphere.
Shrek City was truly massive. Even traveling mostly by express route, it still took over forty minutes for them to arrive at the colossal tower of the Spirit Pagoda.
The car stopped. The door opened. Gu Yue was the first to leap out like she was escaping.
Gu You followed, catching a lingering whiff of fragrance near his lips. He shook his head and stepped down.
The others got out one after another. For those who had never been here before, the sheer scale of the Spirit Pagoda tower left them stunned.
This was one of the most authoritative locations on the entire continent.
Shrek City's unmatched status wasn't just because of the academy. It was also because Spirit Pagoda Headquarters was located here.
Together, Shrek Academy and Spirit Pagoda were so influential that even the federal government had to tread carefully around them.
Relatively speaking, Shrek Academy was more independent and self-contained. Aside from the small portion of the city occupied by the Spirit Pagoda, most of Shrek City belonged to the academy.
Spirit Pagoda, on the other hand, had wider control. It maintained excellent relations with the Federation and operated in mutual support with them. Their relationship with Shrek Academy was also amicable.
The most brilliant decision made by the Spirit Pagoda Council was to never meddle in politics or seek control over soul masters. The true core of the Spirit Pagoda—its governing council—consisted of only thirty-six members from various noble houses and powers, some of whom represented the federal government.
Though registered soul masters under Spirit Pagoda numbered many, only about three thousand were under direct command. These were their elite, but in today's era of advanced soul technology, this number was far from enough to pose a threat to the Federation.
That was precisely why, for thousands of years, the Spirit Pagoda had continued to receive the Federation's strong support.
The creation of the council system had been proposed by the Pagoda's founder—the Ice Spirit Douluo. His wise suggestion was what allowed Spirit Pagoda to thrive for ten thousand years and still stand at the peak today.
Just as no one knew the full extent of Shrek Academy's foundations, no one knew how much wealth or power the Spirit Pagoda truly possessed.
"Gu Yue, where is the Spirit Soul Tower you mentioned?" Xie Xie asked.
"It's inside headquarters," Gu Yue explained. "But it's not a physical tower—it's a virtual structure. It's even more advanced than the Spirit Ascension Platform and is one of the core components of the headquarters. Follow me."
She led the way with practiced ease toward the main entrance.
Everyone registered their identities before being allowed inside.
"Since when did it get so easy to enter Spirit Pagoda HQ?" Yue Zhengyu muttered, confused. "Their efficiency's really improved."
Gu Yue's gaze drifted toward Gu You. Even as a Spirit Transmitter herself, she wouldn't have been granted such easy access. Among those present, only someone with extremely high authority could have prompted this kind of reception.
At present, that person could only be Gu You.
"Vice Pagoda Master, he has arrived," a staff member reported quietly.
"I know. You may go," said Leng Yaozhu. A trace of red light flickered in her eyes.
They stepped into a vast lobby with service counters and rows of elevators. Gu Yue led them toward one of the red elevators. She scanned a badge she had taken out earlier, and the door opened immediately. She ushered them in.
"A red elevator? That's a high-level internal elevator only used by senior officials of Spirit Pagoda!" Yue Zhengyu exclaimed. He clearly had some insider knowledge. "Gu Yue, who exactly are you?"
Gu Yue looked at him but gave no answer.
The elevator began ascending. It took a full minute before the doors opened again. They exited into a corridor surrounded by cloud-like white décor, and views from the high altitude made it feel as if they were walking among the clouds.
Gu Yue stepped to the side and quietly made a call on her soul communicator, then waved the others forward.
They reached a silver door. Gu Yue knocked lightly, then pushed it open and ushered everyone in.
It was a spacious room, tastefully designed with a minimalist but refined aesthetic.
A tall woman sat behind a desk. She looked no older than thirty, her features radiant and refined. Long red hair flowed down her back, and her beauty was so striking it seemed to breathe life into the very room.
As the group entered, she stood up with a warm smile. Her presence alone transformed the atmosphere.
She was tall—elegant and commanding.
(End of Chapter)
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