Yin Wansheng quietly absorbed the evolution of his martial soul.
The ghostly green flames in his left eye burned fiercely, while a flicker of golden-red light flashed in his right eye before vanishing, leaving both pupils transformed into a deeper, more profound shade of dark green that seemed to devour all light.
The pain receded from his body like a retreating tide, replaced by an unprecedented sensation of strength and renewal. His once-stiff body now seemed to possess a faint trace of... resilience, thanks to the cyclical flow of yin and yang.
He slowly raised his right hand. His palm remained the same pale ash-gray, but within it, a chaotic sphere of light rotated steadily.
Inside the sphere, streams of gray-black yin qi and golden-red yang qi swirled like two fish, chasing and transforming into each other, emitting a terrifying fluctuation that sent shivers down one's spine!
"Fifth Soul Skill..." Yin Wansheng's cold voice rang out, carrying a strange cadence imbued with his newly acquired power. "Yin-Yang Reversal!"
Targets locked by the yin-yang energy streams would have their yang energy (or life force, thermal vitality, or active soul power) forcibly extracted and stripped away, converted into pure yin-cold energy that fed back into Yin Wansheng himself.
Weakening the enemy, strengthening himself!
This effect was strikingly similar to Mu Yi's Withering Palm, which drained vitality. However, Yin Wansheng's skill leaned more toward the "chaotic reversal" transformation of energy attributes. While slightly weaker in control, it excelled in flexibility and adaptability, allowing for mid-to-long-range attacks and the ability to simultaneously control multiple targets.
"Good, good, good. Is your body feeling any discomfort?"
Mo Hongchen stepped forward, showing concern, unable to suppress his amazement. "I never expected you to succeed on the first try using only low-tier yin-yang treasures. Moving forward, you'll need to balance your yin and yang attributes. Consider nurturing the Yin-Yang Dragon Python. Use the spirit soul's feedback to achieve harmony between yin and yang..."
Drawing from his teaching experience, Mo Hongchen outlined the key areas for Yin Wansheng's future cultivation. Yin Wansheng retracted his martial soul, his ashen skin now tinged with a hint of blood color, nodding occasionally in agreement.
---
At the Spirit Pagoda, top floor.
Before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, Qiangu Dongfeng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the bustling streets of Shrek City below and the distant Shrek Academy, sprawling like a crouching beast.
His gaze was deep, yet like an ice-encased volcano, suppressing a rage and apprehension capable of consuming everything.
On the screen, the battle footage from the Sun Moon Academy arena had long been turned off. However, Mu Yi's immovable body, capable of withstanding dual fusion techniques, and Bai Yuan's all-devouring domain and apparition, akin to a demon god, were etched into his mind like indelible imprints.
And then there was Gu La… Gu La, who had been taken as a male disciple by Leng Yaozhu! His calm control over the situation, precise manipulation of public opinion, and the gathering of these monstrous individuals around him… each one was like a venomous thorn piercing deeply into Qiangu Dongfeng's heart!
"Mu Yi… Bai Yuan…" Qiangu Dongfeng murmured their names, his voice icy enough to freeze the air. "Such youth, such strength… If left unchecked, they will become grave threats!"
A fleeting glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Shrek already had Yun Ming as its towering pillar. If these monsters were allowed to grow further, the Spirit Pagoda's millennia-old plans would be utterly shattered!
What fueled his fury even more was Gu La! Leng Yaozhu—this woman he had once regarded as his exclusive territory, yet could never fully control—had taken a male disciple? And was pouring all her resources into cultivating him? On what grounds?!
"Three exceptionally talented disciples aren't enough? Now she's also winning hearts for Shrek Academy. What is the Leng family planning next?"
Qiangu Dongfeng thought only of his position as the Pagoda Master. But the Qiangu family would never allow such things to happen. Ever since the Spirit Pagoda's council system had collapsed into a family-run hierarchy, the Qiangu family had forbidden anyone from encroaching upon their status.
No more waiting—it was time to crush them before they grew too strong. But direct action carried immense risks. Neither Yun Ming nor Leng Yaozhu were easy opponents. The best tools… remained those who operated in the shadows.
A ruthless determination flashed in Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes.
He turned and approached a communicator engraved with complex soul-guided patterns. After inputting an extremely long and intricate encrypted command, the device lit up with a dim red glow, and a distorted, unrecognizable hoarse voice emerged:
"Pagoda Master Qiangu? What urgent matter has disturbed you?"
"Ghost Emperor."
Qiangu Dongfeng's voice was devoid of emotion. "I need your subordinates to eliminate a few people. You've seen the young monsters from Shrek. They cannot be allowed to live."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, as if reviewing information. "Their potential is indeed astonishing. But Shrek's defenses are formidable, and Yun Ming stands guard. The cost would be too high. Why not wait a little longer…?"
"Cost?" Qiangu Dongfeng sneered. "The Holy Spirit Sect has no shortage of desperate souls! I want you to send your best operatives to strike before they retreat into Shrek's protective range! A single, decisive blow is required! Especially Gu La, Bai Yuan, and Mu Yi!"
He paused, emphasizing his words. "That Gu La is the direct disciple of Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu. Your previous attempt failed because she undoubtedly has powerful defensive measures in place."
"Ensure your people bring countermeasures capable of neutralizing—or at least temporarily resisting—a 'Heavenly Phoenix True Fire' level attack! Otherwise, sending them would be suicide."
On the other end, the entity known as the "Ghost Emperor" fell into an even longer silence. Clearly, neutralizing Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's trump card was no small request, and the cost would be enormous, especially given the lack of top-tier soul tool experts among evil soul masters.
Qiangu Dongfeng waited patiently, knowing the Ghost Emperor was weighing the options. The ties between the Holy Spirit Sect and the Spirit Pagoda were intricate and shadowy, particularly when it came to targeting Shrek and exploring certain forbidden forces.
He believed the Ghost Emperor wouldn't easily abandon this "ally."
Finally, the hoarse, distorted voice of the Ghost Emperor spoke again, carrying a subtle hint of compromise: "...Very well. In consideration of our cooperation, I will arrange it. But remember, this is the last time I handle such 'personal vendettas' for you. And I require a batch of ten-thousand-year spirit souls suitable for my subordinates."
"Agreed."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. "Upon completion, along with the materials we discussed earlier, I will fulfill all your demands."
"Good." The Ghost Emperor seemed satisfied with the exchange. But just as the communication was about to end, he suddenly shifted topics, asking a seemingly unrelated question:
"Pagoda Master Qiangu, I need confirmation on one matter. Has Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu left the Douluo Continent in the past six months, particularly to visit the Star Luo Continent?"
"The Star Luo Continent?" Qiangu Dongfeng frowned, dismissing the idea without hesitation. "Impossible! As Deputy Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda and head of the Leng family, though her movements aren't entirely public, how could significant actions escape my notice?"
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