Has Leng Yaozhu already decided to stand behind Huo Yuhao?
With Snow Empress also on his side, quite a few factions had already gathered around him, no wonder...
"I thought you would oppose it on the grounds of insufficient contribution."
A figure emerging from the shadows, speaking in a calm tone.
"It's just an opportunity for an assessment. With the two Deputy Pagoda masters agreeing, my opposition would seem too heartless."
Qiangu Dongfeng looked at the figure, his tone unreadable, "Besides, this junior is clear-headed enough that we shouldn't underestimate him because of his age."
Strength reigns supreme... There's no doubt that Huo Yuhao has the potential to become a powerhouse. He knows his own limits and understands his advantages well. Wasting time now on power struggles would be a waste of his talent.
"Spirit Envoy" is ultimately just a title, but the position of Spirit Envoy Candidate holds real power, placing him on a different level from the core disciples. With this position, those juniors won't be able to bother Huo Yuhao anymore... well, except for the Ji family juniors.
"But this way, your plan to slowly win him over has failed. He clearly won't stay at the Spirit Pagoda headquarters for long."
Qiangu Dongfeng said indifferently, "It will take at least twenty years for him to become a Limit Douluo. Until then, I will remain the Pagoda master. There's plenty of time; why rely on others?"
"Not bad. But aren't you worried they might obstruct us? Di Tian might not support this plan, and the power of the Extreme North is not weak now."
"We are doing this for the Spirit Pagoda. As long as we act quickly, it will be fine."
...
"Brother Zhangting."
The door to the training room slides open silently, and Qiangu Juechen appears at the entrance. He deliberately lightened his steps, but it still disturbed the man deeply submerged in cultivation inside.
Qiangu Zhangting sat cross-legged like an unsheathed sword, his Coiling Dragon Staff in hand. Upon Qiangu Juechen's arrival, he slowly opened his eyes, golden light swirling in his pupils.
The residual soul power fluctuations in the training room hadn't completely dissolved, and fine golden specks floated in the air.
"Huo Yuhao has arrived."
Qiangu Juechen said in a low voice, his gaze involuntarily falling on the undulating soul power waves in front of Qiangu Zhangting.
Big brother has improved again, truly worthy of being the leading figure of the Qiangu family's generation, a Spirit Sovereign Envoy Candidate.
However, he still couldn't understand why the other practiced with the Coiling Dragon Staff... It was somewhat similar to Ji Wufeng.
Qiangu Zhangting's slender fingers lightly tapped his knee, producing a rhythmic sound, "You've already sparred with him, right? How is his strength?"
Hearing this, Qiangu Juechen's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed.
He took out a delicate soul tool from his chest, tapping it lightly three times. A blue light projected out, condensing into a clear image in the air, it was the scene of their battle with Huo Yuhao.
As the images flickered, Qiangu Zhangting's brows gradually furrowed. His amber pupils slightly contracted with Huo Yuhao's movements in the scene, his knuckles unconsciously stiffening.
When the images finally dissipated, the training room fell into silence, with only the residual soul power waves colliding against the walls, producing hum faints.
After a long while, Qiangu Zhangting slowly exhaled. The golden light in his eyes gradually faded, returning to an unfathomable darkness, "Stronger than I imagined. But I still don't think he deserves that evaluation. Let's wait until he passes the Spirit Envoy Candidate assessment."
With these words, he closed his eyes again, like a statue in meditation. The soul power in the training room began to flow once more, forming a faint halo around him.
But his calm expression only lasted for a moment.
The door to the training room slid open silently again, and a slender figure stepped inside. The newcomer moved slightly, yet carried an undeniable presence, making the air seem to slightly freeze with his arrival.
"Qiangu Zhangting, let's fight!"
Ji Wufeng pointed his sword at Qiangu Zhangting, his eyes gleaming.
He urgently needed someone to test his recent insights and gains. Those too weak wouldn't do, and those defeated by Huo Yuhao were out of the question. Only a Spirit Sovereign Envoy Candidate will suffice.
Qiangu Zhangting: "..."
He changed at Qiangu Juechen, a string of curses running through his mind.
So you're the one who brought him in?
He could guarantee that Ji Wufeng had followed after seeing Qiangu Juechen enter!
Qiangu Zhangting calmed himself and said coldly, "Your cultivation is far inferior to mine, and we've fought many times over the years, you—"
"Boom!"
Before he could finish, the training room door was slammed open again, as a group of law enforcement members stumbled in, their faces clearly showing "we tried to stop him but failed."
"Zhang-Zhangting, sir!" The leading law enforcement member wiped his sweat, awkwardly saying, "Ji Wufeng acted out in the law enforcement jurisdiction, so according to the rules, he should be confined. But he said..."
"What did he say?" Qiangu Zhangting's temples throbbed.
"He said his insights must be digested through combat, and he'll come to us after the fight!"
Qiangu Zhangting: "..."
What kind of reason is that? And you actually believed him?
Just drag him away!
But thinking of Ji Wufeng's status in the Ji family, Qiangu Zhangting somewhat understood.
Those who practice the sword in the Ji family are indeed resolute.
Ji Wufeng nodded in agreement, "Yes, after the fight, I'll go into confinement without resistance."
Qiangu Zhangting's forehead vein bulged, finally unable to hold back, and he stood up with a cold face.
"Let's go."
Ji Wufeng followed, glancing at the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand, and bluntly said, "Your staff spirit is lacking, no progress at all."
He could see at a glance that Qiangu Zhangting was practicing his Staff.
Hmm, the three realms of intent, spirit, and god applied to the rod naturally become rod intent, Staff, and rod god.
Regarding this, someone once quietly made a sharp comment, suggesting that the last realm should be reversed for a better sound.
"Hmph," Qiangu Zhangting said coldly, "You think just because you entered this realm first, you're necessarily stronger than me?"
"You learned this realm in our battles, using the same method as me. Naturally, I can see it."
"Shut up, I'll go further than you!"
Qiangu Juechen listened to their conversation, his expression gradually turning blank.
Wait, big brother Zhangting learned his Staff from Ji Wufeng?
The Ji family's understanding of the sword is different from ordinary people. If he continues like this... won't he end up with the Coiling Dragon Staff for life?
Watching Qiangu Zhangting with his Coiling Dragon Staff and Ji Wufeng with his sword walking away, Qiangu Juechen's face twitched.
...
Huo Yuhao left the Pagoda master's room and changed back at the door.
"The Source Research requires a massive amount of rare metals, so it must be related to the higher-ups. Since it has nothing to do with you, Di Tian, or Leng Yaozhu, it can only be him. What do you think his goal is?"
"I don't know. He did try to act high-profile for a while in his early years, but eventually gave up."
In the spiritual sea, Snow Empress's divine sense frowned, "From a long-term perspective, restarting Source Research should be beneficial for the Spirit Pagoda, right?"
"From a long-term perspective, yes, otherwise I would have already asked you to stop it."
Huo Yuhao pondered, "Regarding the Source Research, leave it to me later. You're not familiar with this area. As for the Qiangu family's actions, you'll need to send someone to keep an eye on them."
The Qiangu family's alliance with the Holy Spirit Church to bomb Shrek in the original work left too deep an impression, making it hard for him to fully trust them.
But judge matters, not people. He hasn't seen the full picture of the current Qiangu family yet and shouldn't jump to conclusions based on impressions.
As he pondered, Huo Yuhao, guided by the staff, arrived at a world filled with metal. The metal door opened, and he strode in, where the Spirit Pagoda's most rigorous assessment waited for him.
And that night, news of the youngest Spirit Envoy Candidate in history began to spread throughout the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.