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When Fang Yang's group emerged from the extraction pods, Long Hengxu and Wu Zhangkong were already waiting.
Long Hengxu's gaze fell on the four, his eyes warm with approval.
Wu Zhangkong stood with hands clasped behind his back, voice as cold as ever:
"Your performance was adequate—especially your timely rescue, Fang Yang."
Fang Yang smiled faintly. "Just luck."
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged glances—gratitude shining in their eyes.
They knew—without Fang Yang and Gu Yue's intervention, they'd be dead.
Against a single ordinary Man-Faced Spider, their coordination might have held.
But four spiders, including a thousand-year variant? No chance.
"That Thousand-Year Man-Faced Spider…" Xie Xie shivered, rubbing his arms. "If not for Fang Yang…"
Tang Wulin nodded, recalling the suffocating despair as spider fangs neared his throat—death's breath still chilling his spine.
Beside Fang Yang, Gu Yue stood quietly, black hair spilling over her shoulders.
Though silent, her eyes held a fleeting softness as they met his.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—the "crouching dragon and hidden phoenix"—had long since been extracted.
Both wore pale, haunted expressions.
The Platform's horrors still echoed in their minds, leaving deep psychological scars.
"Let's go," Wu Zhangkong said flatly, turning to leave.
Just as Fang Yang's group prepared to follow—a respectful voice called out:
"Lord Fang Yang—please wait."
Fang Yang raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
A Spirit Pagoda attendant hurried over, bowing deeply.
"The Tower Master requests your presence!"
"The Donghai Spirit Pagoda Tower Master?" Fang Yang blinked in surprise.
He quickly turned to Wu Zhangkong. "Teacher Wu, I—"
"Go. Contact me if needed," Wu Zhangkong nodded.
"Teacher Wu—I'll accompany Fang Yang," Gu Yue said suddenly, her voice cool.
Wu Zhangkong's emerald eyes flickered between them—understanding dawning—then he gave a curt nod. "Permitted."
After watching Wu Zhangkong lead the others away, the attendant bowed.
"This way, my lords."
Under his guidance, Fang Yang and Gu Yue boarded a private soul-guided elevator to the tower's apex.
"The Tower Master awaits inside," the attendant said at a grand door, then withdrew.
Fang Yang and Gu Yue exchanged a glance. He knocked lightly.
"Enter," came a voice—gentle yet commanding.
They stepped into a spacious, sunlit office. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, all of Donghai City sprawled below.
A middle-aged man in deep blue robes stood by the window. Hearing them, he turned.
"Tower Master—honored to meet you," Fang Yang bowed respectfully.
Tower Master Wang Tianyun studied them warmly. When his gaze fell on Gu Yue, confusion flickered in his eyes.
"And you are…?"
Before Fang Yang could speak, Gu Yue produced a jade token.
Engraved clearly upon it: "Heavenly Phoenix."
Wang Tianyun's expression instantly sharpened. He bowed deeply.
"I beg pardon, Miss Gu Yue—for not greeting you properly!"
As one of the Eighteen Pillars, he owed no deference to a young Soul Master.
But this token bore the seal of Vice-Tower Master Heavenly Phoenix Douluo—Leng Yaozhu.
Gu Yue was her personal disciple—heir to the vice-tower leadership.
Gu Yue's reply was calm. "It's nothing. I'm merely accompanying Fang Yang. Please, proceed as usual."
She tucked the token away.
Wang Tianyun's eyes darted between them, thoughts racing:
"Liu Yang's disciple… so close to Leng Yaozhu's successor? Interesting…"
Fang Yang broke the silence. "Tower Master—what did you need?"
Wang Tianyun smiled. "So you're Fang Yang—the core disciple of that old Liu Yang, I presume?"
Fang Yang quickly corrected: "Tower Master—honored as I am to hold core disciple status, I'm not Master Liu's personal apprentice."
"Oh?" Wang Tianyun's eyebrows lifted in pleasant surprise. "No matter. Earning that status proves your talent. Call me Uncle Wang."
Fang Yang bowed again. "Uncle Wang."
"Good lad," Wang Tianyun nodded, eyes twinkling as he studied the pair. "Seems that old Liu Yang's had a stroke of luck this time."
Fang Yang demurred. "Uncle Wang flatters me. But why did you summon me?"
Wang Tianyun laughed heartily. "Heard from my staff—a certain Fang Yang caused quite a stir in the Elementary Platform."
He leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper: "Rumor says… you blew it up?"
Fang Yang's face flushed with embarrassment. "Uncle Wang—that was… an accident."
"HAHA!" Wang Tianyun roared with laughter. "Relax—I'm not here to scold you!"
"On the contrary—I'm intrigued! Few can shake the Platform so thoroughly!"
Gu Yue arched an eyebrow, shooting Fang Yang a playful, amused glance.
Fang Yang scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry for the trouble, Uncle Wang."
"Nonsense!" Wang Tianyun waved it off. "Glad for the chance to meet such a prodigy!"
He lowered his voice again, eyes gleaming: "Fang Yang… you and Miss Gu Yue…?"
Fang Yang merely smiled—giving a subtle, knowing nod.
Wang Tianyun's eyes lit up. "Ohhh!" He clapped Fang Yang's shoulder, grinning. "You clever boy—impressive!"
Gu Yue's cheeks turned faintly pink.
"Fang Yang… you shameless rascal…" she thought, flustered.
Fang Yang cleared his throat, swiftly changing the subject. "Uncle Wang—if there's nothing else, Gu Yue and I should return to Donghai Academy."
"Of course," Wang Tianyun nodded, personally escorting them to the door.
As they parted, he squeezed Fang Yang's shoulder, voice thick with meaning:
"Visit often."
Fang Yang bowed deeply. "I will, Uncle Wang. Thank you."
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