A week vanished in a blink—weekend finally arrived.
"Finally—freedom!"
Xie Xie stretched, relief thick in his voice.
"Hehe—I get to see Senior Sister!"
Tang Wulin grinned like a fool, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
(He'd planned a date with Ouyang Zixin!)
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi beamed with excitement.
"Hanyou and I booked that new dessert shop in Shrek City!" Zhang Yangzi announced.
Wang Jinxi said nothing, but ears flushed crimson—his date with Zhou Tian'er was set.
"Wow—you guys…"
Xie Xie sagged, watching his coupled-up friends.
He felt like a third wheel—doomed to solo weekends.
Fang Yang clapped his shoulder, soothing: "It's alright, Xie Xie."
"You're all ganging up on me!" Xie Xie whined, voice cracking.
"Everyone's paired up—why am I the only single dog?!"
"Not our fault you're dateless," Tang Wulin shrugged, smirking.
"Ugh!" Xie Xie tugged his hair, regretful.
"I should've grabbed a girlfriend back in Donghai City!"
"Fang Yang—what about you, Gu Yue, and Xiaoyan?" Tang Wulin asked, curious.
"Weekend plans?"
"We've arranged everything," Fang Yang nodded calmly.
"First, I'll accompany Gu Yue to meet her teacher. Then, I'll take Xiaoyan shopping."
Gu Yue looped her arm through Fang Yang's, Xu Xiaoyan stood sweetly at his other side.
And so—they parted ways.
---
"Come—I'll take you to meet my teacher," Gu Yue said softly, gaze fixed on Fang Yang.
"Alright," he replied gently.
They hailed a soul-guided taxi, heading toward the Spirit Pagoda.
Inside, Gu Yue explained:
"My teacher—Heavenly Phoenix Douluo—is Deputy Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda. She's eager to meet you."
"Because of my status in the Spirit Pagoda?" Fang Yang mused.
Gu Yue nodded: "Partly. Mostly—she's intrigued by your talent."
---
Thirty minutes later, the taxi halted before a colossal structure.
They stood at Heavenly Spirit Tower—the Spirit Pagoda's headquarters in Shrek City.
The epicenter of elite soul masters and researchers—and the sole gateway to high-tier Spirit Ascension Platforms.
As the Deputy Tower Master, Leng Yaozhu commanded this fortress.
The tower soared over a kilometer high, octagonal, hundreds of meters wide—a monolith crushing the skyline.
From afar, it radiated apocalyptic authority—awe and dread in equal measure.
Up close, Fang Yang marveled at its craftsmanship.
This wasn't human work—it was divine.
Its walls shimmered with strange material, etched with dense soul-guided arrays.
The entire tower was a colossal soul-guided weapon—a god-tier doomsday device.
This was the Spirit Pagoda's true might.
"We're here," Gu Yue whispered, pulling him from his trance.
"This tower… defies imagination," Fang Yang breathed, eyes wide with wonder.
His first time at Heavenly Spirit Tower—and reality dwarfed his dreams.
"I felt the same when I first saw it," Gu Yue nodded, black eyes distant.
"That humans built this miracle… it still feels unreal."
She led him to the main gate, presenting a token to a guard.
"My respects, Miss Gu Yue!" the guard bowed deeply, face respectful.
Then—to Fang Yang: "Sir, please register and undergo security screening."
Fang Yang produced his own token.
The guard's eyes widened—bowing lower: "Respects, Honored One! This way, please!"
---
Inside, the splendor deepened.
The lobby stretched 30 meters high, polished marble gleaming like mirrors.
Murals adorned the walls—epics of the Spirit Pagoda's legacy.
Giant crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in daylight-bright radiance.
Runes embroidered into carpets cushioned every step.
Gu Yue guided Fang Yang to a private elevator.
She swiped a card—doors slid open silently.
The lift ascended smoothly—one minute later, it stopped.
Top floor.
Through glass windows—a sea of clouds stretched endlessly.
They stood at the pinnacle of Shrek City.
Gu Yue kept hold of Fang Yang's hand, leading him past guarded doors
until they reached a final chamber.
Ding! Identity verification…
Blue light scanned Gu Yue.
"Welcome, Miss Gu Yue," chimed a voice.
Doors hissed open.
Inside—a spacious room, minimalist yet elegant.
Behind a desk sat a red-haired woman—tall, curves exquisite, skin glowing with vitality.
Her crimson hair flowed neatly down her back—orderly, commanding.
Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu—Deputy Pagoda Master, Vice-Chair of the Spirit Pagoda Council, Black-Rank Mecha Pilot, One of the few living Four-Word Battle Armor Masters, Dubbed "Spirit Pagoda's Greatest Beauty."
Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly, setting aside her work as Gu Yue and Fang Yang entered.
She rose gracefully—poise radiating from every movement.
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