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Federation of Douluo, Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
Qiangu Dongfeng sat at the head of the table, his expression dark as water.
"How is the crisis management progressing? Are there still media outlets spreading nonsense?" he asked in a low voice.
A middle-aged man seated toward the back of the conference room replied respectfully, "We've managed to control nearly all major media outlets. However, the Tang Sect's initial offensive was too fierce—we hadn't anticipated their level of media infiltration. Even now, there are still many unfavorable public opinions circulating about us."
The most ruthless aspect of the Tang Sect's attack was their close collaboration with the Dou Ling Empire, through which they had obtained substantial evidence. After the battle between Bai Xu and the Spirit Pagoda's Dou Ling branch, it was Li Yunzhe, the head of the Tang Sect's Dou Ling division, who first arrived at the scene and uncovered the secrets buried beneath the Spirit Pagoda's facilities.
Moreover, rumors spread by the Tang Sect suggested they possessed direct evidence implicating the Spirit Pagoda in colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult.
Yet, they had not publicly released this evidence—clearly biding their time, waiting to deliver the final blow.
Qiangu Dongfeng had personally stepped in to handle the crisis, conducting multiple rounds of damage control while resorting to numerous underhanded tactics behind the scenes. Only then had they barely managed to suppress the situation.
But within just a month, the Spirit Pagoda's reputation had suffered a severe blow, incurring massive losses. Meanwhile, the Tang Sect showed signs of resurgence, beginning to reappear in public spaces. At this critical juncture, the Spirit Pagoda dared not take any overt action against the Tang Sect, lest they give their enemies further ammunition.
Fortunately, news soon arrived from the Star Luo Empire—the newly appointed Tang Sect Master, Tang Wulin, was currently in Star Luo, participating in some kind of friendly competition with the empire.
This news allowed Qiangu Dongfeng to breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately mobilized the media under his control to launch a propaganda campaign, accusing the Tang Sect of being closely tied to Star Luo, distancing themselves from the Federation, and framing the Spirit Pagoda with ulterior motives.
With this brief respite, the Spirit Pagoda lashed out like a rabid dog, inciting discord everywhere. For a time, the Tang Sect also suffered significant backlash. To lend credibility to their claims, the Spirit Pagoda even obtained footage of the distant Star Luo Empire's "Five Gods Duel" competition and broadcast it on television.
Soul masters debated fiercely on the Star Battle Network, while ordinary citizens took to the internet to voice their opinions. Yet with both the Tang Sect and the Spirit Pagoda hurling accusations, it was impossible to determine who was in the right.
Finally, Qiangu Dongfeng had a moment to regroup—and turn his attention to dealing with Bai Xu.
A month had passed since Bai Xu destroyed the Spirit Pagoda's Star Luo branch, and he had not shown himself since. Luring him out would not be easy.
"Tower Master, everyone has arrived," a secretary announced after knocking on the door.
"Mm."
The Spirit Pagoda's high-level internal meeting commenced.
Qiangu Dongfeng presided at the head, flanked by Zhang Geyang and Leng Yaozhu as his deputies. Qiangu Zhangting and Gu Yuena sat slightly further down, followed by the Spirit Pagoda's elders—most of whom were Super Douluo of Rank 96 or higher.
Such a gathering underscored the importance of this meeting.
Qiangu Dongfeng spoke gravely, "As you all know, recent developments have been extremely unfavorable for our Spirit Pagoda. On the surface, the evil soul master Bai Xu has repeatedly attacked our branch towers—four have already been destroyed by his hands, with their Spirit Ascension Platforms and large-scale soul tool equipment melted beyond repair. The losses are incalculable. Behind the scenes, the Tang Sect has been waging a smear campaign, fabricating lies to tarnish our reputation. It is time for us to strike back."
"Tower Master, who should we target first?" someone asked bluntly.
"My intention is to eliminate Bai Xu first."
Leng Yaozhu frowned. Bai Xu had indeed inflicted tremendous damage on the Spirit Pagoda. The destruction of those four branches had cost them tens of billions, and their influence in the Star Luo and Dou Ling Empires had taken a severe hit. The Tang Sect, like a pack of hungry wolves, had seized the opportunity to suppress them in both empires, overturning what had once been a balanced situation.
Yet she also harbored doubts—had the Spirit Pagoda truly colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult to destroy Shrek Academy and kill Yun Ming?
"Tower Master, we've all reviewed the footage from the Star Luo Empire. That boy has already grown into a formidable force—only a Limit Douluo can match him. But killing a Limit Douluo… aside from Yun Ming, no one in this world could accomplish such a feat in a short time."
Another voice chimed in, "Indeed. Even with our overwhelming strength, if he chooses to flee, we cannot stop him. From the footage, he clearly possesses spatial abilities—if he wants to escape, we have no means of interception."
Qiangu Dongfeng raised a hand to silence the discussion. "I am well aware. But what if we could set a trap that he willingly walks into?"
With that, he exchanged a glance with Qiangu Zhangting, both smiling knowingly before turning to Gu Yuena. "Na Na, tell us about Bai Xu."
Having already been persuaded by Qiangu Zhangting, Gu Yuena understood the plan perfectly. She stood and spoke, "Bai Xu and I grew up together, starting from the East Sea Academy. After graduating from Shrek Academy's outer court, we both joined the Spirit Pagoda and were later assigned to the Blood God Legion for training. During that time, many of you may have heard rumors about us. Back then, I was unaware of his identity as an evil soul master—deceived by his outward appearance, I never imagined he would commit such heinous acts as destroying our branch towers."
"However, his innate talent is truly exceptional—even surpassing my own. From the moment we met, he concealed part of his second martial soul. It is not metal-element control as many believe, but rather a five-element mastery akin to the Star Luo Empire's Kirin Douluo. Its power rivals my Elemental Envoy, perhaps even… slightly surpassing it."
"As for how he achieved Limit Douluo-level combat strength in such a short time, he never shared that with me. I do not know."
Listening to Gu Yuena's words, Qiangu Dongfeng felt a surge of satisfaction, casting an approving glance at his grandson, Qiangu Zhangting.
His thoughts drifted back to a recent conversation.
Qiangu Zhangting had approached him, saying, "Grandfather, perhaps we can exploit the relationship between Bai Xu and Na Na."
"How so?" Qiangu Dongfeng had asked.
"Though Bai Xu appeared ruthless in the Star Luo incident, if you think carefully—despite his Limit Douluo strength, he was stalled by Na Na long enough for Deputy Tower Master Zhang to arrive. Had he not held back, such an outcome would be hard to believe," Qiangu Zhangting analyzed.
"Naturally. They grew up together and shared a bond—it's unlikely he would strike to kill."
Qiangu Zhangting continued, "There must have been a misunderstanding between them. Moreover, Na Na's protection of the Spirit Pagoda is evident from the accounts of the Title Douluo elders who survived the battle's aftermath."
"Therefore, our goal now is to lure him out—make him come to us willingly, then deal with him openly." A cold glint flashed in Qiangu Zhangting's eyes.
"I've always held Na Na in high regard. Are you suggesting we use her as bait to draw out Bai Xu? Be cautious. Na Na has contributed greatly to us, and her current research on spirit soul evolution is of utmost importance. Once this project is completed, combined with her contributions to the artificial black-grade spirit soul, these two monumental achievements would make her a strong candidate to succeed you as the next Tower Master," Qiangu Dongfeng warned.
"Grandfather, I also want to give myself one last chance. I propose you organize a martial competition for Na Na's hand in marriage."
Qiangu Dongfeng: "?"
He finally understood his grandson's plan. Na Na had once rejected Zhangting, but if a public competition were held and Zhangting emerged victorious, Bai Xu would face a dilemma—watch them marry, or intervene and walk into a trap.
"Are you truly infatuated with Na Na?"
"Yes, Grandfather. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but her! Even if she does not love me, I still wish to make her my wife."
Thus, Qiangu Zhangting devised this scheme. Once the news spread and the Spirit Pagoda made a grand spectacle of the event, the two would have no choice but to proceed with the marriage. Crucially, Qiangu Dongfeng had full confidence in his grandson—and Zhangting believed in himself as well.
"Moreover, Great-Grandfather has emerged from seclusion… This plan serves our Spirit Pagoda twofold!"
Qiangu Dongfeng burst into laughter. "Father has returned? Excellent, truly excellent. Then let it be done—a martial competition for marriage!"