In the afternoon, under golden sunlight, Fang Yang stepped alone through the gates of Red Mountain Academy.
He had already asked his mother, Lin Ximeng, for leave—and was now walking toward the Spirit Pagoda in Aolai City.
Yes. Fang Yang had made his decision: he would join the Spirit Pagoda.
In this era, aside from the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda was the only other major power worth considering.
It didn't take long before he arrived.
Though Aolai City was merely a small coastal town within the Sun Moon Federation, its Spirit Pagoda branch was nonetheless grand and imposing.
As a key outpost of the continent's premier Soul Master organization, the local branch served soul masters in the region—especially lower-tier cultivators seeking spirit souls to advance their paths.
Just as Fang Yang reached the entrance, a young female staff member in the Pagoda's uniform approached him with a warm smile.
"Hello there, little friend. Do you need help with something?"
Fang Yang pulled a calling card from his pocket. "Sister, hello. I'm here to see Uncle Su Tao."
The moment she saw the unique Spirit Pagoda seal on the card, her expression grew serious. After carefully verifying its authenticity, she smiled again.
"Oh! You're the guest invited by Executive Su. Please follow me, young master."
Led by the attendant, Fang Yang stepped inside the Pagoda and was escorted to a quiet reception room.
Moments later, the door opened—and in walked Su Tao himself.
"Fang Yang?" Su Tao's eyes lit up instantly. He recognized the boy who had displayed innate full soul power during the Awakening Ceremony.
A genius with innate full soul power—born a commoner, with no family backing or factional ties!
Such talents were rare windfalls—literally walking performance bonuses from heaven.
And if the Spirit Pagoda's upper echelons took notice of Fang Yang's potential, Su Tao's own promotion and rewards would be all but guaranteed.
He forced down his excitement and spoke as calmly as possible:
"Fang Yang, what brings you here today?"
Fang Yang knew exactly what he meant. "Uncle Su Tao… I'd like to join the Spirit Pagoda."
Hearing this, Su Tao was deeply satisfied—his lips twitched into a barely concealed smile, eyes gleaming with approval.
As the local Pagoda administrator, recruiting a prodigy like this wouldn't just strengthen the organization—it would significantly boost his own career.
His favor toward Fang Yang soared.
"Now that you've joined," he declared warmly, "the Spirit Pagoda will grant you a hundred-year spirit soul—free of charge!"
Fang Yang bowed slightly, gratitude in his voice: "Thank you, Uncle Su Tao!"
"Don't thank me," Su Tao waved a hand gently, his smile kind. "This is standard for exceptional talents like you. With your potential, you'll surely shine brightly within the Spirit Pagoda."
After bidding farewell to Su Tao, Fang Yang left the Pagoda.
Walking down the sunlit streets, his mind churned with thoughts.
Though his martial soul was an elemental flame and he possessed innate full soul power, in this Era of Dragon Kings, such talent was… frankly, unremarkable.
To put it bluntly—flame martial souls were as common as weeds by the roadside.
Therefore, until he could use the Flame Mantra to consume Heavenly Flames and evolve his martial soul, Fang Yang had no intention of fusing a spirit soul to break through to Level 10.
Just then—he stopped in his tracks.
His gaze fell upon a small figure crouched by the roadside.
It was a little girl with short, silvery hair that shimmered naturally in the sunlight—strikingly beautiful.
Her eyes were large and luminous, like twin orbs of pure amethyst.
Her face was smudged with dirt, her clothes worn and tattered—she looked every bit a street urchin.
Yet even so, her beauty was undeniable. It was impossible not to imagine how breathtakingly stunning she would become one day.
Fang Yang's heart leapt.
That's… Na'er!
As if sensing his stare, the girl lifted her head. Their eyes met—hers wide, hazy with confusion and innocence.
Without hesitation, Fang Yang stepped forward and gently took her icy little hand.
Na'er was startled by his sudden gesture—but she didn't resist. She simply let him lead her away.
They'd only taken a few steps when several rough-looking thugs blocked their path, surrounding them with sneers.
The ringleader—a bleach-blond punk—swaggered forward. "Hey, kid! That little girl caught our eye. If you know what's good for you, hand her over now!"
Na'er shrank behind Fang Yang, trembling.
Fang Yang stroked her silver hair reassuringly and whispered softly, "It's okay. Close your eyes. It'll be over soon."
The thugs only laughed, utterly dismissive. Greed flashed in their eyes as they exchanged lewd glances.
"Boss, look at her hair—silver! And those weird purple eyes! She's gotta be from some foreign land. We could fetch a fortune for her on the black market!"
"Yeah! We're set for life!"
"No one's come looking for her in forever—she's an orphan. Let's just drag her straight to the black market!"
Fang Yang said nothing.
His eyes turned glacial.
And then—he struck.
Having cultivated the Flame Mantra and awakened as a Soul Master, he was no ordinary boy. These thugs were nothing to him.
THUD!
A single punch sent the blond leader crashing to the ground.
Before the others could react, Fang Yang was already among them. In mere seconds, they were on their knees, sobbing.
"B-big… brother! Mercy! We won't dare again!"
Fang Yang gave them a cold look. "Get lost. And if I ever see you again—don't bother begging."
As the thugs scrambled away, Fang Yang's eyes narrowed in thought.
'If they'd been Soul Masters… I wouldn't have let them live.'
Spring wind brings new life, but to cut weeds, one must remove the roots.
But right now, what mattered most was Na'er.
He turned to her, voice softening unconsciously: "What's your name?"
For some reason, his gentle tone filled Na'er with warmth and safety.
She lowered her head slightly and whispered, "Na'er…"
"Na'er… That's a beautiful name," Fang Yang smiled, ruffling her hair.
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she ducked her head shyly.
Fang Yang found her utterly endearing.
"Na'er," he asked gently, "where are your family?"
She shook her head slowly, silver strands swaying. "I… don't have any…"
Her voice dropped, her amethyst eyes dimming with quiet sorrow.
Fang Yang gently smoothed her messy silver hair, his gaze full of care.
"Then… Na'er, would you like to come home with me?"
She hesitated—her stomach growled softly, and the boy before her radiated an inexplicable sense of safety.
Finally… she nodded.
"From today on," Fang Yang said softly, "I'll be your big brother."
"…Big Brother," Na'er murmured, lifting her face. In her violet eyes, his reflection shimmered—etched into her heart forever.
And just like that…
Na'er was "kidnapped" by Fang Yang.
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin—late as usual after school—walked home with his head down, heart heavy.
Suddenly, his chest tightened.
For no reason at all…
It felt as if…
something precious… had just been taken from him.
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