Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

Looking out the window as Xia Yi got into a taxi and left, Leng Yaozhu called in a staff member from the Spirit Pagoda. "Send out a message saying that Xia Yi is now my student."

"Yes, Your Eminence, Heavenly Phoenix!" The staff member obeyed and left.

At that moment, in the highest level of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance but a sharp demeanor asked the Pagoda Master, Qiangu Dongfeng, "Pagoda Master, are we really going to cooperate with Shrek Academy and the Federal Government to eradicate the Holy Spirit Cult?"

"While I do enjoy causing trouble for Shrek Academy, the Holy Spirit Cult made an unforgivable mistake—they kept things from me," Qiangu Dongfeng snorted coldly before continuing, "Hmph, the Holy Spirit Cult dared to make such a big move behind my back, fine. But then they even had the audacity to plan against me as well? Did they really think I wouldn't find out? I want to see how long they can last without my support."

Lowering his gaze to the middle-aged man in front of him, Qiangu Dongfeng ordered, "Gather our forces immediately and coordinate with Shrek Academy, Tang Sect, and the Federal Government's actions. Spare no effort in striking down the Holy Spirit Cult. I want to drive them into a dead end where they have no choice but to beg me for help. When that moment comes, I will seize the opportunity to take control of the Holy Spirit Cult."

"Pagoda Master, brilliant as always!" The middle-aged man's eyes gleamed with fanaticism.

With the Spirit Pagoda's current strength, if they could gain control over the Holy Spirit Cult as well, suppressing Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect would no longer be a problem.

"Enough flattery." Qiangu Dongfeng shook his head and then asked, "Are we certain that the Heart of the Ice God was really consumed by Xia Yi and not secretly hidden by Deputy Pagoda Master Leng?"

"There should be no mistake. Just now, Deputy Pagoda Master Leng publicly announced that Xia Yi is her student!" the middle-aged man replied.

"What about Xia Yi?" Qiangu Dongfeng asked.

"He has already left Shrek City," the man answered.

"Heh, a student? I think she's using her position to protect Xia Yi," Qiangu Dongfeng snorted coldly. "The Dark Phoenix may not be an evil martial soul, but it is one of the most susceptible to corruption. With the Holy Spirit Cult's recent large-scale movements, it is inevitable that some of the Sea God fanatics will take their anger out on Xia Yi."

He recalled Xia Yi using the Dark Phoenix attack when dueling Ye Xinglan at the Tianhai Alliance Competition.

Plus, the Dark Bell wielder, Nanalie, had previously appeared in Eastsea City.

Putting these pieces together, Qiangu Dongfeng concluded that Xia Yi must be affiliated with Leng Yulai.

He knew the relationship between Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai—there was no way Leng Yaozhu would compete with Leng Yulai for a student.

Qiangu Dongfeng also knew far more about Leng Yulai than Leng Yaozhu did.

Because of his past dealings with the Holy Spirit Cult, Qiangu Dongfeng had long been aware that Leng Yulai had already joined the cult and even become one of its Four Heavenly Kings.

In fact, Leng Yulai had once secretly visited him at the Spirit Pagoda's main headquarters as a representative of the Holy Spirit Cult.

Leng Yaozhu simply didn't know about it.

With Xia Yi having connections to both Leng Yulai and Nanalie—two of the Holy Spirit Cult's Heavenly Kings—Qiangu Dongfeng couldn't help but associate Xia Yi with the cult.

"In that case, should we use this as leverage to make Deputy Pagoda Master Leng pay a price?" The middle-aged man's eyes brightened as he suggested, "According to your reasoning, Deputy Pagoda Master Leng must already know about Xia Yi's connection to the evil soul masters. Publicly declaring him as her student is simply a way to shield him. We could use this to pressure her."

Though Leng Yaozhu was merely a deputy in the Spirit Pagoda and held far less power than the Qiangu family, she had cultivated a loyal following over the years.

Moreover, some of her ongoing research was so promising that even Qiangu Dongfeng himself coveted it.

"We don't have any solid evidence proving Xia Yi is part of the Holy Spirit Cult. Even if we could establish his ties to the cult and prove that he's not truly Leng Yaozhu's student, it would still be difficult to threaten her," Qiangu Dongfeng shook his head.

Leng Yaozhu's ability to maintain her position as deputy pagoda master in a Qiangu-dominated Spirit Pagoda wasn't just due to her Ultimate Douluo cultivation.

If she dared to publicly acknowledge Xia Yi as her student, she must have backup plans in place.

On the other hand, if Qiangu Dongfeng tried to use Xia Yi as leverage, he and Leng Yaozhu might end up in direct conflict.

And now was not the time for him to break ties with her.

He didn't want to, either.

The middle-aged man opened his mouth, seemingly about to say something, when suddenly, Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes flashed with a sharp glint.

His figure vanished from the Spirit Pagoda, and in the blink of an eye, he reappeared in the sky a thousand miles outside Shrek City.

"Ghost Emperor, I didn't expect you to be so bold as to approach Shrek City," Qiangu Dongfeng narrowed his eyes.

"Ah, I had no choice. I heard that Shrek Academy convened a Sea God's Pavilion meeting to rally the entire continent against us. The Cult Master sent me to ask you about their plans," Ghost Emperor chuckled, his expression friendly.

"Hmph, you brought this upon yourselves," Qiangu Dongfeng snorted. "It was one thing for you to target Shrek Academy, but you even dared to strike at the Spirit Pagoda? Betraying an ally like this—how dare you come to me for information now?"

"Come on, we both know how this works. No need for anger," Ghost Emperor remained amicable. "We're just trying to survive."

"And that's your excuse?" Qiangu Dongfeng asked coldly.

His original plan was to use the public's diminishing faith in Shrek Academy and the Sea God to collect belief power through the Spirit Pagoda's influence, aided by the God of Emotions.

But the Holy Spirit Cult's attack on the Spirit Pagoda had thrown his plans into disarray.

How could he not be furious?

"Take it however you like," Ghost Emperor smiled lightly. "We both understand the purpose of our cooperation. I doubt you truly want the Holy Spirit Cult to be destroyed."

"Is this how you ask for a favor?" Qiangu Dongfeng sneered. "If you want to know what was discussed at the Sea God's Pavilion meeting and learn Shrek Academy's plans, you should at least show some sincerity."

Qiangu Dongfeng smirked inwardly. He had expected the Holy Spirit Cult to come begging for help once they were on the verge of collapse. Yet, before Shrek Academy and the Federal Government had even taken action, the cult was already scared.

Perfect.

"Oh? And what does the Pagoda Master want?" Ghost Emperor seemed intrigued, showing no urgency.

"It's not about what I want, but what you're willing to offer," Qiangu Dongfeng said solemnly. He wouldn't be foolish enough to directly demand control over the Holy Spirit Cult.

"In that case…" Ghost Emperor nodded, smiling faintly. "Three years ago, when a Tang Sect Hall Master perished, I recall that the intel came from you. Would that count as sincerity?"

Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes instantly sharpened, his voice turning icy. "Are you threatening me?"

"What are you saying, Pagoda Master? As I've told you, we only seek survival. We wouldn't dare threaten you," Ghost Emperor replied casually.

"The Holy Spirit Cult… You are truly audacious," Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes burned with killing intent.

"If you want to take me down, you should first consider the consequences. If we fight and attract Shrek City's other Ultimate Douluos, how will you explain yourself?" Ghost Emperor cast a calm glance at Qiangu Dongfeng. "I'll say it one more time—we will do whatever it takes to survive."

"Fine. You win," Qiangu Dongfeng growled, throwing a glowing sphere to Ghost Emperor.

"Much appreciated, Pagoda Master," Ghost Emperor smiled again, accepting the sphere before vanishing.

"One day, I will wipe out the Holy Spirit Cult completely," Qiangu Dongfeng seethed.

But he knew he had no choice. If he pushed the cult too far, they would expose his dealings with them, and then his downfall would be inevitable.

(End of chapter)