Chapter 57: Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu

As Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan joked around, Gu Yue watched them quietly, her gaze unfocused, as if lost in thought, though her eyes occasionally gleamed with some hidden emotion.

Before long, Wu Zhangkong returned with Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

On the bus ride back, Tang Wulin, still a bit downcast, turned to Jing Shaoyu and asked, "Shaoyu, are you all planning to leave too?"

"Leave? Go where?" Jing Shaoyu was puzzled for a moment but quickly understood and chuckled, "Why would you think we're leaving? Just because we didn't join Tang Sect?"

"Huh? Isn't that why?" Tang Wulin was surprised, looking slightly confused.

"You're being too sensitive," Xu Xiaoyan teased. "Academy life and joining an organization aren't the same thing."

"Oh, I see. Heh, guess I just got worried for nothing," Tang Wulin laughed sheepishly.

Back at the academy, Wu Zhangkong announced they were officially on break, and the students could go home the following day.

This news delighted everyone. A month of freedom lay ahead, to be spent however they wished—resting, playing, or training, with no obligations.

The next morning, Jing Shaoyu was at the academy gate saying goodbye to Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan.

"Gu Yue, where are you off to?" Jing Shaoyu asked with curiosity.

"Home," Gu Yue replied, rolling her eyes.

"Home, huh?" Jing Shaoyu said, drawing out the word with a mischievous smile. "Now that you mention it, I don't even know where your home is. Can I visit?"

"No." Gu Yue rejected him flatly and walked off.

"Shaoyu, you can come to my house!" Xu Xiaoyan offered, tugging on his arm.

"Sure, I'll definitely visit over the break," Jing Shaoyu said, patting her head affectionately.

"Hehe, I'll be waiting for you!" Xu Xiaoyan said with a bright smile as she got into her family's car, waving goodbye.

After seeing them off, Jing Shaoyu hopped on his bike and headed home.

He hadn't been home long when a visitor arrived, someone who surprised him.

"Master Pagoda Lord! What brings you here?" Jing Shaoyu asked in shock, feeling a bit nervous. After all, he had walked away with the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear spirit bone from the Spirit Ascension Platform, so it would make sense if they'd come to settle things with him.

Indeed, his visitor was none other than Ji Changming, the Eastsea City Pagoda Lord.

"I heard your academy let out for break today, so I decided to come find you," Ji Changming replied with a warm smile.

"Find me?" Jing Shaoyu's suspicion deepened. Was this visit about the spirit bone? He gave an awkward smile. "What's up, Pagoda Lord?"

Seeing Jing Shaoyu's forced smile, Ji Changming chuckled. "Relax. I'm not here about that spirit bone. It's yours now, no need to worry."

"Really?" Jing Shaoyu's face lit up with relief. "Whew! I thought you were here to demand it back."

"Hmph," Ji Changming scoffed lightly. "It's just a hundred-year spirit bone. The Spirit Pagoda is vast and wealthy; we don't need one spirit bone. If you join us, you might even get a thousand-year, or ten-thousand-year bone."

"I believe it!" Jing Shaoyu nodded with a grin. "So, did you come to recruit me?"

"No." Ji Changming shook his head. "A certain important figure wants to meet you. I'm here to bring you to them."

"Important figure?" Jing Shaoyu was intrigued. Who could be important enough for Ji Changming, a powerful Spirit Douluo and Pagoda Lord, to call them a "big deal"? "What kind of person?"

"Someone who stands at the very pinnacle of the continent," Ji Changming said with a mysterious, reverent look.

Filled with curiosity, Jing Shaoyu accompanied Ji Changming to the Eastsea Spirit Pagoda. They took the elevator straight to the top floor. Just before entering the office, Jing Shaoyu had many guesses about who this "important figure" could be.

Please, don't let it be Qian Gu Dongfeng, that tragic old sycophant!

"Go ahead, they're waiting for you," Ji Changming said, opening the door and motioning him inside.

Feeling a bit anxious, Jing Shaoyu entered the office, and there, behind the desk, sat the "important figure."

It was a strikingly beautiful woman with fiery red hair. She sat comfortably behind the desk, her eyes shimmering with a playful glint as she observed his reaction.

Jing Shaoyu's expression went through a range of emotions. He recognized her. He hadn't expected this powerful figure to be someone he'd already met, yet she matched a description he knew from the original story.

Sky Phoenix Douluo, Leng Yaozhu!

"Hello!" Jing Shaoyu greeted her politely, his face a picture of surprise, curiosity, and a hint of excitement.

"It's been a while, little one," Leng Yaozhu greeted him with a faint smile, her soft voice tinged with an alluring warmth. "Do you remember me?"

"Of course," Jing Shaoyu replied, his face showing a thoughtful look. "You're the lady I met in Eastsea Park back then."

"Good memory!" Leng Yaozhu nodded approvingly. "Do you know who I am?"

"No," Jing Shaoyu replied, though he had his suspicions. I can't reveal that I know her title. That would ruin my cover.

"That's fine," Leng Yaozhu chuckled. "I can tell you myself! Listen carefully. I am Leng Yaozhu, the Sky Phoenix Douluo."

"You're a Titled Douluo!" Jing Shaoyu exclaimed, doing his best to look shocked, awestruck, and even a bit disbelieving.

"Why, don't I look like one?" Leng Yaozhu asked with a playful smirk.

"Aren't Titled Douluos supposed to be older? You look younger than our homeroom teacher! How could you be a Titled Douluo?" Jing Shaoyu teased, throwing in a compliment.

"Haha!" Leng Yaozhu laughed brightly. No woman, not even a Titled Douluo, could resist flattery about her age and appearance. "You've got a sweet tongue, young man! But I am indeed a Titled Douluo."

Leng Yaozhu stood up, stepping from behind her desk to approach him. It was then that Jing Shaoyu noticed her striking outfit—a blend of modern chic with black stockings and high heels. Stylish and powerful—a truly irresistible combination!

"Watch closely," she said, smiling. Her eyes flickered with flames as nine spirit rings rose from beneath her feet.

Black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red!

Six black, three red!

Even though Jing Shaoyu was somewhat prepared, the sight of her spirit ring configuration left him gaping in astonishment. It made sense for a figure like Leng Yaozhu, Vice-Pagoda Master and Deputy Speaker of the Spirit Pagoda Council, to have such a lineup.

"Well? Now do you believe I'm a Titled Douluo?" Leng Yaozhu said with a triumphant smile.

"Absolutely!" Jing Shaoyu nodded eagerly, his face showing appropriate awe and admiration.

"Good. Now kneel and bow," Leng Yaozhu said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Uh… what?" Jing Shaoyu blinked in confusion. Wait, what's going on here? She wants me to kneel just like that? Shouldn't there be some process to becoming a disciple?

"What? Are you unwilling to accept me as your master?" Leng Yaozhu gave him a playful pout, looking at him with a mixture of humor and mischief.

"Of course, I'm willing!" Jing Shaoyu said quickly. Who'd refuse such a beautiful, powerful master?

Obediently, Jing Shaoyu knelt before Leng Yaozhu, performing the ritual three bows and formally addressed her, "Disciple greets Master."

"Good, good, good!" Leng Yaozhu's face lit up with joy. She reached down to help him to his feet, saying, "From now on, you are my direct disciple."

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