Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

Shrek Academy remained on lockdown for a full day and night. The Shrek City Defense Army, Shrek Academy, Tang Sect, and the Spirit Pagoda joined forces to conduct a house-to-house search.

Only after confirming that no one in Shrek City was secretly hiding the posters did they finally lift the lockdown.

Even so, the academy's higher-ups knew that a complete cleanup was impossible.

For instance, Soul Masters possessed storage soul devices—these were their personal belongings.

Even Shrek Academy couldn't conduct a thorough inspection of every Soul Master's storage soul device.

"Finally, we're in." Gu Yue let out a long sigh, watching the patrols of the Shrek City Defense Army through the car window. Then, almost instinctively, she turned to look at Xia Yi.

She never expected that with just a few words, Xia Yi could turn the greatest city on the Douluo Continent upside down.

Although this incident hadn't resulted in any casualties among the top-tier powerhouses of the continent, its impact far surpassed the elimination of two War Gods.

It could be said that the entire Douluo Continent had been led by the nose.

This made her recall Xia Yi's past actions—how he had effortlessly tripped her up despite only having ten years of cultivation, how he had defeated Tang Wulin in three unexpected moves, how he had forced Na'er to kneel and admit her mistakes, how he had dealt with Nana Li, and now, this seemingly insurmountable situation.

Every single event that seemed impossible for anyone else, Xia Yi had accomplished with ease.

And the key was, he always did it so effortlessly.

No matter what problem arose, he could instantly find a solution, without even needing to think.

As she gazed at Xia Yi's handsome profile, for a fleeting moment, Gu Yue felt a strange sense of security welling up inside her.

Xia Yi glanced at the dazed Gu Yue and said casually, "The way you're looking at me… are you craving my body?"

"Get lost! You little fox, do you even know your place?" Gu Yue snapped out of her trance and turned her head away.

As soon as she regained her senses, Gu Yue shuddered. She hadn't realized how much she had unconsciously distanced herself from Xia Yi, yet now, despite her efforts, she found herself drawn to him again.

Suddenly, she recalled how Xia Yi had spoken with the Demon Sovereign. Back then, she had tried several times to suppress the Demon Sovereign on his behalf.

Even though they shared a mutual fate at the time, the hierarchy had completely flipped.

She hadn't noticed it before, but now that she thought about it, she realized that she had been playing Xia Yi's supporting role throughout.

Even the two times she spoke up were just her trying to assert her presence between Xia Yi and the Demon Sovereign.

A wave of fear washed over her.

If it had been a deliberate strategy, she could have accepted it.

But what frightened her was that this was all happening unconsciously.

"That damned fox spirit, always bewitching people." Gu Yue cursed Xia Yi in her heart.

But no sooner had she finished cursing than she broke out in a cold sweat.

No way… why am I even using this tone?

Gu Yue was truly afraid now.

She could face life-and-death situations without fear.

But as someone who had always been used to being supreme, she could not accept the idea of herself sinking into this state.

I have to find a way to break free from his influence!

Gu Yue's violet eyes flickered continuously. She had deliberately kept her distance from Xia Yi for a while, hoping to rid herself of his influence.

But not only had she failed, this incident had only deepened it.

She realized that if she didn't come up with a solution soon, she might actually grow accustomed to this feeling.

And if that happened, even if there was a way out, it would be too late.

But the more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She turned to look out the window, forcing herself to calm down.

Shrek City was indeed the Federation's greatest metropolis. Despite the recent upheaval and the city only just reopening, the streets were already bustling with activity.

As soon as they entered the city, Xia Yi spotted a towering structure in the distance, rising into the clouds. From this distance, only the upper portion was visible, gleaming with a faint silver glow. The tower had eight sides, its peak vanishing into the mist.

Xia Yi had heard of it before—the headquarters of the Spirit Pagoda, the tallest building on the continent.

The Federation had even established a regulation forbidding any structure from exceeding its height as a sign of respect for the Spirit Pagoda.

Thanks to its monopoly on artificial soul spirits, the Spirit Pagoda had amassed the finest researchers, formidable experts, and wealth vast enough to rival nations. It wielded immense influence within the Federation.

Seven seats in the Federation's Parliament belonged to the Spirit Pagoda.

And that didn't even account for the many parliament members under its influence or control.

After entering Shrek City, it took another two hours by car before Xia Yi and Gu Yue finally arrived at the Spirit Pagoda's entrance.

Compared to viewing it from afar, standing beneath the Spirit Pagoda was even more awe-inspiring.

The tower was so grand that looking up at it gave the illusion of an infinite height, its upper half obscured by drifting clouds. The structure's material exuded a strange texture, as if something mysterious resided within.

"Follow me," Gu Yue said coolly. Without hesitation, she strode toward the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.

At first, Xia Yi didn't understand why Gu Yue had been distancing herself. But after their conversation in the car, he had a vague idea.

He didn't mind, though. With a shrug, he followed her.

They ascended the steps and reached the entrance.

After registering their identities, they were granted access.

The grandeur of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters was undeniable.

The lobby alone was larger than the Spirit Pagoda branches in Eastsea City and Tianhai City combined.

Upon stepping inside, both Xia Yi and Gu Yue froze in place.

The murals that had once depicted the story of the God of Emotions, Huo Yuhao, were now all covered in white cloth.

For a moment, the vast hall took on an eerie atmosphere.

"Could it be that some big shot in the Spirit Pagoda has died? Or perhaps…" Xia Yi murmured. If that were the case, then the Demon Sovereign's efficiency was truly terrifying.

"Let's go. We have more important matters to handle." Gu Yue furrowed her brows slightly, not lingering on the scene. She took the lead and walked forward.

Inside the pagoda, the decor was pristine white. Combined with the sea of clouds outside, it felt like walking through the sky.

Eventually, they reached a grand silver door. Gu Yue knocked before pushing it open.

Inside was a spacious, elegantly designed room.

A tall woman sat behind a desk. She appeared to be in her thirties, her features exquisite, her long red hair cascading behind her. She was the most striking presence in the room, radiating vitality and charm.

She stood up with a welcoming smile. She was tall, dressed in a black uniform, exuding an aura of authority and grace.

"You must be Xia Yi. Welcome to the Spirit Pagoda. I'm Gu Yue's teacher, Leng Yaozhu," she said. Her gaze briefly held a hint of gentleness, but it was quickly replaced by piercing coldness.

Xia Yi immediately sensed an invisible force sweeping over him, concentrating on his right arm.

"Senior," Xia Yi greeted with a slight bow.

"Forget the formalities," Leng Yaozhu said coldly. "First, take a look at this and tell me what's wrong."

She walked to a bookshelf, retrieved a file, and tossed it onto the desk before him.

Xia Yi opened it and found a detailed report—on himself.

Xia Yi picked it up and flipped through it, only to find that it was entirely about him.

Name: Xia Yi

Age: 10

Martial Soul: Fox

Soul Power Level: 15

Identity: Spy for the Evil Soul Masters, affiliated with Dark Phoenix Leng Yulai and Dark Bell Lina.

Five months ago, he allegedly bribed officials in Heaven Dou City through illegal channels to forge a false household registration, then joined Eastsea Academy to deliberately get close to Gu Yue. Later, he supposedly staged a car accident to approach Mu Xi, the niece of the divine craftsman Zhen Hua, and then used her to gain access to Zhen Hua himself…

The file spanned more than twenty pages, detailing almost every single action Xia Yi had taken.

Even the records of what he ate each day were included.

"Speak. How did you make contact with the Holy Spirit Cult? Who is your superior? What is your mission? If you confess honestly, considering your youth and my sister's involvement, I might spare your life," Leng Yaozhu said, her eyes flashing coldly. Before Xia Yi could respond, an overwhelming spiritual pressure descended upon him, nearly suffocating him.

"Teacher…" Gu Yue quickly called out, shocked that Leng Yaozhu had acted so decisively.

She was genuinely afraid that under such mental pressure, Xia Yi would blurt out her own identity.

"I surrender! I'll talk!" To Leng Yaozhu's astonishment, Xia Yi raised his hands in immediate surrender without hesitation.

Leng Yaozhu was momentarily stunned. In her view, even if Xia Yi truly were a spy for the Evil Soul Masters, he should have undergone professional training.

How could he give in so easily?

She had only applied minimal pressure to avoid harming him.

She had planned to gradually increase the intensity.

Yet Xia Yi had yielded in less than a second.

"Fine, speak then! If even a single word doesn't match the intelligence we have, you should know the consequences," Leng Yaozhu snorted, withdrawing her spiritual pressure since Xia Yi had already surrendered.

Unlike Leng Yaozhu's confusion, Gu Yue let out a long sigh of relief.

Seeing how easily Xia Yi had surrendered, she actually felt reassured.

If Xia Yi wasn't panicked, it meant he already had a plan.

She didn't need to worry at all.

Wait, no—what the hell is this sense of security?!

Gu Yue broke out in a cold sweat once more.

"I don't need this!" she thought in despair.

If Xia Yi weren't crucial to her plan and if she had any way to explain things to Di Tian and the other great soul beasts, she might have already considered eliminating Xia Yi to put an end to all of this.

(End of Chapter)