In the VIP seats, listening to the cheers around him, Luo Meng sobbed inwardly.
He had already anticipated this outcome when Long Chen was defeated, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
The Xu family's Star Wheel Ice Staff... the top controller under the stars, he knew of it.
After the Xu family's brief prominence centuries ago, no such figure had emerged again. He hadn't expected the Spirit Pagoda to discover another one.
Lan Muzi's expression was also complicated, but he didn't dwell on it. After standing up, he walked over to Lin Jiayi, preparing to discuss matters with him.
Tang Yinmeng also exclaimed and took the initiative to approach Huo Yuhao and the other two. "I am Tang Yinmeng, a student of Shrek Academy's inner court. I would like to talk to you all. Could we move to another place?"
"Sure." Huo Yuhao took one last look at the arena below, then nodded at her.
The four of them walked out of the VIP seats, and the door closed softly behind them. Tang Yinmeng revised at Gu Ruiqiu, aware of her relationship with Gu Yuena, and didn't say much. After creating a soundproof barrier with her soul power, she spoke:
"I assume you all know that the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well is our academy's sacred ground, a legacy left by the Sea God ancestor. However, the immortal herbs there have their own thoughts. We have an agreement with them that we can only take a few herbs every certain period, and in return, we must protect the place from destruction..."
Gu Ruiqiu listened, secretly pursing her lips.
The Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, as a crucial location of Shrek Academy, was known to many, but few knew its exact location. However, due to certain reasons, the Spirit Pagoda was aware of its location and the surrounding situation.
To make the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well safer, Shrek Academy had put in a lot of effort.
As far as she knew, there was not only poisonous miasma capable of killing super Douluo, but the headquarters of the Tang Sect was also located near the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, with several three-word battle armor masters, and even a four-word battle armor master stationed there.
As Tang Yinmeng had said, the protection was indeed very thorough.
Tang Yinmeng continued, "The last time the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well was opened was decades ago, and it's still quite some time before the agreed-upon date. Entering it now would violate the agreement. However, due to the legacy spirit souls, some immortal herbs worried about withstanding the heavenly tribulation now have another option, they will seek suitable individuals to form contracts. Therefore, to obtain the immortal herbs, one must gain their approval…"
Tang Yinmeng details the methods to obtain the immortal herbs and the precautions to take when visiting the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. Seeing that the others had no objections, she breathed a sigh of relief and finally asked, "May I know which of the Titled Douluo will be visiting the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"Teacher Snow Empress, Tower Lord Bear Lord, and Heavenly Phoenix Douluo will all be going."
Tang Yinmeng nodded, "I see. Those three Titled Douluo should all be at the Spirit Pagoda, right? Before we depart tomorrow, may I visit them?"
"Tower Lord Bear Lord isn't here. As for the visit, only Tower Lord Heavenly Phoenix might accept it." Gu Ruiqiu revised at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, "If you'd like to go, I can take you."
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Gu Ruiqiu." Tang Yinmeng smiled slightly.
"It's nothing."
Gu Ruiqiu gave an elegant smile, exchanged greetings with Huo Yuhao and the others, and led Tang Yinmeng towards the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.
Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao exchanged glances, her tone was subtle, "She wouldn't, would she?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head and smiled, "Don't worry, she knows her limits. She won't cause any trouble. Let's go and inform Xiao Yan and the others about the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, and congratulate them on their victory."
Gu Yuena retracted her gaze and nodded, "By the way, don't you think Ruiqiu has been acting a bit strange lately? She's been so secretive."
Although the girl had been vying for household dominance with Huo Yuhao not long ago, she had suddenly calmed down recently and was getting along harmoniously with Yuhao... which was, of course, a good thing. But now, Gu Ruiqiu was often out early and returning late, and it was unclear what she was up to. It was a bit odd.
She doesn't have a job now, right?
According to the Spirit Pagoda's regulations, she should be on temporary leave before the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony. Tasks like organizing the ceremonial texts and props shouldn't fall to her, so what is she busy with?
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered slightly, his tone calm, "Probably... looking for something."
...
"Sister Zhao Yao."
Upon arriving at the Spirit Pagoda, Gu Ruiqiu immediately sought out her good friend, Zhao Yao, the daughter of the Spirit Messenger Zhao.
Zhao Yao was leaning against the entrance of the Spirit Pagoda, playing with a strange soul tool that emitted a faint blue light. Seeing Gu Ruiqiu approach, her eyes curved into a familiar, sly smile.
"It's Ruiqiu! What's up? Any rumors or news you're curious about?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Gu Ruiqiu, placing her hand near her mouth and whispering:
"Recently, while organizing the texts, I came across some books about the first Tower Lord. The content is quite explosive, and I'm not sure which senior wrote it, it's surprising it wasn't destroyed. You've been collecting this kind of stuff lately, right? I'm giving you the scoop, quite considerate, huh?"
Gu Ruiqiu: "…"
Well, based on the content, it's hard to tell if it's her spreading rumors, but it's better to retrieve and destroy it just in case. If it accidentally falls into Huo Yuhao's hands, she feels she'd be exposed or sooner.
Moreover, although it was a retaliatory act under the "grand scheme," looking back now, she had gone a bit overboard. When you realize you've made a mistake, you should correct it...
Wait!
Gu Ruiqiu shook her head vigorously.
She hadn't really done anything wrong. As a soul beast, she couldn't write stories herself; she had just mentioned a few things in passing as references for the "historians." Who could have guessed that those responsible for compiling "unofficial histories" would be so inspired by her words and write such things?
And it wasn't just her who was involved, yet now she's the only one struggling to destroy them. It's infuriating.
"Later, give them to me..."
Gu Ruiqiu had just agreed when she suddenly realized something, "Wait, how did you know I was collecting them?"
She had been very careful, hadn't she?
"Don't forget what I do. You suddenly joined the preparations for the Spirit Ice Grand Ceremony, so I just kept an eye out and figured out what you were up to."
Zhao Yao didn't elaborate, but Gu Ruiqiu understood immediately.
She had almost forgotten that while this girl loved spreading false rumors, her true role was in the intelligence department.
"Ahem."
Behind Gu Ruiqiu, Tang Yinmeng, who had been left out of the conversation, finally found an opportunity to interject.
"Are you two finished?"
"Apologies, my bad manners."
Gu Ruiqiu turned around with an apologetic smile, "This is Zhao Yao, practically the Spirit Pagoda's encyclopedia. Sister Zhao Yao, this is Tang Yinmeng, the top senior sister of Shrek Academy's inner court."
Zhao Yao and Tang Yinmeng exchanged greetings, and then, under Gu Ruiqiu's meaningful gaze, Zhao Yao understood and understood.
"Is this your first time visiting the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, Miss Tang?"
"Yes, it is."
"Would you be interested in hearing some legends about this place?"
Tang Yinmeng was slightly taken back, then nodded with a smile, "Of course."
"Then let's start with Tower Lord Bear Lord…"