Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

"I have always acted with integrity. You've conducted multiple investigations, yet found no evidence. If this continues, what face will the Spirit Pagoda have left?"

Qiangu Dongfeng let out a cold snort, his soul power rippling.

He was only a demi-god and naturally had no right to make a move against Chen Xinjie.

The surge of his soul power at this moment was merely a signal.

As Qiangu Dongfeng's soul power erupted, three additional Limit Douluo auras appeared on the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda in quick succession.

Chen Xinjie's expression remained calm as he vanished from the office through a ripple in space, reappearing outside in the sky.

Qiangu Dongfeng burst out of the window, standing opposite Chen Xinjie.

By his side, three figures now stood.

Two of them bore a striking resemblance to Qiangu Dongfeng, with one looking eight or nine-tenths similar but younger than Qiangu Dongfeng. This was Qiangu Dongfeng's older brother, Qiangu Qingfeng.

It must be said that due to his long tenure as the Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda—whether doing good or evil—it had undoubtedly taken a toll on Qiangu Dongfeng's vitality. Although he was still a Limit Douluo, the visible signs of aging were evident when compared to his elder brother.

The other figure who resembled Qiangu Dongfeng was more imposing. Despite his aged appearance, he exuded an overwhelming sense of authority.

Qiangu Dieting!

He was the previous Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda and the biological father of both Qiangu Dongfeng and Qiangu Qingfeng.

A family of three Limit Douluos.

The fact that the Spirit Pagoda had been passed down through generations of their family was not without its merits.

An entire family producing three Limit Douluos—father and sons—was a testament to their formidable influence. This was also the key reason why Qiangu Dongfeng had smoothly inherited the position of Tower Master from his father.

Moreover, it was precisely because of this precedent that Qiangu Dongfeng had grown increasingly ambitious, subconsciously viewing the Spirit Pagoda as his own enterprise, aspiring to turn it into a dominant force akin to the former Spirit Hall that ruled the entire continent.

He looked down on Shrek Academy, dismissed the Tang Sect, and even disregarded the War God Hall.

Unfortunately, despite his grand ambitions, after decades as Tower Master, he was still only a demi-god.

A mere demi-god could not sway the balance of power on the continent, so he resorted to political maneuvering.

Among the three Limit Douluos, there was another—Han Tianyi. His martial soul was his brain, and he possessed demi-god level strength. His spiritual power was extraordinary, and his illusions were unparalleled on the continent, earning him the title of "Continent's Greatest Illusionist."

Three Limit Douluos, plus Qiangu Dongfeng, made four Limit Douluos in total.

Within the ranks of Limit Douluos, there were three levels of classification. Those who had just broken through and stabilized were referred to as "quasi-demigod." After much refinement, they would fully internalize their soul skills, developing unique techniques where every strike embodied their understanding of natural laws—this level was called "demi-god".

Above this, there was another level where one's comprehension approached godhood, known as "quasi-god," meaning they would already be gods if not for environmental constraints.

The three levels of Limit Douluos represented qualitative leaps in combat power.

Each level brought at least a threefold increase in strength.

A single demi-god could potentially take on three quasi-demigods.

Of course, it might end in a stalemate or complete domination.

Currently, among the four Limit Douluos present, three were demi-gods, and a quasi-god!

This was the foundation of Qiangu Dongfeng's confidence.

"Qiangu Dongfeng, is the Spirit Pagoda planning to defy the Federation?"

"We wouldn't dare. I merely believe that the Federation has been influenced by certain individuals, and I am unwilling to allow further mistakes to occur," Qiangu Dongfeng said gravely.

He turned to look at the previous Tower Master, his father, Qiangu Diting.

Qiangu Diting's gaze was deep as he stared at Chen Xinjie, a flicker of seriousness passing through his eyes.

"Chen Xinjie, regardless of anything else, the Spirit Pagoda holds too many secrets. The Federation repeatedly forcing inspections of our internal secrets has crossed the Spirit Pagoda's bottom line."

Chen Xinjie's expression remained impassive.

"There's no point in further discussion. It seems we'll have to settle this with action."

He had already seen through it all—Qiangu Dongfeng was refusing to admit guilt.

His lips were sealed tight, revealing nothing.

Chen Xinjie accused Qiangu Dongfeng of suspicion, while Qiangu Dongfeng insisted that the Federation continuing its investigation had already crossed the Spirit Pagoda's red line.

This back-and-forth was getting them nowhere.

"Brother Chen, are you planning to ignite an ultimate battle in Shrek City?"

A voice echoed, causing Qiangu Dongfeng's face to change drastically.

Space rippled in layers, and Yun Ming's figure emerged.

He smiled faintly as he looked at the five Limit Douluos present. "For my sake, can everyone call off this conflict?"

Although Yun Ming seemed to be mediating, Qiangu Dongfeng felt no relief. Instead, a sense of foreboding settled in his heart.

"The shockwaves of an ultimate battle would devastate Shrek City's billions of civilians, causing catastrophic destruction and casualties," Yun Ming said earnestly.

Chen Xinjie's expression remained emotionless. "Yun Ming, understand this clearly—it is they who are using violence to obstruct me from carrying out official duties."

"Oh? Brother Qian, for my sake, can we call off this fight today?" Yun Ming asked lightly.

"Are you suggesting I let him freely browse all of the Spirit Pagoda's secrets?" Qiangu Dongfeng said icily.

"Even Dong Zi'an submitted to investigation. As the Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, for the sake of Shrek City's countless innocent civilians, swallowing your pride for a moment wouldn't hurt, would it?"

Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes locked onto Yun Ming with an intense glare.

Your words disgust me!

"And if not?"

"Then I'll have no choice but to step in and neutralize the aftermath of your battle to protect the civilians," Yun Ming said calmly. "Elder Yue, if we work together, we should be able to mitigate the fallout from their four-person battle."

As Yun Ming finished speaking, another ripple in space occurred, and a figure emerged.

Qiangu Dongfeng's face darkened considerably.

What neutralizing fallout?

Clearly, they were joining the battlefield.

Although it was four against three, Qiangu Dongfeng held no optimism.

No wonder—opposite them were three quasi-gods!

And not just any quasi-gods—they were among the strongest of their kind.

Yun Ming gazed at Qiangu Dongfeng indifferently.

Qiangu Dongfeng clenched his teeth and said, "One last time."

Chen Xinjie turned his attention toward the Spirit Pagoda.

There, the federal inspectors who had been blocked by the Spirit Pagoda staff were allowed entry, proceeding orderly to the Pagoda's various data interfaces to begin their search.

Time passed.

The seven individuals remained locked in a tense standoff.

Three hours later, over 300 inspectors compiled and summarized their findings, delivering their report.

Previous inspections had focused on monitoring and reviewing the Spirit Pagoda, but none had been as extreme as this one, which sought to thoroughly examine all of the Pagoda's data.

"Director Chen, we found no content related to evil soul masters. However, there are several files we cannot decrypt—we can't interpret them at all."

"Oh?"

Chen Xinjie turned to the prosecutor delivering the report.

"Director Chen, there are a total of nine files. Eight are signed by Xu Zhi, and one is signed by—" The prosecutor hesitated mid-sentence.

"By whom?"

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