Zhangting stood at the window, watching the two small figures meet in the midday sun. Wu Changkong, the "Sky-Freezing" prodigy, had arrived in his signature white robes, his blue sword humming with protective intent. He was anxious, a young man still possessed of student-like charm and a heart full of innocent devotion.
Zhangting watched as Long Bing wove a seamless lie—claiming she was scouting for a 10,000-year Soul Spirit to ensure they could "stand hand in hand" in the future. It was a masterclass in manipulation; she had almost coaxed the genius Wu Changkong into becoming a mere "placenta," a mindless vessel of support for her future.
"Wu Changkong," Zhangting whispered to the glass, "when the truth is bared, will you swallow the 'Shrek Glory' pill or the 'Long Bing Love' pill? I truly wonder which codebase runs deeper in your soul."
This was the ultimate experiment. Zhangting was pitting the decades of Shrek Academy's institutional brainwashing against the raw, primordial power of a first love. It was a battle between the left and right hemispheres of a prodigy's brain, and for once, even the "Prophet" didn't know the outcome.
The Weight of Three Mountains
As Long Bing led Wu Changkong away, her mind was a battlefield. Previously, she was torn between her father, Dark Hummingbird, and her lover. Now, a third mountain had crashed into her soul: Qiangu Zhangting.
She felt suffocated. She didn't want to lose Wu Changkong, she couldn't bring herself to break with her father, and she was utterly powerless against the wicked assertiveness of Zhangting. For now, she chose the path of the resigned, stealing moments of peace while the tectonic plates of her life ground against each other beneath the surface.
Return to the Body Sect
Zhangting did not linger. His work at the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters was done. He had:
Secured the Yuanen Family and the Demon Gate.
Planted seeds of loyalty in Tang Wulin's future adoptive parents and teacher.
Ensnared Long Bing and, by extension, Wu Changkong.
Now, it was time to return to his "prison."
Under the protection of Han Tianyi, Zhangting's soul-guided car pulled into the secluded territory of the Body Sect just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. He hadn't forgotten his role—he was still the high-profile "hostage."
The Hostage's Duty
Being a hostage in the Body Sect wasn't a burden for Zhangting; it was a sanctuary for his own cultivation. He needed the Innate Secret Method to temper his physical body to match his skyrocketing spiritual power.
As he stepped out of the car, the familiar, rugged air of the Body Sect greeted him. Here, strength wasn't found in spirit tools or political maneuvering, but in the blood and bone.
"Teacher," Zhangting said to Han Tianyi as they walked toward the sect's inner chambers, "the stage is set in the outside world. Now, I need to make sure I am strong enough to lead the play when the curtain finally rises."
Next Chapter: The Body Sect's Trial — Refining the Golden Bone.
Expert Guide: Zhangting is back at the Body Sect to focus on his physical strength. Since he has "divination" and knows the Body Sect's secret techniques, should he try to "accidentally" improve their Innate Secret Method to gain the Sect Master's favor, or should he keep his improvements secret to ensure he has a physical advantage that no one else can predict?