It was late afternoon, the crimson-yellow sunlight pouring down across the sky.
On the surface of Sea God Lake, gentle ripples shimmered. Gu Yue's face reflected faintly in the water — she had truly come to Shrek Academy's inner court.
Entering the inner court was no small feat. Not only were there powerful senses probing everywhere, but layer after layer of security. Only those who possessed an official Shrek inner court badge and had their soul master records fully verified could be granted entry.
Although Cai Yue'er had verbally promised Gu Yue a spot in the inner court, she hadn't formally registered yet, so under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have been allowed inside. But Gu Yue's mastery over space was already precise and meticulous. With the help of external forces, including various fierce beasts, she had barely managed to sneak in.
Even though Yun Ming, the quasi-god, sat at the peak of the academy, his spiritual senses couldn't constantly cover the entire area. Usually, it was the inner court's guarding Title Douluo who performed the inspections.
In short, Gu Yue's ability to get in definitely owed something to luck.
"Still not going to show yourself?" Gu Yue lifted her head, gazing toward a distant small boat on the horizon.
In the distance was Sea God Island, the closest island to the Golden Ancient Tree. Some of the towering trees on that island stood hundreds of meters tall — likely over a thousand years old.
On Sea God Island, even the trees were under the Golden Ancient Tree's protection. Even heavenly lightning couldn't harm anything there.
The endless vitality emanating from the towering ancient trees radiated a sense of timelessness.
As the small boat approached, standing on it was a silver-haired girl.
Standing before her, Gu Yue seemed almost insignificant — a complete, crushing defeat in sheer beauty.
The silver-haired girl's long hair fluttered in the air. She looked no older than eleven or twelve, dressed in a red tracksuit. With the lake's breeze brushing against her, her stunningly delicate face was revealed.
Na'er had grown even more beautiful — flawless features, a figure like a lake sprite, and large silver-colored eyes filled with innocence and charm.
"You're insane! You even dared to bring Di Tian and the others here." Na'er's eyes glared fiercely at Gu Yue.
"How else was I supposed to get in without them?" Gu Yue said coolly. "Besides, aren't Bear Lord and the others here too?"
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Na'er jumped down from the boat, coming to stand in front of Gu Yue.
"Don't you realize you're becoming more and more human?" Gu Yue's face remained utterly expressionless.
"Human…" Na'er closed her eyes and softly repeated the word.
"It's time to dissolve that ridiculous wager between us."
The wind stirred, and the evening light sharpened as the sun met the waterline. As Gu Yue spoke, she seemed to relax, gazing blankly at the stunning sunset over the lake.
Na'er's pupils widened. "That wager was sealed with a heavenly oath! You dare break it? Aren't you afraid of heavenly punishment?"
Heavenly punishment? At those words, Gu Yue burst into laughter.
"Ten thousand years of pain! What punishment can rival that? When I awoke and saw the decline of the soul beasts, the fall of the dragon race, I knew we had little hope left. But by merging into human society, learning their knowledge, understanding their culture — perhaps we might still find a thread of chance.
"At first, I didn't know why you split off from me… But to think you laughably ended up among humans, raised by them, and then made that ridiculous vow! Don't you find it pathetic?"
Na'er fell silent — but… she didn't want to die! Without the wager, her fate was to inevitably merge back with Gu Yue. Over these years among humans, she had truly come to feel like one of them — like a real, complete person, freed from the burdens of the Silver Dragon King's soul beast mission.
"But…" Na'er couldn't accept the reality of death and erasure. "Do you really believe all humans are bad? Shouldn't promises be kept?"
Gu Yue paused in thought, recalling the moment with the Emperor Auspice Beast, when Xu Xiaoyan and Xie Xie had let it go. She had considered that maybe humanity wasn't entirely wicked — perhaps, just perhaps, the majority were good.
But then, she had understood: human goodness was always conditional. Some were only kind to other humans; some were only kind when it was convenient; some even twisted their so-called kindness into harmful acts.
"So what if they're bad? And so what if they're not? From the moment we were born, our fates were sealed — to revive the dragon race. As for promises? They're nothing but toys. Only humans take them seriously — and even they often treat promises like they mean nothing. I'll give you a little more time. When you turn eighteen, enjoy the last of your years, bask in humanity's sweetest, happiest moments."
As she spoke, Gu Yue's body radiated a multicolored glow, releasing waves of pressure that made Na'er struggle to breathe. Even her Silver Dragon Spear trembled.
"Why?" Na'er's Silver Dragon Spear radiated draconic might — she, too, held one-third of the Silver Dragon King's power.
"You really are beyond saving," Gu Yue sneered.
"I just want to live! What's wrong with that? Isn't the real mistake yours? You created me, gave me awareness, let me encounter the human world by accident…"
"It's useless. Cherish the time you have left. Living isn't wrong, but as long as you live, I am incomplete. If I have to choose between reviving the dragon race and you — I'll always choose the dragon race. But don't be sad. After I merge with you, your soul won't be erased. From the moment you existed, you were unique. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll even let you take over the body for a while."
With that, Gu Yue flickered away — she had sensed the presence of powerful experts.
As expected, once Gu Yue left, Ya Li appeared. She looked at the sorrowful Na'er with concern. "My dear disciple, did someone bully you? If anyone dares, I'll go bully them right back!"
Na'er tried to steady her emotions, then spoke softly, "No, Teacher Ya Li… I'm just a little scared. Scared that maybe one day, I won't be able to see you again."
"What nonsense! Even if you can't see me, you'll still see me!" Ya Li pretended to huff angrily, hands on her hips.
This little disciple Na'er was so much more lovable than that brat Gu You. Three years gone without visiting home — now he was nearby, and still he didn't come back.
"Maybe I was never meant to exist in the first place…"
On the little boat returning toward Sea God Island, Na'er gazed back at the spot where Gu Yue had vanished, a faint, serene smile on her face.
Ah-choo!
Gu You rubbed his nose, sneezing twice. Strange? Could someone be cursing him?
He furrowed his brows, seriously wondering — who was daring enough to scold him?
(End of Chapter)
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