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The turmoil caused by the sea soul beast attack had passed, and the best news was that no casualties had been reported.
The sea returned to its calm state. The clash between humans and soul beasts at the Super Douluo level had been more of a probing of each other's strength rather than an all-out battle. However, Mu Ye's intervention tilted the scales of the conflict. As a divine-rank mecha master and a four-word battle armor wielder, despite being only a level 94 soul master, his combat prowess was exceptionally formidable.
The fusion of technology and humanity had rendered soul beasts obsolete. The times were progressing, yet it seemed as though soul beasts remained stagnant, still living in the ancient past.
Gu Yue and Na'er sat on the bed, lost in their thoughts, while Bai Xu took out paper and a pen from his storage soul tool and began writing something.
The sound of scribbling filled the air, drawing the attention of the two girls, who leaned over curiously to take a look.
"Withdrawal Application?" Gu Yue exclaimed in surprise, immediately turning to Bai Xu. "You're dropping out? Didn't you say you still had a few years left?"
Na'er also looked worried. If Bai Xu left, what would she do?
"I've fulfilled my promise to the teacher. There's no reason for me to stay at Shrek Academy anymore. Rather than remaining at the academy, I'd prefer to travel the continent. The Star Luo Empire seems like a great place," Bai Xu replied.
Gu Yue snatched the paper from him, her expression turning displeased. "You're not leaving because of what Na'er and I said to you during the sea soul beast attack yesterday, are you? Are you running away because of that?"
After hesitating for three seconds, she added, "That was just a joke! It wasn't serious!"
Bai Xu chuckled. "See? You're getting worked up again. It seems like anything related to me in a negative light makes you lose your composure, and you rush to confront me for answers."
Gu Yue bit her lip lightly, her eyes filled with unwillingness. "…You're spouting nonsense again. I already know all this! But even though I know I can't keep you here, I still act this way instinctively."
Her right hand, hidden behind her back, slowly lowered as she placed the paper back on Bai Xu's desk. "Are you really leaving? The time I can spend with you is only these few years… When we meet again in the future, we might be on opposite sides."
Her tone grew heavier. "At that time, I won't hold back… I might really stab you in the back."
Bai Xu's lips twitched in exasperation. He couldn't help but think, 'Didn't she just say it was a joke? Looks like I'll have to watch my back from now on—who knows when she might actually run me through?'
Still, he shook his head and said, "I've already said that in the future, we'll each rely on our own methods. I'm not afraid of anyone. Besides, I told you—I have no reason to stay at Shrek."
"Can't I be that reason?!" Gu Yue shouted, her voice trembling slightly as she stared into Bai Xu's eyes. Neither of them looked away, their gazes locked in a silent standoff.
After a long moment, Gu Yue was the first to relent. Her expression turned despondent. "Forget it. I know I can't keep you. Both of us have more important and difficult things to do. Love isn't about forcing you to stay by my side. You and I… we're both free."
She sat down on the edge of the bed and spoke softly, "Writing the withdrawal application in front of us was your way of telling us you wouldn't just disappear after arriving, leaving us with only a letter to wait in vain. You've always been honest with us, Bai Xu. You've never lied to me about anything."
"As it should be."
Gu Yue was busy collecting herself, while Na'er remained silent, quietly observing the interaction between the two.
A long time later, as Bai Xu finished writing, Gu Yue asked, "When are you leaving?"
"Soon. I'll have to trouble you to hand this letter to the academy when the time comes," Bai Xu replied, slowly sliding the letter toward her.
Gu Yue practically snatched it from him and tossed it into her storage soul tool. "Once the ship docks, skip the welcome ceremony. You're coming with me to the Dragon Valley immediately!"
"So urgent? There's no need. Let's just take things step by step."
"Following my plan is still step-by-step!"
With that, Gu Yue stormed out of the room, Na'er following closely behind. Bai Xu's room fell into silence, devoid of voices.
After a long while, Bai Xu sighed. "I should've expected this day would come… And now she's angry."
---
Gu Yue's Room.
Na'er didn't see Gu Yue in a fit of anger. Instead, she stood quietly by the window, gazing out at the sea.
She turned to Na'er and said, "Don't be surprised. I knew this day would come—I just didn't expect it to be so soon."
"Did Bai Xu do something? Is the plan being moved up?" Na'er asked.
"Yes. I feel like he must have some goal in mind, but this time he didn't tell us. It's true that he wants to travel, but there must be something special about the Star Luo Empire that's drawing him there." Gu Yue was absolutely convinced of her speculation.
"He hasn't even explored the entire Douluo Federation, yet he's running off to the Star Luo Empire? There's definitely something going on."
"He really doesn't have any obligation to tell us, though," Na'er remarked.
"No matter. We'll have a year to communicate. During that time, we'll need to learn more about the Star Luo Empire. Whatever's attracting Bai Xu must be something extraordinary."
Her expression turned slightly dejected. "Na'er… our fusion might have to happen sooner than planned."
Hearing this, Na'er smiled faintly. "I'm ready. Whenever you feel the time is right, just let me know. I'll come to you."
The two smiled at each other and embraced. A silver light flickered, and Gu Yuena reappeared. In her hand was a silver dragon scale. "Let's use this as a parting gift…"
Then, she smirked faintly. "Heh, Bai Xu… The future you see can be changed. Ending all causality? Who will be on top and who will be beneath is still up for debate!"
---
In the distance, the dark outline of the continent finally came into view. Cheers erupted from the people of the Star Luo Empire—for them, this was a homecoming.
Bai Xu and Gu Yuena stood inside the room as the space around them rippled slightly. Di Tian materialized before them.
"My Lady, everything is prepared."
Gu Yuena nodded. "Let's go. Take us to the Dragon Valley."
Di Tian glanced subtly at Bai Xu before escorting the two away. The Lady had fallen for this man—just as the Golden Dragon King had once sacrificed herself for Hu Yuhao. Now…
At the very least, the Lady would not abandon them.
For Di Tian and the others, the primary purpose of Gu Yuena staying by Bai Xu's side was to uncover the events of the future. Now that the situation on the Douluo Continent was clear, they could no longer afford to focus solely on their own plans as they had before.
Gu Yue's strategy of letting others fight while reaping the rewards was indeed the most suitable approach for the soul beasts at present. They couldn't afford to clash with the Planet's Will, nor could they confront Bai Xu head-on.
A mutually destructive outcome was the best possible result for the soul beasts.
By then, no matter who won, they would have to face 90% of the continent's soul masters, all the soul beasts, and the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena. With such overwhelming odds, Di Tian truly couldn't fathom how they could lose.
This battle was 800,000 against one—the advantage was ours!
---
As for the grand welcome ceremony, for the students of Shrek Academy, it was nothing more than a formality.
"This is our itinerary for the coming days. First, we'll arrive at Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire, for a series of exchange matches. Our primary opponents will be the Star Luo Royal Academy team. After that, we'll proceed to…" Wu Zhangkong's cold voice outlined their upcoming schedule, which mostly consisted of exchange activities with various academies on the Star Luo Continent and visits to its unique landmarks.
Only Bai Xu and Gu Yue were missing. Tang Wulin frowned. "Teacher, where are Bai Xu and Gu Yue? I didn't see them at the welcome ceremony."
"They requested three days of leave. They'll return by then."
*****
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