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Over half a year had passed, yet Tang Wulin still had not returned. The Shrek Academy team, accompanying the delegation from the Douluo Continent, had experienced many events during this time.
First, they were attacked by the Green Skull rebel organization. Then, they participated in the Continental Elite Young Soul Masters Tournament, followed by a journey across the continent.
This trip to the Star Luo Continent had taught them many things—some of which didn't even exist back on Douluo.
Had it not been for Tang Wulin's sudden disappearance once again, this diplomatic mission would have been perfect.
By chance, the group found themselves in White Tiger City, witnessing the only bustling metropolis in the northwest region.
On the Soul Train.
Xu Xiaoyan looked at Gu Yue, who had just returned. She wasn't the only one—Yuanen Yehui, Ye Xinglan, Xie Xie, and the others were all staring at her.
Over the past several months of traveling, Gu Yue was the only one who frequently took leave, using official business from the Spirit Pagoda as an excuse to go off on her own. Once or twice was understandable, but as time passed, everyone knew what she was really doing.
Bai Xu.
After all, Bai Xu and Gu Yue had been close back at the academy.
Wu Zhangkong was well aware of this, but he didn't intervene. Bai Xu had already withdrawn from Shrek Academy and no longer had any ties to them.
What puzzled everyone was Gu Yue's attitude. While none of them wanted to accept Tang Wulin's disappearance and held onto hope that he would return one day, Gu Yue didn't seem worried at all. Every time Tang Wulin was mentioned, she would simply say, "He'll be fine."
Among them, Xie Xie was the closest to Tang Wulin. Unable to hold back any longer, he asked Gu Yue, "Gu Yue, Wulin's been missing for so long. Aren't you even the slightest bit worried?"
Gu Yue turned to him and replied calmly, "He'll be fine."
Hearing this, Xie Xie's eyes reddened. "That again! What do you mean, 'He'll be fine'? He's been missing for months, and all you've done is stay silent! The rest of us have been searching for him with everything we've got, but you keep taking leave to go find Bai Xu instead. You haven't even tried looking for Wulin! Back at the academy, you weren't like this. What happened to you?"
"Enough," Yuanen Yehui pulled Xie Xie back.
Though Xie Xie's outburst was impulsive, it also voiced the unspoken thoughts of the others.
Gu Yue remained unfazed. "Xie Xie, I know you're upset. But when it comes to Tang Wulin, there's nothing I can do. Maybe no news is good news for now. And yes, I did take leave to find Bai Xu."
Xie Xie clenched his fists. "Back at Eastsea Academy, you weren't like this. You cared about Wulin. But ever since we met Bai Xu, everything changed. We've been drifting apart…"
His words left the Shrek Seven Monsters speechless.
It was true. Unconsciously, Gu Yue had started to distance herself from them, just like Bai Xu. Why? What kind of influence did Bai Xu have over her?
Yuanen Yehui stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Gu Yue. Xie Xie spoke out of turn. Let me apologize on his behalf."
She pulled Xie Xie back to his seat, diffusing the argument.
Gu Yue wasn't angry. Instead, she fell silent.
Tang Wulin had been the core of the Seven Monsters, the bond that held them together. Now that he was gone…
"Gu Yue… why?" Xu Xiaoyan's eyes welled with tears. The group had been together since Eastsea Academy—how had things come to this?
"Why?" Gu Yue wondered the same.
How could she explain it? Perhaps she had simply grown more mature. Or maybe this was how she was always meant to be.
"Did Bai Xu change you?"
"Did he?"
"Yes." Gu Yue's firm reply stunned them all.
They were still young, free to be reckless—to risk their lives for friends, for Shrek's glory, for the academy. But she couldn't. She bore responsibilities far greater, a mission more important than any of them knew.
Perhaps once it was all over, she could let go. No longer as the Silver Dragon Princess, Gu Yuena—but simply as herself.
"There's one more thing I haven't told you," Gu Yue said softly. "I've declined the nomination for the Shrek Seven Monsters, as well as the direct admission to the inner academy. After we return, I'll apply for graduation from the outer academy. The title of 'Seven Monsters' belongs to Tang Wulin. I didn't contribute much in the tournament—I don't deserve to take his place. And then… I'll return to the Spirit Pagoda."
"Gu Yue, Xie Xie didn't mean it—" someone tried to intervene.
But Gu Yue suddenly smiled, her expression softening like a blooming flower. "Even friends must part someday. The time I've spent with all of you at Shrek has made me truly happy. I'll cherish these memories in the days to come. Thank you… for everything."
A sorrowful silence filled the train. Tears fell quietly—because just as Gu Yue had said, some paths were never meant to stay intertwined.
The train arrived at White Tiger Station, the final stop of Shrek Academy's journey across the Star Luo Continent. From here, they would return to the capital and board the ship back to Douluo.
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Meanwhile…
"Bai Xu, I want to eat this!"
Na'er pressed her face against the bakery window, eyeing the assortment of sweets inside. Earlier that day, they had scouted a certain location, but Bai Xu still hadn't detected the presence of the Soul King they were tracking. Deciding to wait, they took the opportunity to let Na'er explore the city.
"Then we'll buy it." Bai Xu paid for the treat.
The cotton candy was sweet enough to keep Na'er smiling all morning. Hand in hand, they strolled through the streets—a rare moment of leisure in lives otherwise dominated by training.
Na'er's beauty was impossible to ignore. Passersby couldn't help but turn their heads, some even instinctively making way for her in the crowd.
"Maybe I should disguise myself next time," Na'er mused, noticing the attention. "It feels a little too conspicuous."
"That might be for the best."
As they walked, the crowd parted—revealing none other than the wandering Shrek Academy group. Wu Zhangkong wasn't with them; upon arriving in White Tiger City, everyone had split up to explore.
"Na'er?!" Xie Xie recognized her immediately.
"Hello, everyone!" Na'er greeted politely, tightening her grip on Bai Xu's hand almost pointedly—as if making sure Gu Yue saw.
But Gu Yue showed no displeasure. Instead, she smiled at Bai Xu, as if amused by their quick reunion.
"Na'er, what are you doing here? And with Bai Xu? Your brother is missing—he disappeared in one of the Tang Sect's minor dimensional rifts. We've been—" Xie Xie began.
"I know," Na'er cut him off. "Gu Yue already told me. But I believe my brother will be fine. Luck has always been on his side."
Xie Xie was taken aback. Again, the same response—why weren't Na'er and Gu Yue the least bit worried?
Almost as if they knew he was safe.
Xu Xiaoyan, Yuanen Yehui, and Ye Xinglan glanced between Na'er and Gu Yue, then at Bai Xu, their expressions puzzled.
How had he done it?
Neither Na'er nor Gu Yue seemed upset. Instead, they smiled at each other as if sharing some unspoken understanding. It was the first time they'd seen two rivals coexist so peacefully.
Just what kind of charm did Bai Xu possess?