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For the next month, Bai Xu immersed himself in studying all kinds of knowledge about the Abyssal Clan.
Since this involved a race from another plane, there was an overwhelming amount of information to learn. For instance, the classification of this race, their innate talents, combat characteristics, and the key points of fighting within the dimensional passage—each detail was critically important.
Gu Yuena and Bai Xu were assigned to different combat zones. Given their current soul power levels, they were eligible to apply for deployment in the front-line forces stationed directly within the Abyssal Passage. At this moment, Bai Xu was being escorted to his post.
"Bai Xu, our Blood Division is responsible for direct engagement with the Abyssal creatures on the front lines. Since you're new here, you'd better get familiar with everything quickly. Tomorrow, I'll take you into the Abyssal Passage so you can experience firsthand what those creatures are like." Bai Xu's squad leader was a Soul Sage who had just reached rank 70, named Dai Zhaoxiong.
"Understood."
"Don't take this lightly. You need to adapt as soon as possible. I estimate the next Abyssal Tide is coming soon, and when that happens… whether you and I will even see each other again is uncertain."
Having studied here for a month, Bai Xu naturally knew what the Abyssal Tide was—a massive, frenzied charge of Abyssal creatures, fearless of death, like the zombies in World War Z, relentlessly assaulting the defensive lines. But the Blood God Legion was no pushover. Their defense relied heavily on modern soul-tech weaponry within the passage, utilizing overlapping fields of fire to repel the Abyssal creatures' madness.
The two of them set out from the Blood God Legion's base in the Heavenly End Mountain Range, activating their battle armor to fly through the air. After about ten minutes, they finally came to a stop about a hundred meters away from a massive cave entrance ahead, its diameter exceeding three kilometers.
Dai Zhaoxiong said, "This is the Abyssal Cave. Come with me!"
The two leaped downward. As they descended, the squad leader continued explaining, "Inside the passage, there are always two regiments stationed on guard duty—we're one of them. That means if an Abyssal Tide occurs, we'll be the first to face the onslaught. Are you scared?"
Bai Xu shook his head. Dai Zhaoxiong seemed accustomed to new soldiers being tight-lipped and went on, "Every Abyssal Passage has a platform. Aside from being equipped with numerous soul tools, there are also metal rooms for rest."
"Your room is here—Number 9527."
Bai Xu stared at the metal room before him, his lips twitching as if he were hallucinating.
"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, someone will come to summon you for duty."
"Yes, sir."
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Meanwhile, Gu Yuena was taken to a different location. Instead of being assigned to the front lines, she remained at the Blood God Legion's base in the Heavenly End Mountain Range, affiliated with the Blood God Battalion. Blood Seven personally summoned her.
"Sir, I'd like to go to Bai Xu's location," Gu Yuena said. Though she didn't hold much hope, she still wanted to try.
Blood Seven glanced at her and replied coldly, "The military has its rules. Though that boy was also recommended by the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, his soul power is only at rank 65. You, however, are already a Soul Sage, and I intend to make you an external member of the Blood God Battalion."
"An external member?" Gu Yuena was puzzled.
"Yes. A young friend recommended you."
"A young friend?" She grew even more confused.
Just then, an excited voice rang out.
"Na'er! Long time no see!"
Gu Yuena's pupils contracted slightly as she turned to look at the young man standing at the door. But she quickly composed herself, offering no response—only a calm gaze at Tang Wulin.
Blood Seven said, "It seems you two know each other. Before you arrived, we confirmed that Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Spear has the ability to absorb and devour Abyssal energy. We've heard your Silver Dragon Spear possesses a similar trait, so I'd like you to conduct an experiment."
If the Silver Dragon Spear could also devour Abyssal energy, it would mean the Blood God Legion had a way to permanently weaken the Abyssal Plane. Thus, these two individuals were of utmost importance!
"I agree," Gu Yuena replied. Then she continued, "But I'd like to know which unit Bai Xu was assigned to. During my free time, I'd like to visit him."
Blood Seven answered, "He voluntarily applied to be stationed at the most dangerous part of the Abyssal Passage. Unless absolutely necessary, he won't leave his post. However, the legion rotates duties every month, so you'll have opportunities to meet."
"Good. Thank you, sir."
"Na'er…" Tang Wulin felt that she had changed. The way she looked at him was different, and she hadn't even acknowledged him. The impression she gave him now was more like Gu Yue—yet not entirely. An indescribable sense of strangeness weighed on his heart.
Gu Yuena walked past Tang Wulin without a single word.
"Na'er… After the destruction of Shrek Academy, where did you go? Why didn't you return?" Tang Wulin wanted answers and blocked her path.
Her purple vertical pupils turned cold, locking onto Tang Wulin's black eyes. Instantly, their bloodlines were triggered—Tang Wulin's eyes shifted into golden vertical pupils, as if standing in opposition to Gu Yuena.
She said firmly, "Tang Wulin, I am not your sister. Please don't mistake me for Na'er. My name is Gu Yuena, not Na'er."
"Gu Yuena…" Tang Wulin's gaze darkened. "What is your relationship with Gu Yue?"
"None."
"You both like Bai Xu, don't you?" Tang Wulin cut straight to the point. Earlier, Gu Yuena had asked about Bai Xu's whereabouts—he, too, had joined the Blood God Legion.
"Yes."
"But… there seems to be a bond between us, tied to our bloodlines…" Tang Wulin's golden pupils blazed, as if trying to evoke Gu Yuena's Silver Dragon bloodline. Indeed, he sensed a connection on some level—a call of blood, as if it were drawing them together, seeking to consume and merge.
"So what? Even if our bloodlines are linked, even if the Golden Dragon King and Silver Dragon King resonate—what does it change?" Gu Yuena wasn't angry, nor was her tone hostile. She merely asked indifferently.
"I…" Tang Wulin had no retort. The feeling in his heart was deeply unsettling.
"It's possessiveness… isn't it? Hah… The Golden Dragon and Silver Dragon are like this…" Gu Yuena mocked herself. "Foolish and unaware."
"Yes, the instincts of our bloodlines are primitive, impulsive—almost as if the Abyss is calling to us. But neither of us lives by instinct alone. We have reason, consciousness. No matter how strong the impulse, we should know… we shouldn't interfere with each other." She stepped around Tang Wulin and walked away.
"But…" Tang Wulin couldn't articulate it. It was as if the fusion of their bloodlines could birth something extraordinary, like a martial soul fusion skill.
"There are no 'buts,' Tang Wulin. My resolve is firm—it will never change in this lifetime."
Tang Wulin watched Gu Yuena's retreating figure, lowering his head in sorrow. He didn't know what to do. Though he possessed the Golden Dragon King's bloodline and had spent three years buried in the Dragon Graveyard, learning many secrets, he still couldn't alter anything.
Gu Yuena seemed to have made up her mind—she would never turn back. In this life, there was only… Bai Xu.
Blood Seven patted Tang Wulin's shoulder and said, "Don't take it too hard. Sometimes, things just turn out this way. There will always be someone better than you in this world."
Was that someone Bai Xu?
With that, Blood Seven took out his Blood God Ring—a device with communication functions—and said, "Come on, you too. Let's join the Blood Gods and see if your Silver Dragon Spear has the same effect as your Golden Dragon Spear."