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In the room reserved exclusively for the Blood God Battalion's external members, Gu Yuena drew the curtains and did not turn on the lights. The room was plunged into darkness, so pitch-black that nothing could be seen.
At this moment, the silver-haired figure sat curled up on a chair, her long hair cascading down to the floor. Slowly, she raised her head, revealing an expression of profound melancholy. "Why... Even though I know someone tampered with things, why can't I stop thinking about it..."
Thinking about whether Bai Xu's actions were right.
Thinking about whether her own decisions were correct.
Thinking about whether the Otherworldly Demon could truly change everything in Douluo Continent.
It was as if another version of herself had emerged in her heart, standing in opposition, engaging in a silent debate.
"He knew everything from the very beginning. He understood you inside and out. With his extraordinary methods, it was easy for him to deceive you. Just now, he told you himself—if he wanted to, the people of the Blood God Legion wouldn't even have noticed his ability to devour the abyss. Yet he still did it. His mind is too calculating. He's already considered every possible future scenario, even deliberately pitting the people of Douluo Continent against himself, all for the sake of reaching the final stage of the Meridian Opening realm. Someone like him... manipulating someone as inexperienced as you is far too simple."
Gu Yuena seemed to have developed a heart demon—a dark voice whispering in her mind.
She retorted, "What do you want me to do? Go find Tang Wulin? Repeat the same ending as last time?"
"You can't bear to leave Bai Xu? Don't you understand yet? Why has he never guarded against you? Why did he tell both Gu Yue and Na'er about Tang Wulin's identity? He didn't even question Na'er for keeping watch over him. On the surface, it seems like you were using him, but in truth... he was using you."
Gu Yuena's eyes widened slightly, tears welling up and trickling down her cheeks.
"He knew the Silver Dragon was too kind-hearted. The best way to keep you by his side was to treat you with sincerity. He exploited your guilt, your nature, to make you his. That's the Otherworldly Demon for you. In this world, you're the only one he truly values. Look at how he treats others—outwardly approachable, yet keeping them at arm's length. If anyone dared to stand in the way of his path to immortality, he'd destroy all of Douluo Continent without a second thought. But with you, he's genuine. He's different from soul beasts. You'll only love one person in this lifetime, but he—"
"Enough! Stop talking. I won't go to Tang Wulin," Gu Yuena murmured.
"Wrong again. Why go to Tang Wulin? In your past life, perhaps he truly loved you, but your relationship was always under the shadow of Tang San and the Plane's Will. Why must you rely on others in the end? Wait until Bai Xu and the Divine Realm settle their battle—one of them will die or be gravely injured. If we strike then, even an Otherworldly Demon won't survive. The Douluo Plane will be yours to control. At that point... Bai Xu will be at your mercy, and the soul beasts will rule Douluo. Isn't that ideal? You must learn to use your relationship with him to secure the greatest benefits for the soul beasts. Bai Xu's path of evolution is incredibly powerful. Why not take it for yourself? He must have a way for you to cultivate it, but he refuses to tell you."
"No... I can't do that. Absolutely not. You're just a tool Tang San left to interfere with me. No matter what you say, I won't listen," Gu Yuena whispered.
"Wrong again. Yes, I was born from Tang San's interference, but he doesn't control my thoughts. That imprint was meant to stop you from devouring Tang Wulin and becoming the Dragon God, while also stunting your growth—making you indecisive until Tang Wulin became strong enough to oppose you. Perhaps even he didn't anticipate this strange outcome. I am the dark Silver Dragon, the unscrupulous Silver Dragon, the evil version of you."
Suddenly, within Gu Yuena's spiritual sea—
Four figures abruptly appeared together: Gu Yuena, a dark-clad Gu Yuena, Gu Yue, and Na'er.
"You're hesitating?" Gu Yue asked coldly.
Na'er glanced at the dark Gu Yuena, her eyes flashing with frost. "And who are you?"
"Heh, little sisters, I am—"
"You don't get to speak here," Gu Yue snapped, silencing the dark figure. Then she turned back to Gu Yuena. "What are you still hesitating for? Weren't you already resolved? Why stop now?"
Gu Yuena smiled bitterly. "It's that imprint... It created the dark side of me."
"In a way, you're just as naive as Tang Wulin," Gu Yue remarked.
"Bai Xu's origins are too mysterious. It's natural for you to overthink, even to entertain dark thoughts. But judging a person isn't about what they think—it's about what they do. Gu Yuena, a noble person is judged by their actions, not their heart, for no one is flawless in thought. Why not accept the dark part of yourself? Everyone has darkness within them. It's a necessary step in life—to truly understand your own heart, to find balance between light and darkness. Only then will you be your true self."
"..."
"So far, Bai Xu hasn't wronged anyone—not even the soul beasts. And remember what he told you: even if he fails to open the last of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, he'll still take responsibility for you. You didn't grasp the meaning behind those words. In his view, the Otherworldly Demon will never be accepted by Douluo Continent. If he truly fails at the final step, he'll fight one last battle for you—to repay the karma he owes the soul beasts. The best outcome would be mutual destruction with the Plane's Will, allowing the Plane's Spirit to reclaim its position and restoring balance between humans and soul beasts. Then, you could fight for the soul beasts' survival without fearing interference from the Plane's Will or the Life Core."
Gu Yuena opened her mouth but found no words.
"You've experienced too little. Though you have my memories and Na'er's, some truths can only be understood through personal experience. In your position now, almost everyone looks at you with admiration, affection, and goodwill. You're powerful, beautiful—the exalted Silver Dragon Princess. The malice of the world rarely touches you. But there are things you must know, even if you haven't lived through them. The world operates on self-interest. Once you clash with those around you over benefits, their true colors will show."
"Do you understand?" Gu Yue asked softly.
"Hearing you say this... you sound a lot like how I used to be," Na'er teased, lightening the solemn mood.
"I understand. Truthfully, I knew all along, but I kept wavering. I don't know if it's my own hesitation or that imprint's influence." Gu Yuena's heart was clear, yet she still hadn't pierced through that final layer of doubt.
The dark Gu Yuena's face twisted in frustration, resorting to her last weapon. "Can you really accept the dark part of yourself? The part that wants to imprison Bai Xu, to toy with him, to betray trust, to be selfish and cruel?"
"Imprison him? Hah. Look at his past actions—he's the one who's always restrained me. Naturally, I'd want to turn the tables once. As for betrayal... that's a line I can't cross. Bai Xu once said that principles and bottom lines matter. But if one day someone abandons those, the world will face a true demon."
Gu Yuena stepped forward slowly, her voice gentle. "Come back. This darkness was born from that imprint, yet by chance, it has also helped me. No one is perfect. Everyone has darkness in their heart—but you are still me."
The dark Gu Yuena did not resist, allowing herself to be embraced. "You doubted, hesitated, questioned... so why are you still willing to accept him, even knowing Bai Xu has ulterior motives?"
"If he had no motives concerning me... that would be the real cause for concern."
As the darkness merged back into her heart, Gu Yuena turned to Gu Yue and Na'er, her composure restored. "He will find a way to separate you two."
"We know," they replied in unison.
---
Outside.
Gu Yuena opened her eyes and stood up slowly, retrieving the Dragon God Core from her palm. A radiant nine-colored light filled the room as she murmured, "Some things must come to an end."
With that, she took out her soul communicator and dialed Bai Xu's number.
"Hello?"
"Is it over?"
"Yes, the conversation is finished."
"A month from now, take leave with me. We're going somewhere," Gu Yuena said.
"What for?"
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Click. The call ended.
Bai Xu wanted to seek her out and talk, but for the entire month, Gu Yuena's figure was nowhere to be seen.