"Alright, I'll explain all this in detail when we get back. Let's head back to Notting City first."
Flander glanced back, relieved to see no spirit beasts chasing after them. If their group had triggered a beast tide, causing harm to the townspeople, they would be held responsible.
Little did they know, it was all related to someone who had recently joined them. With Gu Yuena here, even ten-thousand-year-old spirit beasts would be warned if they approached. The spirit beasts, with their intelligence greatly enhanced, wouldn't cause her trouble at crucial moments.
The group returned to the northern town, reported their arrival, and then headed to the nearest city to enter the dungeon.
Stepping through the portal, the dimly lit underground cavern was only illuminated by scattered lights—special luminescent minerals. The monsters on the first floor were often killed by the adventurers as soon as they respawned, and the surrounding area was filled with the sounds of adventurers talking and boasting.
"Gu Yuena, this is the dungeon. It's inconvenient here. After we return to Notting City, you can go there to complete the beginner dungeon."
Flander didn't plan to stay here long. Notting City was fine; it was close to the Star Dou Great Forest, and they might encounter high-level Soul Masters at any time. He wasn't afraid, but he worried that the children might bump into powerful figures and bring disaster upon themselves.
"I'm fine with anything."
Gu Yuena nodded obediently. She did hear a notification in her ear, asking if she wanted to be teleported to the beginner dungeon. She knew too little about the human dungeons and didn't agree rashly.
She pulled Xiao Wu along, asking about things to be aware of in human society, especially things related to the dungeons, which she was most concerned about.
Lin Bai didn't want to get too close to Xiao Wu, so he held hands with Zhu Zhuqing and exchanged Soul Power for dual cultivation. Unlike Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power attribute was dark and obscure, so Lin Bai needed to devote more attention to balancing the two Soul Powers.
On the other side, Dai Mubai saw this scene, his face darkened, and he felt a heavy weight on his head, his mood not very good.
Even though he and Zhu Zhuqing had broken off their engagement, seeing her holding hands with another man still instinctively offended him.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, understanding the situation, didn't disturb the disgruntled Dai Mubai and instead chatted about going to Notting City.
Flander and Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, were discussing Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena looked even younger than Xiao Wu, and having single-handedly killed a 500-year-old soul beast without even becoming an adventurer, her soul master talent was undoubtedly exceptional. They all considered recruiting her into Shrek Academy.
Each with their own thoughts, and with Zhao Wuji and Flander clearing the way, they smoothly entered the 30th underground level, entered the teleportation array, and selected Notting City as their destination.
A flash of white light, and the scene changed; they had traveled thousands of miles and returned to Notting City.
Excluding the time spent in the Star Dou Great Forest, the entire round trip took less than a day, mostly spent driving away monsters.
"Xiao Gang, why don't you just come back to Soto City with us? Although the Barak Kingdom is a small country, there are fewer restrictions on Soul Master cultivation there, and we won't get involved in the conflicts between the major powers. It's definitely a good place for us to make our mark."
Flander brought up the old topic again.
Yu Xiaogang smiled, but didn't refuse as before. Having witnessed the chaos in the Star Dou Great Forest, he also planned to find a place to focus on exploring the underground city. However, he hadn't finished the teaching plan for Tang San, so he wasn't in a hurry to leave.
"Let's wait another two years. I still have a lot of knowledge to teach Xiao San. Besides, if we go to your place now, do you think Lin Bai and the others will go with you?"
Yu Xiaogang asked back. Flander was speechless and shook his head helplessly. "It seems we'll have to stay in Notting City for a while."
The group returned to the surface and each went their own way.
When she learned that Xiao Wu was sleeping in a room with a group of human children, Gu Yuena's beautiful brows furrowed. Her impression of Xiao Wu worsened. Putting aside the difference between men and women, she also wanted her own space to rest and cultivate.
"Give me some human currency."
Gu Yuena held out her hand, intending to find a house to rent in Notting City.
"This..."
Xiao Wu smiled awkwardly. The Soul Master stipend she received from the Spirit Hall had been squandered on eating, drinking, and having fun. As for the currency they had obtained together in the dungeon, Lin Bai was responsible for keeping it safe.
"Wait a moment, I'll go get the money from Lin Bai."
Xiao Wu said, running to Lin Bai's side and reaching out to him for the money.
Gu Yuena's probing gaze swept over Lin Bai, then looked at Tang San not far away, her eyes deep.
"Dragon bloodline, transformed Soul Beast, son of a transformed Soul Beast... This small border town holds quite a few secrets. It seems I need to stay here for a few years."
She pondered to herself, her demeanor still aloof and ethereal, detached from the world.
Xiao Wu took the money back and handed it to Gu Yuena, saying, "Lin Bai said that after the underground city appeared, the streets are full of all sorts of people, and renting a place outside can easily lead to trouble. Why don't you come with us to stay at Notting Academy? The headmaster is a very nice man. Zhu Zhuqing lives at the academy with her elders, so he'll definitely agree."
"Less trouble, that's good. Let's stay at Notting Academy then."
Gu Yuena didn't even consider her appearance and agreed.
At the same time, she looked at Lin Bai, thinking that this human had a good heart.
In fact, Lin Bai wasn't doing this for Gu Yuena's sake. How could the dignified Silver Dragon King possibly suffer a crushing defeat in human society? He let Gu Yuena stay at Notting Academy mainly to prevent anyone from foolishly offending her and accidentally losing their life.
"Well, and..."
Xiao Wu lowered her voice, "Lin Bai knows my identity and has ways to help us cover it up. He just likes to play tricks on people, so don't be angry."
She spoke cryptically, but Gu Yuena understood immediately. Her willow-leaf eyebrows rose, a flash of anger crossing her eyes. "You mean, he knows your identity?"
Xiao Wu shrank back, nodding weakly.
She knew she was in the wrong, having implicated Gu Yuena and exposed her own identity. She had wanted to stop Gu Yuena when she explained her background, but it was too late.
"Don't worry, Lin Bai is different from other humans. Tang San's father is a Title Douluo, and he was protecting Tang San nearby. Lin Bai told me this and helped me conceal my aura."
Xiao Wu spoke to Lin Bai, but this did not lessen Gu Yuena's anger. A sarcastic smile appeared on her delicate face: "Different? How are they different? Humans are only divided into two types: bad and rotten to the core. Little rabbit, you're too stupid. You'll regret it when he reveals his true colors."
The killing of soul beasts by soul masters and the death of the Dragon God at the hands of the Asura God were the root of Gu Yuena's hostility towards humans, and Xiao Wu's words could not easily explain it away.
Xiao Wu lowered her head and let Gu Yuena lecture her. According to her previous personality, she would never have acted like this, but in front of Gu Yuena, she always felt inexplicably suppressed and unable to muster the will to resist.