Gu Chen closely observed Gu Yuena. Her long lashes fluttered slightly as she blinked at him playfully.
The Gu Yuena standing before him wasn't just as stunning as her portrayal in the manga—she carried an even stronger sense of realism and presence.
> "Convert your remaining divine power into this world's soul power," Gu Chen instructed. "Then, turn one of your ribs into a weapon."
As he spoke, golden light began to swirl around his body. After a long moment, the light was slowly absorbed into his body, transformed into soul power and gathered in his dantian.
His Gold Dragon King power—now sealed—transformed into his martial soul.
> Martial Soul Possession!
Gu Chen let out a low cry. The illusory form of the Gold Dragon King appeared behind him, releasing powerful soul fluctuations and a faint, majestic dragon aura.
Swish!
A golden flash erupted from his palm, extending outward from both sides until it formed into a long spear.
Both ends of the spear were razor-sharp, its entire body radiant with pure gold. It emitted a dazzling light and even a faint sound—like a dragon's cry echoing softly.
This was the Golden Dragon Spear, crafted from one of Gu Chen's ribs—transformed through the Gold Dragon King's power.
Beside him, Gu Yuena had also completed her transformation. A Silver Dragon phantom manifested behind her, and in her hand was the Silver Dragon Spear—forged from her own divine power.
> "In the outside world, I'll call my martial soul the 'Golden Dragon.' You'll say yours is the 'Seven-Colored Dragon,'" Gu Chen said.
Gu Yuena nodded. She understood the reasoning. Even if they could mask their auras from the gods, the native inhabitants of Douluo Continent could still observe and spread word about their martial souls.
Once their fame spread, their martial soul identities would too—and if that information ever reached the Divine Realm, their entire plan would be in jeopardy.
> "My Lord, will you need me to accompany you into the human world?" asked Di Tian, still kneeling. His massive dragon form had transformed into a human figure.
Gu Chen chuckled.
> "No need. Do you really think Gu Yuena and I can't protect ourselves? Stay here and guard the Star Dou Great Forest. Be ready for my command at any time."
As he spoke, he tossed a gold-and-silver token forged from soul power. It landed in front of Di Tian.
Di Tian committed its appearance to memory, but before he could speak, the token dissolved into light.
> "Memorize that token. If you ever see a human carrying one like it, transform into human form and come find us in the human world," Gu Chen instructed.
> "I obey, My Lord," Di Tian said, bowing his head respectfully.
> "My Lord," the Sky Blue Bull Python added, lowering his head, "I know a shortcut that leads directly to the outside world. One of my companions—a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit who took human form—used it just a few days ago. Her name is Xiao Wu. By now, she should've already reached the outside."
Gu Chen understood the implication and smiled.
> "Don't worry. If we run into her, we'll take good care of her."
> "Thank you, My Lord!" the Sky Blue Bull Python looked at Gu Chen gratefully.
With everything settled, Gu Chen waved to Gu Yuena.
> "Let's go!"
She nodded and followed right behind him.
---
Five Days Later
Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire, southwest region — Fasno Province, Nuoding City.
After emerging from the Star Dou Great Forest and changing into fresh clothes at a roadside inn, Gu Chen and Gu Yuena finally arrived in Nuoding City.
(Don't ask where the money came from—on that shortcut path the Sky Blue Bull Python mentioned, they had found many dead soul masters. After several days of "looting," Gu Chen's system backpack now held nearly 10,000 gold soul coins.)
After all, it was common knowledge that soul masters were rich.
Originally, Gu Chen had planned to go straight to Heaven Dou City to develop his plans. But since he had promised to look after Xiao Wu, he wouldn't break that promise.
Besides… wasn't riding along with the original plot a bit fun too?
Their first stop in Nuoding City wasn't Nuoding Academy—but rather the local branch of the Spirit Hall.
To apply for Nuoding Academy, they needed an official martial soul certification issued by the Hall.
> "Stop! Kids aren't allowed to wander around here!" a guard in armor stepped forward as Gu Chen and Gu Yuena approached the gates.
> "Hello. My name is Gu Chen, and this is my younger sister, Gu Yuena. We're here to get our martial soul certifications," Gu Chen said politely. After all, he hadn't "fully developed" yet—he couldn't afford to act arrogant.
(The "sibling" story was something he and Gu Yuena agreed on before leaving the forest. It made things easier.)
> "Oh, I see. Head on in, then. Go to the first floor reception hall and look for Master Ma Xiunuo. He'll help you," the guard said, stepping aside.
Inside the Spirit Hall, they had their martial souls evaluated and received their certifications. However, due to their extraordinary talent, both Gu Chen and Gu Yuena immediately drew the attention of Master Ma Xiunuo.
> "Thank you, but I only plan to cultivate at Nuoding Academy for the next six years. After that, I'll consider joining the Spirit Hall. Thank you for the offer," Gu Chen replied, politely declining.
He did intend to join the Spirit Hall—but definitely not yet.
Slightly disappointed, Master Ma Xiunuo turned to Gu Yuena.
> "I'll do what my brother says," Gu Yuena replied softly.
> "Very well. The doors of the Spirit Hall will always be open to you. If you change your mind, come find me," he said with a sigh.
Gu Chen led Gu Yuena away, heading toward Nuoding Academy—just a few steps away from the Spirit Hall.
They weren't wearing the school's uniform, but when Gu Chen flipped a gold soul coin at the face of the notoriously bullying academy gatekeeper (the same one from the original story), the two of them were admitted without issue.
Although the admissions deadline had already passed, Gu Chen had plenty of money. A whole sack of gold soul coins was more than enough to bribe the dean, who in return gave them two working student slots.
Working students were all housed in Dormitory Seven, since there were so few of them that one room was enough.
When they pushed open the dorm door, they saw two children—a boy and a girl—fighting in the middle of the room.
The girl had her legs wrapped around the boy's neck, and with a spin and a slam, sent him flat on his back.
> "That must be Tang San, the original protagonist," Gu Chen thought, his eyes flashing with golden light.
As for the girl—she zoomed into focus in his sight. Around her figure, a faint illusion of a Soft Bone Rabbit appeared.
This girl was none other than Xiao Wu, the hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit the Sky Blue Bull Python had asked him to look after.
> "I lost. Can you tell me what technique you just used?" Tang San asked calmly, accepting his defeat.
> "That's called Soft Technique—a skill that uses the body's flexibility and resilience," Xiao Wu replied proudly, like a victorious general.
Tang San, perhaps hoping to avoid further embarrassment, immediately gave up his "boss" position to Xiao Wu.
> "Boss? That sounds fun! Okay, then I'll be your boss now. Being a working student isn't so bad!" Xiao Wu said happily.
At that moment, another boy sitting in the corner turned and whispered to Xiao Wu. Based on the context, Gu Chen recognized him as Wang Sheng.
> "Boss, two newbies just showed up. Go give them a little scare."
Only then did the others in the room notice Gu Chen and Gu Yuena. Upon seeing Gu Chen, they were mildly surprised by his handsome features.
But when they looked at Gu Yuena—they were completely stunned.
Every boy, including Tang San, Xiao Wu's future husband, was momentarily dazed.
Xiao Wu pouted.
> "Hmph. What's so special about her? Hey, newbie! Let's spar—that's the rule in this dorm!"
Gu Chen shook his head and walked past her without even looking.
> "Pointless."
Xiao Wu's temper exploded.
> "Hey! How rude can you be?! Take this!"
She activated her martial soul. A pair of pure white rabbit ears popped out from the top of her head. She stomped the ground and launched herself like a flying arrow, aiming straight at Gu Chen.
But as Gu Chen turned his head, his golden eyes gleamed—and a wave of terrifying dragon might swept out toward her.
Under the overwhelming pressure, Xiao Wu's legs buckled. She dropped to her knees, her body trembling, rabbit ears drooping helplessly.
She didn't dare move a muscle beneath Gu Chen's dragon aura.
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