A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-[ ]
-Cain
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-Mp Gaming
-Paul Panzer
-Austin Levy
-Aziz Makda
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Despite Gu Yue's current disheveled state, once she grows stronger and acquires soul skills like Elemental Fusion and Elemental Staff, her combat prowess will skyrocket, making her a far more troublesome opponent.
Bai Xu, on the other hand, had exhausted all his Metal Element energy in one go, barely managing to condense a single small sword to secure a narrow victory.
This match delivered an unparalleled viewing experience for the audience, especially Gu Yue's spectacular Elemental Tornado—an attack rivaling that of a three-ring soul master—which left a deep impression on the tournament judges.
This performance also drew the attention of various factions, who began probing into the backgrounds of the two. Investigations revealed that one hailed from East Sea Academy, while the other was affiliated with the Spirit Pagoda.
Later, with Wu Zhangkong's appearance, the connection to Shrek Academy also came to light.
However, unlike in the original timeline, Leng Yaoju had instructed Leng Jiuming to keep an eye on Gu Yue. As a result, Leng Jiuming observed their team battles with rapt attention, seated beside Bai Xu.
He was terrified that any harm to Gu Yue might jeopardize his career, forcing him into early retirement.
And as fate would have it, Leng Jiuming's vigilance paid off.
Team Battle.
The combined martial soul skill of Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er, Frozen Forest, momentarily stunned Gu Yue. A constricting force enveloped her body as an oppressive chill spread, weighing her down. Suddenly, a tremendous force erupted beneath her feet, and towering blue trees burst through the competition stage.
Tang Wulin rushed to her rescue, but Leng Jiuming was faster. In the next instant, Leng Jiuming reappeared with Gu Yue in his left hand and Tang Wulin in his right, clad in three-word battle armor, his 79th-rank aura suppressing the entire arena.
"Phew… my career is safe," Leng Jiuming sighed in relief, glancing at Bai Xu below the stage. This kid is so much easier to handle. Too much trouble is just exhausting.
"Gu Yue, why didn't you use the Elemental Tornado you unleashed against Bai Xu? That skill's power rivals a martial soul fusion technique—you could've won," Leng Jiuming questioned.
"Uh… that move isn't something I can just casually use. It requires preparation," Gu Yue explained.
"So you mean you went all out with a prepped special move just to deal with Bai Xu?" Leng Jiuming deadpanned.
This little girl is ruthless—preparing a special technique in advance just to take down a fellow disciple?
Bai Xu's lips twitched at the remark, and he could only shake his head helplessly.
Just then—
Shen Yi, dressed in Shrek Academy's uniform, arrived with Wu Zhangkong. "And you are…?"
"Leng Jiuming. Someone entrusted me to look after this kid, so I stepped in. Consider this match over—you've lost."
Wu Zhangkong didn't argue. After taking Tang Wulin and ensuring he was unharmed, he led the team away.
The Skysea Alliance officials remained silent—clearly, neither the Spirit Pagoda nor Shrek Academy were factions they dared to provoke.
For The Skysea Alliance Tournament, the appearance of multiple battle armor masters was a shocking interlude, but ultimately, it was just that—an interlude.
Without further developments, even the most explosive news would eventually fade.
Bai Xu, the fleeting genius, was eliminated in the semifinals by a three-ring control-type soul master.
Team Zero vanished—not just from the tournament, but from East Sea Academy altogether. Other students never saw them again.
---
"To my teacher,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm leaving—taking a year's leave.
The Douluo Continent is vast, and I wish to see it for myself.
I'll return in a year and a half. Try not to miss me too much.
Two years from now, I'll come back as someone far stronger, having mastered the Five Elements within the human body.
Two and a half years later, you mentioned recommending me for admission to Shrek Academy. Since it'd be a waste not to go, I'll reluctantly agree—and I'll definitely return by then.
Don't worry, Teacher. I'll make sure to take care of you in your old age.
Your student,
Bai Xu."
"What a mischievous student!" Leng Jiuming's smile didn't reach his eyes as his neck flushed red, the anger creeping up to his face.
"Still, this kid knows how to weigh pros and cons. He's ready to venture out on his own."
He crumpled Bai Xu's letter and tossed it into the trash, making Zhang Wa tremble with fear. Any thoughts Zhang Wa had about requesting leave vanished instantly.
In the end, Leng Jiuming could only mutter, "Fine. I'll just add some interest to his debt."
He had never mentioned to Bai Xu that the debt carried interest.
---
East Sea City.
As Bai Xu arrived at East Sea Academy's gates, he spotted a slender, graceful figure. Gu Yue waved at him. "What took you so long?"
"Had to write a letter to Teacher Leng. Sorry for the delay."
"Let's go. We're heading to Shrek City. Di Tian is waiting for us there." Gu Yue pulled out two soul train tickets and hailed a taxi.
Bai Xu was puzzled. Couldn't Di Tian just come pick us up? Why go through all this trouble?
"Once we reach Shrek City, I'll meet my teacher first. Di Tian will take you to the Star Dou Fortress," Gu Yue transmitted silently.
"No problem. As long as I can enter the core area of Star Dou Forest." He paused. "Did you take leave too? Did Wu Zhangkong actually let you go?"
"No. The Spirit Pagoda needs me for now, so I'm temporarily excused from training with them. But mostly, I want to observe your cultivation."
[Her path is incompatible with your method.]
An ethereal voice echoed in Bai Xu's mind—the Spirit of the Plane had awakened again.
Gu Yue frowned. "Incompatible? Why?"
[She lacks the 'Ling'.]
"Ling? What's that? I've never heard of it…" Gu Yue's eyes flickered with curiosity as she looked at Bai Xu.
But Bai Xu only shrugged. "I don't know either. Must be a difference in our constitutions."
The Spirit of the Plane fell silent again, returning to slumber. However, the profound Qi within Bai Xu's Heavenly Eye Spirit flared, amplifying his aura of fortune slightly.
Though Bai Xu didn't fully understand what "Ling" referred to, he guessed it was something akin to a "Dao Seed." As someone bearing the fortunes of another world and practicing its methods, Bai Xu suspected that without the Spirit of the Plane's blessing, he might not even have a martial soul, let alone cultivate soul power.
Gu Yue seemed disappointed, but Bai Xu had no obligation to disclose everything to her.
The journey was long, and the soul train's rhythmic motion lulled them into drowsiness. But the moment Bai Xu felt a weight on his shoulder, his drowsiness vanished.
At some point, Gu Yue had leaned against him, seemingly fast asleep.
'What's the meaning of this?' Bai Xu's mind raced.
'Does she… have feelings for me?' No… that can't be it.' He forced himself to stay calm, closing his eyes as he analyzed the situation.
Gu Yue no longer exhibited the obsessive possessiveness she'd had toward Tang Wulin in the original timeline. When Tang Wulin was injured in battle, she didn't lose her temper or challenge others recklessly. From Bai Xu's observations, her feelings for Tang Wulin now leaned more toward friendship.
So why was she acting like this now?
'Physical contact means she doesn't dislike me. Add our cooperative relationship into the mix… and the fact that I have the Golden Dragon bloodline. Did she refrain from testing me because of my advice?'
For a moment, Bai Xu couldn't make sense of it. Had Gu Yue truly been swayed by a few words? If so, shouldn't she be striving for independence as a strong woman?
'Unless… she's trying to get close to extract information?'
As someone who seemingly knew the past, present, and future, Bai Xu's few words could provide invaluable insights to the soul beasts. But Gu Yue understood that such knowledge came at a price.
Without offering sufficient benefits, getting Bai Xu to speak was nearly impossible. And before reaching the Title Douluo level, there was little she could do to force his hand. The only way to draw him into her plans was to exploit his reliance on "predetermined" knowledge—to create discrepancies.
If the future could be changed, would Bai Xu still foresee the altered outcome?
As shrewd as the Silver Dragon was, she knew the method.
For instance, the usually aloof Gu Yue was now inexplicably leaning against him, acting completely out of character.
Would Bai Xu remain indifferent, knowing what was supposed to happen?
Or… would he be caught off guard because the present had deviated from the future he knew?
And for the first time, Gu Yue sensed a flicker of panic in Bai Xu's demanor.