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Bai Xu glanced at Gu Yue's slightly striking figure, coughed dryly, and released the metal restraint, simultaneously retracting his battle armor to its original state.
The blush on her face hadn't yet faded as she awkwardly said, "Your metal control is just too overpowered. Destroying metal would be like cutting off your own arm—it'd mean destroying your own battle armor."
Then, Gu Yue sighed, "Right now, you're practically the bane of all soul masters. The pinnacle of current technology—mechas and battle armor—if any of them were to fight you, you could even turn them against their users. It's terrifying."
"Alright, enough sighing. Let's go eat."
"Sure!"
The two walked side by side toward the school gate.
——————
Tang Wulin looked at the lovely girl beside him, an unconscious smile spreading across his face. "Na'er, what do you want to eat today? I'll buy it for you!"
"Brother, you don't need to waste all your time on me. Focus on your cultivation. I believe you'll definitely make it into the inner court," Na'er replied.
"But—"
Just as Tang Wulin was about to say something, he saw Bai Xu and Gu Yue walking toward them. The two looked calm, chatting and laughing about something.
Upon seeing them, Gu Yue greeted, "Captain, heading out to eat?"
"Yeah, with my sister."
"We've already eaten. See you later!"
Watching their smiles, Tang Wulin felt puzzled. Should Gu Yue really be wearing such a cheerful expression?
He thought back to their time at Eastsea Academy—back then, Gu Yue had been icy, hardly interacting with anyone besides him. She hadn't even deigned to shake Xie Xie's hand. It was only now that Tang Wulin realized Gu Yue's initial attitude toward him had been special.
But after that semester, when the new term began, Gu Yue had changed.
She started trying to interact with people other than him, even showing friendliness toward Xie Xie, whom she'd previously disdained. She no longer stopped him from interacting with other girls, either.
It was around that time that Bai Xu had appeared.
"Does Gu Yue like Bai Xu?" Tang Wulin murmured softly as he watched their retreating figures.
Na'er chuckled. "Of course. Can't you tell, brother? The life Gu Yue has now is one of the rare times she truly cherishes."
Were Tang Wulin and Gu Yue friends?
Of course—they'd fought side by side, after all. But… why did he feel this inexplicable sense of loss? A feeling that seemed to seep from his very bloodline?
Tang Wulin shook his head to clear his thoughts and turned to Na'er. "Let's hurry. If we don't go soon, all the food will be gone!"
With that, he reached out to take Na'er's hand and stride forward.
But Na'er dodged. Tang Wulin turned back to see her grinning mischievously. "Brother, I've grown up now. Men and women shouldn't be too intimate—that includes holding hands."
Tang Wulin froze for a moment before awkwardly rubbing his head and laughing. "Oh, right, sorry. I forgot Na'er is a grown girl now. Let's go."
Something felt different, but he couldn't quite place what. A strange, uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest.
Was it because of Bai Xu?
————————
Knock, knock, knock!
A knocking sound came at the door.
Na'er pushed it open and walked in, glancing at Gu Yue and Bai Xu, who were chatting. With a plop, she flopped onto the bed. Only back in the dorm did she feel that long-missed sense of relaxation.
Stretching lazily, she turned to Gu Yue. "Wanna cultivate?"
Gu Yue smiled and opened her arms. "Come here."
The two girls embraced in broad daylight. This was the first time Bai Xu had seriously observed their interactions.
"Are you just going to keep staring like that?" A voice snapped Bai Xu out of his thoughts, making him quickly avert his gaze. But then he realized the voice sounded different. When he turned back, Gu Yuena's figure was faintly visible.
"You're out again?"
"What, not welcome?" The slightly haughty tone made Bai Xu sweat.
"This time, if you ask me anything, I'll charge for answers."
"No need. This time, I want to confirm something with you," Gu Yuena said softly, her expression serious, instantly tightening the atmosphere.
"What is it?"
"Our feelings for each other," she stated bluntly.
Bai Xu frowned. "How do you confirm that? And what exactly are you confirming?"
"Gu Yue likes you—you could even say she loves you. This isn't some impulsive conclusion but a seed buried deep in her heart after a year of observation.
"Na'er doesn't dislike you either. Her feelings for Tang Wulin are purely familial. That irrational, lovestruck mindset she once had is gone. So, I…" Gu Yuena hesitated, as if embarrassed, but pressed on solemnly. "I also have some feelings for you. I like you."
"Not surprising. So? You want to confirm our relationship?" Bai Xu still seemed confused.
Seeing his reaction, Gu Yuena couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation. Lowering her voice, she said, "But Bai Xu… in all these years, you've never once said you like Gu Yue, or me, or even Na'er. Not once. Do you want to follow in the footsteps of those soul masters, keeping multiple women? Are you worried about whether I'd agree? Or is there someone else? Or—" Her voice turned sharp. "Are you just toying with my feelings, waiting to watch me fall apart?
"I don't want to be indecisive. I have responsibilities in the future, and the time I can spend with you is limited to just these few years. If we settle this now… everything can still be fixed.
"This is also what Gu Yue wants to say. You taught her well—love can make people lose themselves. If not for your earlier words, perhaps I really would have drowned in these emotions. I might've even… chosen you over my entire race. But you taught me too well. You shouldn't have done that. I need an answer!" Gu Yuena demanded, her tone unyielding.
Bai Xu remained silent, simply staring straight into Gu Yuena's eyes. Then he stood and walked up to her. "Gu Yuena, you're still thinking too simply."
"What do you mean?"
Bai Xu explained, "If I said I love you, and one day we end up on opposing sides, what would you do?"
Gu Yuena looked puzzled but answered firmly, "I'd kill you to fulfill the revival of the soul beasts. Once it's all over, I'd go find you. I love and hate decisively. I'll only love one person in this life, and once I'm in, I won't regret it. I'd follow you in death without hesitation."
"Do you know what my answer would be?" Bai Xu smiled.
"What?"
"I'd grow strong—so strong that I could crush everything in my path. Even if you died, I wouldn't kill myself to follow you." Bai Xu's gaze burned like the sun, so intense that Gu Yuena almost had to look away.
Hearing this, Gu Yuena seemed to wilt slightly, murmuring, "Right. Your pursuit is immortality, while mine is the revival of soul beasts. We walk different paths."
Bai Xu shook his head with a light laugh. "Don't rush. I haven't finished. I'd travel the world, searching through the cycles of reincarnation for traces of you. I'd resurrect you from the past and let you stand beside me through the ages."
She froze.
Bai Xu continued, "Love is mutual effort. What have I done for you, Gu Yuena? I've shown you the truth of the continent's power structure, the gods' schemes. I've given you direction, helped you live for yourself. It's no surprise you like me. But what have you done for me? Have you ever thought about that? Everything before now has been transactions, cooperation! Your kind invested in me, and in the future, I'll help the soul beasts. That's karma. But have you ever done anything purely for me?"
Bai Xu spoke earnestly. "Think about it, Gu Yuena. When you finally look up, you'll see—I'll be waiting for you on the other side of the river."
His words weren't empty. He could've easily avoided these conversations with Gu Yuena. There were countless ways to cooperate with the soul beasts, especially with the Planet's Will on his side.
He could've let Gu Yue walk the same path as in the original timeline, leading to a final battle between him, Gu Yuena, and Tang Wulin. Most likely, Bai Xu would've crushed them effortlessly, then handed Douluo Star back to the Planet's Will. The soul beasts wouldn't go extinct—he might've even asked the Will to favor them with some fortune to aid their revival. That would've settled his debts.
When Gu Yuena looked up again, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, as if lost in thought over Bai Xu's words. Silence stretched between them.
Just as Bai Xu was about to leave, she reached out, cupped his face, and—completely out of nowhere—pressed a kiss to his lips.
A flash of white light later, Na'er and Gu Yue reappeared.
"You're still you, Bai Xu. Meeting you… has been truly wonderful. Thank you for appearing in my life."
"I've found my answer. As expected, seeking your guidance was the right choice."