Chapter 77: Gu Yue’s Heart Falls, and Everyone Knows

"But in the end, they were still met with difficulties. The entire group of our Lord was demoted from regular students to work-study students."

"Of course, according to the internal traditions of Shrek Academy, this is meant to temper the minds of young geniuses for the future."

"Anyway, I am a soul beast, I don't understand. Maybe it's really as Shrek Academy claims."

As if she had finally found a rare opportunity to chat with Ditian, Zi Ji recounted every detail she had gathered.

Ditian appeared to be listening attentively, but in reality, his mind had long since wandered.

Mainly because he was multitasking at the moment—Zi Ji wasn't the only one talking to him. Bi Ji, who had arrived together, was also speaking to him via spiritual transmission.

Thanks to Gu Yue's entrance into Shrek Academy, Bi Ji could no longer move around as freely, and the constraints limiting her activities had significantly loosened.

Using her spiritual power, she transmitted her grievances about her failures over the past year.

She had tried a few strategies to interfere with the intimacy between Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, but all of them had been thwarted midway—because of Gu Yue.

Of course, she didn't walk away completely empty-handed.

"Ditian, what exactly is inside that human soul master Tang Wulin?"

"At first, I thought his abilities related to true dragons meant he had a second martial soul that hadn't awakened yet. The golden dragon scales on his arm seemed like a sign that his martial soul was about to awaken."

"But after observing him for the past few years, things don't seem that simple. The dragon-related powers in Tang Wulin's body keep increasing at regular intervals, yet he has never truly awakened a dragon-type martial soul."

"Moreover, the presence inside him gives me a feeling that it originates from the same source as our Lord, yet is completely opposite to her."

"Ditian…" Bi Ji hesitated before speaking gravely, "Could the presence inside Tang Wulin be related to the other split of the Dragon God—the Golden Dragon King?"

Ditian responded through spiritual transmission, picking up where she left off.

"You've already guessed it, so why ask?"

"Besides, knowing you, I suspect you've already advised Gu Yue to devour Tang Wulin's bloodline and see what happens?"

Before the silent Bi Ji could reply, Ditian answered for her.

"But unfortunately, you failed."

"Gu Yue didn't give you a definitive answer. Instead, she avoided the question and kept making excuses."

"Am I right?"

Hearing this, Bi Ji silently nodded.

Neither of them spoke further, but Ditian had already made his decision.

Gu Yue's heart had fallen, and everyone could see it.

Regardless of the reasons, whether influenced externally or not, she had already strayed from her path.

"Bi Ji, don't concern yourself with this matter anymore."

"And also, don't scheme against Tang Wulin. There are still things inside him that we cannot afford to disturb just yet."

Bi Ji lowered her head solemnly, indicating her understanding.

In truth, even if Ditian hadn't said so, she wouldn't be able to act against him.

There was no way—Gu Yue was guarding him too closely.

At first, when Ditian mentioned that Tang Wulin contained something dangerous, she thought perhaps that was also why their Lord had refused her suggestion.

But when she thought about it again, she laughed at herself.

She was just lying to herself. If Gu Yue had really been incapable of making a move, her reaction would not have been avoidance.

Realizing this, Bi Ji restrained her emotions and said to Ditian:

"I understand."

"When I return, I will inform the Myriad Demon King and Yao Ling about our Lord's situation. They have been lying low within the Spirit Pagoda and are unaware of her condition."

"Given their personalities, I believe they will make the best decision."

"The difficult one is Bear Lord. That guy is single-minded and, since you left, has been eager to prove himself before our Lord."

"But I'll think of a way."

At this moment, Bi Ji completely understood—she could not change Gu Yue's mind. Their only hope now lay with Ditian.

Now, Bi Ji sincerely agreed with Ditian's decision to part ways with Gu Yue years ago and forge a new path for the soul beasts.

At least this way, the soul beast race would not be doomed to extinction or servitude without resistance.

Ditian patted her white-feathered shoulder.

"If we succeed, we are fortunate. If we fail, it is fate."

"As for Bear Lord, just do your best."

This seemingly comforting remark sent a shudder through Bi Ji's heart.

If she failed to dissuade Bear Lord, given Ditian's decisive nature, Bear Lord would not meet a good end.

Bi Ji, who was always kind-hearted, gripped Ditian's broad palm tightly.

"Trust me. You have to trust me."

Ditian nodded without saying more.

At that moment, Zi Ji had finished reporting all the information she had gathered.

"In short, after the freshman assessment, our Lord's group was promoted to the student leadership of Class One."

"Their teacher remains their former homeroom teacher from Eastsea Academy, Wu Zhangkong, as well as his junior sister, Shen Yi."

"Mm." Ditian nodded and told Zi Ji that a spy he had planted in Shrek Academy, Yuanen Yehui, would be far more useful in gathering intelligence about Gu Yue and Tang Wulin than their sources in the Spirit Pagoda.

"Yuanen Yehui?" Zi Ji tilted her head, full of confusion.

"A human? And seemingly a female one? Can she really be trusted?"

"And another thing, since when did you get so close to a human woman, Ditian?"

Even though a year had passed since Ditian had orchestrated the artificial romance scenario, he still felt a lingering sense of strangeness whenever he thought about it.

Of course, outwardly, he maintained his composure.

His expression and tone remained as usual.

"Rest assured, she can be trusted."

With that, he said nothing more about Yuanen Yehui.

Then, Ditian swiftly shifted his focus to the training hall.

The three individuals who had just received their four-word battle armor and god-rank mechas were still testing their functions, ensuring they were well-adapted and making any necessary adjustments.

Meanwhile, he was mentally calculating the remaining time and tasks ahead.

At the fastest pace, in three years, all remaining soul beasts could have their own four-word battle armor and god-rank mechas.

Once that was completed, they could proceed with their plan to bombard Shrek Academy, and from there, it would smoothly align with the peak competition in which he planned to make his move.

With this in mind, Ditian transmitted a mental command.

"Titan, Ice Empress, Lan Fozi—come see me immediately."

A second after his transmission, the three arrived instantly.

Their eyes were filled with reverence and gratitude. Without Ditian's efforts, achieving such power would have taken them who knows how many more years of cultivation.

And if not for Ditian's authority, how could the rulers of the human world—who stood at the top of the food chain—have ever willingly forged battle armor and mechas for soul beasts?

"Titan, Ice Empress."

"A soul beast messenger once sent word from Snow Spirit. She is currently communicating with the ley lines of the Extreme North, using the power of heaven and earth there to alter the ley lines and gradually extend them toward the outskirts of the Extreme North where the Northern Army is stationed."

"If she succeeds in reshaping the ley lines, she alone will be able to unleash the greatest snowstorm in the history of the Extreme North and completely bury the entire Northern Army's base."

"But the Extreme North is vast, its ley lines deep and complex, so Snow Spirit's progress is slow."

(End of Chapter)