Chapter 104: Gu Yue—It’s Time to Make a Decision!

"Yes, time passes too quickly," Gu Yue responded.

After a brief pause, she continued, "He's grown up too."

"This time, at the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Festival, it's time to make a decision!"

"Our bet... does it still count?"

Her words made Na'er's delicate body tremble slightly, but on the surface, she remained proud and confident, saying, "Of course it counts. I don't believe you can beat me."

Gu Yue didn't say anything, nor did her expression change. She simply nodded.

"I can't delay any longer. Di Tian left recklessly, and there are too many, far too many things that I must personally handle."

"You can stay here and act like you have no responsibilities, but I can't. You should be well aware of what I carry on my shoulders. You refuse to bear it, but I have no choice."

"So, at most, I'll wait until the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Festival ends, then I must leave."

"I once promised him that I'd accompany him to study in the inner court. Now that promise is fulfilled, it's time for me to go."

Na'er's body shook slightly, her eyes shifting with emotion. "You…"

A faint smile appeared on Gu Yue's face, but there was a certain sadness in it.

"Can you say anything to persuade me to stay? You can't, can you?"

"In the end, we are the same. You know exactly what we should do, what kind of burden we bear. You're just running away from it."

"But I… I can't let everyone keep waiting any longer."

"Time waits for no one. Many things must be put into motion now. The Spirit Pagoda has long been hoping for me to take up my position there."

With that, Gu Yue ended the conversation. She gently brushed aside her black hair and turned toward the main teaching building of the inner court.

Watching her retreating figure, Na'er suddenly laughed. It was a happy yet somewhat melancholy laugh.

"Gu Yue, you're destined to lose to me."

"In fact, you already lost long ago. Do you really not realize it? Or do you just refuse to admit it?"

Shrek Academy, Inner Court Dormitory.

The treatment of inner court students was worlds apart from that of the outer court. Each student had their own private dormitory.

Even their meals were on a completely different level, all provided by the academy free of charge.

It could be said that getting into the inner court was like moving from hell to heaven.

Everything in the inner court, from cultivation facilities to teaching staff, was the absolute best.

Inside one of the dormitories…

Xie Xie sat on his couch, looking dazed and absent-minded.

For the past few days, he had been like this, even pausing his usual rigorous training.

Suddenly, knock knock knock! A series of knocks broke the silence.

Xie Xie jolted in surprise but quickly reacted, getting up to open the door.

Standing outside was none other than Yue Zhengyu.

Without waiting for an invitation, Yue Zhengyu pushed past Xie Xie and walked straight in.

Compared to three years ago, they had both grown up. Xie Xie now stood over 1.8 meters tall, while Le Zhengyu was over 1.85 meters.

Both were undeniably handsome—Xie Xie with his usual roguish smirk, while Yue Zhengyu carried an air of holiness.

Their personalities were different, yet among their peers in the inner court, they were both highly noticeable. After all, they were members of the new generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters.

"What are you doing?" Yue Zhengyu glanced at the messy room, covered his nose, and walked over to open the window, letting in the fresh, slightly damp air from the Sea God's Lake.

Xie Xie slumped back onto the couch, his face filled with loneliness and boredom.

"You sick or something?" Yue Zhengyu teased, raising an eyebrow.

Bickering had become an essential part of their daily lives. The two of them were truly close friends, their personalities quite similar—both a bit reckless.

Of course, Xie Xie was usually the more impulsive one.

Xie Xie forced a bitter smile. "Alright, alright, do you actually have something to say? If not, quit bothering me and get lost."

"Oh?" Yue Zhengyu sneered. "So you've got an attitude now? What's gotten into you? If you're feeling restless, why not spar with me in the dueling arena?"

Xie Xie sprawled across the couch in a perfect 'lazy slouch' pose. "Not interested."

Yue Zhengyu's eyes gleamed mischievously as he leaned in and grinned.

"I know, I know."

"There's only one thing that could make you like this—Yue Hui."

"Hah! Look at you, completely hopeless."

"Honestly, you're such a failure. You've been chasing Yue Hui for so long and still haven't succeeded. I don't even know where to start making fun of you."

"Shut up!" Xie Xie growled.

Yue Zhengyu shoved his hands into his pockets, putting on a smug expression.

"Tch!"

"You think I don't know what's going through your head? We're all turning eighteen this year, and the academy is about to hold the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Festival."

"To prevent the inner court students—who are either too arrogant or too obsessed with cultivation—from ending up as lifelong bachelors, the academy strongly encourages all single inner court students over eighteen to participate."

"You're worried someone else will pursue Yue Hui. You're scared you won't get a chance, aren't you?"

Xie Xie snorted, forcing himself to sound confident.

"I'm so handsome. Why wouldn't I have a chance?"

"If she has to pick someone, it's definitely going to be me."

"If she doesn't pick me, then she won't pick anyone else either."

Yue Zhengyu grinned and teased, "Not necessarily."

"There are quite a few senior students in the inner court who are good-looking, strong, and already two-word Battle Armor Masters."

"How can you be so sure Yue Hui will choose you? I wouldn't be so sure~"

Xie Xie shot him a glare. "Whoever dares to compete with me, I'll fight them to the death."

Yue Zhengyu scoffed, crossing his arms. "Please, look at you. You think you can fight over her? If I were Yue Hui, I wouldn't choose you either. You totally deserve this."

That provoked Xie Xie. He sprang up like an angry rooster, jabbing his middle finger in Yue Zhengyu's face.

"We're done! I'm cutting ties with you!"

Yue Zhengyu sneered. "Fine, cut ties."

"Then I guess you don't want to know the most important thing about pursuing a girl, huh?"

Xie Xie scoffed. "What else could it be? Just being shameless, right? That's exactly what you are."

"Get lost. I'm not listening to you."

With that, Yue Zhengyu turned and started to leave.

Panic flashed across Xie Xie's face. In an instant, he dashed forward and grabbed Yue Zhengyu's arm.

"Bro, you win. I was wrong."

"Please teach me. I admit my mistake, okay?"

Yue Zhengyu smirked and said, "Idiot, the key is confidence."

"If you don't even believe in yourself, how can you expect a girl to see you as reliable?"

"Yeah, being thick-skinned helps! But just being shameless isn't enough—you need to be confidently shameless!"

"Ever heard of 'Ghostfire Boys'? Those are the street punks whose wallets are emptier than their dignity."

(End of Chapter)