Gu Yue Enrolls, the Conflict Begins, Mysterious Dragon Cafe and the East Sea Three Swordsmen

Time flew by, and two years passed quietly.

A blonde girl with a high ponytail stood behind a towering Ancient Tree. She had a pretty face with a distinctly proud cast to her brows, and her fair skin shone brightly beneath the sunlight. Her azure eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Sea God Lake like a patient cheetah.

After a while, a black speck appeared above Sea God Lake. The girl's eyes immediately lit up. She quickly adjusted her slightly stiff posture, straightened her back, stepped out from behind the Ancient Tree, and casually walked along while pretending to be an ordinary passerby.

Just then, the black speck descended from the sky and turned into a handsome young man with black hair and black eyes.

Tall and upright, with exquisite, striking features, the young man seemed bathed in golden sunlight. His refined face looked lazy and gentle, while tiny stars seemed to float in his eyes. When he saw the passing girl, he greeted her.

"Morning."

"Morning."

The girl replied at once, then said as if casually, "Are you going to the Mecha Manufacturing Association to turn in a task? Just so happens, I am too."

She had signaled that they could travel together, but the young man gently shook his head and smiled. "I'm not going to the Mecha Manufacturing Association today. I'm heading to the inner court cafeteria to pick up breakfast. She wants the Starry Sky Papaya Milk specially supplied by the inner court cafeteria."

Upon hearing this, the blonde girl, Ye Xinglan, suddenly froze. They had been classmates for three years, and she knew very well that the boy before her, Zhao Xuanzhen, lived an extremely regular life.

Every Sunday morning, he would take turns delivering tasks to the three major mecha associations. At that time, the silver-haired girl would not accompany him, because she had not joined any association.

Ye Xinglan was a Mecha Manufacturer. She had repeatedly run into Zhao Xuanzhen at the Mecha Manufacturing Association at the same time, and she had thus figured out when she could arrange a chance encounter.

"Why aren't you going to the association?"

A faint hint of disappointment seeped into her voice. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er were inseparable in ordinary times, leaving Ye Xinglan no way to insert herself between them.

Sunday morning was their one time alone each week. Ye Xinglan had many things she wanted to discuss with Zhao Xuanzhen, such as tempering sword intent and the tricks of Mecha Manufacturing...

But she would not have that chance today. For no reason she could explain, Ye Xinglan felt uncomfortable, as though the last thing she had to look forward to had suddenly been taken away.

"It's Shrek Academy's enrollment season. An old friend is enrolling, so we're going to pick her up... Oh, you met her three years ago too," Zhao Xuanzhen said.

Ye Xinglan searched her memories and slowly spoke a name. "Gu Yue?"

"Mm." Zhao Xuanzhen nodded. "I'm leaving first. The Starry Sky Papaya Milk is supplied in limited quantities. If I miss it, that queen will throw a little tantrum."

"Mm."

A faint light flickered in her eyes. As she watched Zhao Xuanzhen depart, Ye Xinglan's expression gradually faded from a smile into calmness, until it finally became completely blank.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanzhen went rushing all the way. Fortunately, he had timed it precisely enough to successfully get a bucket of Starry Sky Papaya Milk. This was the inner court cafeteria's signature product, coveted by countless female students. Arriving a few minutes late could mean leaving empty-handed.

Time passed in a flash. It had already been three years since he enrolled at Shrek Academy, and excluding the year he had spent in seclusion within the Golden Tree, Zhao Xuanzhen's past two years had been remarkably eventful.

His mornings were spent attending classes at Shrek Academy. He had five classes a week: three days of training and practical combat, one day studying battle armor, and one theory class. On weekends, he completed the Second Profession tasks he had accepted to accumulate practical experience.

His afternoons were free. Zhao Xuanzhen would generally return to Spirit Pagoda Headquarters to receive Leng Yaozhu's guidance, enter the Spirit Ascension Platform to raise his soul spirit's age, and study Mecha Repair under Illusion Brain Douluo Han Tianyi. At night, he would usually return to Sea God Island to meditate and cultivate.

Amid his busy life, challengers would occasionally disturb him, as would summons from the Body Sect Master. Old Comrade Muye came to Shrek City every month to answer questions about the Body Secret Technique and pass on his invaluable experience as a Rank 9 Mecha Manufacturer.

After two years of effort, Zhao Xuanzhen's Soul Power had reached the peak of Rank 49. In about a week, he would break through Rank 50 and officially become a Five-Ring Soul King. His three Secondary Professions had already reached Level 5 High-Grade, meeting the requirements to create Two-Word Battle Armor.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Zhao Xuanzhen knocked on Na'er's Wooden House door and said helplessly, "I'm back. Are you done getting ready?"

"Almost, almost!"

A crisp voice, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, came from behind the door. Na'er pushed the door open, her silver-white hair flowing down from her shoulders. Her peerlessly beautiful face resembled finely carved jade, her brows were like distant mountains touched by dark pigment, and her red lips were moist and full. A hint of coral color painted the loveliest of scenes upon her face.

Na'er had not only dressed up, but also put on a battle robe she had specifically bought: a Pearl White Silk Skirt. Its hem had been cut into asymmetrical waves that rolled like drifting clouds when she walked. Her Silver Diamond High Heels stretched the arch of her feet into an elegant curve, while her legs were long and straight, her skin fairer than snow. The moment she appeared, she herself became the only source of light.

At the sight, a flash of amazement passed through Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes. He handed her the bucket of Papaya Milk and sighed.

"Fully armed indeed. You really are extraordinary..."

"You don't understand. This is a war! A war!"

Stars seemed to flicker and fade within Na'er's shifting gaze. She took the Papaya Milk, tipped her head back, and gulped it all down in one go, like a general downing a bowl of farewell wine before a fierce battle between two nations. Then she forcefully linked her arm through Zhao Xuanzhen's and set off with her head held high!

The two walked along Shrek Academy's main road, drawing countless gazes along the way.

As they gradually grew older, both Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er had matured. With their heaven-defying looks and exceptional talent, they stood together like a golden boy and jade girl, perfectly matched in every way.

When they arrived outside a teaching building, they waited for Gu Yue, who was undergoing her Entrance Examination. Na'er chirped nonstop like a little sparrow.

"So slow! Why hasn't she passed the Entrance Examination yet?"

"Is that all three years of seclusion got her?"

"Zhao Xuanzhen, listen to me. When you see her later, you're not allowed to fuss over her!"

"Okay, okay, I know."

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled as he looked at the silver-haired girl beside him. Gu Yue had emerged from seclusion three days ago and decided to enroll at Shrek Academy.

Upon hearing the news, Na'er had treated it like a looming enemy. She dragged Zhao Xuanzhen to the most luxurious mall in Shrek City and spent an entire afternoon selecting a Goddess Battle Robe, determined to outshine Gu Yue!

Just as Na'er was fretting herself sick, Zhao Xuanzhen received a message through his Soul Guide Communication. It was from Gu Yue, containing only four simple words.

I passed.

"Finally!"

Na'er lightly swept back her silver hair, raised her chin slightly, perfectly catching the golden sunlight as she proudly thrust out her full chest.

Three years east of the river, three years west of the river—never look down on a poor young girl. She was no longer that impoverished girl. With the combined effects of growth and nutritional supplements, she was now abundantly endowed in every respect. Na'er felt that she was absolutely perfect from top to bottom, certain that she could thoroughly crush Gu Yue!

A figure slowly emerged from the freshman examination building. The sunlight seemed to favor her, dyeing the jet-black hair that fell to her waist with a faint golden hue.

The girl's brows and eyes seemed shrouded in cold mist, her eyes deep and dark, her skin a cool porcelain white that added an extra layer of aloofness and indifference to her. She wore a Black Velvet Skirt, its waist cinched extremely tight. Beneath the hem, her legs were wrapped in smooth Black Thigh-High Stockings, their edges embroidered with dark silver vines that vaguely climbed upward.

Her overall black attire resembled the still waters of a deep pool. There was nothing dazzling about her, yet within that unfathomable depth lurked an unrivaled arrogance. Even her shadow seemed steeped in proud nobility.

"Damn it! I drank so much Papaya Milk—how can she still be evenly matched with me?!"

The moment Gu Yue appeared, Na'er began comparing them. Then her face filled with disbelief, and she seriously suspected Gu Yue had secretly used some kind of prop!

"Cunning Gu Yue..."

"Xuanzhen."

Gu Yue took graceful steps forward and called out with a light smile, directly ignoring Na'er, whose eyes were practically spitting fire beside him.

"Did the examination go smoothly? Did the examiners make things difficult for you?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked gently.

"Everything went smoothly." Gu Yue smiled brightly. "The chief examiners were Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi and Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu, while the first checkpoint's guardian was Elder Li.

"The three Titled Douluo were fair and impartial. Also, I used to be a Class Zero student at Eastsea Academy, where I studied under Teacher Wu Changkong for a time.

"During the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition three years ago, I represented Eastsea Academy and defeated Shrek Academy. Scarlet Dragon Douluo remembered me because of that and thought highly of me. In the end, during the Triple Interrogation at the tenth checkpoint, I received a perfect evaluation."

"What was your final score?" Na'er asked eagerly.

"One hundred points. Top New Student of this session." Gu Yue did not seem to care.

Na'er's sorrow surged like an endless river. She had lost another advantage!

Zhao Xuanzhen fell into thought. Gu Yue's circumstances were vastly different from those in the other timeline.

Externally, Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er had been stripped of all her positions, and Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi had become Dean of the Outer Court. There would be no malicious targeting over a failed attempt at taking disciples.

Internally, Gu Yue herself seemed to have become much stronger. She had actually scored one hundred points. After all, physical endurance alone had never been something the old Gu Yue excelled at.

Therefore, something must have happened to Gu Yue, allowing her to surpass the limitations of the incomplete Silver Dragon King Bloodline inside her body and quietly evolve bit by bit.

"Come on. Let's get some coffee and chat."

Zhao Xuanzhen made the suggestion. Neither girl objected. With Full of Tacit Understanding, they stood on either side of him. Two gazes, one black and one silver-white, collided in midair, and the smell of gunpowder rose once more.

The conflict had begun!

The three left Shrek Academy and headed toward Mysterious Dragon Street, which Zhao Xuanzhen had replanned.

Na'er was bright and dazzling, while Gu Yue was Serene and Composed. The Black and White Duo... ah, no, the peerlessly beautiful Black and White Beauties accompanying the same person caused their rate of turning heads to surge dozens of times over. If envious, jealous, and resentful looks could kill, Zhao Xuanzhen figured he would have died tens of thousands of times already.

It was Shrek Academy's triennial enrollment season, and Mysterious Dragon Street bustled with people. At the street entrance, a three-meter-tall Silver Dragon Sculpture shimmered beneath the sunlight, lifelike in every detail.

The Silver Dragon's body coiled around a Black and White Base, its scales carved into sharp arcs. Its head was raised proudly toward the sky, its fangs holding a Hollowed-out Sphere. Sunlight passed through the sphere and cast rainbow-colored rays, as if it were Stardust condensed from dragon breath.

"Mysterious Dragon Street—our territory. Zhao Xuanzhen's Xuan, and the dragon from the Silver Dragon Spear!" Na'er boasted to Gu Yue. "This street used to be called White Tiger Street, and the statue was a vicious White Tiger. Now it's been changed into a noble and beautiful Silver Dragon. As for why, I don't need to say it, right?"

"That makes it very meaningful, then."

Gu Yue sized up the Silver Dragon Sculpture and suddenly revealed a smile.

In Gu Yue's eyes, the Silver Dragon Spear belonged to her. Therefore, Mysterious Dragon Street, named after the Silver Dragon Spear, belonged to her as well. Everything Na'er had done in the past had merely paved the way for Queen Gu Yue.

After three years apart, her other half was still so foolish!

One look at the clear, innocent eyes of that Silver-haired Girl told Gu Yue that she had not succeeded in winning him over at all—she had not even gotten a bite!

They were already thirteen! Did she even understand what being thirteen meant in the world of Douluo Soul Masters?!

Did she see the Rose Hotel they had just passed? It was completely normal for soul masters that age to get permanent VIP memberships there!

The opportunity was given to you long ago, but you couldn't seize it. So it can only be my turn now.

Foolish Na'er...

Gu Yue's black eyes were deep. After three years of seclusion and reflection, she had assigned herself three major tasks.

First, find the whereabouts of the Gold Dragon King Divine Core. Gu Yue was utterly puzzled. How could such a huge Dragon King Divine Core simply vanish overnight?

Second, overcome Na'er's humanity.

Although she had outwardly promised Na'er that she would not consider devouring her before becoming a Limit Douluo, everyone knew that the noble Silver Dragon King did not keep her promises!

Third, continuously rise through the Spirit Pagoda Positions, enter its core circle, build the Myriad Beast Platform, and seek vengeance against humanity. Revenge was not mere slaughter. Gu Yue wanted all humanity to feel pain, fear, despair, and unbearable regret!

Zhao Xuanzhen would help her achieve the latter two goals, because he was both the core of Na'er's humanity and the Direct Disciple of the Spirit Pagoda's Vice Tower Master.

For the sake of the bigger picture, Gu Yue could consider giving Zhao a tiny bit of benefit. At the same time, she secretly warned herself not to be deceived by humanity's honeyed words. The Co-Lord of Soul Beasts bore the responsibility of reviving the soul beast race!

At Mysterious Dragon Cafe, Zhao Xuanzhen pushed open the glass door decorated with a silver-white dragon head and courteously invited the two girls to enter first.

The cafe's aroma washed over them, wrapped in scents of caramel and cedar. Glass Lamps swayed gently in the currents from the central air conditioning, casting rippling light across the Ivory Walls.

The attendant at the counter had Chestnut Red Short Hair, a pretty face beautiful almost to an excessive degree, and a tall yet exquisitely curvaceous figure. Her uniform outlined captivating curves, while the black bow at her collar was fashionable and cute. Her entire body radiated the beauty of youth.

At that moment, three figures were gathered at the counter to order: two boys and a girl. The adorable girl with light-blue twin ponytails pointed at three empty coffee cups on display and said, "We want three Silver Dragon Oatmeal Lattes. Large cups—two iced and one hot."

The attendant glanced in the direction the girl was pointing and apologized, "Sorry, ma'am, but our sizes are medium, large, and extra-large."

"Huh?"

The three froze together. The boy with a cool, arrogant expression suddenly realized something. "So this is the legendary number one city on the continent, Shrek City...

"It truly lives up to its reputation. Even the coffee shops are so unique!"

The black-haired boy standing in the middle, who was clearly the leader of the three, agreed. "Let's follow the local customs. Three extra-large Silver Dragon Oatmeal Lattes, plus ten taro bagels!"

Zhao Xuanzhen's mouth twitched slightly. Well, well. They were all familiar faces.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan—the East Sea Three Swordsmen!