[After that, I left. That departure lasted an entire year. I wanted time to wash away the grief in my heart.]
[For that year, I traveled the continent alone as I had when the three of us journeyed together, punishing the wicked and aiding the weak, taking the elimination of Evil Soul Masters as my duty. But back then, my methods were far more ruthless than before, as though I wanted to vent the anguish in my heart through such means.]
[It seemed that during that year, I had forgotten the past and focused on the present. But in truth, I had never stopped secretly keeping track of Mu En and Xi Shui. I did not approach them, stayed far away, made sure they could not find me, and sought out the latest news at the first opportunity.]
[And so, the love story of Mu En and Ye Xishui, this couple who roamed the continent and became leaders of the younger generation, continued to reach my ears.]
[Yes, Mu En was the Sea God Pavilion Master's successor. He was destined to be the center of attention. Now his life had become even more complete, but what about mine?]
[In the end, time did not wash everything away. It did not make me forget those painful feelings. Rather than finding the peace I had hoped for, I only wanted to see Mu En and Xi Shui more.]
[Perhaps it was simply my nature. I had always been far too stubborn, stubborn about everything. Truly moving on from that failed relationship was simply too difficult.]
[So, tormented by my nature and emotions, I made a decision: I would go back and see them.]
[The young and impulsive me at the time could never have imagined that this would be the gravest mistake of my life. It completely changed the course of all three of our lives. It destroyed Xi Shui's happiness and betrayed Mu En...]
At Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Meng Hongchen watched the Heavenly Curtain Monologue with an expectant expression, eager to see what happened next.
"Top experts' gossip really is entertaining. After waiting so long, we finally got to the best part."
Meng Hongchen's words drew agreement from the female students around her.
"Exactly, exactly. It is so good."
"If I were Ye Xishui, with the continent's two most promising men by my side... just thinking about it makes it extraordinary."
"I think what's coming next is one of those tragic romances from storybooks."
With Dragon God Douluo Mu En's monologue serving as the groundwork, they were naturally able to make their own guesses about certain crucial points in Dragon Emperor Douluo's story.
Wasn't the worst decision Dragon Emperor Douluo ever made in his life the time he went to see Mu En and Ye Xishui, slept with Ye Xishui, and betrayed his elder brother Mu En?
Although Dragon God Douluo's monologue had suggested there might have been hidden circumstances, the gossip was still incredibly juicy.
Meng Hongchen had always been a sucker for handsome men and only liked good-looking people, so she naturally preferred the youthful portion of Dragon Emperor Douluo's monologue.
If this world had the concept of idol dramas, then the early part of Dragon Emperor Douluo's monologue was like watching one. The upcoming tortured love triangle only made it feel even more like a melodramatic idol drama.
"Tch, Meng, you're so shallow. The purpose of the Heavenly Curtain Monologue should be to help us better understand our own strength and see just how great the gap is between us and those top experts in their youth."
"Instead, you're staring at the Heavenly Curtain with that lovestruck expression, looking forward to private matters like romance. It's a complete waste of time."
Xiao Hongchen had long since grown used to his younger sister's infatuated, gossip-loving behavior.
Although she was as talented as him and usually just as forceful and unstoppable, she was rather hopeless when it came to things like this.
At a time like this, shouldn't she take the chance to properly see just how large the gap was between herself and those truly top-tier experts?
"Brother, give it a rest." Xiao Hongchen was not so worried about strength and took it quite calmly. "Whether it's Dragon God Douluo or Dragon Emperor Douluo, they are existences beyond our reach. Our talent can never compare to theirs, let alone trying to make up for our shortcomings."
"They are Level 99 Limit Douluo. Our Sun Moon Empire simply cannot cultivate Soul Masters like that."
Hearing his sister's sharp retort, Xiao Hongchen was left speechless, because he knew she was speaking the truth.
[And so, I finally saw Mu En and Xi Shui again in Shrek City. They looked so happy together!]
[Mu En was somewhat awkward about my sudden arrival, but he still comforted me greatly. He drank with me until we were both dead drunk, trying to ease the tension between us.]
[Then, all of a sudden, I became strangely calm, as though I had let go of everything.]
[Because Mu En was still the same Mu En as before, still that kind-hearted Mu En. He had never changed. The one who had changed was the me of the past. Those vile fantasies of mine had mostly been the release of frustration from wanting something I could not have.]
[Mu En could face me so openly and comfort me, which meant that what happened back then had truly been fair competition. There had been no tricks or underhanded schemes.]
[And so, I was relieved. Love was love; feelings could not be forced. During that late-night talk, I felt as though I could let go of everything and begin a brand-new life.]
[Perhaps this was the best answer for the three of us. Mu En and Xi Shui could live happily together, while I could move on without hurting anyone else or hurting myself.]
Seeing this, many people became confused. Dragon Emperor Douluo had seemed so free and clear-headed, so why did he ultimately betray Mu En and sleep with Ye Xishui?
With that question in mind, as well as their thirst for gossip, they eagerly wanted to know the truth.
[When I saw Xi Shui again, she was also very calm. The intimacy we had shared a year ago had vanished without a trace. That lively girl had become so gentle and graceful, as though she had already prepared herself to become Mu En's wife.]
[What could I say? I could only offer them my most sincere blessings.]
[Although I had indeed let go and accepted reality, there was still resentment in my heart. That resentment had many sources. Perhaps it was the battles since meeting Mu En, where I had lost more often than I won? Or perhaps it was the envy of seeing him win the beauty's heart?]
[Therefore, I took this opportunity to challenge Mu En. Part of me wanted to soothe my heart through this method, while another part wanted to test the results of my year's cultivation.]
Before you continue