Farewell, and Departure!

A farewell, and departure!

"Black Grade Mecha?"

Qiangu Wuji was dumbfounded by Mu Ye's explanation.

This...

This was actually a Black Grade Mecha!

Though it was a shame that it wasn't Battle Armor,

in exchange, he was getting a Black Grade Mecha. That alone more than made up for it.

A Black Grade Mecha could let an ordinary person stand against a Soul Saint who wasn't wearing Battle Armor.

Battle Armor was certainly powerful, but his level was too low to wear it.

So in the early stages, a mecha was undoubtedly the most practical choice.

Especially since his was specially made.

Without a doubt, this thing would become his greatest trump card in the future.

"Don't get too excited. Its quality is Black Grade, but to keep it lightweight, I left out many of the weapons normally built into a mecha. So, strictly speaking, its actual combat power isn't at Black Grade."

Seeing his excitement, Mu Ye promptly poured cold water on him.

Qiangu Wuji nodded at this, feeling reassured.

That was true. How could anything be perfect in every way?

Still, he wasn't disappointed. A mecha he could use anytime, anywhere was already incredible for its convenience alone, regardless of its combat power.

Thinking this, he nodded and smiled at Mu Ye.

"Thank you, teacher. This gift is precious. I'll cherish it."

Mu Ye didn't respond, but slowly walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

He stood by the window and gazed down for a while, then said with a sigh,

"Three years have passed before I even realized it. Time really flies!"

Qiangu Wuji listened quietly. He knew Mu Ye had something to say.

As he'd expected, after a moment, Mu Ye turned his gaze back.

"You're leaving Aolai City, aren't you?"

"Yes. That's why I came to say goodbye, teacher."

Qiangu Wuji nodded.

"Mm. It's time for you to leave. Aolai City is just a small place; your stage doesn't belong here," Mu Ye murmured, then continued, "As it happens, I've been away for quite a while too. I should head back."

He looked up at Qiangu Wuji.

"If you get the chance in the future, come to Star Luo Continent. I'll teach you the real core techniques of the Body Sect."

"Teacher, I'll definitely come."

Qiangu Wuji nodded seriously. If the main storyline didn't veer too far off course, and he followed along with it, he was certain to reach Star Luo Continent someday.

After they'd finished discussing business, the two chatted casually about other things, including the Emperor Armor he'd envisioned.

According to Mu Ye, the idea behind Qiangu Wuji's design was to make the armor itself far more powerful than its user, as if pouring all of the user's Soul Power into it in one desperate gamble.

The biggest problem with this design was that there were no Soul Tool components capable of doing that.

Not even Soul Power batteries, which stored Soul Power, could manage it.

Besides, Battle Armor also involved some of the user's own abilities.

In short, the idea was good, but unfortunately, it couldn't be made.

After learning why it wouldn't work, Qiangu Wuji wasn't discouraged. There was still plenty of time, and even if he could make it, he wouldn't be able to use it yet.

So he put the matter aside for now.

Once they'd finished chatting, Qiangu Wuji saw that it was getting late and stood to say goodbye to Mu Ye.

"Teacher, I'm leaving. Take care."

"Mm."

After saying goodbye, Qiangu Wuji headed home.

It had been morning when he arrived, but now dusk had fallen.

Winter days grew dark early, and the road was already growing dim.

He walked along a sandy path as the cold wind blew against him.

Suddenly, as he walked, he spotted a figure that caught his attention.

On a nearby beach, a dim streetlamp cast its yellow light across the sand. A young woman sat curled up on the ground, hugging her knees. The night breeze stirred her long hair, making it sway in the air.

Recognizing that familiar figure, Qiangu Wuji paused. After a moment's thought, he walked over.

"Why are you sitting here?"

Gu Yue didn't turn around. She hugged her knees and gazed at the rolling sea before her. Only after a long while did she speak softly.

"What do you think is in the sea?"

Qiangu Wuji sat down beside her and answered with a smile, "Fish. What else?"

Gu Yue turned to look at him calmly.

"What about Soul Beasts? Do you think there are still Soul Beasts in the sea?"

Huh?

Qiangu Wuji froze again, unsure what she meant by the question.

But thinking of the original story, he answered honestly.

"Probably. There aren't many Soul Beasts left, but they haven't gone extinct entirely. The sea is so vast and mysterious; there must still be plenty we haven't discovered."

"Mm." Gu Yue nodded, then turned her gaze back to the sea and murmured, "But no one knows how much longer the Soul Beasts in the sea can survive."

Qiangu Wuji fell silent, not knowing what to say.

But Gu Yue hadn't really been asking him. She continued speaking to herself.

"This world is far too one-dimensional."

"One-dimensional?"

Qiangu Wuji mulled over the words, immediately grasping what she meant. He was about to say something, but Gu Yue stood up, brushed the sand from her skirt, and said,

"Come on. We have to report to Eastsea Academy tomorrow, and it's getting late."

With that, she didn't give Qiangu Wuji time to respond. She simply turned and left.

Qiangu Wuji had no choice but to hurry after her.

He felt conflicted. After spending the past few years together, with Gu Yue quietly by his side, he'd assumed she'd let go of her prejudice against humanity.

But the truth was, she hadn't let go of it. If anything, it might have grown even stronger.

In the original story, Tang Wulin's presence had kept her in check. But now that the plot had shifted and Gu Yue had nothing holding her back, could this lead to the final battle happening ahead of schedule?

At the thought, Qiangu Wuji grew uneasy. After spending these past few years with Gu Yue, he'd come to see her as a friend. If the two of them ever ended up on opposite sides, he might truly be unable to accept it.

Sigh!

Forget it. He'd take things one step at a time. There was still plenty of time.

He returned home, and the night passed without incident.

The next day arrived quickly.

Today was the day he and Gu Yue would set out for Eastsea Academy.

Outside the old residence, Leng Yaozhu and Na'er were saying goodbye to them.

"Wuji, I can't go with you to East Sea this time. You'll be on your own in an unfamiliar place, so remember what I told you."

"Don't trust what other people say too easily, especially those girls."

"Mom, I know. You were going on about it all night yesterday. Haven't you had enough?"