Gu Yue and Na'er

Mist swirled around the banks of the Lake of Life.

A month of time slipped away rapidly amidst the dull yet fulfilling special training.

Gu Tian sat cross-legged on that massive, warm piece of jade, his upper body bare. Nine-colored glimmers circled his body, dancing and intertwining like nimble threads of light.

After a month of near-brutal torment at the hands of Gu Yuena, he had not only thoroughly consolidated his level twenty soul power, but his mastery over various elements had also reached a state of perfection.

According to Ao Linxi's deductions, as long as Gu Tian unlocked the elemental power corresponding to a Dragon King, he could master it rapidly.

"Withdraw."

Gu Tian gave a soft shout, and the light filling the sky retracted into his body. He let out a long breath; his previously somewhat slender frame now possessed perfectly balanced lines, with every inch of muscle containing astonishing explosive power.

"Not bad. At least you haven't disgraced the Dragon God."

Gu Yuena walked over from behind. She remained in her silver bodysuit, cold and aloof. Yet, as she looked at Gu Tian, the scrutiny that had been present in her purple eyes when they first met had faded, replaced by a tenderness she herself had not even noticed.

"Wife, can I leave tomorrow then?" Gu Tian stood up and asked with a hint of anticipation.

Hearing this form of address, Gu Yuena's delicate body trembled for a fleeting moment. Even after hearing it for a month, she still could not be entirely immune to such an intimate term.

She lowered her gaze slightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Since you are in such a rush to save that little rabbit... then go. However, before you leave, I want to ask you..."

Gu Yuena paused for a moment, her small, exquisite fists subconsciously clenching, her expression appearing unexpectedly shy: "Has the content of that first trial... been completed?"

Gu Tian scanned the motionless nine-colored panel in his spiritual sea and shrugged helplessly: "Still the same as always, not a single stir. It seems the requirement of falling in love is indeed much higher than I imagined."

Gu Yuena's gaze dimmed slightly, and she sighed softly: "As expected, something as ethereal as love cannot be achieved overnight. It seems I still need to add a few safeguards for you."

That evening, the dining table in the Dragon Palace was laden with delicacies.

Just as Gu Tian was about to start eating, Gu Yuena did not sit down as usual, but instead gestured lightly toward the side hall.

"Come in."

As her voice fell, two young girls walked in, one after the other.

The moment Gu Tian saw them, the chopsticks in his hand nearly fell to the floor.

The girl walking in front had long hair like a black waterfall, draped softly over her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep, ink-green, as if they could pierce through a person's heart. Her features were as cold and beautiful as a painting, her skin possessing a sickly pallor, and her entire being exuded a cold, arrogant aura that kept others at a distance. She wore a black outfit with purple patterns, which made her long legs look exceptionally powerful.

"This is Gu Yue," Gu Yuena introduced. "In the future, when you are outside and encounter danger, you must listen to her arrangements."

Gu Yue bowed slightly. There was no expression on her cold, pretty face, yet her voice was surprisingly pleasant, carrying a hint of magnetism: "Gu Yue greets the Young Master. On this journey back, I shall be responsible for the Young Master's safety."

Watching Gu Yue deliver this opening line, Gu Tian couldn't help but tease himself inwardly: Yo! A girl with an ancient vibe.

The girl walking behind, however, was of an entirely different style.

She had long hair like silver silk, shimmering with a dreamlike luster under the lights. Her pair of pale purple eyes were clear and bottomless, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings. Her face was round and sweet, carrying an innocent air of one unacquainted with the world. She wore a yellow dress dotted with white star patterns, and her whole being radiated a soft glow.

"This is Na'er, about the same age as you," Gu Yuena added.

When Na'er saw Gu Tian, a flash of undisguised closeness crossed her eyes. She hurried forward, naturally tugging at the corner of Gu Tian's clothes, and called out sweetly: "Brother Gu Tian, from now on, Na'er will always be by your side."

"Wife, what is this..." Gu Tian was completely bewildered. Both of them, whether in appearance or temperament, vaguely held shadows of Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena sat down with a calm expression and said indifferently: "They are my right and left hands, and also my younger sisters. Your cultivation is still shallow, and although you have the Master's help, there is no guarantee you won't encounter blind human powerhouses. With them accompanying you, I can rest easy."

"Also..." Gu Yuena stood up and pointed two fingers at her own brow. A surge of spiritual power was channeled out, heading straight for Gu Tian's forehead.

A silver dragon mark appeared on Gu Tian's forehead before quickly vanishing.

"This mark is a crystal ball set up to facilitate communication between us. You can call it up within your spiritual sea so we can see each other's current status. If you encounter an emergency, remember to report to me."

That night, an awkward scene unfolded.

Gu Yuena pointed to her own large Starlight Crystal Bed and said to the three of them: "Tonight is your last night in the forest. To help you build rapport and to let them familiarize themselves with your scent, the three of you will squeeze together to sleep tonight."

"Ah?" Gu Tian exclaimed in shock. "Isn't that inappropriate? We haven't even..."

"This is an order." Gu Yuena glared at him, then added, "I'm afraid you'll run off in the middle of the night. Gu Yue, Na'er, you two must protect him well."

"Yes!" Na'er saluted Gu Yuena, then sat beside Gu Tian and began to taste the delicious food.

Late at night, Gu Tian lay stiffly in the middle of the bed.

To his left was Gu Yue, cold as ice yet breathing somewhat rapidly; to his right was Na'er, delicate as water, almost curling into his embrace. The faint scent of cold fragrance and milk intertwined in the air, forcing his shell of a body to endure psychological pressure it shouldn't have had to bear.

Inside the spiritual sea, Ao Linxi was sitting on the villa's balcony, swirling a glass of red wine, laughing until she shook.

"Little Tian, you've got quite the luck with women. Your wife really knows how to play this Clone Technique well."

"Clone Technique?" Gu Tian exclaimed in his heart.

"Nonsense, the bloodline origin within these two little girls is exactly the same as Gu Yuena's. They are essentially physical manifestations of Gu Yuena's divine consciousness." Ao Linxi sipped her wine, a flash of all-knowing wisdom in her eyes. "It seems your wife is getting anxious too. On one hand, she's afraid you'll be snatched away by Xiao Wu, and on the other... I'm afraid she wants to use these two clones to cultivate feelings with you around the clock, so you can finish that first divine trial sooner."

Gu Tian was stunned, looking at the two girls beside him who had such vastly different personalities yet were both breathtakingly beautiful. He sighed inwardly:

Is this the Silver Dragon King's strategy? It's simply... simply amazing!

In the darkness, Gu Tian held the two of them, but neither spoke, and the atmosphere felt somewhat awkward.

"Ahem." Gu Tian coughed lightly, trying to get their attention. "By the way, you two."

Gu Tian's brain raced, searching for a topic they could chat about, when suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck.

"Since you are Gu Yuena's sisters, you must know some things about Gu Yuena!"

Gu Yue and Na'er looked thoughtful, but both shook their heads.

Na'er spoke in a milky, childish voice, "Na'er doesn't remember either. It's strange; I can't recall anything at all."

Gu Yue chimed in from the side, "Young Master, if I really try to force the memory, I can only see... a patch of darkness."

"Darkness?" Gu Tian sighed. It seemed Gu Yuena had sealed the memories of her two avatars. That was for the best, though; after all, Gu Yue and Na'er were merely tools meant to protect him and foster a bond with him. There was no need for them to know the trivial grievances between soul beasts and soul masters.

In the faint light of dawn, Gu Tian led his two stunning attendants as they finally stepped out of the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, heading straight west toward Nuoding City in Fasinuo Province.