The meeting ended, and everyone rose to leave.
Leng Yaozhu and Cai Yue'er exchanged a "friendly" greeting next to each other in the main seat.
"Dean Cai, thank you for your hard work."
Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly, her tone indifferent.
"Your Majesty the Heavenly Phoenix is also one."
Cai Yue'er wore a polite smile, but her gaze passed over Leng Yaozhu and landed on the black figure behind her.
Bai Yuan was about to leave with his teacher when he suddenly felt a sharp gaze pierce his back.
He turned his head and met Cai Yue'er's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't.
That gaze held a hint of scrutiny, a hint of hostility, and a touch of malice that was hard to define.
Bai Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
Why is that old hag staring at me like that?
Cai Yue'er's lips curled slightly, her tone as warm as if she were caring for a younger person, but the barb in her words was impossible to hide.
"Hehe, I hope you perform well tomorrow and don't tarnish your master's reputation."
"Don't embarrass the Spirit Pagoda then."
Bai Yuan looked at that hypocritical face, a smirk playing on his lips, and slowly opened his mouth.
"No need for you to worry."
Goodbye, old woman.
The conference room fell silent instantly.
The few Skysea Alliance officials who hadn't left yet paused, exchanging bewildered glances.
The Shrek Academy students stared wide-eyed, their mouths slightly agape.
On the seat of the Body Sect, Mu Ye's lips twitched, and he quickly lowered his head.
A Ruheng scratched his head.
Old woman? Who?
Cai Yue'er's smile froze on her face.
She had lived most of her life surrounded by followers wherever she went; who, inside or outside Shrek, dared to disrespect her?
Today, in full view of everyone, I was called "old woman" to my face by a child who was only about ten years old.
Her face turned pale and then flushed, and her body swayed almost imperceptibly.
"You"
Leng Yaozhu's voice rang out at just the right moment, carrying a perfectly timed hint of reproach.
"How can you be so rude, child?"
She turned to look at Cai Yue'er, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Old Cai isn't an old woman. Do you think she looks like one?"
"He's at most an old man!!!"
"That's incredibly disrespectful; they should be punished."
Bai Yuan paused for a moment, then lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
He was struggling to hold back his laughter.
The teacher wasn't blaming him; she was clearly adding insult to injury.
What's the difference between "old woman" and "elderly person"?
One is insulting someone, the other is rubbing salt into a wound.
He secretly glanced at Leng Yaozhu, whose face still wore that serious expression as if she were "educating her disciple."
But there was a hint of a smile in his eyes that he couldn't hide.
He had never realized that his teacher had such a cunning side.
Cai Yue'er was so angry that she trembled all over.
She pointed at Leng Yaozhu, opened her mouth, then pointed at Bai Yuan, opened her mouth again, but couldn't utter a single word.
It was intentional, absolutely intentional!
The master and apprentice worked together, making a fool of her like a monkey.
She clenched her fists, staring fiercely at Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu calmly looked back at her, her serious expression of "I am educating my disciple" remaining unchanged.
Cai Yue'er took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging anger.
But she had lived a life of privilege and privilege for most of her life; when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
"Okay, okay, okay."
Cai Yue'er squeezed out three words through gritted teeth, her smile twisted beyond recognition.
"I hope the Spirit Pagoda disciples' mouths are as powerful as their abilities tomorrow! Hmph! Just you wait!"
She flicked her sleeves, turned, and walked out of the conference hall.
The Shrek students looked at each other in bewilderment, then quickly followed.
Cai Yue'er walked to the door, paused for a moment, but did not turn around.
The words were squeezed out from between his teeth, sounding like a curse or a declaration of war.
We'll see.
Leng Yaozhu watched that furious figure disappear through the door, the smile on her lips finally crept in.
She turned to look at Bai Yuan, her tone returning to its usual calm.
Let's go.
Bai Yuan nodded and followed his teacher out of the conference hall.
Gu Yuena walked beside Bai Yuan, glanced at him, and spoke softly.
"You just called her an old woman?"
Bai Yuan smiled.
"What's wrong? Did you call me by the wrong name?"
Gu Yuena looked at his smug smile, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
"No, it was very accurate."
A Ruheng caught up from behind, scratching his head, looking confused.
"Junior brother, why did you call that auntie an old woman? Does she look that old?"
Bai Yuan looked at his sincere expression, which was so genuine that it was impossible to refute, and remained silent for a moment.
"Senior Brother, are you serious?"
A Ruheng nodded vigorously.
Bai Yuan sighed.
Just consider it me being a smart aleck.
Huh?
Junior brother, why do you have such a sharp tongue?!
Bai Yuan suddenly felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him!
Heavens above!!!!
At the end of the corridor, Leng Yaozhu walked at the front.
The curve of her lips just wouldn't go down.
"I'm in a great mood! I've been annoyed with Shrek for a long time!"
The door to the room closed behind her, Gu Yuena leaned against the door, letting out a long sigh.
She didn't turn on the light; she just stood there, as if waiting for something.
The curtains moved without any wind, and a dark purple figure emerged from the shadows.
He wore a purple robe and a hood, revealing a sharp, angular jawline.
She knelt on one knee in front of Gu Yuena, her head bowed low, her voice deep and respectful.
"My lord."
Gu Yuena looked at her, remained silent for a moment, straightened up from the door panel, and walked to the window.
With his back to Zi JI, his voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
"This operation is cancelled."
Zi JI suddenly raised her head, her purple eyes filled with astonishment.
"My lord!"
"Too dangerous."
Gu Yuena turned around and looked at her, her purple eyes as calm as a stagnant pool.
"They want to amplify the impact of this match, so that the eyes of the entire continent will be focused on Skysea City."
"The risk of exposure is too high if we take action."
Zi JI bit her lip and lowered her head.
She had waited so long, hoping to seize the Golden Dragon King's power at this opportune moment.
Now, with a single word from the Lord, all preparations have come to naught.
She was somewhat unwilling, but she would not question the Lord's decision.
"Tang Wulin is here."
Gu Yuena's voice rang out again.
"But we can't take action."
"Revealing yourself so early is not a good choice."
Zi JI looked up at Gu Yuena's back; her lord's back seemed somewhat lonely.
It was as if he had carried an immense burden all by himself for a very, very long time.
Zi JI lowered her head, suppressing all her resentment, anger, and grievances deep inside.
We must be patient.
Gu Yuena's voice was very soft, so soft it sounded like she was talking to herself.
Zi JI lowered her head deeply, her voice low yet firm.
"Understood, sir."
Gu Yuena turned away from the window and walked back to the bedside to sit down.
His purple eyes gazed at Zi JI, a tiny, slight smile curving his lips.
"Let everyone go back. I will summon you when the time is right."
Zi JI raised her head and looked at her lord's calm face.
"Yes."
Her figure slowly disappeared into the shadows, and the curtains returned to their stillness.
Gu Yuena was left alone in the room.
She lay in bed staring at the ceiling with her eyes closed.
The face of that black-haired boy flashed into my mind.
Tang Wulin.
I'll spare your life for now!
Golden Dragon King.
The time is not right.
Heavenly Sea Grand Competition first establish its reputation before the competition!
I will be able to better control the Spirit Pagoda in the future!