Gu Yuena stood still, her long silver hair still fluttering slightly from the battle.
What's wrong with this person?
That speed is simply beyond the range of what a normal human being should be able to achieve.
Last time at the Spirit Ascension Platform, he was already fast enough to dodge her elemental attacks, but at least then he could still catch a glimpse of her afterimage.
What is this today?
It was done in one smooth motion, leaving no afterimage.
Forget about seeing his movements clearly, she couldn't even keep up with his mental focus.
She bit her lip, her purple eyes swirling with complex emotions.
Sometimes she really wondered if he was the successor of some Deity, or even if he was the Deity himself.
But wasn't the Divine Realm missing?
So where did he get these strange abilities from?
Hmph, this is not a talent that a human should have!
Gu Yuena gave a soft snort to herself.
It has to be said, even she started to feel jealous.
She is the Silver Dragon King, one of the most powerful beings after the Dragon God split. Her talent is engraved in her bloodline; it is innate.
But what about Bai Yuan?
An ordinary human being, without any bloodline or Deity favor, has grown to this level in just a few years.
If we let him continue down this path...
Gu Yuena clenched her fists, suppressing those chaotic thoughts in her mind.
She took a deep breath and slightly spread the five fingers of her right hand.
The six Elemental Light shone at his fingertips, but did not coalesce into a form; they simply flowed around his fingertips.
Leng Yaozhu's eyes lit up slightly when she saw the Elemental Light overflowing from Gu Yuena's fingertips.
Oh?
This little girl is hiding something.
Its power and release speed were even greater than she had anticipated.
Bai Yuan watched Gu Yuena's retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.
So you've gotten stronger, huh? You secretly unleashed some of your fighting power, haven't you? Well then, he should take it more seriously.
The Second Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet, the jet-black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring slowly rotating around him, and the power of the second Soul Skill was gathering momentum within his body.
Gu Yuena stood in the center of the arena, her long silver hair swaying gently in the still air, the Elemental Light at her fingertips not yet completely extinguished.
She looked at Bai Yuan, something burning in her purple eyes.
It wasn't anger, it was competitiveness.
The elemental power she released just now was the first time she had shown her true strength in front of others since she was injured.
It wasn't about winning, but about letting him know that the Silver Dragon King wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Bai Yuan stood opposite her, Dawnmaker hanging at his side, his dark golden claws already retracted.
He looked into her fiery eyes, and a slow smile crept onto his lips.
That's more like it. The Gu Yuena he knew wasn't the girl who would be dejected and doubt herself.
He's the Silver Dragon King, no matter how many times he loses, will grit his teeth and try again.
Now that Gu Yuena is serious, he can no longer bully her with his Soul Bone and Godspeed.
Bai Yuan's footwork wasn't driven by Godspeed, but by pure, honed combat instinct.
The Dawnmaker drew a silver-white arc in the air, aiming straight for Gu Yuena's left shoulder.
Gu Yuena dodged to the side, and with a wave of her right hand, fire and wind elements intertwined.
It transformed into a roaring fire dragon and pounced on Bai Yuan.
This is not a test, it's going all out.
Instead of retreating, Bai Yuan advanced, slashing horizontally with his Dawnmaker, the sword energy splitting the fire dragon in two.
Flames swept past his sides, leaving scorch marks on his Black Robe, but he didn't even blink.
Gu Yuena's second wave of attacks has arrived: ice blades, wind blades, earth spikes, and light spears, covering the sky and leaving no blind spots.
Bai Yuan shifted his feet, weaving through the gaps in the attacks, Dawnmaker to parry and slash left and right, neutralizing the incoming elemental attacks one by one.
Leng Yaozhu's brows twitched slightly. Bai Yuan was deliberately suppressing his power and not using his Soul Bone to crush her.
Instead of using that strange speed, he relied on the most basic sword techniques and combat experience to withstand Gu Yuena's Elemental Bombardment.
He was practicing moves with her, helping Gu Yuena hone her combat skills, and allowing her to grow through real combat.
This child does care about her.
Gu Yuena also sensed that Bai Yuan was holding back, and instead used the most basic sword techniques to counter her attacks.
She bit her lip, unable to describe the feeling in her heart.
Are you letting me have my way? Who asked you to let me have my way?
Gu Yuena gritted her teeth and poured more Soul Power into her elemental attack.
Bai Yuan looked at the overwhelming Elemental Storm and sighed helplessly.
That girl really doesn't understand his good intentions.
How can you fleece sheep if they don't grow up?
He no longer used sword techniques to counter, Dawnmaker horizontally in front of him, his Second Soul Ring blazing with purple light.
Gu Yuena's pupils contracted slightly; the power of the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was something her Elemental Storm could not withstand.
She bit her lip, refusing to back down.
We cannot back down; if we do, we will lose.
Her long silver hair flew wildly in the Elemental Storm, and flames danced in her purple eyes.
Leng Yaozhu straightened up from the wall, crossed her arms, and fixed her gaze on the scene.
The battle is about to end.
Bai Yuan's sword fell, tearing Gu Yuena's Elemental Storm apart in the light of Bai Yuan's sword.
Dust filled the Training Ground, and gravel flew everywhere.
As the smoke cleared, Gu Yuena knelt on the ground, clutching her still bleeding arm.
Her long, silver hair fell in disarray, and her purple eyes were fixed intently on Bai Yuan.
Bai Yuan stood in front of her, the Dawnmaker already sheathed at his waist, and handed it to her.
Gu Yuena looked at the outstretched hand, bit her lip, slapped it away, and stood up.
Bai Yuan didn't mind, withdrew his hand and looked at her with a smile, "Junior sister, you've made great progress."
Gu Yuena did not answer, and turned to walk out of the Training Ground.
Her silver ponytail swung out in a defiant arc.
She took a few steps, then stopped and turned her back to him.
The sound was so soft that it was almost blown away by the wind.
"The same to you."
Leng Yaozhu watched the silver-white figure disappear, then looked at Bai Yuan and shook her head.
These two children are both incredibly stubborn.
Leng Yaozhu watched the two children walk down from the Training Ground.
They stood a few steps apart, one in front of the other, neither too close nor too far.
Her gaze lingered on Bai Yuan for a moment before she spoke.
"Bai Yuan."
Bai Yuan stopped and turned to look at her.
"Teacher?"
You really exceeded my expectations.
Leng Yaozhu walked up to him.
"I've decided to upgrade your support."
"From today onwards, you will enjoy the same treatment as a core disciple of the Leng Family."
What do you think?
Bai Yuan looked into Leng Yaozhu's calm eyes and understood everything perfectly.
The upgrade and support are a pretense; the real purpose is to test the waters.
What she wanted to see wasn't whether he said "good" or "bad".
That was his first reaction upon hearing the words "core disciple of the Leng Family".
Was it ecstatic joy, overwhelming flattery, or something else entirely?
She never believed in loyalty, only in self-interest.
He understood this principle as early as the day he became an apprentice four years ago.
Bai Yuan nodded without hesitation, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"Okay, teacher!"
His voice carried just the right amount of excitement.
Like an ordinary teenager who was hit by a pie falling from the sky.
He paused, then added, his tone tinged with embarrassment.
"Can I eat some more good food? Hehehehehehe."
Leng Yaozhu looked at his undisguised gluttonous appearance and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
This kid always knows how to defuse the most serious situations in the most unconventional way.
She wasn't oblivious to his pretense, but she could tell he was willing to put on an act in front of her.
This reassured her even more than loyalty.
Loyalty may change, interests may change, but someone willing to put on an act in front of you is controllable.
Because he has desires, and those who have desires have weaknesses.
Leng Yaozhu reached out and patted his shoulder, her tone returning to its usual capable manner.
"Some."
Leng Yaozhu watched Bai Yuan's retreating figure, the smile on her lips not yet fully faded.
She then looked at Gu Yuena, the silver-haired girl.
"Gu Yue."
Leng Yaozhu called out to her.
Gu Yuena stopped and turned around, her purple eyes calmly looking at Leng Yaozhu.
"You are also a core disciple."
Leng Yaozhu's tone was exactly the same as when she spoke to Bai Yuan earlier.
What are your thoughts?
Gu Yuena remained silent for a moment.
Core disciples, Leng Family.
She knew what that meant.
This means she will be officially included in the Core Circle of the Leng Family.
This also means that Leng Yaozhu had placed her bet on her. She had been prepared since the day she became Leng Yaozhu's apprentice.
In recent years, she has helped Leng Yaozhu handle many affairs of the Spirit Pagoda, from being inexperienced at the beginning to being able to handle them with ease now.
Leng Yaozhu saw it all; she handled everything perfectly.
Now, it's time to reap the rewards.
Gu Yuena bowed slightly, her voice not loud, but steady and powerful.
Thank you, teacher.
Leng Yaozhu looked at her composed and dignified demeanor and nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
Leng Yaozhu's gaze lingered on Gu Yuena for a moment before shifting to the direction where Bai Yuan had disappeared.
"The Leng Family is truly fortunate to have both of you."