Do you like Gu Yue very much?

Gu Yue's refusal caught Yun Ming and the other elder masters off guard.

The Twins were not surprised; in her previous life, Gu Yue had also left Shrek Academy for the Spirit Pagoda, eventually becoming its controller!

Using Shrek Academy as a stepping stone to enter the Spirit Pagoda—that was likely Gu Yue's plan all along!

After all, only within the Spirit Pagoda could she realize her grand design: using the Spirit Ascension Platform to implant soul imprints into every spirit master, thereby controlling them and their descendants!

At this thought, the gaze of The Twins turned cold.

Everyone else's attention was fixed on Gu Yue, so no one noticed their shift in mood.

"Gu Yue!"

Tang Wulin furrowed his brows and called out to her in a panic. Wu Changkong and Shen Yi also hurriedly urged her, "This isn't a joke, Gu Yue. Quickly, apologize to the Heavenly Pillar Crown!"

Yet, Gu Yue remained unmoved. She insisted to Yun Ming, "Please, Heavenly Pillar Crown, retract your command!"

Yun Ming looked at the persistent girl, paused for a moment, and asked, "May I ask for your reason? Becoming a lifelong member of the Shrek Seven Devils is the highest honor a student of Shrek Academy can achieve!"

"Our pursuits differ!"

Gu Yue's answer was simple.

The elder masters couldn't help but look at her a few more times. In all these years, she was the first student they had encountered who didn't want to become one of the Shrek Seven Devils! One had to realize that in the current Sun Moon Federation, the status of being a Shrek Seven Devil carried more weight than that of a high-ranking regional official!

Those who became Shrek Seven Devils were, without exception, heavily cultivated and valued by Shrek Academy! No one was willing to offend such a behemoth as Shrek Academy.

Yet, Gu Yue had just refused!

"Little girl, this is not a joke!"

Zhuo Shi frowned and offered a reminder; after all, Gu Yue was his grand-disciple.

But Gu Yue's expression remained firm. She cupped her hands to the group and said, "Yes! I am certain."

Yun Ming did not press the matter further. He simply said, "Since that is the case, then so be it! There is no shortage of talented individuals in the new generation!"

"Thank you, Heavenly Pillar Crown." Gu Yue bowed to Yun Ming in gratitude.

Zhuo Shi looked at Shen Yi and Wu Changkong, saying in a deep voice, "Take her back first. The matters to follow are not for her ears."

"Yes, Teacher."

Shen Yi nodded, and together with Wu Changkong, she led Gu Yue away from the Sea God Pavilion.

On the way, Wu Changkong sighed and said to Gu Yue, "Gu Yue, I know you are a person with strong convictions, but this decision of yours is truly too impulsive! Becoming one of the Shrek Seven Devils is an opportunity that countless people in the Federation dream of!"

"But this dream opportunity is not necessarily what I need." Gu Yue shook her head, feeling no issue with her choice despite Wu Changkong's regret.

Seeing her unwavering attitude, Shen Yi knew she couldn't be persuaded. She patted Wu Changkong on the shoulder and said, "Senior Brother, don't be sad! With her talent, even without becoming one of the Shrek Seven Devils, she will achieve great things in the future!"

"Sigh..."

Wu Changkong let out a long breath.

Gu Yue watched Shen Yi and Wu Changkong, her gaze deep and her thoughts complex.

Now that Di Tian and the other fierce beasts had gradually infiltrated the Spirit Pagoda and begun to control the major Spirit Ascension Platforms across the regions, she too had to head to the Spirit Pagoda after graduating from the outer court of Shrek Academy. Only then could their grand plan for the Soul Beast race continue!

Relying solely on Di Tian and the others to reach the true core of the Spirit Pagoda was still quite difficult.

Back in the Sea God Pavilion, the mood among Tang Wulin and the others was somber due to Gu Yue's departure. Seeing their low spirits, Yun Ming gave a light cough to draw their attention back.

"Do not be sad! Even if she is not one of the Shrek Seven Devils, aren't you all still companions?"

"That's right, Boss! Don't be sad. No matter what, Gu Yue will surely walk this path with you." Xie Xie immediately patted Tang Wulin on the shoulder to comfort him.

His words were intended only to soothe Tang Wulin's worries, but to the ears of the other elder masters—especially Yun Ming, who had spoken with Elder Jin—they carried a different nuance.

Yun Ming frowned and asked, "Wulin, do you like Gu Yue very much?"

"I..."

Tang Wulin froze. He had intended to answer Yun Ming's question instinctively, but the words caught in his throat, and he suddenly paused.

He couldn't help but furrow his brows, his expression filled with confusion.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Xie Xie was surprised to see Tang Wulin suddenly lose his words.

Beside him, Xu Xiaoyan tugged on his sleeve, signaling him to say less.

Seeing Tang Wulin stop and remain silent, Ya Li smiled slightly and smoothed things over, "Alright, let's not talk about this. The matters ahead are more important, Brother Yun!"

Hearing Ya Li's words, Yun Ming nodded slightly. He led the group out of the archives and back to the Sea God Pavilion's conference room. Inside, the elder masters took their seats, and The Twins, along with Tang Wulin and the others, were granted seats at the end of the table as observers.

"For twenty thousand years, Shrek Academy has been committed to maintaining peace and stability on the continent! Coupled with the existence of two generations of legendary Shrek Seven Devils, we have attained our current transcendent status!"

"However, since the establishment of the Sun Moon Federation, relations between it and the Academy have not been peaceful, and in recent years, the tension has only intensified! Added to that is the Spirit Pagoda; the Academy's current situation is far from secure."

Yun Ming laid these matters out plainly for Tang Wulin's group, excluding The Twins.

After hearing Yun Ming's account, everyone was astonished. Although they had heard that Shrek Academy held a transcendent position and that many factions harbored hidden agendas, they had not expected the conflict between the Federation, the Spirit Pagoda, and Shrek Academy to be so severe!

"Therefore, as the Shrek Seven Devils, you must strive to become stronger and remain wary of the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation!"

"Rest assured, Heavenly Pillar Crown, we will certainly work hard!" Tang Wulin's expression was grave as he solemnly promised Yun Ming.

Yun Ming's gaze fell upon him, and he added, "Wulin, you are the blacksmith of the team; the forging of the others' Battle Armor will be left to you! I have spoken with Zhen Hua and Mu Chen, and they hold you in high regard, believing you have the potential to become a Divine Craftsman."

When Yun Ming stated that Tang Wulin possessed the potential to become a Divine Craftsman, everyone present except for Feng Wuyu was deeply shocked.

A Divine Craftsman meant Four-Character Battle Armor!

That was a powerful existence capable of allowing an ordinary Titled Douluo to instantly possess the combat strength of a Limit Douluo!

And this was something Zhen Hua had said himself?

Tang Wulin was shaken to his core. He took a deep breath, stood up, and declared, "I will certainly not let your trust go to waste! I will ensure that everyone on this team possesses Four-Character Battle Armor!"

Yun Ming nodded slightly and continued, "Qian Zhao, Qian Yue, your martial souls are incredibly powerful, with attributes far surpassing other ultimate martial souls! You and Tang Wulin will be the absolute core of this team! Furthermore, your martial souls can perform secondary tempering on forged items, so you must coordinate well with Tang Wulin."

His words were undoubtedly intended to bring Tang Wulin and The Twins closer together.

The Twins' eyes flickered, and they both nodded in succession. "Yes, Master."