Do You Like Gu Yue?

Gu Yue's refusal was beyond the expectations of Yun Ming and the other senior elders.

The Twins weren't surprised. In her previous life, Gu Yue had also left Shrek Academy for the Spirit Pagoda, and had even become its controller!

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

After all, only within the Spirit Pagoda could she carry out her plan: using the Spirit Ascension Platform to implant soul imprints in all Soul Masters, controlling them and their descendants!

At the thought of this, the Twins' gazes turned cold.

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

"Gu Yue!"

Tang Wulin furrowed his brow and hurriedly called out to her. Wu Changkong and Shen Yi also urged her, "This isn't something to joke about, Gu Yue. Hurry and apologize to the Crowned Douluos!"

But Gu Yue remained unmoved. She insisted to Yun Ming, "Please, Your Excellency, take back your decision!"

Yun Ming watched Gu Yue stand her ground. After a pause, he asked, "May I ask why? Becoming a Lifetime Shrek Seven Devils is the highest honor a Shrek student can receive!"

"We seek different things!"

Gu Yue's answer was simple.

The senior elders all looked at her more closely. In all these years, she was the first student they'd encountered who didn't want to become one of the Shrek Seven Devils! Everyone knew that, in the Federation today, the title of Shrek Seven Devils carried even more weight than a regional leader's position!

Those who became Shrek Seven Devils would, without exception, receive Shrek Academy's full support and cultivation! No one wanted to offend a behemoth like Shrek Academy.

And yet Gu Yue had simply refused!

"Girl, this isn't something to joke about!"

Zhuo Shi frowned as he reminded her. After all, Gu Yue was his disciple's disciple.

But Gu Yue's expression was resolute. She cupped her hands to everyone and said, "Yes! I'm certain."

Yun Ming didn't insist. He simply said, "If that's the case, then so be it! There are plenty of talented people among the new generation!"

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

Zhuo Shi turned to Shen Yi and Wu Changkong and said in a low voice, "Take her back first. What comes next isn't something she should hear."

"Yes, Teacher."

Shen Yi nodded, then left the Sea God Pavilion with Wu Changkong and Gu Yue.

On the way, Wu Changkong sighed and said to Gu Yue, "Gu Yue, I know you're someone with a mind of your own, but this decision really was too impulsive! Becoming one of the Shrek Seven Devils is an opportunity countless people in the Federation dream of!"

"But a dream opportunity isn't necessarily something I need." Gu Yue shook her head. Wu Changkong's regret didn't make her think she'd done anything wrong.

Seeing how unmoved she was, Shen Yi knew she couldn't persuade her either. She patted Wu Changkong on the shoulder and said, "Senior Brother, don't be upset! With her talent, she'll achieve great things in the future even if she doesn't become one of the Shrek Seven Devils!"

"Alas..."

Wu Changkong sighed.

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

By now, Di Tian and the other Ferocious Beasts had gradually infiltrated the Spirit Pagoda and begun taking control of the major Spirit Ascension Platforms across the land. After graduating from Shrek Academy's outer court, she would have to go to the Spirit Pagoda too. Only then could she help their Soul Beast plan continue!

Relying on Di Tian and the others alone, it would still be difficult to reach the Spirit Pagoda's true core.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Gu Yue's departure left Tang Wulin and the others feeling somewhat low. Seeing their dejected expressions, Yun Ming gave a light cough to draw their attention back.

"There's no need to feel sad! Even if she isn't one of the Shrek Seven Devils, she's still your companion, isn't she?"

"That's right, Boss! Don't be sad. No matter what, Gu Yue will definitely keep walking alongside you." Xie Xie immediately patted Tang Wulin on the shoulder, trying to reassure him.

He'd only meant to comfort Tang Wulin and tell him not to worry. But to the other senior elders, and especially to Yun Ming, who had spoken with Elder Jin, his words carried a somewhat different implication.

Yun Ming furrowed his brow and asked, "Wulin, do you like Gu Yue?"

"I..."

Tang Wulin froze. He'd been about to answer Yun Ming without thinking, but just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly stopped.

He couldn't help frowning, looking confused.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Xie Xie asked, puzzled when Tang Wulin suddenly fell silent.

Xu Xiaoyan tugged at his sleeve, telling him to say less.

Seeing Tang Wulin fall silent, Ya Li smiled faintly and smoothed things over. "All right, let's not talk about that. What comes next is more important, Yun-ge!"

At Ya Li's words, Yun Ming nodded slightly and led everyone out of the historical archives and back to the Sea God Pavilion's conference room. The senior elders took their seats, while the Twins, Tang Wulin, and the others were given places to listen at the end of the room.

"For twenty thousand years, Shrek Academy has devoted itself to maintaining peace and stability on the continent! Together with the existence of two generations of legendary Shrek Seven Devils, this is what gave the Academy its extraordinary standing today!"

"But since the Sun Moon Federation was established, relations between it and the Academy have been anything but peaceful. In recent years, tensions have only continued to worsen! And with the Spirit Pagoda in the picture, the Academy's situation is far from stable."

Yun Ming laid all this out for Tang Wulin and the others, excluding the Twins.

After hearing Yun Ming's explanation, everyone was astonished. They'd heard that Shrek Academy held an extraordinary position and that many forces had their own designs, but they hadn't realized the conflict between the Federation and the Spirit Pagoda on one side and Shrek Academy on the other was so severe!

"So, as members of the Shrek Seven Devils, you must work hard to grow stronger and stay wary of the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation!"

"Rest assured, Heavenly Pillar Crown. We'll do our best!" Tang Wulin said solemnly, his expression grave as he made his promise to Yun Ming.

Yun Ming's gaze fell on him before he continued, "Wulin, you're the blacksmith on the team. The others' Battle Armor will be up to you to forge! I've spoken with Zhen Hua and Mu Chen. They think highly of you and believe you have the potential to become a Divine Craftsman."

When Yun Ming said that Tang Wulin had the potential to become a Divine Craftsman, everyone except Feng Wuyu was deeply shaken.

A Divine Craftsman meant Four-Character Battle Armor!

It was powerful enough to give an ordinary Titled Douluo the combat strength of a Limit Douluo in an instant!

And Zhen Hua himself had said so?

Tang Wulin was shocked. He took a deep breath, rose to his feet, and said, "I definitely won't let you down, Your Excellencies! I'll make sure everyone on the team has Four-Character Battle Armor!"

Yun Ming nodded slightly and continued, "Qian Zhao, Qian Yue, your Martial Souls are incredibly powerful, with attributes far surpassing those of other Ultimate Martial Souls! You and Wulin will be the absolute core of the team! What's more, your Martial Souls can temper forged items a second time, so you must work well with Wulin."

His words were undoubtedly meant to strengthen the bond between Tang Wulin and the Twins.

The Twins' eyes flickered. They both nodded. "Yes, Master."