Yu Xiaogang's Regret, Liu Erlong's Heartbreak!

Yu Xiaogang did not finish his sentence, but his look and tone were enough for everyone present to understand what he meant.

Liu Erlong's face instantly turned pale. Her slightly upturned phoenix eyes stared straight at Yu Xiaogang. There were no tears in her eyes, only confusion and disbelief.

"Yu Xiaogang."

Liu Erlong's voice was low, so low that it sounded like she was speaking to herself. "You mean you want me to use my body in exchange for your Martial Soul Evolution?"

"Erlong, that isn't what I meant. I only meant that it would be good for everyone. President Gu could help me, and you could have someone to rely on. It would benefit us both..."

"Benefit us both?"

Liu Erlong suddenly laughed, the sound short and shrill. "What do you take me for? A bargaining chip? A gift? Or some extra thrown in for you to trade for power?"

"Erlong, listen to my explanation..."

Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red as he waved his hands frantically before him. "That isn't what I mean! I simply think President Gu is a young talent, and you're single. If a good match could be made, it would be good for everyone."

"You know I've been stuck at level twenty-nine for most of my life! Do you know how important this chance is to me? As long as President Gu is willing to help me, I can break through..."

"So you can sell me off?! You disgust me."

Liu Erlong took a step forward and looked down at Yu Xiaogang. The flames burning in her phoenix eyes were no longer affection, but fury and contempt born of betrayal.

Liu Erlong no longer looked at Yu Xiaogang. When she turned toward Gu Qing, a bleak, reckless smile appeared on her face. She raised a hand and untied the ribbon around her ponytail. Her long, fiery-red hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, making her already mature and alluring face seem even more heartbreakingly resolute.

"He's right."

Liu Erlong walked toward Gu Qing, each step heavy. "I have nothing left to lose. Blue Tyrant Academy, myself—I'll give them both to you."

Gu Qing frowned slightly and raised a hand before her shoulder. "President Liu, I don't need you to do this..."

Before he could finish, Liu Erlong had pulled Gu Qing's hand down from her shoulder and wrapped it around her waist. Her other hand climbed to the back of his neck, her fingertips slowly tracing up along his hairline before stopping at the back of his head. With a gentle push, she drew Gu Qing's face toward her own.

Liu Erlong's waist was slender yet firm. Even through her thin fitted outfit, he could feel the scorching warmth of her skin and the soft fullness unique to a mature woman. Her breath carried a faint floral fragrance, and her warm exhalation brushed across Gu Qing's face. Her lips drew closer and closer, close enough for Gu Qing to see the fine lines upon them.

Gu Qing turned his head aside. Liu Erlong's kiss landed beside the corner of his mouth, only a hair's breadth away from his lips.

"President Liu."

Gu Qing knew perfectly well that Liu Erlong was not trying to please him. She was using the most extreme method to take revenge on Yu Xiaogang, and to ruin herself as well. If he took advantage of the situation, how would he be any different from Yu Xiaogang?

Gu Qing grasped Liu Erlong's wrist and gently pulled her hand away from the back of his neck. "What are you doing? Are you using yourself as a tool to take revenge on Yu Xiaogang? Do you think he'll feel heartbroken?"

Liu Erlong's body stiffened. She did not turn around to look at Yu Xiaogang, but her shoulders began to tremble faintly.

"He won't. A man who treats you as a bargaining chip in exchange for theory isn't worth wasting any emotion on, much less worth using yourself to spite him."

Gu Qing released her wrist. "I'll accept your Blue Tyrant Academy, but you are you, and the academy is the academy. If you want to stay and teach at Self Academy, you're welcome. If you don't want to stay, that's up to you."

"But whether you stay or leave, it shouldn't be for Yu Xiaogang. You should make a choice for yourself, just once."

Liu Erlong stood where she was, silent for a long time. When she finally raised her head again, the bleak confusion in her phoenix eyes had vanished, leaving only clear-headed sobriety.

She looked into Gu Qing's eyes and suddenly felt that this youth was more mature than any adult—not in strength, but in the steadiness and clarity rooted deep within him.

"Thank you, President Gu."

Liu Erlong's voice was somewhat hoarse, but her tone was sincere. She bowed slightly to Gu Qing. When she straightened, her cheeks were faintly flushed. She did not know whether it was because they had been so close just now, or because of the absurd thought that had flashed through her mind: If I were ten years younger, if I had met this youth instead of Yu Xiaogang, how wonderful would that have been!

Liu Erlong turned and strode toward the carriage. As she passed Yu Xiaogang, she said coldly, "Yu Xiaogang, I've handed Blue Tyrant Academy over to President Gu. Stay if you want, leave if you want. From this day onward, your affairs have nothing to do with me."

Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but no words came out. He could only watch as Liu Erlong mounted her horse and gradually disappeared amid the sound of hoofbeats. Then he turned back around, panic and embarrassment still lingering on his face. Yet by the time he reached Gu Qing, he had already put on a respectful and eager expression.

"President Gu, I've settled the matter of Blue Tyrant Academy."

Yu Xiaogang rubbed his hands together, his waist slightly bent. "About what I mentioned before, about letting me stay at Self Academy to study... can that be honored now?"

Gu Qing looked at Yu Xiaogang and suddenly laughed, his tone dripping with mockery. "Do you have no idea what you just did in front of me? For the sake of evolving your martial soul, you were willing to push even your own woman out as a bargaining chip."

"Today, you can push Liu Erlong toward me for Martial Soul Evolution. Tomorrow, you could push me toward someone else for better terms. Do you think I'd feel safe letting you become a student?"

The color drained from Yu Xiaogang's face in an instant. His lips trembled as he tried to defend himself, but every word caught in his throat.

Gu Qing looked at his wretched state and quickly considered it. Yu Xiaogang's character was indeed terrible, but his research into martial soul theory was solid. The piles of unorganized materials in Self Academy's library happened to be in need of a free clerical worker.

More importantly, keeping Yu Xiaogang where he could watch him was better than letting him run around outside causing trouble.

"However, I've always kept my word."

After pondering for a moment, Gu Qing said, "You can stay, but not as a student. You'll be a menial worker, just like Dai Mubai and the other two.

"At the same time, you'll be responsible for organizing the academy library's materials and assisting with instruction in basic martial soul theory. Work for half a year. If I'm satisfied, I'll help you design a Martial Soul Evolution plan. If you're willing, go report to Flender. If not, get lost immediately!"

Yu Xiaogang stood there, his expression shifting repeatedly before finally settling into forced obedience. He gave a deep bow. "Thank you, President Gu. I'll work hard. I'll go report to Flender right away."

He turned and hurried into the academy, his steps rushed and disorderly, as though he were fleeing from something.

Gu Qing watched Yu Xiaogang disappear into the distance, then turned toward where the carriage had vanished. He patted Tang San beside him. "Third Sister, let's go. We need to catch up to someone first."

Tang San followed closely at his side and asked in a low voice, "Brother Gu Qing, are you planning to bring Liu Erlong along?"

"In her current state, something could easily happen if she returns alone."

Gu Qing said, "Besides, we're heading to Sunset Forest to hunt spirit beasts this time. Having a level seventy-eight Fire Dragon Battle Soul Saint as a bodyguard won't be a loss."

Tang San nodded and did not ask any more questions.