"Master, you..."
Di Tian spoke cautiously, his voice probing.
Gu Yue's expression was calm, her gaze deep as an abyss. "I plan to put myself in the middle of the game and take Fang Lin down."
She paused slightly, as if weighing her words—or trying to convince herself.
"I'll grow closer to him, deepen our relationship... and then pretend to fall in love with him."
"That way, I can use his feelings to keep him firmly under my control."
A glint of confidence flashed in Gu Yue's eyes. "Once this plan succeeds, the Soul Beast Clan's great cause will be within reach!"
"Master, I support you."
At her words, a light flashed in Di Tian's eyes, and he answered without hesitation.
He hurriedly spoke, his tone more sincere than ever before, even carrying a hint of urgency.
The answer had come too quickly and too decisively.
Di Tian mused to himself, If there were only one Golden Dragon King, he'd really be afraid that Master might end up falling for him for real and be unable to bring herself to make a move.
Then all would be lost, and the Soul Beast Clan's grand undertaking of revival might be ruined once and for all.
But now there were two Golden Dragon Kings!
Even if Master truly fell for one of them, wasn't there still the other?
Two Golden Dragon Kings meant double insurance.
As Di Tian thought it over, his mind began to wander beyond his control.
He even couldn't help sketching out an even bolder idea in his mind. Master might not only become the Dragon God, she might even give birth to... a little Dragon God.
At the thought, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Great Love Venerable: "I understand. Double Ten Absolute Body becomes a Venerable!"
Di Tian straightened his expression and said, "Master, I have a plan."
"Oh?"
Gu Yue glanced at Di Tian, somewhat surprised.
"Master, you could give him a gift," Di Tian said, his tone certain and his gaze steady.
Gu Yue raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued. "A gift?"
"Yes, a gift."
Di Tian nodded and spoke earnestly.
A glimmer of sly calculation flashed in his eyes. "I've observed the human world over the years and noticed that couples... don't they give each other gifts?"
Di Tian paused, then added, "When a human woman wants to get closer to a man, giving him a gift is the simplest and most natural way.
"It won't seem forced, and it'll leave an impression."
"I see."
Gu Yue nodded slightly at his words, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Although she didn't know much about the human world, what Di Tian said did make some sense.
Gu Yue pondered for a moment, then asked, "Di Tian, what do you think I should give him?"
Di Tian considered this for a moment, rapidly weighing the pros and cons of various gifts in his mind.
He spoke slowly. "Master, why not give him a bracelet?"
"A bracelet?"
Gu Yue looked interested and motioned for him to continue.
"Yes."
Di Tian spoke with growing seriousness, his expression solemn. "Make a bracelet out of Life Gold and give it to him."
"Life Gold is precious and rare. It suits your status, Master, while showing that you put thought into the gift."
"Besides, a bracelet is worn close to the body. He'll wear it on his wrist every day and think of the person who gave it to him."
He paused, then added, "I've heard that when a human woman gives a man a bracelet, it means she wants to bind him to her."
"If you give Fang Lin a bracelet, you'll be tying a knot around his heart."
"Mm."
Gu Yue nodded slightly, a satisfied look flashing in her eyes.
She considered it carefully and decided Di Tian's idea really was a good one.
"Fine. We'll do as you suggest."
Gu Yue stood and gazed into the distance, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if she were looking forward to something.
Di Tian stood with his head bowed, a deep, inscrutable glint in his eyes.
Would that bracelet bind Fang Lin's heart—or Master's?
He didn't dare imagine it, much less ask...
Some answers were better left unknown.
A moment later, Gu Yue turned her gaze away, her earlier cool composure restored.
She ordered, "Di Tian, go to the East Sea yourself and investigate the other Golden Dragon King's aura."
"Remember, don't alert them."
"Yes, Master."
Di Tian bowed, accepted the order, and left.
Afterward, Gu Yue sat back down in front of the dressing table and took a large piece of Life Gold from her storage ring.
Its emerald-green light illuminated the entire room, and its tremendous life aura spread through the air.
She picked up a carving knife, gently touched the warm jade-like stone with her fingertips, and began to shape it with care.
One stroke after another...
The Spirit Pagoda, seventieth floor.
Na'er's room.
The room was spacious and bright, decorated with cozy, cute furnishings that showed the delicate thoughtfulness of a young girl.
Several big plush toys were piled on the bed.
A snow-white rabbit, a chubby little bear, and a cloth cat with its head tilted to one side were all slumped together, utterly listless, as if they'd just been through a fierce battle.
"I didn't expect Gu Yue to get here so soon."
Na'er murmured softly, a complicated note in her voice.
She propped her chin on her hand, her violet eyes lowered as she pondered.
Na'er had sensed the Golden Dragon King's aura.
So she'd gone along with it, deliberately pretending to have lost her memory and letting Fang Lin bring her back to the Spirit Pagoda.
That way, she could stay by Fang Lin's side in the open, avoid alerting anyone, and claim her own place there—all at once. What was there not to like?
Na'er hadn't expected Gu Yue to arrive sooner than she'd predicted, though, and a faint sense of urgency stirred in her heart.
"Gu Yue, I, Queen Na'er, won't lose!"
Na'er lifted her chin. Her voice carried a stubborn refusal to back down, and her violet eyes gleamed with determination.
As soon as the words left her mouth, she couldn't maintain her haughty expression any longer.
Na'er took twenty jin of chicken wing tips from her storage ring.
They were a stash she'd saved for a long time. Each piece was golden and crispy, fragrant, crunchy on the outside and tender within—her most precious private treasure.
She picked one up and took a bite, narrowing her eyes in satisfaction like a cat that had stolen a fish. She made a soft, steady chewing sound.
"Anyway..."
Na'er mumbled with her mouth full, her cheeks puffed out, making her look like a little hamster storing food.
"I need to eat my fill before I have the strength to fight Gu Yue... Mm, so good..."
As she chewed on the chicken wing tips, she plotted her next move.
Gu Yue was surely thinking of a way to get closer to Brother, too. That woman always did things without leaving a trace; who knew what tricks she'd pull?
Maybe she was already preparing some kind of gift. Knowing her, she'd definitely make a big production of it.
Na'er swallowed the piece in her mouth and said with confidence, "That big dummy Brother will realize sooner or later who's the best..."