Gu Yue's Grand Plan, Di Tian's Anxiety

"No! Na'er just stumbled upon a lucky break; she's still as foolish as ever."

After two and a half seconds of contemplation, Gu Yue immediately dismissed her previous thought, yet a spark of curiosity toward Jiang Xiu had ignited within her.

This boy might possess a potential that transcends the limits of humanity.

"Gu Yue, aren't you coming? Jiang Xiu and I are going to get something to eat."

Na'er frowned slightly as she watched Gu Yue's flickering gaze. She instantly moved to Jiang Xiu's side, as if staking a claim, her expression full of warning.

"Since I've just joined the Spirit Pagoda, I naturally need to familiarize myself with the place. We're all part of the Spirit Pagoda now, so why be so guarded against me?"

Seeing Na'er act this way, Gu Yue smiled faintly. The gloom that had previously clouded her heart vanished instantly, for she had just conceived a much better plan.

As for Na'er, she, Gu Yue, could easily take her place!

"Then take your time getting familiar with it. Jiang Xiu and I are heading out to eat."

Na'er looked at the ill-intentioned Gu Yue, feeling a faint, lingering regret for having brought Jiang Xiu here in the first place.

"Then we shall meet again."

Feeling Na'er tugging at his sleeve, Jiang Xiu offered Gu Yue a slight smile before preparing to leave with her.

Meeting Gu Yue today had gone according to his expectations. There were no unusual changes in her; aside from the Silver Dragon King's premature transformation, the world was still functioning as it should.

According to his deductions, Tang Wulin should have already unlocked the first seal of the Golden Dragon King. He had to accelerate his plan to seize the Golden Dragon King's essence.

He had to take it before the second seal was unlocked, because the more layers of the Golden Dragon King's essence that were unsealed, the higher its compatibility with Tang Wulin would become, making it increasingly difficult for him to extract.

The key to seizing the Golden Dragon King's essence lay in his Shadow Monarch Martial Soul.

However, he also had to be extra cautious regarding Tang San's divine consciousness, as well as Tang Hao and A Yin. Tang Hao and A Yin might be deterred from appearing due to the Abyssal Sage King, but if anything went wrong with Tang San's divine consciousness, it would certainly intervene.

Three chances to act—is it really only three?

Jiang Xiu murmured to himself as he followed Na'er out of the Battle Space.

But just then, Gu Yue's voice echoed once more within Na'er's Sea of Consciousness.

"Na'er, you wouldn't want your 'boss' to be snatched away, would you?"

"Gu Yue, what are you trying to do!"

Na'er stopped in her tracks, her beautiful eyes widening.

"Nothing. Let's compete fairly in the Spirit Pagoda from now on and see who the final winner is."

"But don't worry, I wouldn't stoop to such low-handed tactics. I only care for what I can obtain with my own hands."

A smile played on Gu Yue's pretty face as she transmitted her voice calmly.

"You'd better mean that! We'll see!"

Having reached an understanding, Na'er huffed, continued pulling Jiang Xiu out of the Battle Space, and vanished completely from Gu Yue's sight.

She, Na'er, would never admit defeat!

"The first step toward the revival of the Soul Beasts is a success. Next is to gradually raise my status within the Spirit Pagoda and have Di Tian and the others planted here one by one."

Gu Yue lifted her fair legs and began to stroll through the Spirit Pagoda, silently calculating in her mind.

As one of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars of the Spirit Pagoda, the East Sea Spirit Pagoda branch occupied a vast area and was fully equipped with all major facilities. After wandering for a full hour, Gu Yue finally left the building.

Outside the towering Spirit Pagoda, Gu Yue raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the massive structure that pierced the clouds.

"I will climb to the very top, step by step! The Soul Beast clan will regain its glory through my hands!"

In the year she had spent in the human world, she had fully witnessed the rapid development of human soul-guidance technology. This level of advancement was nothing short of a crushing force against the Soul Beast clan.

Thus, she had long ago set a three-step plan: I join, I learn, I revive.

She intended to leverage human technology to seek a revival for the Soul Beasts; after all, the current strength of their clan was far too feeble, with only a handful of them left.

Suddenly, Gu Yue's eyes flashed as if she had sensed something. She quickened her pace, merging into the crowd, and did not stop until she reached a deserted alleyway.

"Hum, hum, hum!"

The space rippled, and a tall figure stepped out, bowing respectfully before Gu Yue.

"My Lord, Xiong Jun has fully recovered. Shall we continue with our plan?"

This figure was none other than Di Tian, who had followed Gu Yue to the human world.

"Wait a little longer. There is no need to rush."

Gu Yue pondered for a moment before giving her orders.

A year ago, she had intended to start in one of the major cities of the Sun Moon Federation, but she was astonished to discover the aura of the Golden Dragon King, who should have been imprisoned in the God Realm.

However, when she tracked the aura, she unexpectedly discovered that the Golden Dragon King was already dead, its entire essence sealed within a human's body. This was even better for Gu Yue; after all, she already possessed an independent consciousness and was naturally unwilling to merge with a sentient Golden Dragon King.

Now, she only needed to seize and refine the essence. But just as they were about to act, a powerful divine consciousness left within that human's Sea of Consciousness had struck, severely wounding Xiong Jun, who had attacked first—and that was even with Di Tian using the Dragon God Claw to help him resist.

"But My Lord, this subordinate believes this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That divine consciousness surely cannot be used indefinitely. Once you merge with the Golden Dragon King's essence, your strength will surely increase significantly."

Di Tian spoke with some hesitation, then, as if having made a decision, he knelt on one knee and spoke firmly.

"My Lord, this subordinate is willing to go. I will trade my life to ensure that divine consciousness dissipates. As long as the Soul Beast clan can be revived in the future, death is a small price to pay!"

"Foolish!"

"Waiting is not the same as doing nothing; it simply means the time is not yet ripe. How can you know how many more times that divine consciousness can strike? If you die and that consciousness remains, wouldn't that be a wasted effort?"

"Furthermore, our conflict is no longer just with the human race; the Abyss Plane is also eyeing us like a tiger stalking its prey. This King needs you to safeguard my growth."

Gu Yue spoke in a deep voice. She firmly believed that Tang Wulin's path of growth would not be smooth sailing. As long as there was a crisis, that divine consciousness would intervene, and by then, she would only need to sit back and reap the rewards.

Moreover, she had a vague premonition that if that divine consciousness were to dissipate, it might trigger even greater trouble—something she was not yet strong enough to touch with her current power.

"I shall strictly obey Your Lordship's command!"

Seeing Gu Yue so resolute, Di Tian realized his emotions had been a bit too volatile.

"Rest assured, this King's plan will absolutely not go wrong. The future will certainly belong to us."

Gu Yue's gaze was distant, her deep eyes looking toward the horizon.

Spirit Pagoda, VIP room.

The large table was laden with delicacies, and Jiang Xiu and Na'er were busy tasting the food.

"Jiang Xiu, let me tell you, you're still young, so you must never be deceived by women. The prettier a woman is, the better she is at lying [munch munch munch]."

Na'er advised Jiang Xiu earnestly while she ate.

"How would you know that?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xiu asked with a smirk.

"Sigh, you'll understand when you reach my age. In any case, you must never be fooled! Pretty women are the best at lying."

Na'er sighed melancholically, then said with a serious expression.

"Then, Na'er, have you ever lied to me?"

Jiang Xiu raised his eyes to look at the Na'er before him and asked softly.

As Jiang Xiu's words fell, Na'er suddenly froze.