Gu Yuena's Goal and an Unexpected Revelation

"And its Destruction Divine Power caused a slight mutation in your bloodline, strengthening the Devouring Ability Dragons naturally possess."

"Ordinary Dragons need a stronger Dragon bloodline to improve their own, and its attributes can't clash too severely with theirs."

"But your Devouring Ability has no such restriction. You can devour any Dragon bloodline, strong or weak, to strengthen your own."

"Your bloodline isn't as powerful as your Ancestor's, but your potential surpasses his—even the Dragon God's at his peak."

The Silver Dragon King spoke on. She had seen Qin Yu's Devouring Power for herself, and it was terrifying.

Given enough Dragon bloodlines, Qin Yu would undoubtedly surpass the Dragon God.

"If this were the age when the Dragons were at their peak, I'd be a threat," Qin Yu said with a smile.

The Silver Dragon King nodded. She didn't deny it.

In that era, the Dragons would never have allowed Qin Yu to exist. He would have met the same fate as his Ancestor.

But things were different now.

Few Dragons remained. Qin Yu was no longer a threat to them, but a hope.

"So, what do you need me to do?"

Qin Yu smiled faintly and asked again.

He had already guessed most of it, but he couldn't be certain.

"Restore the Dragons."

The Silver Dragon King stated her goal plainly. "The Dragon God has fallen, and fewer than one in ten Dragons remain. You possess the power to devour, and you've taken human form."

"Perhaps because of the Heavenly Saint Rift-Splitting Halberd, you can't produce your own soul rings like an ordinary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that takes human form."

"But that doesn't change the fact that you're a Soul Beast in human form."

"So once your Soul Power Level passes seventy and you enter the Mature Stage, you'll count as a true human."

"With your talent, becoming a god and entering the Divine Realm are only a matter of time."

"When that day comes, you'll help me devour the Golden Dragon King and become the Dragon God."

In truth, there was one thing she hadn't mentioned: the Silver Dragon Reverse Scale was another means of keeping him in check.

She couldn't help Qin Yu without holding anything back.

For one thing, his potential was frightening.

For another, she feared the temptations of the human world might draw him away from the Dragons and toward humanity.

"Agreed."

Qin Yu nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "Once I help you devour the Golden Dragon King and become the Dragon God, you'll take back the Silver Dragon Reverse Scale. Then we'll be even."

At that, the Silver Dragon King froze.

She fell silent. Qin Yu had seen through her.

He was sharper and more clearheaded than she had expected.

"Yes."

The Silver Dragon King acknowledged it, then changed the subject. "Until then, you are the Young Lord of Star Dou Forest. Your standing is equal to mine. If you need anything, ask Di Tian and the others."

"Then I won't hold back." Qin Yu's eyes lit up. "As it happens, I need a Fourth Soul Ring."

"...I hope you'll keep your distance from humans, especially that girl with golden hair and eyes," the Silver Dragon King said suddenly.

"Hm? Why?"

Qin Yu frowned. He knew she meant Qian Renxue.

"She isn't human. She's a god."

The Silver Dragon King spoke slowly. "When she kissed you, I saw into her soul. She wasn't born human—she's a Deity Reincarnation."

If Xue'er is a Deity Reincarnation, then... Qin Yu immediately thought of His Holiness the Pope.

Suddenly, he felt there might be more to the "conflict" between the Papal Hall and the Worship Hall than he knew. Perhaps it could even be resolved.

"Stay away from the Pope as well," the Silver Dragon King continued.

"What's wrong with her?"

"A wisp of Divine Soul lies dormant inside her. If I'm right, it intends to take her over through Soul Possession."

"This..."

Qin Yu stared at her.

In just a few moments, her words had shocked him again and again.

"Qin Yu, your identity is sensitive. I hope you'll keep your distance from them," the Silver Dragon King urged once more.

"I can't promise that. It's complicated, and hard to explain." Qin Yu shook his head. "But I'll be careful. Thank you for the warning."

The Silver Dragon King's eyes narrowed. She watched Qin Yu for a while, then her expression returned to normal.

She said nothing, but that didn't mean she had no other plans.

Qin Yu looked at her calmly. "Do you want to kill them?"

A flicker of surprise crossed the Silver Dragon King's eyes. She hadn't expected him to see through that as well.

Facing Qin Yu felt less like facing a young man than an old monster with a piercing eye.

She was silent for a long time.

Then she nodded. "If they begin to suspect your identity, I won't show mercy."

"Then you'll never get to kill them." Qin Yu smiled. "I'm quite confident in my disguise."

"I thought you might use yourself as leverage."

"Good idea. I'll try it sometime."

"If you don't mind pain, go ahead." There was a hint of laughter in the Silver Dragon King's voice, and her eyes gleamed with amusement.

That tone and look reminded Qin Yu of the time Qian Renxue had beaten him up.

He still hadn't forgotten that "grudge."

"Heh."

Qin Yu chuckled and rolled his eyes, then turned serious. "I have a question. It's important—though I suppose it isn't all that important."

"So is it important or not?" The Silver Dragon King sounded exasperated.

"Important enough."

Qin Yu answered offhandedly, then asked, "Is the Pope a girl, or a woman?"

It mattered to his chances of resolving the feud between the two halls, so it was rather important after all.

"You..." The Silver Dragon King was growing more exasperated by the moment, but she answered. "In age, a woman. In experience, a girl."

"Got it. Thanks."

Qin Yu smiled and waved. "If there's nothing else, I'll head out."

"Qin Yu, if you want women, you needn't look for them in the human world. I can have Bi Ji and Zi JI attend to you."

"They're no less beautiful than those two."

The Silver Dragon King still didn't want Qin Yu becoming too entangled with humans. Feelings would only make those ties more complicated and give him more reasons to hesitate.

"I'm greedy. I'm never satisfied." Qin Yu smiled faintly, then teased her. "I bet you're beautiful too."

"...You may leave."

"Point me the way. I'm terrible with directions."

Whoosh—

A Space Vortex appeared before Qin Yu. Beyond it lay the Lake of Life.

"I'm off." Qin Yu smiled at the Silver Dragon King and stepped into the Space Vortex. His figure and presence swiftly faded.

But just before he vanished completely—

"Gu Yuena. That's my name."

Her cool voice reached Qin Yu's ears and disappeared with him into the Space Vortex.

The underground chamber fell quiet once more.

A long time passed.

The light gradually dimmed, and darkness returned. Gu Yuena's body faded from view, leaving only a pair of purple eyes.

At last, those eyes slowly closed, and all was swallowed by darkness.