Should Gu Yue and Na'er Merge?

Wu Changkong seemed to see through his thoughts. He glanced at him but did not point them out. He continued, "Ten years is neither a long time nor a short one. What you need to do is work together and take things one step at a time. Your first goal is for everyone to reach five rings and make your own One-Word Battle Armor."

"One-Word Battle Armor?" Ye Xinglan frowned. "Wouldn't it be too early for us to start making Battle Armor now? Besides, our Second Profession levels aren't high enough."

Yuanen Yehui nodded as well. "Battle Armor requires several professions to work together, including blacksmiths and designers. Our levels really aren't high enough yet."

Tang Wulin stepped forward then. "I'm a Level Five Blacksmith, so forging won't be a problem. Whoever finishes their designs first can have me forge their pieces first."

For a moment, the classroom fell utterly silent.

Ye Xinglan's eyes widened. "Boss, when did you become a Level Five Blacksmith?"

Xu Lizhi looked equally incredulous. "A Level Five Blacksmith? Boss, you're only seven!"

The way Yuanen Yehui looked at Tang Wulin changed, too. She had thought he merely had powerful soul power and great strength. She had never imagined he was so accomplished at forging as well. A Level Five Blacksmith was already capable of forging the core components of One-Word Battle Armor.

Wu Changkong nodded slightly. "Tang Wulin is right. With him handling the forging, what you need to do is raise your Second Profession levels as quickly as possible. Battle Armor designer, Battle Armor blacksmith, blacksmith... each of you must master at least one profession before you can work together to complete your Battle Armor."

Everyone exchanged glances, fighting spirit kindling in their eyes. Although the ten-year agreement sounded impossibly distant, now that they had clear goals and ample resources, they suddenly felt it might not be impossible after all.

Gu Yue sat in her seat, but her gaze rested on Tang Wulin. What occupied her mind had nothing to do with Battle Armor itself. She was only wondering who should design Tang Wulin's Battle Armor. She did not want to yield that task to anyone else.

Meanwhile, Na'er also happened to lift her head and look toward Tang Wulin. The two girls' gazes met in midair, as though striking a spark.

"I'm going to design my brother's Battle Armor," Na'er said first, a hint of staking her claim in her voice.

Gu Yue gave her a bland glance. "What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing."

They looked into each other's eyes, and an invisible scent of gunpowder seemed to fill the air.

The atmosphere in the classroom was all drawn swords and bent bows.

Gu Yue and Na'er stood face-to-face, neither willing to back down. Gu Yue's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable firmness. "I've known him longer. I understand his combat habits and physical condition. I should design his Battle Armor."

Na'er did not give an inch. "I'm his sister. I know best what he needs. Besides, I've seen him fight more times than you have. I remember exactly how he exerts his strength and what makes his power distinctive."

"Knowing him longer doesn't mean knowing him better."

"Being his sister gives me more right than you."

They traded one retort after another, neither yielding. Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi listened with their scalps prickling. They wanted to step in and mediate, but the moment they took a step closer, both girls glared at them at once, frightening them into retreat.

Yuanen Yehui, however, remained composed. She stood to one side, watching coolly, the corners of her lips curving slightly as though she found the scene rather entertaining.

Standing between them, Tang Wulin felt as though his head was about to explode. Of course he knew that Gu Yue and Na'er were both avatars of the Silver Dragon King, essentially the same person. What was he supposed to make of someone fighting with herself?

"Um..." Tang Wulin braced himself and spoke. "Why don't you design it together?"

Gu Yue and Na'er both turned to look at him.

Tang Wulin hurried to explain. "Neither of your Second Profession levels is very high. Designing a complete set of Battle Armor alone would be difficult enough. Working together would be more efficient, and you'd come up with a better design, too. Besides... you're both the people closest to me. I trust both of your ideas."

Gu Yue fell silent for a moment, then was the first to relent. "All right."

Na'er huffed, but nodded as well. "Fine. We'll do it together."

Although they had reached an agreement, sparks still flew whenever their eyes met. Tang Wulin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though he had just made a round trip to the gates of hell.

Ye Xinglan muttered under her breath, "Boss really doesn't have it easy."

Xu Lizhi nodded in heartfelt agreement.

That evening, on the shore of Sea God Lake.

The last rays of the setting sun spilled across the lake, setting its ripples shimmering gold. Gu Yue and Na'er stood side by side on the shore, gazing at Sea God Island in the distance. Neither spoke first.

The silence lasted a long time. In the end, Na'er broke it. "Humans really are impressive."

Gu Yue nodded slightly. "The Spirit Pagoda's soul spirit technology has already reached a very advanced level. They use soul spirits in place of Soul Rings, greatly increasing the speed of Soul Masters' cultivation. That kind of creativity is something we soul beasts can't match."

Na'er looked out over the lake, a trace of wistfulness in her voice. "And there's Battle Armor technology. Humans combine metal and soul power to create equipment that can greatly enhance their combat strength. That kind of imagination really is admirable. Our defeat wasn't unjust. Humans have developed too quickly."

Gu Yue did not respond. She merely gazed quietly at the lake. After a while, Na'er suddenly changed the subject. "What's the deal with Tang Wulin, anyway?"

Gu Yue was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"The golden dragon king bloodline in him." Na'er turned to look at Gu Yue. "You must have sensed it, too, right? That aura is so pure it makes your heart tremble. By all rights, a human shouldn't possess such a pure golden dragon king bloodline. How exactly did he get it?"

Gu Yue fell silent for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know, either. I've observed him for a long time. His body does contain the golden dragon king bloodline, but I've never been able to see through to its origin."

"Then what are you planning to do?" Na'er asked.

Gu Yue did not answer immediately. She gazed at the lake, a deep gleam flashing in her eyes.

"Naturally, I have my reasons for treating him well. He's still young, but as he grows, the golden dragon king bloodline within him will grow stronger, too. When that time comes, if I can devour him, I might truly have a chance to attain the position of Dragon God."

Na'er raised her eyebrows. "Devour him? Could you bear to?"

Gu Yue did not answer, but her gaze flickered slightly.

Na'er smiled. "I don't know why, but I find it hard to feel any desire to kill that fellow. By all rights, his golden dragon king bloodline would be an immense source of nourishment for us, but I just feel... I couldn't bring myself to do it."

Gu Yue glanced at her. "How long have you even known him, and already you can't bring yourself to do it?"

"Aren't you the same?" Na'er countered. "You've known him longer, but you haven't acted either, have you?"

Gu Yue said nothing.

Na'er stretched, her tone light. "Forget it. Let's stop thinking about this. We can deal with the future when it comes."

Gu Yue was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "When are you coming back?"