Gu Yue

"Master, you...!" Di Tian's expression changed drastically, his face filled with concern.

He could tell at a glance that Gu Yuena had used her own Divine Blood to condense an avatar, while splitting off a portion of her Soul Origin and placing it within.

If the Silver Dragon King had been at her peak, such an act might not have been a problem. But Gu Yuena was badly injured now. Wouldn't this only worsen her injuries?

"It is nothing. At most, I will sleep for another hundred years. Compared to the possibility of creation and destruction coexisting, I can bear such a price." The ethereal voice rang out again, now carrying a trace more resolve.

Above the lake, the black-haired, black-eyed girl slowly opened her eyes. She drifted gently down onto the surface of the Lake of Life. Her toes touched the water, yet not a single ripple spread. She stood quietly upon the lake like an immortal untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

The girl was delicately beautiful, her features as exquisite as a painting. Though she was not breathtakingly gorgeous enough to topple kingdoms, she possessed a unique, cool and otherworldly aura.

That aura made her seem detached from all the noise and turmoil of the mundane world, radiating a beauty that made others hesitate to approach.

Judging by appearance alone, she might have scored only eighty points. But with that unique temperament, she could easily be rated above ninety.

"From this day on, I shall be called Gu Yue. Arrange a human identity for me. This is also a good opportunity to learn about the human world as it is now." Gu Yue spoke softly, her voice gentle yet unquestionable.

"Yes, Master. I will see to it at once."

Di Tian replied gravely. With a flicker, he vanished from the spot.

With his power, arranging a human identity for Gu Yue was an easy task.

Unaware that Black Abyss White Flower had drawn Gu Yuena's attention to him, Lu Jingming was currently under Jing Liu's protection, doing his utmost to absorb the Sacred Flame Sky Tiger's soul ring.

The process was extremely difficult. Not only did he need to keep his body from being burst apart by the violent Soul Power, but he also had to fight the Sacred Flame Sky Tiger's lingering soul within his spiritual space. Still, the final outcome had long been decided.

After successfully absorbing the soul ring, Lu Jingming and Jing Liu left the Star Dou Great Forest and smoothly reunited with Zhang Lexuan and the others outside the forest. Without stopping to rest, they headed directly toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

Since Zhang Lexuan and the others had limited flying speed, the group spent a full seven days before reaching the Heaven Dou Empire's capital—Heaven Dou City.

Had Jing Liu been traveling alone, her extraordinary speed would likely have allowed her to arrive with ease in just a few hours.

As one of the largest cities on the Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou City was magnificent and imposing. Its gates alone stood ten meters tall, towering majestically overhead.

Before the gates, squads of soldiers clad in silver armor patrolled and stood guard. Their postures were straight, their gazes sharp, displaying the city's majesty.

At this time, Heaven Dou City was exceptionally lively due to the imminent start of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.

The streets within the city were bustling with prosperity. Shops stood densely packed along both sides, their shelves filled with dazzling varieties of goods.

The streets teemed with people. Soul Masters, merchants, and visitors from all corners of the world moved through the crowds, while cries of vendors and laughter intertwined into a symphony of urban prosperity.

According to the tournament rules, participating teams needed to report to Heaven Soul Square in the southern part of Heaven Dou City.

There stood the Heaven Dou Empire's largest hotel—the Sky Dome Grand Hotel.

Whether registering for the competition or arranging accommodations, everyone had to come here.

Although Heaven Dou City was now packed to the brim, with inns and hotels of every size booked out long ago, the participating teams did not need to worry. The Heaven Dou Empire's officials had already made thorough arrangements.

Before long, Lu Jingming and the others arrived at the Sky Dome Grand Hotel and strode into its lobby.

However, the moment he entered, Lu Jingming's gaze was instantly drawn to a familiar figure. At the same time, that person keenly sensed his presence as well.

"Lexuan, Keqing, I knew you would definitely come." A fiery-red figure, like a brilliant flame, hurried over to Zhang Lexuan and Keqing.

The newcomer was Ma Xiaotao. Today, she wore a vivid red dress that perfectly displayed her fiery personality, though she deliberately treated Lu Jingming as if he did not exist.

"Xiaotao, you came so early!" A trace of surprise flashed across Zhang Lexuan's face.

Shrek Academy was located within the Heaven Dou Empire and was not far from Heaven Dou City. Moreover, as Shrek Academy had been the champion through the generations, there had been no need for them to arrive so early.

"This time, my teacher is leading the team. Besides, we all wanted to have a good time exploring Heaven Dou City, so we set out early." Ma Xiaotao said excitedly, her eyes sparkling with life.

Originally, severely troubled by her evil fire, she had had no chance to become a member of Shrek's reserve team. But ever since Jing Liu sealed her evil fire, she had successfully escaped its restraints, secured a place on the reserve team, and thus gained the opportunity to participate in this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.

"Is that so? So Dean Yan is leading Shrek Academy's team this time." Zhang Lexuan nodded lightly. Thinking back on the year she and Keqing had spent cultivating at Shrek Academy, they had spent most of their time in secluded cultivation within the Golden Tree. The only people they usually interacted with were Ma Xiaotao and Yan Shaozhe.

"Isn't this the great City Lord Lu? This isn't a place for a little brat like you." Ma Xiaotao finally could not hold back any longer. She turned her gaze toward Lu Jingming, a mocking smile on her lips, and began provoking him without the slightest courtesy.

Lu Jingming remained calm. He gently stroked the Pink-Haired Fox in his arms, its soft fur slipping through his fingers. The corners of his lips rose into a cold smile as he said unhurriedly, "Heh. Whether I'm little or not, do you dare find out?"

His voice was not loud, but everyone present was a Soul Master with keen hearing. For a moment, curious gazes turned toward them.

"Hm? Why wouldn't I dare? Do you want to fight me?" Ma Xiaotao froze slightly, confusion flashing through her eyes. Clearly, she had not immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Lu Jingming's words. Yet the fearless streak in her bones was instantly stirred, and she shouted her reply without hesitation. In her eyes, there was nothing she did not dare to do.

"Jingming!" Zhang Lexuan glared at Lu Jingming reproachfully, her eyes full of blame.

Keqing reacted even faster, grabbing Lu Jingming by the ear and saying irritably, "No being a pervert!"

Her cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment at Lu Jingming's words. Though she knew his mental age was not that of a child, she had not expected him to be so dirty-minded.