Having said everything she needed to say, Tang Yuehua rose to take her leave.
" Young Master Gu, I won't disturb your rest any longer. If there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to send someone to find me."
Gu Wuchen nodded and asked Ice Empress to see her out.
The living room fell silent.
Ah Yin sat to the side, her brows furrowed, her complexion still grim.
" Dark Blue Silver Grass... how did it become like this?"
She murmured softly, her heart filled with unease.
Gu Wuchen remained silent, his fingers still lightly tapping the table.
He could sense that things were more complicated than he had imagined.
There must be an even bigger secret hidden behind Tang San.
Not long after, a servant came in again to report.
"Young Master, Miss Zhu Zhuqing requests an audience."
"Let her in."
Zhu Zhuqing pushed open the door and walked in, still carrying a faint smell of dust.
Clearly, they rushed over as soon as they received news of Gu Wuchen's return.
" Young Master Gu." She bowed slightly, her eyes showing obvious seriousness.
"Have a seat," Gu Wuchen gestured, "You're here because of Tang San too?"
"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing sat down and got straight to the point, "I must make this clear to you: Tang San's Dark Blue Silver Grass is not just a simple mutation; it exudes an indescribable eeriness."
She paused, recalling the scene from the competition, her tone becoming somewhat somber:
"His Blue Silver Grass can not only devour Soul Power and life force, but also Soul Skill. Last time, when fighting against the Thunder Academy, Yu Tianxin's Thunder Dragon Claw hit his Blue Silver Grass, and it was completely absorbed. In return, he used the absorbed lightning power to fight back."
"And he's completely changed. Before, although he was cold, his eyes were clear. Now, when he looks at people, his eyes are gloomy, as if he's hiding something. When he gets injured in a match, his wounds heal extremely quickly, and the blood that comes out is black."
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fist. "I only beat him in the last training match by luck."
He was clearly holding back, as if he was testing my Eight Spider Lances.
In the past two weeks of competition, his skills have improved significantly. I feel that if we played against him now, I might not be his match.
Upon hearing this, Ah Yin's face turned even paler.
Gu Wuchen's eyes turned slightly cold.
Just as he expected.
This is not a normal Martial Soul Mutation at all; it's more like it's been corrupted by some kind of evil force.
After saying everything she needed to say, Zhu Zhuqing got up to take her leave.
She didn't press Gu Wuchen about his whereabouts over the past six months, nor did she bring up anything else.
After Zhu Zhuqing disappeared, Ice Empress immediately pulled Snow Empress to a quiet corner in the backyard.
She looked around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering her voice to speak.
" Bo Saixi has finally returned to Sea God Island. With no one getting in our way, we'll make our move tonight."
Snow Empress nodded slightly, her tone calm:
"Yes, we'll slip the drug into the food tonight, using the Ice Sleep Powder from the Far North. It's colorless and odorless, so even those with high Soul Power won't be able to detect it."
Ice Empress rubbed their hands together, a smug look on their faces:
"That's right. Last time on the mainland, she always beat us to it. Let's see who can stop us this time."
As evening fell, Ah Yin, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen.
Soon, a table full of steaming hot food was served.
Ah Yin wiped her hands and called out to the living room:
" Little Wuchen, time to eat."
Gu Wuchen put down the ancient book in his hand, got up and walked towards the restaurant.
Snow Empress followed behind him, and as they passed the dining table, she took advantage of the moment when Ah Yin turned around to get the bowls and chopsticks, and flicked her finger lightly.
A tiny, extremely fine white powder silently fell into Gu Wuchen's bowl, instantly dissolving into the rice without leaving a trace.
Ice Empress sat opposite, his eyes quickly sweeping over Gu Wuchen's bowl before swiftly looking away.
She picked up her water glass, took a sip, and suppressed her excitement.
Ah Yin returned with bowls and chopsticks, smiling as she served rice to everyone, completely unaware of the strangeness that had just occurred.
Gu Wuchen was picking at his food when he suddenly felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier.
He thought it was because he had been too tired from the Tidal Body Tempering over the past six months, plus the long journey back, so he didn't pay much attention.
But after only a few breaths, drowsiness surged up like a tide, and I couldn't even hold my chopsticks anymore.
With a "thud," his head lolled to the side, and he fell asleep right there on the dining table.
Ice Empress's eyes lit up, and they laughed triumphantly.
"It's done!"
Without saying a word, she got up, walked to Gu Wuchen's side, bent down, and hoisted him onto her shoulder.
Although Gu Wuchen was physically strong, this weight was nothing to her.
Ah Yin nearly dropped the bowl in her hand, staring at her in shock.
" Sister Bing! What are you doing? What happened to Young Master Gu?"
"It's nothing, she just fell asleep."
Ice Empress said nonchalantly, walking briskly towards Gu Wuchen's bedroom.
Snow Empress stood up and stopped Ah Yin, who wanted to follow.
" Ah Yin, just pretend you didn't see anything. Don't ask anything, and don't tell anyone."
Ah Yin was stunned, looking at Snow Empress's calm eyes, her heart filled with doubt.
She didn't know what Ice Empress and Snow Empress were up to, but she could sense that they meant no harm.
Why would someone secretly drug Gu Wuchen and put him to sleep when everything was fine?
Ice Empress gently placed Gu Wuchen on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
Looking at his sleeping face, Ice Empress pursed his lips.
"Finally, no one's competing with us anymore. Bo Saixi went back to Sea God Island. Let's see who can cause trouble this time. Last time on the mainland, she interrupted us every time. It was infuriating."
Snow Empress closed the door and walked to the bedside.
"Keep your voice down, don't disturb him. The effects of the Ice Sleep Powder last for twelve hours, that's enough time for us to make arrangements."
She reached out and gently stroked Gu Wuchen's forehead, a barely perceptible tenderness flashing in her eyes.
"He's suffered too much in the past six months in the Raging Wave Despair. It's time for him to get a good night's sleep and not have to think about anything."
Ice Empress nodded and moved a stool to sit on the edge of the bed.
She rested her chin on her hand, carefully examining Gu Wuchen's face.
Ice Empress looked at his sleeping profile, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Last time in the Far North, I secretly kissed him, but I didn't have a chance to really savor it.
This time, finally no one came to cause trouble.
She licked her lips, her eyes shining.
"Since that last kiss, I haven't had another chance. This time, I'm determined to savor it properly."
As she spoke, she leaned forward, about to lower her head.
"I'll go first."
Snow Empress reached out and pressed her shoulder, her tone calm but leaving no room for refusal.
Ice Empress pouted in dissatisfaction. "Why did you get to go first? I was the one who thought of it first."
"You went first last time," Snow Empress said calmly. "This time it's my turn."
Ice Empress snorted and reluctantly moved away.
"Alright, alright, you can go first. But don't stay too long, I'll be next."
Snow Empress ignored her and leaned closer to Gu Wuchen.
I was incredibly excited. Although it wasn't the first time, every time felt just like the first.
" Little Wuchen, don't blame Sister Xue."
"I am coming."