The events of the Dragon Valley were like a stone thrown into a deep pool—after stirring up ripples, they quickly returned to calm.
None of the survivors, including Tang Wulin, could provide a clear explanation for the sudden closure of the Dragon Valley, its rejection of all outsiders, and its subsequent disappearance under the rigorous investigations of the Tang Sect and the Star Luo Empire.
Ultimately, they were cleared of suspicion and allowed to return to their respective teams.
Tang Wulin returned to the Shrek Academy group with a tinge of regret from his unconscious slumber, but more importantly, with a significant leap in physical strength from the dragon soul tempering and an initial mastery over the Golden Dragon Spear.
He knew that this tempering had bought him some time; otherwise, with only three years left until the sixth seal of the Golden Dragon King would break, every second counted.
Even so, during his spare time, he was almost always in the forging room, drenched in sweat, crafting exquisite Spirit-Forged and Soul-Forged metals. These items would be valuable chips for trading for the ten-thousand-year-old spiritual objects needed to lift the seals.
Gu Yue also returned, but her state was markedly different.
Logically speaking, having successfully absorbed the core power left by the Dragon God, her strength should have surged dramatically, and she ought to have been elated.
However, she was unusually silent. Her deep purple eyes no longer held their usual coldness or the complex emotions she sometimes showed towards Tang Wulin. Instead, they were filled with a deep, unshakable gloom and inner struggle.
Gu La's words in the Dragon Valley were like the most vicious curse, deeply embedded in her heart, making her restless and uneasy, as if a thorn were lodged in her throat.
The truth about the Dragon God, her own flaws, Tang San's schemes, and the bait Gu La had dangled before her—the thoughts clashed fiercely in her mind, preventing her from finding peace.
Gu La and his avatars quietly blended back into their respective paths like drops of water returning to the sea.
Liu Niandao had long established himself firmly within the Tang Sect with his cold and efficient style. His "inherent defect" became an advantage in the Sect's assassination and intelligence systems.
Bai Yuan returned to the Shrek team, his Abyss Taotie presence even more restrained and profound, leaving behind a formidable reputation for Shrek Academy on the Star Luo Continent.
Bo Xi's status at Monster Academy grew even stronger, truly earning the title of "Sea King." Mu Yi focused on forging and self-cultivation, advancing significantly in his innate secret techniques.
Yin Wansheng immersed himself in studying the Yin-Yang path at the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, preparing to graduate and then join the military, paving the way for future membership in the Blood God Legion and the War God Hall.
Qing Luli became even more enigmatic, entering the Spirit Pagoda's biological laboratory and not emerging for days or even weeks on end. Only the occasional wails from inside hinted at her activities.
Everyone was enjoying the enormous benefits brought by the Dragon Valley while also amassing strength for the impending storm.
Gu La's true form calmly returned to the Shrek team, seemingly unaffected by the events in the Dragon Valley.
The journey continued.
The delegation from Shrek Academy arrived at a bustling city in the central part of the Star Luo Continent, preparing to engage in exchange activities with the renowned local "Sword and Blade Academy."
While the academy's leadership and students were busy with the exchange affairs, Gu La and Gu Yue found themselves with a rare moment of solitude—on the viewing terrace atop the luxurious hotel where the academy was staying.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the terrace, gilding the distant city skyline.
Gu La leaned against the railing, watching the endless flow of people below, and casually asked, "Have you considered it?"
Though he didn't specify what he meant, both knew exactly what he was referring to.
Gu Yue stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the horizon, silver hair gently swaying in the evening breeze. After a few seconds of silence, the pride of the Silver Dragon King resurfaced, accompanied by a stubborn coldness:
"Once I break through to Level 100, freeing myself from the plane's constraints, I will naturally retrieve the Golden Dragon King's divine core from Tang Wulin and achieve the complete Dragon God. I don't need your 'method.'"
"Heh," Gu La chuckled softly, turning his head to sharply meet Gu Yue's vertically slit pupils, glowing with the golden light of the dragon race:
"Break through to the hundredth level? How long will that take? Ten years? Twenty years? Or will it happen when the army of the Abyss Plane tears open the rift, or when the claws of the Demon Plane crawl across the land?"
"Moreover, do you think you'll reclaim your power faster than Tang San returns? Do you think he'll stand idly by while you touch his precious son and take away the Golden Dragon King's divine core?"
"Abyss Plane? Demon Plane?" Gu Yue's pupils contracted sharply. This was the first time she had heard these specific threats to Douluo Star from Gu La.
She was shaken internally but maintained a cold exterior, stubbornly replying, "What does this have to do with me? I am of the dragon race, the Silver Dragon King! The survival of the human world has nothing to do with me. Even if Douluo Star falls into the abyss, I can lead the dragon race to roam the universe!"
However, her slightly flickering eyes and unconsciously clenched fists betrayed her true thoughts.
Flee without a fight? Abandon this planet that she once guarded, the place where the persona "Gu Yue" was born? As proud as she was, she would rather die fighting on the battlefield defending this land than flee in disgrace bearing the name of a coward!
Gu La observed her struggles fully and remained silent, simply watching her, giving her space to think.
The evening breeze blew, bringing the clamor of the city, yet making the atmosphere on the terrace even heavier.
After a long pause, Gu La's voice sounded again, this time with utmost seriousness, carrying the weight of a final ultimatum: "Gu Yue, this is my last invitation. Become my ally, share power and the future. If you still refuse…"
His voice turned cold, "From now on, you and I are enemies. Mortal enemies."
"Enemies?!" Gu Yue exploded like a powder keg, suddenly turning around, her terrifying Silver Dragon King pressure uncontrollably erupting. Her purple eyes transformed completely into icy dragon pupils, staring at Gu La as if to pierce through his soul!
"How dare you, a scavenger who takes advantage of chaos, claim to be my enemy?!"
However, Gu La's figure remained as steady as a mountain, his expression calm and even tinged with a hint of… pity? This look thoroughly stung Gu Yue.
She suddenly realized that he wasn't bluffing. Over the years, from their initial transactions, to the setup at the Star Luo Competition, to the revelations and threats in the Dragon Valley—Gu La had already backed her into a corner.
His understanding of her even surpassed her own. Unconsciously, she had developed a certain indescribable sense of… trust? Based on vigilance and testing?
Or perhaps, knowing his intentions made her feel he was more "controllable" than the unknown Tang San?
This realization left Gu Yue feeling a dizzying mix of helplessness and anger. She closed her eyes, her long silver lashes trembling faintly.
The dignity of the Silver Dragon King, the confusion about the future, the apprehension towards Tang San, and the faint yet tempting hope in Gu La's proposition—all collided fiercely within her heart.
Time seemed to freeze. The sun sank below the horizon, and the city lights began to illuminate one by one.
Finally, Gu Yue slowly opened her eyes. The complex emotions in her dragon pupils settled, leaving only a resigned determination. Her rosy lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a barely noticeable hoarseness:
"… What do I need to do?"
Success! Gu La rejoiced inwardly, but showed no sign of it outwardly.
He flipped his wrist, and a "sphere" entirely flowing with dark gold hues and engraved with complex spatial reinforcement runes appeared in his palm.
This was no ordinary Poké Ball—it was a specially crafted "enhanced high-level ball" made from top-tier soul-refined metal, personally forged by Master Zhenhua, incorporating spatial stabilization runes and energy guidance circuits, specifically designed to subdue Gu Yue!
"Relax your mind, don't resist." Gu La's voice carried a peculiar soothing force as he aimed the enhanced ball at Gu Yue. "It'll be over soon."
Gu Yue looked at the sphere emanating strange fluctuations, her eyes filled with hesitation and instinctive resistance.
Letting go of her defenses and allowing herself to be "captured"? This was the ultimate insult to her identity as the Silver Dragon King!
However, thinking of Tang San's threat, Gu La's description of the abyss crisis, and her uncertain future… she gritted her teeth and ultimately made her decision.
She gambled! Betting that Gu La bore no ill intent and that his promise of "becoming a true Dragon God" held some possibility. More importantly, she couldn't afford the cost of Gu La standing completely opposed to her, possibly even allying with Tang San.
She had no idea that as a time traveler, Gu La couldn't tolerate being taken as Tang San's subordinate. In his original timeline, he was always the big brother!
"Hmph!" Gu Yue snorted, tacitly agreeing.
She closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing the surging power and dragon majesty within her body, completely abandoning resistance.
Gu La didn't hesitate any further. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the enhanced high-level ball towards Gu Yue.
Swish—!
The ball traced a streak of light, accurately striking Gu Yue's body. A strong red light instantly enveloped her!
Buzz—!
The red light flashed violently, and the enhanced ball trembled and spun wildly in the air. Gu Yue's figure flickered in and out of the red light, seemingly about to break free at any moment.
The soul-refined metal reinforcing the ball emitted a groan under the strain, and the inscribed spatial runes flickered intermittently.
Clearly, even without resistance, the terrifying energy and rank of the Silver Dragon King's essence were far beyond what a mere "high-level ball" could easily contain.
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed as the first painstakingly crafted enhanced high-level ball, made from top-tier materials, lasted less than three seconds before shattering into countless fragments under the intense energy impact.
The red light dissipated, and Gu Yue reappeared in her original spot, unscathed, but with a hint of astonishment and bewilderment in her eyes, looking at Gu La questioningly.
Gu La took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. It was expected not to be so simple, but he was prepared.
"It doesn't matter." Gu La's voice remained steady, as if the previous failure was merely an anticipated test.
He flipped his wrist again, and an identical enhanced high-level ball appeared in his hand. "Again!"
Without further ado, the second enhanced ball was thrown.
The red light reappeared! Trembling! Spinning!
Gu Yue closed her eyes again, forcibly suppressing her instinctual resistance.
This time, the enhanced ball lasted slightly longer. The runes on the ball's surface erupted in blinding light, striving to stabilize the rampant energy inside. However, just as the red light was about to stabilize—
Bang!
The second enhanced ball followed suit, exploding into fragments!
Gu Yue reappeared, her eyes filled with deeper confusion and even a trace of barely perceptible… tension? The two consecutive failures made her doubt Gu La's so-called "method."
Gu La's face remained impassive, but his eyes were still resolute. He pulled out the last enhanced high-level ball.
This was the backup plan of the backup plan. The system had Ultra Balls available, but they required ten thousand points, and he wouldn't waste the opportunity unless there was no other choice.
"One last time."
Gu La's voice was low and firm, carrying an undeniable resolve. He concentrated all his mental strength on the ball, even subtly drawing upon a trace of temporal power from the Forest Sea Space for reinforcement.
Swish—!
The third enhanced ball, carrying Gu La's all-or-nothing will, transformed into a streak of light, enveloping Gu Yue once more.
The red light flashed violently, the trembling reaching unprecedented levels, the entire terrace seeming to vibrate slightly.
The soul-refined metal on the ball's surface emitted an ear-piercing metallic distortion, the spatial runes' light almost burning.
Gu La's mental strength locked onto the ball, veins bulging on his temples as he exerted full force to maintain the capture.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
The frequency of the red light flashing began to decrease.
The amplitude of the trembling diminished.
The speed of the ball's rotation slowed.
Finally—
Ding!
A crisp, melodious sound, like heavenly music, rang out on the silent terrace.
The red light completely disappeared, and the wildly trembling enhanced high-level ball landed steadily in Gu La's outstretched palm, lying quietly, exuding a warm dark golden glow.
On the ball's surface, a fine yet unmistakable silver dragon pattern slowly emerged, like a brand or a contract seal.
Capture… successful!
Gu La tightly gripped the ball of great significance, feeling the vast and familiar presence of the sleeping Silver Dragon King within, an indescribable sense of accomplishment and control washing over him.
Years of meticulous planning and careful steps finally culminated in this moment, bringing the Silver Dragon King, with a god-king's rank, into his alliance!
On the terrace, the evening breeze continued to blow, and the city lights sparkled like stars.
Gu La excitedly waved his arms, a long-absent sense of achievement welling up within him. At this moment, the system notification, which hadn't appeared for a long time, sounded in his mind:
[Congratulations, Trainer, for overcoming numerous difficulties and capturing the Legendary '???']
[Reward: Random Plate x1. Detected capture of unknown Legendary, reward changed to selectable Plate x1, random divine item x1.
Detected capture of Legendary surpassing rank one God, reward changed to selectable Plates x2, selectable divine item x1.]
Gu La stared intently at the displayed rewards, his breath catching.
Two selectable plates and divine item rewards would eliminate any lingering concerns for his plans.
Moreover, by capturing the Silver Dragon King, he now had a way to safely return to his original timeline without being ambushed by the Silver Dragon King from that era.
He could finally return to that parallel universe twenty thousand years ago!
The high-level ball automatically opened, and Gu Yue reappeared, looking at the unexpectedly elated Gu La. She took a deep breath to dispel the inexplicable fondness she felt towards him.
"Now, tell me how to evolve into the Dragon God."
With this pivotal moment secured, Gu La's grand design moved another step closer to fruition.
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