Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 345 Why hasn't she come out yet?

……

"Why...why are you telling me all this?" Bibi Dong looked at Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena paused for a moment, "Because this is his divine test, and I am his assistant. It is my duty to help him resolve this matter."

"That's all?" Bibi Dong asked with some doubt.

She couldn't understand Gu Yuena. This woman often felt unreal to her; she was too perfect.

"What other reason do you want?" Gu Yuena looked into Bibi Dong's eyes.

Bibi Dong was speechless for a moment, a hint of confusion and deeper bewilderment flashing in her purple eyes.

Yes, what other reason could she possibly want? Gu Yuena was Xuanming's assistant, helping him complete the divine test. That reason was perfectly reasonable and beyond reproach.

But... she always felt that the way Gu Yuena looked at her and the motivation behind her words seemed to be more than just because of the "mission".

"Are you questioning my motives?" Gu Yuena's voice remained cool, but it lacked some of its previous aloofness, replaced by an indescribable...complexity. "Or do you think someone like me shouldn't be telling you these things?"

Bibi Dong pursed her lips and did not answer, but the wariness and doubt in her eyes did not disappear.

Gu Yuena sighed softly, the sound barely audible, as if it had blended into the cold wind of the icy plains.

“I did get involved in this matter because of Xuanming’s divine test,” she said slowly. “But what I’m saying to you isn’t entirely out of a mission.”

She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the undulating sea in the distance, her long silver hair swaying gently in the breeze.

"You two are very similar. You both have a vulnerability hidden beneath your strength, a vulnerability you don't want others to see. This may be the root of your attraction to each other. His unwillingness to hurt you, and even his repeated tolerance of Qian Renxue, is largely because of you."

“He knows you don’t want to face Qian Renxue and can’t really sever ties with her, so he thought of taking care of Qian Renxue for you.”

At this point, Gu Yuena almost laughed.

"His thought process is often really strange. Even now, there are many parts where I can't keep up with his thinking."

"But in the end, he can't be ruthless towards the things and people he cares about. He's afraid of losing them, so most of the time he'd rather endure it and keep it to himself."

"He won't go to extremes unless he has no other choice."

Just like with you.

Gu Yuena's gaze returned to Bibi Dong. "He could have helped you in a more direct way, but he chose the clumsiest and most strenuous method. Because he knew that your pride couldn't withstand any charity, and your dignity needed to be reclaimed with your own hands."

“He…” Bibi Dong’s voice choked with emotion, “He never looked down on me?”

“If he looked down on you, he wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.” Gu Yuena shook her head gently. “He just didn’t know how to express himself. After all…”

A faint, bitter smile appeared on her lips: "He himself is not good at handling emotions."

Xuanming is very smart; he actually knows everything, but he just can't handle these things. It's not that he doesn't know how, but that he can't bring himself to be ruthless.

He knew what was right and that he knew he had done something wrong, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

So, in the end, he simply took all the responsibility upon himself.

If someone has to take responsibility, if someone has to bear the pain, he is willing to be that person; that is his choice.

"..."

Silence fell once more on the icy plain, broken only by the mournful sound of the wind.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Yuena slowly stood up and said, "Keep it up."

"Just don't let yourself regret it; that's what he hopes for."

After speaking, Gu Yuena's figure slowly faded, disappearing silently from the icy plain as if blending into the moonlight.

This time, she left for good.

On the vast, empty ice plain, only Bibi Dong remained, bathed in the cold moonlight.

She stopped crying and just sat quietly, letting the cold wind brush against her cheeks and wash away her tears.

After experiencing tremendous shock and turmoil, I found myself in a strange state of calm.

"You're such a jerk."

……

Night had fallen, and the moonlight, like quicksilver, spilled onto the white sand and buildings, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Xuanming's residence.

Hu Liena finally couldn't hold back any longer and came over, her eyes full of worry: "Xuanming, what happened to Teacher? How did you all end up fighting like that?"

Xuanming remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "This is the content of my divine test. The specifics are somewhat complicated, so I cannot say more. But it will not do her any harm."

"A divine exam?" Hu Liena paused, then became even more anxious. "But the teacher looks..."

“Nana,” Xuanming interrupted her, “What you need to do now is focus on completing your assessment. The situation on the continent is turbulent, and the Martial Soul Empire has many affairs to attend to. The sooner you complete the divine assessment, the sooner you can go back to help her.”

Hu Liena bit her lip, a struggle flashing in her eyes: "But the rules of Seagod Island... after completing the test, one must guard Seagod Island for life and cannot leave. Otherwise, it will incur the wrath of the Seagod..."

"Don't worry," Xuanming said calmly. "The Sea God won't say anything more."

Hu Liena was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond. Looking into Xuan Ming's eyes, which were always calm and unwavering, the grievances, worries, and heartache of watching him fight alone for the past six months finally broke through her dam at this moment.

She suddenly stepped forward, hugged Xuanming tightly, and buried her face in his chest.

"Let me... stay here for a little while, okay?" Her voice was choked with sobs. "Just for a little while..." Xuan Ming's body stiffened slightly. Hu Liena's tears quickly soaked the front of his shirt, and her suppressed sobs were particularly clear in the quiet night.

"For the past six months... I could only watch you struggle... I couldn't even say a word to you..." she sobbed intermittently, "I know I can't help you... but... but I..."

She knew he was under immense pressure and knew she couldn't help him, so she suppressed her worries and longing, worked hard to complete her assessment, and dared not disturb him in the slightest.

Until today, seeing that he seemed to have some "free time" for the time being, and witnessing the terrible state of the teacher being "tempered" by him, the emotions that had been suppressed for too long finally broke down. I rushed in without thinking, just wanting to make sure he was alright, just wanting to... be closer to him.

Xuanming sighed softly, and his raised hand finally landed gently on her back, soothing her gently.

"Go to sleep," he whispered. "I'm here."

Perhaps it was because she hadn't felt this warmth for so long, or perhaps it was the exhaustion after venting her emotions, but Hu Liena really fell asleep in Xuan Ming's arms, with tear stains still hanging at the corners of her eyes.

Meanwhile, behind the bushes not far away, several figures were waiting anxiously.

"Why isn't she out yet? Didn't we agree that we'd each stay a little while?" Xiao Wu couldn't help but stomp her foot.

"You sly fox! You really cheated!"

Ning Rongrong looked puzzled. "Xiao Wu, I feel like... something's getting off you?"

Xiao Wu's feelings for Xuan Ming used to be very pure; they were like those for family. In fact, in Xiao Wu's eyes, Xuan Ming was just a shameless older brother.

However, during her years of cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, she sensed that Xiao Wu's feelings for Xuan Ming were becoming increasingly strange, especially after they arrived at Seagod Island, where she began to openly express them!

Sister! Didn't we agree that you wouldn't get involved in this mess?
"I... what's wrong with me?" Xiao Wu asked, feeling a little guilty.

“Something’s not right,” Ning Rongrong said seriously.

Xiao Wu used to be carefree, and she was carefree when she was with Xuan Ming. She didn't have that awkward feeling of romantic love.

But recently, she could sense that Xiao Wu's feelings for Xuan Ming were starting to become distorted!

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing the commotion, Murasaki came over.

"No...we didn't do anything." Ning Rongrong and the others immediately looked guilty.

They had witnessed Zi Ji's strength during this time; she was capable of lifting and beating those guardian pillars!

Moreover, judging from Zi Ji's expression, she clearly also has feelings for Xuan Ming.

Most importantly, Murasaki has a very fiery temper!
Xiao Wu also told them that this older sister was a legendary, almost extinct pure-blooded true dragon, and that dragons would simply snatch whatever they liked or wanted!
If anyone else has any ideas, they'll just take action!

Especially when it comes to the right to choose a mate, the dragon race is even more straightforward and brutal!
Zi Ji leaned against a tree with her arms crossed, her dark purple eyes sweeping over the group, a playful smile curving her lips: "In the middle of the night, instead of resting, you're hiding here spying?"

Xiao Wu felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze. Her rabbit ears twitched involuntarily, and she forced herself to remain calm as she retorted, "Who...who was spying! We were just...just passing by!"

"Oh? Just passing by?" Zi Ji stepped forward slowly, her tall figure casting an imposing shadow in the moonlight. "Just passing by and you need to hide here, whispering among yourselves? Are you discussing how to take turns going in?"

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's faces instantly turned extremely awkward, and they subconsciously took a half step back.

Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed red instantly, and she retorted, "What...what's it to you!"

"Heh," Zi Ji chuckled, a dangerous glint flashing in her dragon eyes, "Little rabbit, have you forgotten that dragons have a strong sense of territory? Especially... for things they set their sights on."

Her gaze swept meaningfully toward the tightly closed doors of Xuanming's residence.

Xiao Wu's heart skipped a beat. A strange sense of crisis and... jealousy welled up inside her, causing her to blurt out, "What have you taken a fancy to? He's no good!"

She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth. What kind of talk was that!

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but facepalm.

Zi Ji, however, seemed amused and laughed heartily: "Yes, he's a scoundrel."

She stopped laughing, her dragon eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Xiao Wu. "So, are you declaring your sovereignty, little rabbit?"

Xiao Wu's face turned even redder, both ashamed and angry, but she didn't know how to refute it.

Her feelings for Xuanming had indeed become complicated, and she herself couldn't figure them out. Now that Ziji had so bluntly revealed them to her, she was even more confused.

"I...I didn't!"

"Nothing is best." Zi Ji's smile faded, and her tone carried a faint warning. "Some thoughts are best abandoned as soon as possible. He is not someone you can covet."

Xiao Wu immediately exploded: "Why should I?! Is it any of your business?!"

"Just because..." Zi Ji leaned down slightly, getting closer to Xiao Wu. Dark purple flames seemed to burn in her dragon eyes, and a powerful dragon aura emanated from her, causing the surrounding air to stagnate slightly. "...I am stronger than you. The world of the dragon race is that simple."

Xiao Wu was forced to hold her breath by the powerful pressure, her pretty face turned pale, but she still stubbornly glared at Zi Ji, refusing to back down.

Upon seeing this, Ning Rongrong and her group frowned and stepped forward almost in unison.

The years of cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, as well as the arduous training on Seagod Island, have forged a deep bond between them.

The matter of Xuanming is a matter of competition between them, but they are still able to unite in the face of this threat from an "outsider".

Seeing this, Murasaki straightened up, lazily tossed her long hair, and seemed to have lost interest in teasing her further.

She glanced at the still-closed palace doors and said calmly, "Alright, everyone disperse. Stop making a fuss here."

"He's tired after a long day and needs to rest. If you want to say something, come back another day."

(End of this chapter)