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

……

Just as Xuanming began seriously planning how to "collect" the soul rings, abandoning the so-called Nine Trials of the Sea God and directly breaking through to level 100—

Under the moonlight, a silver figure appeared silently in front of the Temple of the Sea God.

Gu Yuena looked at the tightly closed palace doors, a hint of helplessness and determination flashing in her silver-purple eyes.

In previous assessments, she mostly played a supporting role, and the first assessment was entirely handled by Xuanming himself.

But now, for this fourth test... expecting that guy, who's practically "dead wood" when it comes to emotions, to solve Poseidon's problem on his own? I'm afraid he won't even have a clue by the time he fails the test.

Xuanming is very smart; he actually understands everything. If he were uninvolved, he could probably come up with a better solution than her. But once he's involved, he's helpless.

It's partly because concern leads to confusion, and partly because Xuanming can never bring himself to be ruthless in these matters.

Since he's not up to it, then she, the "official wife," will handle it herself.

She raised her hand and gently pressed it against the soft golden halo.

"High Priest, I would like to speak with you."

The moonlight, like water, flowed quietly within the Temple of Poseidon.

The golden halo set up by Poseidon did not stop Gu Yuena. The moment her hand touched the halo, the barrier spread out like ripples, revealing a slightly haggard but still elegant figure behind it.

Poseidon looked at the uninvited Gu Yuena and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and regained the composure of a high priestess: "Your Excellency Gu Yuena, what brings you here so late at night?"

Gu Yuena made no attempt to beat around the bush. Her silver-purple eyes calmly gazed at Poseidon, and she went straight to the point: "I came for Xuanming, and also for you."

She paused, then said, "I can see your feelings for Xuanming."

Poseidon's body trembled violently, her fingers gripping the scepter tightening instantly until her knuckles turned white. She instinctively wanted to deny it, to escape, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably. "I...I don't know what you're talking about..."

“There’s no need to deny it.” Gu Yuena interrupted her, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “During my time on Seagod Island, I’ve seen it all clearly. The way you look at him goes far beyond the concern a high priest has for an examinee.”

Her gaze swept over Poseidon's slightly relaxed brows, and she continued, "As for Tang Chen... I have no intention of delving into your past obsessions. But I can sense that after his complete passing, you didn't feel much sadness; on the contrary... you felt much more relaxed, didn't you?"

These words were like a sharp sword, precisely piercing the most hidden corner of Poseidon's heart, the corner that made her feel most ashamed.

She staggered back half a step, her sea-blue eyes filled with the embarrassment of being seen through and her inner struggle.

Yes, she did feel relieved, freed from that long and hopeless wait, and this sense of relief stemmed from the appearance of that young man, and... the end of Tang Chen.

“I…” Poseidon opened her mouth, but found herself speechless.

Gu Yuena gave her no chance to catch her breath or make excuses. She took a step forward, and her invisible aura made it impossible for Poseidon to look away.

“I am not here today to question you, nor to compete with you for anything. I was already prepared for these things in Xuanming, and you are not the first.”

Her words were so blunt that they startled Poseidon: "I can tell you clearly that if Xuanming has feelings for you and is willing to accept you, I will not object." Poseidon looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She hadn't expected Gu Yuena to be so... magnanimous?
However, Gu Yuena's next words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly turning her nascent hope into a stark and unrealistic reality.

“However, the problem is that Xuanming, at least so far, doesn’t have that kind of feeling for you.” Gu Yuena analyzed with a hint of helplessness in her tone. “He’s not a promiscuous person, much less someone who falls in love with every woman he meets. He’s deep-thinking and reserved, especially when it comes to matters of the heart, he’s almost… oblivious.”

You spent two years together on Poseidon Island. He respects you, values ​​you, and may even be grateful for your care, but romantic feelings... at least for him, haven't yet blossomed.

The light in Poseidon's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head bitterly.

Gu Yuena was right. Xuanming always maintained a polite distance from her. His concern stemmed more from gratitude towards an elder or friend, and he never overstepped his bounds.

Seeing Poseidon's somber expression, Gu Yuena changed the subject:
"Therefore, you need to take the initiative in this matter."

"Take the initiative?" Poseidon was stunned. Given her status and personality, for her to take the initiative to express her feelings to a man much younger than herself? This was simply...

“That’s right, take the initiative.” Gu Yuena affirmed. “I know him too well. He can remain calm amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and fight to the death under the pressure of the God King. But when it comes to emotions, he has too many concerns and his heart isn’t hard enough. If you keep holding back, he will keep pretending not to know and maintain that damn, annoying balance.”

She looked at Poseidon and made a judgment: "But if you take that step and break through this barrier, given the relationship you've built up on Poseidon Island over the past two years... in my opinion, your chances of success are at least 50%."

Five percent!

Poseidon was stunned, her cheeks flushed. Taking the initiative to approach? Clearly expressing her feelings? This…this completely overturned the etiquette and reserve she had upheld for nearly a century!
“I…how could I…” Poseidon’s voice was barely audible, filled with shyness and hesitation.

"For the sake of the Sea God's inheritance, and for your own sake." Gu Yuena looked at her and pointed out the most crucial point, "Are you willing to be a waiter forever, a high priest trapped on this island? Don't you want to seize this opportunity, break free from fate, and become the true Sea God?"

The words "qualification to inherit the Sea God's legacy" struck Poseidon's heart like a heavy hammer. She recalled the contents of the hidden divine test, and her own yearning for freedom and a higher realm.

Gu Yuena's words were like a key, unlocking the long-standing shackles in her heart.

Yes, she has waited for too long and suppressed her feelings for too long.

For Tang Chen, she guarded Poseidon Island for decades, only to end up with nothing.

Are we going to miss another opportunity that could change our destiny because of so-called modesty and shyness?

Seeing the resolute light gradually igniting in Poseidon's eyes, Gu Yuena knew that her words had had an effect.

"The choice is yours," Gu Yuena concluded. "I've shown you the opportunity; whether you seize it depends on your courage."

Having said that, she turned and left the palace without another word, leaving Poseidon alone, standing there, her heart surging with emotion, unable to calm down for a long time.

Is it proactive...?

Poseidon gazed at the bright moonlight outside the window. In her sea-blue eyes, hesitation, shyness, and struggle were eventually replaced by a resolute determination, as if she had already given up.

Perhaps... it's time for her to be brave for herself this once. (End of Chapter)