"Greetings, Mr. Wu Tong. It's our first meeting."
Seeing Wu Tong appear before her on his own, the Silver Dragon King responded before addressing the outside:
"Since Mr. Wu Tong has already entered, Di Tian, you need not come in. I require a private discussion with him. Guard the space outside."
"As you command, my lord."
After receiving Di Tian's acknowledgment, the Silver Dragon King turned back to Wu Tong with a hint of surprise.
"I hadn't expected you to possess spatial manipulation abilities, Mr. Wu Tong."
"Hardly worth mentioning—just a minor trick." Wu Tong replied modestly.
"Might I ask why you sought me out, Lady Silver Dragon King?"
"No need for formalities. Call me Gu Yuena—that's my name."
(Originally, it should have been "Gu Yue," but after checking online, "Gu Yuena" is the name after merging with the secondary personality "Na'er." For reader convenience, we'll use Gu Yuena here.)
"Very well, Miss Gu Yuena."
"Aside from healing my injuries, my other purpose in inviting you here is to propose an alliance—to stand together against the God Realm."
Gu Yuena smiled faintly as she spoke.
"Oh? Interesting. But why should I oppose the God Realm? I have no conflict with them."
Wu Tong didn't agree outright, merely watching her.
"Because of your strength," Gu Yuena explained.
"What about my strength?" Wu Tong feigned curiosity.
"Your power is extraordinary—godking-level combat prowess. Beyond the five Great Godkings, the God Realm has few who can match you.
"The deities of the God Realm will never tolerate an uncontrolled godking on Douluo Star. Sooner or later, they'll descend to either recruit or eliminate you.
"When that happens, you'll face only two choices: submission or destruction. After all, you alone cannot withstand five godkings of equal standing.
"But an alliance with me changes that. Once you heal me, my strength will return to the godking level.
"With two godkings, we may not defeat the God Realm, but we can resist their pressure. The God Realm wouldn't recklessly antagonize two godkings simultaneously.
"Moreover, you seem to harbor no fondness for the God Realm. I propose we unite to counter their schemes.
"What do you think?"
After laying out her reasoning, Gu Yuena gazed at Wu Tong expectantly. A godking-level ally—young, with potential to surpass even the Dragon God's realm—was too valuable to pass up.
I must try to recruit him. Even if it fails, I mustn't offend him.
Though her thoughts raced, her eyes never left Wu Tong.
"Ah… apologies, Miss Gu Yuena, but I have no interest in an alliance."
Wu Tong nearly laughed inwardly.
I'm already planning to storm the God Realm after the Luotian Grand Ritual, and now you want to team up against them? Isn't this a bit outdated?
Without hesitation, he declined.
"Have you truly considered this, Mr. Wu Tong? Your strength is formidable, but—"
Before Gu Yuena could continue persuading him, Wu Tong waved his hand to cut her off.
"I'm genuinely uninterested. Please don't insist."
Seeing his unwavering stance, Gu Yuena sighed. "Very well. My offer stands should you reconsider."
"Since you decline, I won't waste your time further. Let us proceed with the treatment. Once I'm healed, I'll deliver everything you requested."
"Mm."
Wu Tong nodded and began.
Countless emerald motes drifted from his hands, merging into Gu Yuena's body. The healing had begun.
...
Beneath the Lake of Life, silence reigned as Wu Tong worked.
Meanwhile, the lakeshore was eerily quiet in its own way.
Pardofelis and Griseo, utterly charmed by the Emperor's Auspicious Beast—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion—lay beside the spirit beast princess, regaling her with stories.
Nearby, the Demon King watched them like a hawk, wary of any harm befalling the precious Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
And standing guard against the Demon King were Kalpas, Kevin, and Kosma, poised to attack at the slightest provocation.
…
The scene was nothing if not surreal.
Elsewhere, the "beauty squad"—Elysia, Sakura, Eden, Aponia, and Hua—had joined Bijī and Zi Ji to collect spirit bones.
Though it was equally likely Elysia had orchestrated the outing solely for the chance to cozy up to pretty girls.
Meanwhile, Mobius, Mei, Vill-V, and Su formed a research team, eagerly dissecting their newly acquired materials:
Kyōzō, Nami (unharmed), spirit beast corpses, rare plants, auspicious beast fur, and savage beast essence blood…
——
In a secluded corner, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape pressed Xiao Wu for answers about her association with Wu Tong. But she dodged their questions skillfully.
"Big Sis Xiao Wu, stop deflecting! We can't help you if we don't know the truth!" the Azure Bull Python implored.
"Yeah! How did you even get captured by that Wu Tong?" the Titan Giant Ape added impatiently.
Realizing evasion was futile, Xiao Wu relented and confessed.
"...And that's how it happened."
"Big Sis, that was far too reckless! To risk offending someone like Wu Tong for that Tang San—what's so great about him?
"And that bastard actually dared abandon you? I'll go teach him a lesson!"
The Titan Giant Ape roared in fury, ready to storm off and punish Tang San.
...
Thanks to Little Demon for the support!
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(End of Chapter)