Ding!
The soul-guided elevator, exclusive to the Tower Master and Vice Tower Master, began to open. Gu You stepped in slowly, his gaze lingering on the platinum privilege card in his hand with a strange expression.
After inquiring about it, he had learned that Spirit Pagoda only had twenty-five of these cards. Eighteen of them were held by the Tower Masters of the eighteen major branch towers, while the rest were distributed among the Federation's high-ranking officials and a select few powerful individuals.
Leng Yaozhu's card, however, was the most unique among the twenty-five—it had been custom-made specifically for her.
The fact that she had given such an important card to Gu You showed just how much she valued him.
Realizing this, Gu You suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She had entrusted him with something so significant, yet he hadn't even thanked her, and worse, he had ignored her for three whole years. Even if Leng Yaozhu wanted to beat him up now, he felt he deserved it.
—
A pair of fiery eyes glared at the sky outside the tower, filled with barely suppressed fury. The hands gripping the alloy table in front of her tightened with such force that the metal itself bent and deformed.
"That damn brat! He actually dares to come back? If I don't teach him a lesson today, I don't deserve the name 'Heavenly Phoenix'!"
Leng Yaozhu still hadn't forgotten what had happened a few months ago—when Ya Li had personally come to see her.
From Ya Li's own mouth, she had learned that Gu You had become her godson. At first, Leng Yaozhu had refused to believe it. But after conducting her own investigation, she found that it was indeed true.
She had nearly exploded with rage.
Everyone knew that she, the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, had secretly admired the Skycrosser Douluo for years! And yet, her own disciple… had the audacity to—!
Leng Yaozhu struggled to contain her emotions.
That damn Ya Li! She had even gifted her a piece of Heavenly Forged Scarlet Flame Iron. At first, Leng Yaozhu had been somewhat pacified by the generous gift—until Ya Li casually mentioned that it was a teacher's fee for taking Gu You as a disciple!
What the hell?!Since when did I need you to pay me to teach my own disciple?!!
Forget it. She would vent all her frustration in just a moment.
No longer overthinking, Leng Yaozhu transmitted a message to Long Ya Li, instructing her to bring Gu You over.
—
"It's been a while, Sister Ya Li."
Gu You sneezed twice.
Weird… Was his master cursing him?
"Mm." Long Ya Li didn't say much.
"We're here."
Whether it was his imagination or not, Gu You thought he saw a flicker of pity in Long Ya Li's eyes.
Looking at the metallic door in front of him, Gu You placed a hand on it and was surprised to find it slightly warm.
"Open the door," he said softly.
The sound of mechanical gears turning echoed as the door slowly opened—bit by bit—until it was fully ajar.
Ya Li-jie! Save me!
Gu You immediately tried to turn and run.
But before he could take a step, a streak of flame burst from the doorway, instantly flooding the entire space.
AHHH!
I swear I won't do it again!!
When the flames finally subsided, Gu You was curled up in a corner, looking utterly disheveled as he cautiously peered at Leng Yaozhu.
"You think saying you 'won't do it again' makes a difference? Do you have any idea how much embarrassment you've caused me?!" Leng Yaozhu's voice carried a hint of grievance.
Gu You felt a thousand "Manny" (the currency) bills fly through his mind.
You were the one who forced me to be your disciple in the first place! Now that things have turned out like this, why is it suddenly my fault?!
But he was smart enough to keep those thoughts to himself.
"Master, I admit that I went a little too far this time, but… I still believe that what I did was the right choice." Gu You's tone was stubborn.
Long Ya Li was stunned.
No apology? And he dared to talk back?!
"You—!"
"Master, when you talk about 'losing face,' what you really mean is Yun Ming, isn't it?"
Gu You's expression was calm as he looked directly at Leng Yaozhu.
"You love him, but in the end, he didn't choose you. That pain—I understand it. But sometimes, reality is just that cruel. We have to accept it. It can't be changed. Instead of dwelling on what's already lost, why not become friends? At least then, you wouldn't have wasted those feelings in vain."
Gu You had decided to put an end to Leng Yaozhu's lingering delusions.
(End of Chapter)