The Legend of the Dragon King

‘Could it be she doesn’t even have the slightest intention for me to stay? Why doesn’t she have any questions?’

The atmosphere at dinner was a little unpleasant. Everyone except for Tang Wulin and Gu Yue had excuses to leave immediately after dinner, leaving them the only two remaining at the dinner table.

Gu Yu dabbed her mouth with a serviette, then she stood up. “I’m done eating. I’ll go back first.”

She was about to leave when Tang Wulin suddenly grabbed her hand. “Don’t you wish to know about the mission I’m embarking on?”

Gu Yue did not struggle but looked at him calmly. “If you’re going to tell me, then you’ll tell me. If you aren’t going to tell me, then what’s the point of me asking?”

Tang Wulin’s expression changed. “Gu Yue, I don’t like it when you’re being cold to me.”

Gu Yue removed her hand. “You should go. We’ll wait for your return.” She turned around and quickly headed out.

“Gu Yue!” Tang Wulin stood up abruptly and called out to her.

Gu Yue stopped but she did not turn around. She spoke indifferently, “Anything else?”

Tang Wulin took a deep breath. “I don’t want to hear that all of you are waiting for my return, but just you are waiting for my return.”

Gu Yue’s body stiffened a little but she did not turn around. She raised her hand and waved to Tang Wulin before she walked hurriedly outside.

Tang Wulin’s figure appeared desolate, and he was frowning a little.

‘This is not right. This feeling is not right. I could feel her affection when I was holding her hand during those final moments on the competition stage.’

‘Yet, why has she changed her mind? Why?’

He did not realize that her sweet face was drenched in tears ever since she walked away earlier.

Perhaps, it was best for her to be separated from him. To not see him, but know that he was safe would provide her some comfort and calm her down.

Gu Yue’s gaze was determined once again as she dried her tears and walked quickly toward her hotel room.

At this moment, the distance between them appeared to be growing further apart.

Nevertheless, it was easier to be physically apart. Was the emotional separation equally easy?

…

In the Tang Sect headquarters in Star Luo City.

Tang Wulin was dressed in a white fighter’s attire as he stood calmly in the Battle Soul Hall’s grand hall.

Today was the day for him to report for the mission. A few days ago, Shrek Academy’s group had followed the diplomatic corps to the next travel stop. According to Elder Cai’s arrangement, Shrek’s group would separate from the diplomatic corps afterward and travel around Star Luo Continent to broaden their experience while learning about Star Luo Empire’s local customs.

How could he not join his comrades in traveling and experiencing the continent? Yet, she…

Tang Wulin sighed in his heart. Perhaps, they were too young and there was no way to tell what one really desired, or to understand the other person’s inner thoughts. Maybe, it would be better when they were older.

A temporary separation may not necessarily be a bad thing. He trusted his feelings. Their hearts were at their closest when they were launching the Divine Dragon Transformation, so there was no way to conceal her emotions at the time.

‘I suppose we’ll discuss more after I return.’ Tang Wulin suddenly recalled a legend related to Shrek Academy. The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.

“White Three.” Meanwhile, a voice jolted Tang Wulin from his inner thoughts.

“Hello.” Tang Wulin hastily saluted at the incoming person who happened to be Black One.

Black One nodded toward him. “Your identifier shall remain as White Three. There are thirty people selected based on their merits to execute this mission. I hope that all of you can benefit from this mission.”

“Yes.”

Not everyone was present at the moment. It was apparent that Black One was especially keeping an eye out for him.

“You must listen carefully when I give a briefing about the mission later. You’re from Douluo Continent, so it’s possible that you don’t understand our place well.”

Tang Wulin was a little shocked to find his identity known.

Black One smiled. “Young lad, do you think that you’ll be allowed to join this mission if I don’t know your identity? It’s possibly a coincidence, but not the second time. We’re aware of your identity when you were buying and selling your items. We’ve verified and confirmed your identity. However, don’t worry. Tang Sect doesn’t discriminate regions. We’ll treat everyone equal no matter who you are as long as you’re a Tang Sect disciple.”

“Thank you.” Tang Wulin saluted respectfully.

Black One waved his hand, then turned around and walked to the front.

It did not take long before the whole group was present.

Everyone was wearing a mask so one could only distinguish between the sexes through the body. The males accounted for roughly two-thirds of the group.

Black One raised his hand as a sheen of faint white radiance enshrouded the Battle Soul Hall’s grand hall.

“Very well, everyone’s present here. We’ll be announcing the objective of this mission immediately.” His gaze swept past every White Fighter in an august manner that made everyone stand upright instinctively.

Black One spoke with a deep voice, “I believe many of you have heard about the legend of the Dragon Valley, but certainly not the facts of it. I will first remind all of you that you’re not allowed to reveal anything about the mission. Otherwise, we will strip you of all your gains as retribution or even expel you from the Sect as the more severe penalty.”

The group of White Fighters felt their chests tightened upon listening to his stern voice.

Black One explained, “Next, I’ll be briefing you on the situation in the Dragon Valley and also your mission.”

“Your current mission is known as Mission Survival. In other words, you’ll need to survive in the Dragon Valley for a significant period of time to complete the mission. The reward for completion of the mission will be your collection from the Dragon Valley. I can only tell you that the benefits you’ll gain from the Dragon Valley grows with the amount of time you spend there. The mission will not punish you for a short stay, but you’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime to benefit from the Dragon Valley.”

Black One’s words sounded ominous, but Tang Wulin and the White Fighters around him were thrilled upon listening to Black One.

It seemed like the Dragon Valley was a fine place!

“All of you must pay attention to this. Your martial soul will be temporarily sealed by the laws of the Dragon Valley when you’re there. Your martial soul can be reactivated only if your cultivation base exceeds five soul rings. However, you’ll be dismissed from the Dragon Valley immediately. This was the crucial reason why only those White Fighters whose cultivation base don’t exceed five soul rings are allowed to enter the Dragon Valley. As for what’s in Dragon Valley specifically and what you can gain from it, I’m not allowed to speak of it because of Tang Sect’s rules. Your effort and luck will determine your gain. I can only advise all of you to maximize your time there, so you’ll have unlimited possibilities. Once you’ve reached the limit of suffering from an attack, you’ll be sent out of the Dragon Valley naturally.”

“I’ll be distributing a dragon pearl to each of you later. Wear the dragon pearl on your skin to connect to your spiritual power. Use your spiritual power to trigger the dragon pearl when you feel your life is threatened, then you’ll be removed from the Dragon Valley. When your vital sign is at a weak level, the dragon pearl will also initiate the removal process.”

“That’s all. Go!”

Black One waved his hand once as he was speaking. He led the walk outside.

Black One’s briefing could vaguely be understood by Tang Wulin. He only knew that there was not much risk to this operation. Also, he could determine from the two words of ‘Dragon Valley’ that the mission was related to dragons. As he had the Golden Dragon King bloodline, he should have a certain level of dominance in the mission comparatively.

He was filled with curiosity of the Dragon Valley. The sadness in his heart was temporarily forgotten. He would return to those thoughts when Mission Dragon Valley was completed.

Tang Wulin followed everybody in leaving the Battle Soul Hall. Soon, they boarded a soul bus. Everyone went on the same bus. They began distributing the dragon pearls and identifiers on the bus.

As Black One mentioned before, he still had the identifier of White Three. The soul bus could hold fifty people at a time. Thirty of them were seated in the front where according to Black One’s arrangement, every two people were seated together.

Tang Wulin was seated next to the aisle while a petite White Fighter sat next to him on the other side. He could tell from the person’s figure that she was female with the identifier White Seven.

“Alright, the dragon pearls and identifiers have been distributed. You’re not allowed to converse with the person next to you who’s also your partner. The both of you will be a team once you enter Dragon Valley. Be cooperative and look after each other.”

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment. ‘Partner? This is not a solo operation!’