Douluo Dalu 3: The Legend of the Dragon King

Of course, her status as Qiangu Zhangting's love interest and Leng Yaozhu's disciple were also important factors behind her progression. 

After that, Gu Yuena continued to improve steadily in her cultivation, but under normal circumstances, spirit envoy should've been the highest rank that she was able to reach. The only way for her to rise further up the ranks would be to become a Limit Douluo so she could inherit Leng Yaozhu's position as vice-chairman in the future.

However, the development of the Myriad Beast Plane significantly accelerated this process for Gu Yuena.

The Myriad Beast Plane quickly became another massive source of revenue for the Spirit Pagoda and bound more high-grade Soul Masters to the organization.

The development of the 10,000-year-old soul spirits and the Myriad Beast Plane had virtually elevated the Spirit Pagoda to the same status as the Spirit Hall of the distant past, and the allure they presented to Soul Masters was simply far too great.

If it weren't for Shrek Academy's rapid resurgence, it was very likely that Soul Masters of the future would only know of the Spirit Pagoda.

Just now, Gu Yuena had displayed quasigod level at such a young age. Her power, achievements, and stunning appearance made her the most suitable candidate to inherit the role of chairman.

Even Leng Yaozhu couldn't compete with her at this time as there was a massive gap between the contributions the two had made to the Spirit Pagoda.

Qiangu Dongfeng had planned for Gu Yuena and Qiangu Zhangting to get married so that in a sense, it could be said that Qiangu Zhangting had played a role in her contributions to the Spirit Pagoda. He was confident that he could convince Gu Yuena to agree with this arrangement, but now, everything had spiraled out of control.

At this point, Qiangu Dongfeng could only cling onto the hope that Gu Yuena and Qiangu Zhangting would come together as they had had physical relations in the past. If that were to happen, then the Qiangu Family wouldn't completely fall into obscurity.

One core member of the Spirit Pagoda after another expressed their approval of Gu Yuena's promotion, and their voices were like daggers being driven into Qiangu Dongfeng's heart, leaving him in complete despair.

It was true that he was selfish and conceited, but in his own eyes, he had dedicated his entire life to the Spirit Pagoda, and everything he had done was for the sake of the Spirit Pagoda.

Of course, he also wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to reach godhood, but it seemed that it was all over for him now.

The Spirit Pagoda had to give the army headquarters and the Western Legion an explanation, and he was going to be the scapegoat.

Qiangu Dieting took a deep breath to compose himself before turning toward Gu Yuena. "Seeing as everyone has approved of this decision, what is your verdict, Nana?"

Gu Yuena's gaze settled briefly on Qiangu Dieting before moving onto Qiangu Dongfeng, then Qiangu Zhangting, and a faint smile appeared on her face as she nodded in response. "Alright, I'll do my best to live up to everyone's trust and expectations. I'll be sure to act in the best interest of our Spirit Pagoda."

She agreed? 

Qiangu Dongfeng shuddered upon hearing this, and he plunged even further into the depths of despair, but what could he say at a time like this? There was nothing he could do to stop this.

At this point, Tang Wulin and the others still hadn't departed, so they bore witness to the unfolding situation.

Tang Wulin's eyes were slightly glazed over and disoriented.

It seemed that not long ago, he had been studying with Gu Yuena at Shrek Academy.

Back then, they had been so weak and insignificant, yet now, he was the Tang Sect Master and Sea God's Pavilion Master, while she had just become the Spirit Pagoda Chairman.

Even though the Spirit Pagoda was completely dominated by Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect when it came to high-end power, the Spirit Pagoda was still the number one Soul Master organization on the continent, regardless of whether it was in terms of resources or personnel.

Was this the reason why Gu Yuena had always refused to be with him? Had she stayed at the Spirit Pagoda and by Qiangu Zhangting's side just so she could climb to the position of chairman one day?

Tang Wulin's hands balled up into tight fists as a surge of fury welled up in his heart. 

Gu Yue, I would've been willing to give up everything for you if you had just asked! I would've been willing to sacrifice everything had you agreed to be by my side! Are you really an ambitious woman? Is your ambition the true reason that's keeping us apart? 

"Let's go; it looks like everything's settled down here for now," Yali said as she laid a hand onto Tang Wulin's shoulder.

Tang Wulin shuddered slightly as he turned toward her, and Yali was met by a tortured gaze that was filled with complex emotions.

"Don't think too much; everything will have to wait until after this battle," Yali consoled in a gentle voice.

Tang Wulin nodded in response as he did his best to bottle up his emotions and compose himself.

Indeed, everything would have to wait until after this crisis was averted.

With the looming threat of the Holy Spirit Cult and the abyssal plane, there was no time to think about anything else, not to mention that the threat of the Blood River Godslayer Array was just on the horizon.

Right at this moment, the ringtone of Tang Wulin's soul communicator sounded, and he reflexively accepted the call, upon which an excited voice immediately rang out on the end of the line.

"Wulin, I did it! Hahaha, I did it! I succeeded where even my parents failed! I did it!"

Ling Zichen was yelling like a madwoman, and listening to her voice, Tang Wulin was suddenly struck by a strong impulsive urge. He suddenly really wanted to rush over to Gu Yuena and tell her everything.

He had always been so calm and steadfast, but in that instant, the last thing he wanted to be was calm. He even wanted to tell her that he would be willing to give her the positions of the Tang Sect Master and Sea God's Pavilion Master if she were willing to return to his side.

He loved her so deeply; even though countless beauties around him had developed feelings toward him, his heart had never wavered.

But could he really do that? He couldn't.

Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect didn't belong to him, so he had no right to pass on his leadership roles to anyone. Furthermore, Gu Yuena was already the Spirit Pagoda Chairwoman, and the gap between them seemed to have only widened.

Right at this moment, Gu Yuena suddenly raised her head to cast her gaze toward Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin had been looking at her this entire time, so their eyes immediately met, and in that instant, Tang Wulin was met with an incredibly gentle gaze.

He faltered slightly upon seeing this, and a faint smile appeared on Gu Yuena's face. This was a smile of consolation, but was also intermingled with other extremely complex emotions.

Her smile seemed to be carrying the weight of the world.

In that instant, Tang Wulin was struck by a sense of enlightenment that pierced through his pain and despair like a ray of light.

She hadn't done this for power; that wasn't her motivation!

Tang Wulin was very sure of this as he had suddenly arrived at a realization. If Gu Yuena really were wholeheartedly fixated on ambition and a lust for power, then how had he fallen in love with her in the first place?

Furthermore, the love they had for one other was something that had always been deeply cherished in their hearts and definitely couldn't be swayed by external factors.

She wasn't that type of woman!

Following this enlightenment came a sense of guilt and apology which he conveyed through his eyes, as if he were apologizing to Gu Yuena for doubting her.

However, in that instant, he suddenly caught sight of a hint of profound despair deep in her eyes, and he couldn't help but also be struck by an indescribable sense of sorrow.

What was she thinking about? Why was she so sad?