Chapter 707 - Because We’re Friends

Tang Wulin looked at Gu Yue’s expressionless face and then returned to eating the sumptuous meal in front of him, but to his surprise, he found he had lost all appetite. Why has she become so cold and distant all of a sudden? She was nothing like this when we were fighting Long Yue together. Did I do something wrong? Girls are so unpredictable!

Tang Wulin’s teammates saw the way he looked at Gu Yue and decided something must have happened between them, but they knew better than to ask. They hastily finished their meal and left them there alone.

Tang Wulin watched as Gu Yue wiped her lips with a napkin. “I’ll take my leave, Captain,” she said, standing, but he caught her hand before she could leave. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.

“No. Why?” She didn’t try to pull back her hand.

“You’re acting so strange.”

“You are the one who is acting strange. I have told you I only got close to you because of your bloodline, but why aren’t you mad at me?” She withdrew her hand from his and made for the door.

Because I don’t believe you and because I love you, he wanted to say, but what he said was, “Because we’re friends!”

Gu Yue froze for an instant but didn’t turn around, tears welling in her eyes. No, we’re enemies, she thought to herself. But if he is my enemy, why is it so hard to leave him? I can’t let my personal feelings for him get in the way of our cause. They’re all counting on me, I can’t let them down at this point. If I keep my distance from him, I’ll gradually forget him. She blinked back her tears and walked out of the dining room.

On a bright morning two days later, Tang Wulin came to the rendezvous point in the Battle Hall. Standing there in his white cloak and white metal mask waiting for others to come, he found himself thinking about Gu Yue, who had gone to visit the interesting places in the Star Luo Empire with Wu Zhangkong, Elder Cai, and the rest of his team. He had smiled at them when he had seen them off, but the look Gu Yue had given him was emotionless. Hopefully the sightseeing tour will lighten her mood a bit, he thought. I should focus on the mission. I’ll tell her how much I care about her when we get back to the academy.

“White Three,” a familiar voice called out, “you’ve come early.”

“Good morning, sir!” Tang Wulin said to Black One respectfully.

Black One nodded. “Your code name this time will still be White Three.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You don’t know much about the Dragon Valley, do you?”

“No, I don’t. But how do you know that, sir?” Tang Wulin asked, suddenly afraid.

“I saw your face in the bomb-defusing mission, remember? And you made quite a name for yourself at the Continental Young Elites Tournament. But don’t worry, the Tang Sect here won’t discriminate against you just because you’re from the Douluo Continent. And I’ll tell you the things you need to know about the Dragon Valley.”

“Thank you, sir!”

By then all the other 29 white-class agents had arrived.

Everyone straightened as Black One’s eyes swept over them. “I’m sure many of you have heard a lot about the Dragon Valley; stories, rumors, secrets. But I must warn you, you can’t tell anyone what you see or hear or get in the Dragon Valley, or else all the things you find there will be confiscated and you might find yourself getting expelled from the Tang Sect.”

This Dragon Valley must be really important for them to set up such a strict rule, thought Tang Wulin.

“Your mission is very simple: last as long as you can in the Dragon Valley,” Black One continued. “I can assure you that the longer you stay there, the more beneficial it is to you. And you can take anything you find there.

“One thing you must remember: your soul power will be suppressed there, so you won’t be able to use any soul skills. To keep you safe, I’ll give you each a dragon ball. When your life is in danger, your dragon ball will transport you out of the Dragon Valley instantly. You can also trigger it by infusing your spiritual power into it, so whatever you do, don’t lose it.”

Looks like we’re going on a treasure-hunting adventure! Tang Wulin thought, excited. Dragon Valley… My Golden Dragon King power may prove to be useful there. I may even find out more about this strange power of mine.

Then they followed Black One onto a soul bus. Tang Wulin found an aisle seat and sat down.

Once they were all seated, Black One began handing out code name plates and dragon balls. “The person sitting next to you is your partner in this mission. Work together and look after each other after you get into the Dragon Valley, but now keep quiet.”