[DD2]: 25 

Moreover, when he confessed, Su Yu wasn't exactly free from embarrassment himself.

His time spent with Gu Yuena hadn't been long, so to say that he was deeply in love with her would be nonsense.

The tender feelings he expressed during his confession—while not entirely fake—were at least 90% acting.

Did he not like Gu Yuena?

No, he did.

But that attraction was mostly based on her appearance.

Gu Yuena had a stunning face and a perfect figure—what man wouldn't be drawn to her? He was no exception!

When it came to genuine affection, his bond with Di Mingli was much deeper.

That was a relationship built over five years of being together day and night.

What he felt for Gu Yuena, whom he had only seen a few times, wasn't love—it was just infatuation.

His confession to Gu Yuena? It was fueled by his acting skills.

As for the reason behind the confession, as mentioned before, it was simply because he needed to do it.

"I know I've wronged you, but I'm sorry—this will be the only time."

"When I return, you can vent your anger on me."

Su Yu thought to himself, then suddenly turned around and flashed a bright smile in the direction behind him.

Gu Yuena, who had been watching the whole time, clenched her teeth audibly.

What did this guy mean by that? Was he provoking her?

"I'll be back," Su Yu mouthed.

Gu Yuena snorted, secretly clenching her fists.

Alright, alright, let's see what happens when you come back.

Once he finished, Su Yu turned back around.

He knew Gu Yuena must have seen his actions.

With a slight smile, he placed his hands behind his head and started humming a tune as he slowly walked toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.

...

At that moment, in a certain part of the Star Dou Forest, a fierce battle was taking place.

A thousand-year-old Datura Snake was locked in combat with a boy who looked to be about fifteen years old.

The boy was surrounded by blue-purple lightning, almost resembling the Thunder Lord himself.

There was a lightning-shaped mark in the center of his forehead, and a ball of blue light spread outward from it, enveloping his body.

Blue-purple arcs of electricity, like tiny snakes, crackled and slithered around him.

The boy's left arm was significantly larger than his right, covered in blue-purple scales, and his hand had transformed into a claw, with every knuckle appearing thick and solid.

The crackling blue-purple lightning continuously surged around his left arm. Instead of the usual Soul Rings revolving around his entire body, the two yellow and one purple rings were concentrated on this mutated arm.

A Soul Elder with three Soul Rings!

Yes, this fifteen-year-old boy was a true Soul Elder.

His martial soul was none other than the renowned Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

Thousands of years ago, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was known as the most powerful beast-type martial soul.

Even today, it still commands great respect.

It was because of this that the boy could face a thousand-year-old Datura Snake head-on.

After all, the Mandala Snake was one of the top-tier soul beasts in its category, and its strength was far from ordinary.

While the boy fought the Datura Snake, two people stood nearby: a girl and another boy.

The girl, around fourteen or fifteen years old, had a youthful and lively appearance.

Her left hand extended to form a blue-purple vine, and two yellow Soul Rings rippled above it.

Beside her stood a boy in plain gray clothes, with an ordinary face and a frail build.

His waist and chest were wrapped in bandages, indicating that he was injured.

"Yuhao, don't be afraid, I'll protect you," the girl said with a playful smile.

Yuhao beside her nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration as he watched the lightning-clad boy battling the Datura Snake.

"Senior Beibei is amazing."

At such a young age, he had already reached the level of a Soul Elder. Yuhao couldn't even fathom how incredible Beibei's talent must be.

"Beibei's martial soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, a very powerful beast-type martial soul. He's naturally gifted, even among the most talented students at Shrek Academy," the girl said with a light laugh.

She had a genuine fondness for this little brother who was so good at grilling fish.

And now that he had joined the Tang Sect, he was one of their own.

As the sect leader, she naturally had to take good care of her new disciple.

"Shrek Academy?"

Yuhao murmured.

"Yes, the number one academy on the continent—Shrek Academy. Our Tang Sect has a special connection with Shrek Academy, and every year, Shrek gives us one guaranteed spot for admission."

"Beibei and I are already students at Shrek Academy. This year, the spot is yours."

"You'll be able to study at Shrek Academy too."

"Really?"

Hu Yuhao's face lit up with excitement.

He could study at Shrek Academy.

That was the number one academy on the continent.

If he could get into Shrek Academy and receive their training, his strength would surely improve by leaps and bounds, right?

Then, he would finally have a chance to avenge his mother.

Hu Yuhao's emotions surged with excitement.

"It's true. But Shrek Academy is very strict. Even if you get in, if you don't meet their standards, they'll still expel you."

"Yuhao, you have to study hard."

"I will, Teacher Tang Ya," Hu Yuhao nodded vigorously, making a firm promise.

Tang Ya smiled and turned her attention back to the battle. By now, the fight had reached a critical point.

"Beibei, keep it up! Finish it off!"

Tang Ya cheered, encouraging Beibei in the fight.

Beibei's lips curled into a slight smile as blue-purple lightning flared around him. A thunderclap echoed as his dragon claw shot toward the Datura Snake.

At the same time, the second Soul Ring on his right arm lit up. Countless arcs of lightning expanded into the air, forming bolts that wove together into a lightning net, descending toward the Datura Snake.

As the net closed in, the Datura Snake spat out a cloud of pink mist. A sweet, intoxicating fragrance spread rapidly.

Tang Ya quickly pulled Hu Yuhao beside her back. The Datura Snake's venomous mist was extremely toxic.

Even a small trace of it could be fatal.

The bolts of lightning, upon contact with the pink mist, fizzled and scattered like water being splashed on them. Though still potent, they became fragmented and less concentrated.

The Datura Snake displayed its ferocity, coiling its body and ramming into the lightning net, forcing a small opening.

As it shot through the gap, its tail lashed out, with the tip glowing bright pink, smashing into the approaching thunder dragon claw and shattering it.

However, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was not famed without reason. Even after landing, the Datura Snake's body was still crackling with residual electricity, causing its movements to stiffen.

On the other side, the lightning-clad Beibei also retreated cautiously. He didn't dare underestimate the Datura Snake's venom.

As he rapidly retreated, Beibei suddenly had a porcelain bottle in his hand. He poured out a pill and tossed the bottle to Tang Ya nearby.

Tang Ya caught the bottle with one hand, poured out two pills, and she and Hu Yuhao beside her each took one.

"Beibei, let me help you," Tang Ya said eagerly after taking the pill.

"No need, this beast is difficult to handle. It'll take some time, but I can manage it alone. We're in the Star Dou Forest, surrounded by soul beasts. Stay on guard and protect Yuhao," Beibei replied, shaking his head.

Tang Ya opened her mouth to say more, but her expression suddenly changed.

"Beibei, something's wrong—the Datura Snake is escaping!"

It turned out that after the paralysis effect wore off, the Datura Snake fled without a second thought. The snake moved like the wind and was out of sight in an instant.

"Not good, how could this be?"

Beibei was startled.

The Datura Snake was known to be one of the most vicious soul beasts, yet it was fleeing. This was the first time he'd encountered such a situation.

What he didn't know was that all creatures have instincts, and the Datura Snake was particularly known for its cunning and stealth. Against weaker soul beasts or humans, it would relentlessly hunt them down. But as an excellent predator, if it sensed danger, it would retreat immediately.

There were indeed soul beasts that fought to the end, but they were rare.

"Xiao Ya, guard Yuhao. I'm going after it."

This thousand-year-old Datura Snake was one of the most suitable soul beasts for Tang Ya, so there was no way he could let it escape.

Beibei, surrounded by purple lightning, immediately chased after the Mandala Snake.

"Yuhao, we'll follow too," Tang Ya said uneasily to Hu Yuhao beside her.

He nodded, and together they chased after Beibei.

The Datura Snake slithered quickly through the dense forest, weaving between the trees.

Beibei wasn't far behind, following closely. With intense lightning and sharp dragon claws, he slashed through countless obstructing vines and branches.

"Hiss!"

The Datura Snake flicked its tongue, its several-meter-long body undulating, almost floating above the grass.

Behind it, Beibei's figure became blurry as his speed increased.

Up ahead, a thorny thicket suddenly appeared, and the Datura Snake darted into it.

Beibei's dragon claws opened and closed, forcibly tearing through the thorny bushes.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Beibei's sharp eyes caught sight of the fleeing Datura Snake. His first soul ring shone, and a bolt of lightning dragon claw shot toward the snake.

The Datura Snake slithered even faster, fleeing forward!

...

"Hmm?"

Su Yu, who was leisurely strolling with his hands behind his head, suddenly heard rustling from the thorny thicket to his left.

He turned his head and saw a several-meter-long, earth-colored snake soul beast shoot out from the bushes. Upon closer inspection, it was a thousand-year-old Datura Snake.

Right after, the thorny bushes exploded, and a blue-purple lightning dragon claw flew out.

The Datura Snake spotted Su Yu, and sensing the relentless pursuit behind, a fierce light flashed in its eyes as it lunged toward him.

Behind it, the lightning dragon claw was also heading straight for Su Yu.

"How bold!"

Su Yu's eyes narrowed. Just as the Datura Snake was about to strike, he extended two fingers of his left hand and caught the snake right at its vital point.

With a surge of power, the Datura Snake's weak spot was seized, instantly rendering it powerless.

"Two-finger strike, infallible grip."

A Datura Snake was captured easily.

Then, Su Yu's right hand shot out, and with a single punch, he shattered the lightning dragon claw.

At this moment, the thorny bushes burst open again, and a youth wrapped in lightning rushed out. Seeing the Datura Snake in Su Yu's hand, the youth's eyes constricted. The Datura Snake... had been subdued?

Su Yu also glanced at the lightning-clad youth, then looked at the dragon claw on his left arm and the three soul rings around him. He immediately understood.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, three rings, Datura Snake... this must be Beibei," Su Yu thought.

"My friend, I apologize for disturbing you. Please forgive me," Beibei said, cupping his hands in apology toward Su Yu.

He could feel an intense sense of danger emanating from Su Yu. This seemingly young boy was likely not simple at all.

"Charging through the Star Dou Forest recklessly—you certainly have guts," Su Yu said calmly as he glanced at Beibei.

Beibei gave a helpless smile.

"I didn't expect the Datura Snake to be so slippery. I got a bit carried away."

The Datura Snake was too perfect for Tang Ya; otherwise, he wouldn't have pursued it so recklessly. Such behavior in the Star Dou Forest was indeed dangerous.

"My friend, may I ask you to return the Datura Snake to me? I'd be deeply grateful."

Beibei cupped his hands again in a gesture of request.

"Oh? Return it to you? I caught it, so it's mine now," Su Yu chuckled lightly.

"But we got here first! We've been chasing it for a long time!"

At this moment, a girl arrived with a boy in tow. Hearing Su Yu's words, she immediately protested indignantly.

Su Yu turned his gaze toward her. It was a ponytailed girl with delicate features and a youthful aura. Her skin was fair with a rosy glow, giving her a fresh and vibrant appearance. However, at this moment, the girl was glaring at Su Yu with an angry expression.

Beside her was a boy dressed in simple gray clothes, with an unremarkable appearance and weak soul power. Su Yu recognized them at a glance.

The girl must be Tang Ya, and the boy should be Huo Yuhao.

Tang Ya was indeed quite pretty, but just pretty. Compared to flawless beauties like Gu Yuena and Snow Empress, or the mature allure of Bi Ji and Zi Ji, Tang Ya paled in comparison.

Su Yu couldn't help but think of the original story, where Beibei chose Tang Ya over Zhang Lexuan. He felt the urge to comment.

"Sister Xuan is such a rare beauty—why choose Tang Ya? Beibei, you're like a pig that can't appreciate fine food!"

As for Huo Yuhao, Su Yu glanced at him briefly and then dismissed him. Without the identity of the Child of Destiny, Huo Yuhao's talent alone wouldn't amount to much. He wasn't worth Su Yu's attention.

Looking at Tang Ya, Su Yu said playfully, "Just because you've been chasing it for a long time, it's yours? Is the Datura Snake's name written on it, claiming it belongs to you?"

"All the soul beasts here are unclaimed. If you've been chasing it for so long and still failed to catch it, that just means you don't have the ability."

"And since I caught it with ease, it proves that this Datura Snake rightfully belongs to me."