Chapter 46 – Don't Get the Wrong Idea — I'm Not Interested in Women
Gui Mei knew well how the original story was supposed to unfold.
According to the plot, Meng Shenji and the other two education committee members would reject Spirit Hall's summons and instead choose to remain in the Heaven Dou Empire—becoming Emperor Xue Ye's loyal dogs.
If he were to lead the team to victory in the tournament, Bibi Dong's fury would undoubtedly be unleashed. She might even hold those three accountable for their betrayal.
After all, they had long eaten Spirit Hall's food and enjoyed its glory, only to turn around and serve another master.
If they were executed for treachery, it would be nothing more than what they deserved.
With matters settled, Gui Mei and Dugu Bo left the Education Committee's office.
Before the official start of the tournament, he didn't need to meet with the teachers or students of the Royal Academy's second team. On the day of the opening ceremony, he would simply show up directly.
The two soon arrived at the academy's training grounds.
At that moment, Dugu Yan was training with her teammates.
When she noticed Dugu Bo approaching, her face lit up with joy, and she ran toward him with a bright smile.
"Grandfather! Why are you here?"
"Came to check on you," Dugu Bo replied with an indulgent smile, eyes full of affection.
As Dugu Yan turned, she noticed the young man standing beside her grandfather.
Her eyes immediately lingered on him.
The youth was tall and well-built, with a cold, striking face. There was something different about him compared to the boys she usually met—a quiet but magnetic aura that drew attention without effort.
That innate pride and aloofness made him seem untouchable, yet it only deepened her curiosity.
"Grandfather, who is this?" she asked softly.
"Yan Yan," Dugu Bo said with a grin, "you've always wanted to meet the two people who saved you from your poison, haven't you? This young man is one of them—Wuming."
"Really?"
Dugu Yan's heart skipped a beat. She quickly stepped forward and introduced herself politely.
"Hello, my name is Dugu Yan. Thank you for saving me."
"It was nothing worth mentioning," Gui Mei replied lightly. "Just a small favor."
His eyes briefly swept over her.
Her short hair framed her face with a hint of sharpness, giving her an air of confidence and vigor. Though she wasn't an unrivaled beauty, her unique charm was undeniable—a mix of elegance and danger.
After taking the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, her complexion had become fairer and smoother, her hair and eyes restored to their original luster.
"Yan Yan," Dugu Bo interrupted, "this isn't the place to talk. Let's go home first—the other benefactor is there too."
"Alright! Just give me a minute—I'll be right there."
Dugu Yan turned and jogged back to her teammates.
"Hey, Yanzi," one of the girls teased, "who's that guy with your grandpa? He's kinda handsome."
"That's my grandpa's friend," Dugu Yan answered casually.
"No way. Your grandpa's friend? He looks our age—how could that be?"
"None of your business," she replied, rolling her eyes.
Dugu Bo had already warned her not to reveal anything about her two benefactors—not even to her closest teammates.
After a brief word with her teacher, Dugu Yan returned to Gui Mei and Dugu Bo's side.
Gui Mei noticed that her instructor looked to be in his forties or fifties, not Qin Ming.
"Dugu Yan," Gui Mei asked, "isn't Qin Ming supposed to be your team's instructor?"
"He hasn't been for a while," she replied. "Why? You know him?"
Gui Mei shook his head. "Just heard of him. Do you know where he went?"
"He transferred to Shrek Academy," she said. "It's also in Heaven Dou City. It used to be called Blue Tyrant Academy, but after being renamed Shrek, Teacher Qin Ming returned there. He graduated from Shrek, and I heard the dean personally invited him back."
"I see," Gui Mei murmured, a faint grin forming on his lips.
Though he had intervened in the timeline—killing Xiao Wu and destroying the original Shrek Academy—fate, it seemed, had found a way to realign itself.
Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong had somehow reunited after all.
He suspected Yu Xiaogang might lead Dai Mubai and the others to compete in the Soul Master Tournament—and that Tang San, too, would likely return to Shrek to join them.
'Little bastard,' Gui Mei thought coldly, 'with the Asura God protecting you, I can't kill you—yet. But if it's just a beating... I wonder if your god will intervene then?'
Just as that dark amusement crossed his mind, Dugu Bo suddenly said,
"Yan Yan, Wuming is now part of the Royal Academy's second team as well. Like you, he'll be representing the academy in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament."
"Really? The second team's members are all just three-ring Soul Elders. It'll be hard for them to even make it to the qualifying rounds. If you joined our main team, you could skip straight to the finals."
"Don't underestimate Wuming," Dugu Bo chuckled. "Even if the rest of them are trash, it won't stop him from leading the team to the finals."
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes. She hadn't expected the youth to be that strong, and her curiosity toward him deepened.
"Our main team doesn't need to go through the preliminary rounds of the Heaven Dou division," she said playfully. "Guess I'll just wait and watch your brilliant performance then."
Gui Mei simply smiled without replying.
Later that day, the three of them returned to the Dugu residence.
"Yan Yan, this is the other benefactor I mentioned before—Hua Yue."
When she saw Yue Guan, Dugu Yan froze for a moment.
He was dressed in flowing white robes, his long golden hair cascading gracefully down his back. Inside Dugu Bo's home, he wasn't wearing his usual veil, revealing a delicate, almost ethereal face.
His smooth, baby-like skin, slender fingers, and soft, fluid movements carried a hint of feminine allure.
At a glance, he looked like a beautiful young woman in her twenties, with a faint floral fragrance lingering around him.
"Big Sister Huayue," Dugu Yan said sweetly, "thank you for saving me. You're so beautiful!"
"Big sister?" Yue Guan couldn't help but laugh softly, his orchid fingers brushing lightly along his cheek.
"My, my, Yan Yan—what a sweet tongue you have."
Everyone laughed together, the atmosphere warm and pleasant.
After spending two peaceful days at home, it was time for Dugu Yan to return to the academy.
In those two days, she had grown quite comfortable around Gui Mei and Yue Guan. Since she had never realized Yue Guan was male, she simply assumed they were a close pair of siblings.
Just before she left, Gui Mei stopped her.
"Yan Zi, there's something I want to remind you of."
"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I heard from your grandfather that you're in a relationship with Yu Tianheng," Gui Mei said calmly. "He's not someone you can trust. You'd better end it soon—otherwise, the one who gets hurt will be you."
Dugu Yan blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, a mischievous smile curved her lips.
"Why are you trying to break us up? Don't tell me... You like me?"
Gui Mei's expression didn't change.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm only warning you because of the old poison master."
He knew all too well that Yu Tianheng's pursuit of Dugu Yan had little to do with affection and everything to do with ambition. The boy wanted to leverage Dugu Bo's status as a Titled Douluo to curry favor and strengthen his position.
If that failed, he'd discard her without hesitation.
Dugu Yan suddenly leaned closer, her eyes glimmering with playful charm.
"Little Wuming, you really don't like me? You saved my life—shouldn't I repay you? If I dump Yu Tianheng, how about I devote myself to you instead?"
Gui Mei's lips curved slightly.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not interested in women," he said flatly. "If you don't take my advice, you'll only end up suffering for it."
With that, he turned and left without another glance.
Dugu Bo arranged a carriage to send Dugu Yan back to the Royal Academy.
On the way, her mind was full of Wuming—his cold eyes, his calm tone, and those words that stung and intrigued her at the same time.
Compared to the ordinary-looking Yu Tianheng, the mysterious, handsome youth was far more captivating.
There was something unfathomable about him—something that drew her in like a riddle waiting to be solved.
Noticing her quiet, distracted look, Dugu Bo chuckled.
"What's wrong, Yan Yan? Who's gotten under your skin this time?"
"It's nothing," she muttered. "Wuming just said some strange things to me. He told me to break up with Yu Tianheng."
"Well, he's right," Dugu Bo snorted. "That brat isn't any good. The sooner you dump him, the better."
Dugu Yan sighed softly.
"But... Wuming said he's not interested in women."
"Hah! Then don't waste your time on him," Dugu Bo said with a grin. "At this stage, it's normal for him to have no interest in women."
Dugu Yan frowned, a strange thought flashing in her mind.
"Grandpa... do you think maybe he... likes men?"
Dugu Bo nearly choked, then burst out laughing.
"You little rascal! What nonsense are you thinking about, hahaha!"
—
End of Chapter