Chapter 117: Gui Mei's Test
Gui Mei knew that in the coming years, Spirit Hall would likely undergo tremendous upheaval, and the entire structure of the Douluo Continent would be reshaped.
For Xie Yue and Yan, this might very well be an opportunity to change their destinies.
"Old Yue, since you want to see them, let's head to Death Canyon and take a look."
"Alright."
The two sped off toward Death Canyon.
Death Canyon was a small-scale soul beast forest—an exclusive territory of Spirit Hall.
Compared to places like the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sunset Forest, or the Extreme North—regions densely populated with powerful soul beasts—Death Canyon rarely saw soul beasts with cultivation exceeding ten thousand years.
Even so, for Spirit Hall's young soul masters, Death Canyon was still an extremely terrifying place.
The environment was harsh, the terrain treacherous, and vicious soul beasts were everywhere. It was nothing short of a devil's training ground.
Without instructors accompanying them, they could only rely on their own strength and willpower to survive.
Every year, many young soul masters were buried here, which was precisely why it earned the name "Death Canyon."
Of course, danger and opportunity went hand in hand.
Only under extreme pressure could one more easily unleash their hidden potential and rapidly increase their strength.
In the past, when Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan trained here, Gui Mei and Yue Guan would secretly protect them from the shadows.
This time, however, Spirit Hall Academy had lost to Shrek Academy in the Soul Master Tournament, and all three felt deeply humiliated.
They willingly accepted their punishment and refused any covert protection from their instructors.
Night had already fallen. The three of them set up a tent and prepared to rest.
Yan spoke first.
"Nana, you and Xie Yue get some rest. I'll take the first watch."
"Yan, you take the first half of the night. I'll take over in the second half."
Just as Xie Yue finished speaking, his expression suddenly turned vigilant.
"Everyone be careful—something's moving!"
Yan and Hu Liena instantly went on alert as well.
The three of them quickly formed a back-to-back formation, their sharp gazes sweeping across the dark forest.
The surrounding trees rustled softly in the night wind, as though unknown dangers lurked within.
That mysterious disturbance drew closer and closer, carrying with it a heavy sense of oppression.
Yan released his Flame Lord Martial Soul. His entire body ignited instantly, and the blazing red light illuminated everything around them.
Hu Liena's fox tail gently swayed behind her, her eyes gleaming with both caution and cunning.
Xie Yue crossed his twin moon blades in front of him, the sharp edges flashing with cold light under the moonlight.
"Relax. It's us."
A black figure emerged from the forest—it was Gui Mei.
Yue Guan followed closely behind, walking with elegant steps and a gentle smile on his face.
"Xie Yue, Nana, Yan. Long time no see."
The three of them froze.
"It's Grandpa Gui and Grandpa Ju!"
Xie Yue was the first to react, shouting excitedly.
His voice trembled slightly, clearly overwhelmed by the shock and joy of Gui Mei and Yue Guan's sudden appearance.
Yan and Hu Liena quickly came back to their senses as well.
As Gui Mei and Yue Guan drew closer, the three were stunned once again.
A few months ago, Gui Mei had taken on the identity of "Wuming" and defeated them during the Soul Master Tournament.
During the match, Wuming had deliberately held back. They had all assumed he was wary of Bibi Dong—only later did they learn that Wuming's true identity was none other than the elder they deeply respected, Elder Gui.
At this moment, Gui Mei still wore Wuming's appearance, but the aura he exuded was far more powerful than before, radiating an even greater, indescribable charm.
Yue Guan's transformation was just as astonishing.
He had shed his ornate attire and now wore a simple white robe. His golden hair flowed loosely down his back, his skin smooth and delicate. His face appeared smaller, with exquisitely refined features—so much so that he resembled a beautiful young woman.
The three of them stood there at a loss, momentarily unsure of what to say.
"Grandpa Gui, Ju… Ju…"
The corner of Gui Mei's mouth lifted slightly.
"Although Old Yue has taken on a female appearance, he's still your Grandpa Ju."
The three exchanged glances, then instantly reacted and called out together:
"Grandpa Ju."
Yue Guan smiled and nodded.
"More than two years have passed, and all of you have grown much stronger."
"Grandpa Ju, you flatter us."
After speaking, Xie Yue suddenly dropped to one knee and bowed respectfully to Gui Mei.
"Grandpa Gui, we're sorry. During the Soul Master Tournament, we failed to recognize you and even spoke disrespectfully. Please forgive us."
"Grandpa Gui, please forgive us."
Yan also knelt.
Gui Mei hurriedly helped the two of them up.
"At the time, you didn't know my true identity. On the battlefield, I was your enemy—harsh words were only natural. If young people don't have fire in their blood, can they really be called young? Don't take it to heart."
The two nodded with relieved smiles.
Xie Yue asked,
"By the way, Grandpa Gui, Grandpa Ju—why did you suddenly appear here?"
"We're heading to Spirit City and happened to pass by. We guessed you might be here, so we came to take a look."
"Grandpa Gui, you're going to Spirit City?"
Hu Liena immediately felt uneasy, a flicker of worry flashing through her eyes.
She had once been defeated on the tournament stage by Gui Mei while he was disguised as Wu Ming, and later personally witnessed him single-handedly shatter Shrek Academy's seven-in-one fusion technique in the finals. She had been deeply captivated by that mysterious black-clad youth.
Later, upon learning that Wuming's true identity was Gui Mei, the feelings she had buried in her heart became even more complicated.
She also knew that her teacher, Bibi Dong, had fought a great battle against Gui Mei and Yue Guan.
Now, the two of them had already become enemies of Spirit Hall.
Their trip to Spirit City—whatever the reason—certainly wouldn't be for anything good.
Gui Mei said calmly,
"The three of you have been training here and aren't aware of many things happening outside. The Clear Sky Sect has already been destroyed by Old Yue and me. Qian Daoliu sent Fifteen Ton Douluo, Demon Suppressing Douluo, and Glowing Feather Douluo to assist Tang Xiao in killing us. Demon Suppressing Douluo, Glowing Feather Douluo, and Tang Xiao all died at our hands. This time, we're going to Spirit City to tell Qian Daoliu not to provoke us again."
The three of them were utterly stunned.
As soon as the Soul Master Tournament ended, they came here to train. They never imagined such earth-shaking events had occurred outside, nor that the two elders' strength had already reached such a terrifying level.
Xie Yue also felt uneasy. After all, Spirit City was guarded by top-tier experts like Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, and Golden Crocodile Douluo.
The deaths of Demon Suppressing Douluo and Glowing Feather Douluo had dealt Spirit Hall a heavy blow. There was no way they would let this matter rest.
"Grandpa Gui, Grandpa Ju—if you go to Spirit City now, isn't that walking straight into a trap?"
"Don't worry. They can't kill me."
"Grandpa Gui… are you really going to become enemies of Spirit Hall?"
Hu Liena asked, her eyes revealing a trace of complex emotion.
Gui Mei replied,
"It's not that we want to be enemies of Spirit Hall—it's that they've forced our hand. Things have reached this point, and there's no turning back. If one day Spirit Hall gathers all its forces against us, what would the three of you do?"
The three glanced at one another.
The situation was grave, and that day no longer seemed far away.
Xie Yue's gaze hardened with resolve.
"Grandpa Gui, Grandpa Ju—we were born in a chaotic era. Our parents died when we were young. Spirit Hall took the three of us in and gave us everything we have today.
But the two of you have the grace of teaching us, watching us grow, caring for us with all your hearts. Long ago, we came to regard you as our own family.
Spirit Hall's orders are something we cannot disobey—but I, Xie Yue, will never see you as enemies.
If that day truly comes… then kill me. To die at the hands of the two of you would be my honor."
—
End of Chapter