Douluo: Danheng just want to avoid trouble, Gu Yuena Pursues.

At the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, the Shrek group advanced rapidly.

Their goal was to hunt a spirit ring for Oscar, who was now a Rank 30 Spirit Elder. A thousand-year spirit beast would suffice, so there was no need to venture deep into the forest.

With just Zhao Wuji alone, they were already well-protected. But now, with a Title Douluo following behind them, Zhao Wuji was on edge, afraid that some misstep might offend her and result in a brutal punishment.

He didn't dare to inform the Shrek Five Devils directly, fearing it would displease Gu Yuena.

So, he could only watch as the students tried to interact with Gu Yuena, beads of cold sweat forming on his back.

Luckily, Gu Yuena had a cold personality and had no interest in mingling with them.

After encountering her aloof attitude a few times, Dai Mubai and the others backed off and stopped trying to engage with her.

Zhao Wuji let out a breath of relief, inwardly grumbling: Why did such a terrifying person decide to come along?

The pressure was too much for him!

"Let's take a break," a voice suddenly rang out.

Zhao Wuji frowned. "Break? We've barely been walking for long! Are you all getting lazy the moment you leave the academy?"

He glared at the students.

Tang San and the others looked at him in confusion.

"Teacher Zhao, none of us said anything."

"???" Zhao Wuji stiffened instantly.

If it wasn't these little brats, then it could only be…

Gu Yuena, who was walking about ten meters away, spoke again, "Stop and rest for a bit."

"Alright, alright! I could use a break too. It's been a long walk, and look, I'm sweating already."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhao Wuji's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"You brats, if you were tired, you should've just said so earlier. Do you think I'd deny you a break?"

Xiao Wu grumbled, "Why doesn't he call himself a lazy bear?"

Zhao Wuji twitched but wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Xiao Wu, I need to speak with you. Come with me," Gu Yuena said before turning toward the nearby thicket.

Xiao Wu glanced at the others before following her.

Inside the thicket, Gu Yuena laid out her intentions and asked if Xiao Wu was willing to follow her.

Xiao Wu remained silent for a while before nodding firmly.

"My father told me stories of your legend when I was little! Even though I've taken human form now, I still see myself as a spirit beast!"

Gu Yuena's lips curved slightly as she nodded.

"Good. That's good. Keep training at your current pace for now. In your current state, you won't be of much use."

Xiao Wu acknowledged her words and left.

Watching her retreating figure, Zi Ji snorted, pursing her lips.

"Lord, what use is this little girl? She's already betrayed spirit beasts by taking human form, and she's only at the Grandmaster level…"

Gu Yuena shot her a cold glance, silencing her immediately.

Though Zi Ji had no regard for Xiao Wu…

Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes, gazing in the direction of the nearby town.

She wondered how her husband was doing.

Did the arrangements she left behind work as intended to remind him of her?

She had been gone for a day already. If she could make him think of her in her absence, that would be progress.

Noticing Gu Yuena's dazed expression, Zi Ji had a sudden realization.

"Lord, do you think… maybe there's a possibility that Dan Heng has actually lost most of his power? That he isn't pretending, but has simply given up?"

Zi Ji's eyes lit up with the thought.

If Dan Heng truly was a Dragon, there was no way he wouldn't be lustful. And his temperament didn't resemble that of a powerful figure at all.

Unless—he had fallen from grace!

Gu Yuena furrowed her brows. She truly wasn't certain about Dan Heng's current condition.

Though she had witnessed him standing against a God King with incredible power, that was countless years ago. (Due to the different flow of time, Dan Heng's lifespan had not actually changed.)

If the God Kings had severely injured him, crippling his cultivation, it wouldn't be impossible…

Zi Ji's eyes sparkled with excitement.

She had been waiting for this moment for too long.

If she confirmed that Dan Heng was now a weakling, she would make sure to repay him for making her suffer!

How dare he humiliate her?!

Wouldn't it be satisfying to trample him underfoot, forcing him to kiss her toes just like she had been forced to eat that frozen yangmei before?

Dan Heng was aware.

Gu Yuena was no ordinary woman, and even her so-called 'sister,' Zi Ji, was powerful—probably around the level of a Titled Douluo.

With those facts in mind, Dan Heng had no concerns about them going to the Star Dou Forest with the Shrek group. There wouldn't be any real danger.

But others weren't aware of these details.

Dan Heng had only been sitting at the reception desk for a short while when he noticed that his colleagues were looking at him strangely.

Their gazes were… complicated. Regretful? Resentful? Disappointed?

For some reason, he suddenly felt like a criminal guilty of an unforgivable sin.

Strangely enough, it reminded him of the past—when he had been branded as one of the Ten Calamities.

Back then, he had committed acts that truly warranted such a title.

But now, for something so trivial, people looked at him this way?

Lost in thought, he didn't even notice the approaching figure until the person spoke.

"Dan Heng, did you properly explain things to Nana?"

It was the curator.

As the one who had arranged Dan Heng's marriage, the curator was deeply concerned about the couple's relationship.

Of course, whether financial incentives played a role in his concern was not something Dan Heng knew.

Dan Heng nodded slightly.

"I've already explained it clearly. She's not upset anymore."

"Then why didn't she bring you lunch today?"

The curator frowned in confusion.

Dan Heng answered truthfully.

"She went with some people to the Star Dou Forest."

"!!!"

The curator's expression changed drastically.

Slamming his hands on the desk, he stared at Dan Heng in disbelief.

"What? You actually let Nana go to the Star Dou Forest? That dangerous place?"

His face twisted with shock and frustration, unable to comprehend Dan Heng's decision.

Dan Heng replied, "She's only at the outer regions…"

"That's still dangerous! The Star Dou Forest is full of spirit beasts! What if a strong one suddenly appears? Wouldn't Nana be in danger? No! Dan Heng, you must go bring her back immediately!"

The curator spoke with undeniable authority, grabbing Dan Heng and urging him to act at once.

His colleagues all echoed similar sentiments, and in their eyes, Dan Heng had already been labeled as a terrible husband.

Dan Heng sighed.

It seemed like it really would have been better if Gu Yuena had stayed.

When he returned home, Zhu Zhuqing also refused to give him peace.

"Teacher, if Mistress is in the Star Dou Forest, what if she gets hurt by a spirit beast? Some aren't that strong but can be venomous or have deadly attacks…"

Dan Heng sighed.

So even Zhu Zhuqing was pushing him now.

Well… since they were all saying this, he might as well check on Gu Yuena.

With that thought, he raised his gaze toward the direction of the Star Dou Forest.

(End of Chapter)