Ding!
The special soul-guided elevator, reserved only for the main and deputy tower masters, opened with a faint mechanical chime. Gu You stepped inside slowly, his fingers absently running along the platinum privilege card in his hand.
His expression was slightly complicated. After doing some digging, he had learned that this card was one of only twenty-five in the entire Spirit Transmission Tower. Eighteen were held by the leaders of the eighteen sub-towers; the remaining seven were scattered among top Federation figures and a handful of legendary experts. But the card in his hand — Leng Yaozhu's card — was the most special one of all, crafted exclusively for her, carrying unique privileges even among the twenty-five.
For her to give it to him without hesitation… it spoke volumes.
Gu You felt a pang of guilt. Such an important item had been handed over to him without a second thought, yet he hadn't so much as thanked her. Worse, he'd practically vanished for three years, never once reporting in or showing his face.
If she wanted to slap him a few times today… he'd accept it.
Inside the master's room, a pair of fiery eyes stared coldly out at the horizon, filled with unspoken frustration.
Leng Yaozhu clenched her fists, the alloy table under her palms groaning under the force. With a sharp crack, one corner of the dense metal table crumpled inward, crushed like soft clay.
"That brat! He actually dares come back now? If I don't teach him a lesson today, I don't deserve the title of Heavenly Phoenix!"
She could still remember clearly — just a few months ago, Ya Li had come to see her, smiling in that infuriatingly gentle way, chatting about how Gu You had become her godson.
At the time, Leng Yaozhu had refused to believe it. But after some discreet inquiries, the truth had smacked her right in the face.
Everyone knew the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's long-hidden feelings for the Qingtian Douluo, Yun Ming. Yet her own disciple, the stinking little brat she had raised, had somehow slipped under Ya Li's wing, even calling her godmother?!
Leng Yaozhu gritted her teeth, trying to suppress her fury.
And as if that weren't enough, that maddening Ya Li had even gifted her a piece of Heavenly Forged Scarlet Flame Iron — an incredibly rare material. Leng Yaozhu had been touched, her mood improving… right up until Ya Li added with a sweet smile, "This is your teaching fee for training my godson!"
Teaching fee?! Do I need you to pay me to teach my own disciple?!
Leng Yaozhu exhaled sharply, forcing her heart to steady.
Fine. No need to stew in anger. Soon, she would have her chance to vent. She sent a mental transmission to Long Yali, instructing her to bring Gu You up immediately.
…
"Long time no see, Sister Yali," Gu You greeted as he followed behind her, sneezing twice in quick succession.
Strange… was his master cursing him right now?
"Hmm." Long Yali gave a soft grunt, not offering much more.
"We've arrived."
For a brief second, Gu You thought he saw something flash in Long Yali's eyes — was that… pity?
His gaze shifted to the large, metallic door ahead. Tentatively, he reached out, brushing his fingertips along the surface. It felt… faintly warm.
Taking a quiet breath, he murmured, "Open the door."
With a heavy grinding of gears, the seals began to rotate, the thick door creaking open inch by inch.
Sister Yali, save me!
Gu You's instincts screamed at him to turn and run, but before he could move —
A rush of blazing flames shot out, engulfing the hallway in an instant.
Ahhh! I swear I won't dare next time!!
When the heat finally receded, Gu You was curled up in the corner, coughing slightly, his hair singed at the tips as he cautiously peeked toward Leng Yaozhu.
"What's the point of saying you won't dare again? Do you have any idea how much shame you've caused me this time?"
Her voice trembled slightly, not just with anger, but also with a faint undercurrent of grievance.
Gu You felt a thousand curses run through his mind.
You were the one who insisted on forcibly taking me as your disciple! And now, when something goes wrong, you want to pin it all on me?!
Of course, none of that could be spoken aloud. Gu You was impulsive, but he wasn't suicidal.
"Master, I'll admit… this time, I may have gone a bit too far. But even so, I still believe I was right," Gu You said, his voice steady, his gaze resolute.
Off to the side, Long Yali was so stunned she nearly dropped the cup in her hands.
He wasn't apologizing? He was actually daring to talk back?
"You—!"
"Master, the 'face' you keep mentioning… isn't it all tied to Yun Ming? You like him, but in the end, he didn't choose you. I understand it's painful. But sometimes, Master, reality is just that harsh. We have to accept it. There's no changing it now. Instead of clinging to impossible hopes, wouldn't it be better to remain as friends? That way, at least, you wouldn't have wasted those feelings."
Gu You met her burning gaze head-on, determination clear in his eyes.
He had decided — it was time to sever this lingering thread, to end any false hopes she still harbored.
Leng Yaozhu's hands trembled slightly.
This little disciple of hers…
He had really grown up.
He wasn't the reckless, naive boy from three years ago anymore. He saw things sharply now, with clear eyes, and he dared to challenge even her deepest wounds.
For a long moment, the room was utterly silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Finally, Leng Yaozhu let out a long breath, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"I should burn you to ashes right here, you insolent brat…" she muttered under her breath.
Gu You's lips twitched faintly.
If she had really wanted to, she would've done it already.
Leng Yaozhu straightened up, brushing her fingers through her long, fiery-red hair.
"Fine. You have your thoughts, and I have mine. But Gu You, remember this — no matter what choices you make, you will always be my disciple. And if you ever bring me shame again…" Her eyes glowed faintly with phoenix fire. "I'll roast you personally."
Gu You chuckled softly, a trace of warmth rising in his chest.
He scratched his head, grinning. "Understood, Master."
Long Yali, still off to the side, let out a long, relieved sigh.
Really now… these two were impossible.
(End of chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, and New BTTH Fic is Out. Go Check It Out.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.