บท 75: Intercepted

**Chapter 75: Intercepted**

Although Bibi Dong felt a bit reluctant, she ultimately decided to give them space to talk privately.

"Gu Ziyi, I never congratulated you for becoming the Pope's disciple!"

"I never expected that, with your qualifications, you'd become a personal disciple of the Pope. When I found out, I was really shocked."

After Bibi Dong left, Bai Lu took her place. While they watched the match, she congratulated Gu Ziyi on his achievement.

"It's because I was lucky. It's something I didn't expect either."

Gu Ziyi smiled, and after chatting with Bai Lu, the two seemed to reconnect as the friends they once were.

"In fact, I still owe you thanks for something, Bai Lu!"

"Thank you for writing to me about the news back then!"

He hadn't forgotten to thank Bai Lu for the letter.

If not for the letter she'd sent, Gu Ziyi might have stayed in Tianbao Academy much longer.

No matter what Haotian Sect had initially thought, he only knew it would've been dangerous for him to stay at Tianbao Academy.

"We're friends, so it was something I had to tell you!"

Bai Lu smiled, then turned to look at Gu Ziyi with curiosity: "Gu Ziyi, I noticed your Soul Power seems quite high. Could you tell me what level of Soul Power you're at now?"

Although she couldn't gauge his cultivation level precisely, she could sense that Gu Ziyi's cultivation wasn't weak.

This made her curious. Had he surpassed Level 30?

It was hard for her to believe that others with the same qualifications could pass Level 30, especially at his age.

But if it was Gu Ziyi, she could believe it.

After all, she had witnessed his intelligence firsthand and saw how he had helped her cousin, Tang Yuehua, solve her cultivation problem.

Because of this, Bai Lu was willing to believe that Gu Ziyi, of all people, could find a way to break the Level 30 barrier.

"Of course, but you have to help me keep it a secret for now!"

Gu Ziyi didn't hesitate. If Bai Lu wanted to know, he'd tell her.

It didn't matter if it was a secret—people would soon know anyway.

"Certainly!"

Bai Lu quickly agreed.

"What is your current Soul Power level?"

Gu Ziyi didn't reveal his level right away, but first asked her about her Soul Power level.

"Right now, I'm at Level 38."

Hearing her answer, Gu Ziyi realized he must have just arrived, or he would have known her Soul Power level by now.

He wasn't surprised to hear her level. A Soul Power level of 38 at nineteen was not that of a genius, but it was still quite high.

"As it turns out, I'm one level above you!"

Then Gu Ziyi told her his Soul Power level, with a hint of pride in his voice.

"What?"

"Level 39?"

Though she had suspected that Gu Ziyi might surpass Level 30, when Bai Lu heard his actual level, her eyes widened in surprise.

Because she had never expected his Soul Power level to be that high and still one level above her own.

This was simply unimaginable.

"Yes, I can't reveal specifics, but my current Soul Power level is indeed Level 39."

Gu Ziyi confirmed once more.

"…"

Bai Lu opened her mouth, so shocked she didn't know how to respond.

"... You… you're still as full of surprises as ever, as amazing as always!"

After a long time, Bai Lu came out of her shock and looked at Gu Ziyi with admiration, expressing her respect for him.

'This guy is still as amazing as ever!' Bai Lu thought. 'It's a shame...'

"Gu Ziyi, why did you decide to join the Martial Soul Hall in the first place?"

Bai Lu actually wanted to ask him if he knew it would be nearly impossible to have a relationship with her cousin because of his current status.

"Wasn't it Haotian Sect that didn't want me?"

"So, I had no choice but to join the Martial Soul Hall back then. But I never expected to be favored by my teacher and become a personal disciple of the Pope himself."

Hearing Bai Lu's question, Gu Ziyi's tone grew calmer.

"Then… then you and my cousin…"

Bai Lu gritted her teeth and couldn't help but ask.

Because she knew her cousin had never forgotten Gu Ziyi all these years.

"It's not possible anymore, unless I leave the Martial Soul Hall or she leaves Haotian Sect."

"But it's practically impossible for either scenario to happen."

Gu Ziyi replied without expression.

If he had just joined the Martial Soul Hall as an ordinary member, it might have been possible to leave, but since he became one of the Pope's two personal disciples, leaving was impossible.

And Gu Ziyi had never thought about leaving.

Isn't Li Chanfei beautiful?

Or Bibi Dong?

Why should I look back for Tang Yuehua?

Strength is the foundation. As long as he is strong enough, he could have any woman he wants.

"… Is… is it really impossible for us?"

Right after Gu Ziyi finished speaking, a somewhat broken voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Tang Yuehua had just found them and spotted Gu Ziyi with her cousin. She had been so excited for this reunion.

Since her cousin knew him, this had to be Gu Ziyi!

She had been so happy for this reunion; how could she feel sad now?

"Cousin!"

Bai Lu quickly turned around, only to realize her cousin had appeared behind them without her noticing.

When Gu Ziyi turned around, he also saw Tang Yuehua.

But at that moment, her face was pale, completely losing the elegance and calm she had shown in the arena. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.

Gu Ziyi hadn't expected Tang Yuehua to come looking for him. It seemed she had recognized him before the match.

Seeing her sad expression, he felt slightly moved, but outwardly, he calmly said, "Yes, as I just said, it's impossible for the two of us to continue our former relationship."

"Gu Ziyi!"

Hearing Gu Ziyi's words, Bai Lu chastised him in a low voice before Tang Yuehua could react.

She was obviously very dissatisfied with his blunt behavior. Didn't he know his words would make her cousin even sadder?

"Since you left without saying goodbye, it was over between us, wasn't it?"

Gu Ziyi ignored Bai Lu but looked directly at Tang Yuehua, who grew sadder and said a few more words.

Then he turned around and left.

He didn't want to say anything more to Tang Yuehua. He couldn't give up everything he had in the Martial Soul Hall for her, so it was better not to give her any hope. (N/E: But I could have said it in a much better way, than sounding like a total jerk.)

"No matter what, it was a pleasure knowing you."

After saying his final words, Gu Ziyi left without looking back.

"Elder sister, let's go!"

Taking Bibi Dong with him, who had given them space earlier, Gu Ziyi left with her.

Only Tang Yuehua, her eyes full of tears, remained with Bai Lu.

Tang Yuehua didn't call after them.

Because she knew well that what he said was sincere, and it might be truly impossible for her and Gu Ziyi to return to the delicate relationship of their youth.

She just stared blankly at his retreating figure.

What she didn't know was that Gu Ziyi and Bibi Dong were stopped by her second brother shortly after leaving the stadium.

…

(End of chapter)

N/E: Fun fact, this was the last chapter I read on Raw before I decided to translate it for you guys, so from now on I'll be kind of in the dark about what happens from here on out.