Chapter 123: Arrival at the Destination—The Strategist Appears!
As time passed, the train finally reached its destination.
"Dear passengers, we are about to arrive at Douluo City—the Federation's foremost metropolis, home to the War God Temple, the Federation Headquarters, and the central Spirit Transmission Tower. It holds unparalleled political importance."
Anyone seeing the ninety-nine-story Spirit Transmission Tower pierce the clouds for the first time would be left in awe.
There was no supervising teacher accompanying the group, because Huo Tiangang, the East Sea City branch master of the Tower, had recently been promoted and reassigned to headquarters. Conveniently, he had brought the students along to register at Douluo University.
With a Titled Douluo watching over them, East Sea Academy could rest easy.
Everyone was a bit anxious. Traveling thousands of kilometers from East Sea City to study in a new place—one on par with legendary Shrek Academy—naturally made them nervous.
Even after their unpleasant encounter with Shrek's Outer Court Dean last time, everyone in the continent knew how notoriously difficult it was to be admitted.
Even with guaranteed admission, they couldn't shake worries about being singled out or mistreated.
Where are you, Teacher Wu?
If Jiang Chen knew what they were fretting about, he would've just rolled his eyes.
Wherever they went, they were all high-priority students under special training programs.
To Gu Yue, Douluo City felt familiar—it had once been Shrek City, after all, rebuilt around the Tower's headquarters.
Jiang Chen, despite his ancient status, rarely visited this place.
Douluo University's facilities were impressive. The entirety of the former Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had been relocated here, alongside numerous renowned teachers.
In the forging department alone, they had invited the great craftsman Duan Xuan—mentor to both Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua and Eight-Star Saint Craftsman Mu Chen—as chief instructor.
Even the president of the Tianhai Blacksmith Association had been summoned out of retirement by the Federation.
As for why they didn't prefer Saint or Divine Craftsmen—those few were simply too busy, juggling countless duties.
Still, the university would invite them to lecture whenever possible.
Even Di Tian, the Spirit Transmission Tower's Vice Master, would personally give guest lessons.
"It's late," Huo Tiangang said. "The official registration ceremony is tomorrow. The Federation has arranged rooms for you all tonight."
He led the group to a luxurious hotel.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi shared a room. Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin paired up.
Huo Yun'er, glancing nervously at the Snow Empress and Gu Yue, quickly grabbed Xu Xiaoyan's hand and escaped into another room.
The Snow Empress and Gu Yue said nothing but silently entered the same room together anyway.
Even Jiang Chen secretly broke a sweat—if the Snow Empress accidentally leaked a trace of her aura while embracing her Snow God Flute, Gu Yue might sense it. That would spell disaster.
He glared at Huo Yun'er through gritted teeth. Useless girl! Did you forget everything I told you?
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin still hadn't moved. His eyes followed his beloved senior as she disappeared down the hall.
"Stop staring, Wulin. She's gone!" Xie Xie groaned.
Seriously, did he think she couldn't feel his gaze? Any stranger would've reported him for harassment by now.
"Come on, let's go."
He tried to drag Tang Wulin along—but to his surprise, the boy shook his head.
"Sorry, Xie Xie. There's something important I need to discuss with Brother Jiang Chen."
Before Xie Xie could respond, Tang Wulin grabbed Jiang Chen's sleeve and pulled him straight into a separate room, shutting the door behind them.
"...What?"
Betrayal. Pure betrayal.
His best friend, stolen away before his eyes. It felt like his heart had cracked.
Weren't they supposed to be brothers? Had their bond faded already?
"Well, looks like it's just the two of us," said Wei Xiaofeng smugly.
Though he had never joined Zero Class officially—and had been denied reentry despite trying later—his strength and possession of a ten-thousand-year spirit bone still earned him admission to Douluo University.
He'd tagged along with the group to Douluo City.
"Tch, bad luck," Xie Xie muttered.
The two had never gotten along.
Xie Xie couldn't stand Wei Xiaofeng's arrogance.
Wei Xiaofeng, in turn, despised Xie Xie's "bootlicking" loyalty toward Tang Wulin.
"He's not even a Divine Craftsman yet," Wei Xiaofeng often scoffed. "What's there to worship?"
Fate had decided to stick them under the same roof tonight.
Xie Xie sighed darkly. "You can have the bed or the floor—your choice."
"Why don't you take the floor!?"
Meanwhile, in his room, Tang Wulin sat beside Jiang Chen, eyes shining with excitement.
"Brother Jiang Chen, it worked! It worked! She finally accepted my friend request!"
He clung to Jiang Chen's arm, grinning from ear to ear.
After their last parting, his senior had completely deleted him—cutting off every thread of hope.
Yet instead of moving on, Tang Wulin had only grown more obsessed.
He truly loved her.
Jiang Chen sighed. "Calm down, kid."
Originally, he'd planned to steer Tang Wulin away from this whole "romantic nonsense."
But then he realized—maybe there was a way to use this.
After all, with Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King divinity, he was practically destined for godhood and immortality.
If Jiang Chen could manipulate events to trigger Tang San's divine backup plan, he might catch a glimpse of the God King's defenses.
If Tang Wulin ended up with his senior, perhaps Tang San would intervene personally—either granting or revoking his blessing.
Either outcome worked in Jiang Chen's favor.
It would test Tang San's hand—or better yet, sever Wulin's fate with Gu Yue forever.
"Come on," Jiang Chen said dryly. "It's just a friend request. No need to faint over it."
He'd fully stepped into the role of strategist.
"Brother Jiang Chen," Tang Wulin said nervously, "what do I do now? What should I say? Should I… ask if she's there?"
"NO!" Jiang Chen barked. "Never start with 'Are you there?' That's how you sound like a fool!"
"You just added her again. If she accepted, she's probably waiting for your message. Stay calm—we wait."
"Got it!"
Tang Wulin clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay still. He trusted Jiang Chen completely.
After all, how else did someone surrounded by three powerful women keep such balance and survive?
Surely, his brother was a master in the art of feminine chaos.
Half an hour passed.
"Be patient," Jiang Chen advised. "A watched pot never boils. You don't want to scare her off, do you? Let her cool for an hour."
Tang Wulin nodded. He had waited a whole year. What was one more hour?
But sixty minutes later, restraint snapped.
"Brother Jiang Chen, I think this is wrong!" he said anxiously.
"What if she doesn't message me at all!?"
"Impossible!" Jiang Chen bristled. "You dare doubt me?!"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10