136: You're the captain.

Seeing that his companion beast had been unsealed and his Yu Beast Space had returned to its original state, Gu Yu was very excited.

Gu Xiaoyue had previously given them one billion star coins, so he didn't have to worry about his livelihood anymore. Apart from taking good care of Mu Qingning, he would have plenty of time to train.

Train?

Where was he supposed to train?

The excitement he had felt a moment ago seemed to be doused by a bucket of cold water.

Gu Xiaoyue saw what was on his mind.

"Dad, you don't need to worry. Just focus on resting for now. When you have time, go look at houses; buy one as big as you like."

She transferred another one billion star coins to Mu Qingning and then took out the immortal-rank pet egg from her Yu Beast Space, handing it to Gu Yu to contract.

"This—a pet egg?"

Gu Yu was so excited he didn't know what to do with his hands.

"Yes, this one is of the Immortal Tier. I obtained it by chance. Dad, go ahead and contract it."

Gu Xiaoyue urged him. Gu Yu rubbed his hands together excitedly, drew the contract magic circle, and dripped a drop of blood from his fingertip onto it.

After a long while, the blood had not been absorbed; that small droplet of blood just hung on the eggshell.

Was the amount not enough?

Gu Xiaoyue frowned. She grabbed Gu Yu's hand with one hand and picked up a fruit knife from the table with the other, slashing it across his wrist.

Gu Yu instinctively wanted to struggle, but Gu Xiaoyue's body, which had been strengthened eleven times, held his hand like an iron clamp; he couldn't pull it back at all.

Gu Xiaoyue cut open the vein in Gu Yu's wrist, and the warm blood dripped onto the immortal-rank pet egg.

It almost dyed the entire egg red, but it still didn't react.

She looked at the immortal-rank pet egg, then at Gu Yu.

It was likely that Gu Yu's Mental Power was insufficient to contract it.

Gu Xiaoyue didn't let go of Gu Yu's hand; instead, she cast Water Therapy.

The wound on Gu Yu's wrist healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving only a faint mark.

Biological, she was truly his biological daughter.

Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. The sharp aura Gu Xiaoyue had just displayed had actually made him feel a trace of fear in his heart.

"Dad, this egg doesn't suit you. I'll go pick out another pet egg that's right for you."

She called Qin Shao again. Qin Shao, who was in the middle of applying a facial mask, didn't speak very clearly, but it didn't hinder their communication.

"Pet eggs, one Heaven Tier and one Earth Tier each?"

"Yes, that's right. Can you do it as soon as possible? It's a bit urgent."

"Alright, alright, alright, I got it, little ancestor!"

Having become familiar with Gu Xiaoyue, Qin Shao no longer had the sternness he had shown at the beginning.

After arranging everything, Gu Xiaoyue returned to her dormitory to rest.

Thinking she could finally have some peace to prepare for the National Competition, she was called to the principal's office again the next day.

Sun Jian, Zhao Huaiyao, and Zhuang Yanxin were standing in front of the principal's desk.

Principal Zheng was still his usual smiling self as he asked her, "Gu Xiaoyue, I heard that your team for the National Competition has already been finalized?"

Gu Xiaoyue nodded. "Yes."

"Director Wu also mentioned it to me, and I don't have any issues with it. However—"

Principal Zheng's gaze swept over the three people standing in front of the desk, his expression showing difficulty.

"These three students seem to have quite a few complaints!"

Zhuang Yanxin's eyes were slightly red, and she wore a look of grievance. "As a substitute member, Gu Xiaoyue said the rewards would be shared with me, so I don't have any objections."

Sun Jian seemed to be suppressing his emotions, trying hard to speak calmly.

"If Gu Xiaoyue didn't take Zhao Huaiyao and me to the Secret Realm before, we could let it slide, and we eventually moved past it. But we participated in the National Competition together last year; to change people this year without even saying a word—we can't get over that!"

Gu Xiaoyue looked at the three of them coldly.

Zhuang Yanxin appearing here meant that whatever Sun Jian and Zhao Huaiyao knew, she was the one who had told them.

But let her talk; it wasn't a secret anyway.

But was she here to seek an explanation for herself, Sun Jian, and Zhao Huaiyao?

"Hello, Sun Jian, Zhao Huaiyao. I have already finalized the personnel for this year's National Competition, and you two are not included."

Gu Xiaoyue said this expressionlessly, infuriating Sun Jian and Zhao Huaiyao.

"What do you mean by saying that now?"

Sun Jian roared, completely disregarding that the principal was right there.

"Didn't you say I didn't give you a heads-up? Let me give you a heads-up now: you aren't in this year, you won't be in next year, and you won't be in the year after that either!"

Gu Xiaoyue turned to Principal Zheng. "Anything else, Principal? If not, I'm going to train."

"This—"

Principal Zheng's expression stiffened, his smile awkward.

Seeing that Gu Xiaoyue was about to leave, Zhao Huaiyao moved to block her path.

"You aren't going anywhere until we've settled this!"

Gu Xiaoyue turned back to Principal Zheng. "Principal, I don't understand. Am I the captain for the National Competition or not? Am I not allowed to make decisions, or is the team composition something that requires your approval? You have indulged them in causing me trouble over these trivial matters more than once!"

"If you don't trust me to be the captain, then let Sun Jian do it, or Zhao Huaiyao, or even Zhuang Yanxin!"

Sun Jian roared, "So what if I do? I'm also in the top twenty of the Battle Strength Ranking!"

Indeed, Gu Xiaoyue and Chu Li had not participated in the rankings, but the sophomore Sun Jian had reached the twentieth spot on the Battle Strength Ranking.

"Fine, then you can be the captain. But it's settled: I won't be participating, so please don't count me in."

Gu Xiaoyue nodded slightly. She was happy to be free from the hassle of competing.

Sun Jian and Zhao Huaiyao were actually shocked by her statement.

"Then you don't even want the rewards from the National Competition?"

Zhao Huaiyao couldn't help but ask.

Gu Xiaoyue sneered. "Those rewards were all bought from me by Coach Huo; why would I care about them!"

Sun Jian and Zhao Huaiyao were struck as if by a thunderbolt. They stood stunned for a long time, digesting Gu Xiaoyue's words.

They seemed to have truly forgotten that since Gu Xiaoyue was on the National Team, she had priority access to resources regardless of whether she participated in the National Competition.

They were the ones who wanted to participate, but they had forgotten—they had absolutely no standing to challenge Gu Xiaoyue.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to train."

Gu Xiaoyue bowed to the principal and added, "Oh, right, Principal. You know about my relationship with Lord Howard. He must participate in the National Competition, so please reserve a spectator seat for me so that I can protect his safety during the National Competition. After all, if any slip-ups occur regarding his safety, Nanya likely wouldn't be able to bear the consequences."

Having said that, she turned and left, ignoring the principal calling for her to return from behind her.

Gu Xiaoyue hadn't yet told Chu Li or Fang Xiaoyu about her decision not to participate in the National Competition, but they had already come looking for her.

It seemed Sun Jian had moved quite quickly.

"Xiao Yue, Sun Jian came to find me today and asked me to join the National Competition team. What's going on?"

"Gu Xiaoyue, didn't we say we would be on your team?"

Gu Xiaoyue chuckled and explained what had happened with Sun Jian and Zhao Huaiyao going to Principal Zheng.

"I roughly understand Principal Zheng's intention; he's worried that if I change team members, Nanya won't be able to take first place."

Gu Xiaoyue shrugged. "I won't change my team configuration, so I can only hand over the captaincy. Of course, I won't restrict you either; if you want to participate in the National Competition, joining Sun Jian's team is also an option."