Chapter 12: The Agents and the Double Consciousness
The Academy's decision to pair the **Phoenix** and the **Dragon** was announced with a forced air of professional excitement. **Huo Wujiu** took the news with his signature arrogant smirk, while **Gu Yue** accepted with icy composure. The Headmaster, desperate for stability, had accidentally created a pressure cooker.
Wujiu knew the partnership was Gu Yue's strategy for constant surveillance, and he welcomed it. He needed her close to gauge her true power, and he needed her presence to stabilize his own volatile essence. Their auras, fire and frost, constantly clashed, yet paradoxically, they anchored each other, preventing the Golden Dragon chaos within Wujiu from boiling over.
The forced alliance had barely lasted a day when the first of the continental powers arrived. Wujiu was summoned by the Headmaster to a heavily warded meeting room in the administration building, Gu Yue following him silently, officially attending as his mandatory partner.
The room was severe and cold, but the two figures waiting within radiated power that transcended the local Academy's authority.
The first was a woman of perhaps thirty years, dressed in the dark-blue and silver livery of the **Spirit Pagoda**. Her eyes were sharp, analytical, and constantly scanning. She introduced herself simply as **Senior Researcher Ling**.
The second was an older gentleman, calm and severe, dressed in the modest gray robes of an Academy Elder, yet his spiritual energy felt ancient and bottomless. He offered a polite but cool nod. "I am Elder Ming, representing the interests of **Shrek Academy's** disciplinary and observation committee."
The air instantly thickened with expectation and pressure.
Senior Researcher Ling cut to the chase, her voice brisk. "Huo Wujiu, the energy signatures from the cliff incident were tracked by the Pagoda. We recognize talent of your magnitude. Specifically, the purity of your flame and its capacity for purification and absorption. We are here to offer you a direct path into the Pagoda's inner research division. Your work could redefine the field of Spirit Soul energy transfer."
Elder Ming, the Shrek agent, spoke next, his voice slow and measured, carrying an undeniable weight. "The Pagoda speaks of power. Shrek speaks of responsibility. We observed a dangerous display of uncontrolled spiritual energy—and the near-destruction of a young life. We are here to offer you tutelage, Wujiu. A chance to learn control and understand the responsibility that comes with your Martial Soul. We will overlook the incident if you commit to our path."
Wujiu stood tall, absorbing their pitches, but his peripheral attention was entirely focused on **Gu Yue**. She stood rigid, radiating a controlled, low-level frost that was beginning to coat the edges of the meeting table.
"Senior Researcher Ling," Wujiu began, allowing his usual smirk to play on his lips. "And Elder Ming. You both offer grand opportunities, but you seem to ignore the source of the recent disturbance." He gestured toward Gu Yue. "My partner, Gu Yue. Her uncontrolled elemental fluctuations are what triggered the energy spike at the cliff. I merely mitigated the damage."
Gu Yue's inner consciousness, the Silver Dragon King's cold persona, **Gu Yue**, instantly surged with controlled fury. *He lies with such casual arrogance! He twists reality!*
But before she could speak, a new, softer internal voice, the suppressed human persona **N'aer**, surfaced. *His smile... it's so bright when he's lying. He's risking everything for a game. He is utterly unafraid.* N'aer felt a strange, detached curiosity, mixing with a sudden, protective instinct against the external pressure of the two powerful agents.
Gu Yue felt the internal split—the momentary wavering of her single-minded hatred. She fought it, forcing her external composure back into place. "My partner is mistaken," she said, her voice sharp and cold, directed at the two agents. "The incident was a clash of two powers. We have agreed to contain the volatility by remaining together. He is my responsibility. Any recruitment attempts must go through me."
Wujiu's golden eyes flickered with triumph. He hadn't just secured her surveillance; he had secured her *defense*. She was playing the role perfectly.
Researcher Ling narrowed her eyes, focusing entirely on Wujiu. "Huo Wujiu, we are serious. The Pagoda offers resources that this small Academy cannot. Your current partner's Silver Dragon King Bloodline... it is the key to advanced elemental theory. But **you** are the key to refinement. We can separate you from this volatile relationship and give you true power."
Elder Ming sighed, focusing on Gu Yue. "Miss Gu Yue, your loyalty to your colleague is admirable, but you must realize that his power is chaotic. His continued association with the Golden Dragon host, Tang Wulin, places the boy in danger."
At the mention of **Tang Wulin**, N'aer momentarily seized control. She stepped slightly closer to Wujiu, an unconscious, protective movement.
"Tang Wulin is recovering well," Gu Yue stated, her voice regaining the cutting edge of the Silver Dragon. "And Huo Wujiu is **my rival**. I will not relinquish the right to observe him. He is not leaving East Sea City."
Wujiu maintained his arrogant composure, but internally, he was adjusting his strategy. The external pressure had forced Gu Yue's hand, strengthening their bond. But he also noticed the subtle shift in her stance, the flash of protective fear in her eyes when the Pagoda agent spoke of separating them. The **N'aer** persona was emerging under duress.
"My answer remains the same," Wujiu concluded, crossing his arms. "I am content here. My current rival keeps my flame sharp. Thank you for your generous offers, but I prefer the unpredictable challenge of East Sea City."
He offered a final, challenging look to Gu Yue—a silent acknowledgment of their shared deceit—then turned, walking out of the room with Gu Yue following close behind, the powerful agents left fuming over their unexpected political failure.
As they walked down the deserted hallway, Gu Yue spoke, her voice low and dangerously controlled. "Do not assume my defense was loyalty, Huo Wujiu. You are a loose cannon, and I cannot afford to lose track of you. We are going to the training ground. Now. We need to determine the limits of your so-called 'stability' before you burn down the entire city."
Wujiu merely grinned. "Lead the way, Partner. But don't expect me to hold back this time." The great forces of the continent had inadvertently sealed their fate, forcing the Phoenix and the Dragon into an inescapable, intense proximity.