Na'er's Departure

In the room, Fang Yang suddenly sensed something. He slowly opened his eyes, ending his night-long cultivation.

As he walked out of his room, he saw that Na'er was preparing to leave.

"Na'er, are you leaving?"

Fang Yang's voice sounded especially clear in the quiet living room.

Na'er paused, then slowly turned around. Her silver hair swayed gently with her movement.

She bit her lower lip, and a complicated light flickered in her violet eyes. "Brother, I'm sorry, I..."

Fang Yang hurried over to her and noticed that the corners of her eyes were slightly red. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Mom?"

"No." Na'er gently shook her head and took a white envelope from her chest. "Brother, I wrote a letter. After I leave, read it together with Mom."

As she spoke, she handed the white envelope to Fang Yang.

Fang Yang accepted the envelope. He opened his mouth, yet did not know what to say.

Just as Na'er turned to push open the door, Fang Yang quickly stepped forward and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Na'er stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed. She buried her face against her brother's shoulder and wrapped her arms around his back. Fang Yang could feel her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Na'er, do you really have to go?" Fang Yang asked softly, his voice heavy with suppressed emotion.

Na'er did not answer. She only hugged him tighter, as though she wanted to forever remember this final warmth. A moment later, she gently broke free from the embrace. When she stepped back, her eyes were already red.

"Ge, I'm leaving. Take good care of yourself and Mom..."

Her voice caught. "And... don't forget Na'er."

After saying that, Na'er turned and left without looking back.

Fang Yang stood where he was, feeling a pang in his heart. He remained there blankly, clutching the envelope in his hand without moving for a long while.

After a long time, he numbly placed the envelope on the dining table, then turned and dragged his heavy steps back to his room.

The next early morning, Mom Lin Ximeng got up early as usual to prepare breakfast.

When she passed the dining table, she suddenly stopped. The white envelope immediately caught her attention.

"This is... a letter from Na'er?"

Mom Lin Ximeng picked up the envelope from the table. When she saw the signature, her expression changed drastically.

The next moment, Mom Lin Ximeng hurried to Na'er's door and knocked anxiously. "Na'er? Na'er!"

There was no response.

She pushed open the door. The neatly made bed was empty, and several of Na'er's frequently worn clothes were missing from the wardrobe.

"Na'er is gone..."

Lin Ximeng's heart sank. Trembling, she ran toward Fang Yang's room. "Yang'er! Yang'er!"

Fang Yang had remained silent all night. He calmly opened the door. "Mom, I'm here."

"Yang'er, Na'er, she..." Lin Ximeng said in a trembling voice.

Fang Yang said softly, "I know. Na'er already left last night..."

Lin Ximeng froze where she stood. Only after a moment did she react. "You... you already knew?"

"Mm. Na'er left a letter."

Fang Yang nodded and pointed toward the white envelope on the dining table.

Afterward, mother and son sat silently at the dining table. Lin Ximeng tremblingly opened the envelope. Na'er's graceful handwriting came into view on the white paper:

Dear Mom and Brother:

By the time you read this letter, I will have already left. My family found me, and I have to return to their side.

I am going somewhere very, very far away...

Brother, please do not come looking for me. I have things I must do.

These past three years, I was truly, truly happy living with you.

I do not want to leave you either, but I have to leave this place.

Brother, I will always remember the noodles you made for me. I will always remember all the delicious snacks you bought me.

Also, Brother, I hope you will not forget me.

—Na'er, who will always love you.

Mom Lin Ximeng's tears fell soundlessly. "Na'er, how could you leave just like this..."

Fang Yang silently patted Mom Lin Ximeng's shoulder, his gaze fixed on the bright sunlight outside the window.

After a long while, Fang Yang spoke softly. "Mom, it's a good thing that Na'er found her real family. When we meet again someday, we will definitely see an even better her."

"Mm..."

Mom Lin Ximeng wiped away her tears and forced out a smile. As a mother, how could she not understand that returning to her family was the best home for Na'er?

Fang Yang murmured, "Tang Wulin, Na'er has left. I no longer have the heart to explain what was right or wrong."

After Na'er left, he understood that from this day onward, Na'er was no longer the clingy little sister from his memories, but the true Silver Dragon King!

Fang Yang then walked to the window. A strange light flashed through his dark eyes.

Deep Yellow Flame danced in the depths of his pupils, dyeing his entire gaze the color of deep yellow flames.

"Na'er..."

Meanwhile, not far away, Na'er looked at the home where she had lived for three years, her violet eyes filled with reluctance.

She murmured softly, "Gu Yue, I really... want to stay by Brother's side."

Every little moment from the past three years had already left indelible marks in her memories. Human emotions were far deeper and more complicated than she had imagined.

"Three years. Wasn't that enough?"

Beside Na'er stood a girl about her age. Though her appearance was not particularly striking, she already possessed a distinctive bearing, with calmness in her eyes.

In this age of technology, humanity's core strength lay in mecha and Battle Armor. As technology continued to develop, there were even legendary God-Slaying Fixed Soul Cannon Bullets!

Their Soul Beast Clan could no longer contend against humanity. If the Soul Beast Clan wanted to rise again, they could only take control of human forces.

Gu Yue looked toward the distant Spirit Pagoda, a cold smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

She had already seen through humanity. Struggle was human nature; once they lost their external enemies, they would naturally turn upon one another.

Allies were optional, but enemies were indispensable.

Gu Yue's plan was very clear: "Take control of the Spirit Pagoda, the organization founded ten thousand years ago by Huo Yuhao, the God of Emotion, for the purpose of helping Soul Beasts."

The Spirit Pagoda was now corrupt and had broken away from the Tang Sect and Shrek. Moreover, they bore grudges against one another. It was the best choice.

Na'er's target, meanwhile, was humanity's most powerful academy—Shrek Academy. The strongest experts of the age were stationed there, and the Sea God Pavilion Master's renowned name intimidated all directions.

"No, I want to be with them forever..." Na'er murmured softly, more as if speaking to herself.

Gu Yue frowned slightly, her voice cold. "This is my destiny, and yours as well. No one can escape their past, and no one can escape their destiny."

She paused. "We... have no choice."

"You're right. We have no choice. But if you dare harm Brother..."

Na'er suddenly raised her head. Her voice turned icy, and a flash of silver light passed through her eyes.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Na'er's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve. "Gu Yue, don't forget that I am also the Silver Dragon King."

"He noticed us. It's time to go," Gu Yue said after a moment of silence, finally letting out a soft sigh.

Na'er took one last deep look toward the window, at that familiar figure.

"You don't need to tell me. I know."

The two figures gradually vanished, leaving only Na'er's final whisper drifting away on the wind: "Brother, if we get the chance, let's meet again at Shrek..."