Gu Yue, you're forcing me to become a Dragon Knight!

Zhen Hua quickly stepped forward, suppressing his excitement, and asked, "Is your body under any strain?"

"Everything is just right, not enough to break bones or tendons." Nan Liujing looked at the Thunder Silver on the forging platform, feeling the life he had nurtured with his own hands. "Teacher, am I considered a Level 5 Blacksmith now?"

Zhen Hua burst into laughter. "Not just a Level 5 Blacksmith, you are also the youngest Grandmaster Blacksmith in the history of the Douluo Continent."

Nan Liujing also let out a hearty laugh. It felt great to have cheats.

Back at the small canteen, Zhen Hua immediately asked Mu Ye to help make a bowl of pasta to replenish his body's energy.

"So, this kid is a Grandmaster?" In the kitchen, Mu Ye looked at Nan Liujing, who was wolfing down the noodles, and then glanced at Zhen Hua, who was beaming with a smile.

"You should consider who his teacher is," Zhen Hua said proudly.

Mu Ye pouted. "What does that have to do with you? It's this kid's special physique."

He would never admit that he was jealous. To this day, the successor of the Body Sect had not been found. As for his eldest disciple, A Ruheng, forget it. His strength was sufficient, but his mind wasn't sharp enough, making him unsuitable to be the Sect Master and carry the main burden.

"Just be envious," Zhen Hua chuckled heartily. Then, his tone softened. "Speaking of which, you don't need to set your standards too high."

Mu Ye narrowed his eyes. "Better to have none than to have a bad one. I don't want my ancestors to know I took in a disciple who doesn't follow the rules."

Zhen Hua shook his head. "You're still stubborn. It's precisely because disciples who meet your requirements are too rare that your two martial uncles left and handed you the hot potato."

"Let's not talk about this anymore," Mu Ye sighed.

Nan Liujing finished his meal quickly, not even leaving a drop of the noodle soup. He wondered where Mu Ye got so many top-tier ingredients.

After the meal, Mu Ye went to wash the dishes, while Zhen Hua pulled Nan Liujing aside to give him some final instructions before the handover.

Basically, he told him to continue with Spirit Forging once a week and to try more types of metals.

After all, in modern society, with video chat functions, if Nan Liujing had any questions, he could quickly ask him. Distance was no longer an issue.

As for the upcoming Fusion Forging, Zhen Hua only gave Nan Liujing a diary of his experiences for him to refer to during this period.

Forging was like this: the master leads the way, and cultivation depends on the individual.

"Uncle Ye is going to work at Shrek City?"

After returning from the Blacksmith Association, Nan Liujing quickly packed his luggage, only to hear the not-so-small news from Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan stood to the side and explained, "My dad's performance was outstanding, so the company transferred him to headquarters."

Nan Liujing suddenly understood.

The company Uncle Ye worked for was called Xuan Shi Tang Sect Co., Ltd., which, in plain terms, was the Tang Sect.

No wonder in the original timeline, Ye Xinglan could be admitted to the Shrek Academy's inner court early. It turned out to be because of this. After all, during the Dou San era, Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect were completely in cahoots.

So, should he try to recruit Ye Xinglan into the Spirit Pagoda?

A genius of a top-tier Soul Master was worth recruiting.

Thinking that Uncle Ye was still at home, Nan Liujing could only temporarily suppress the little idea in his heart.

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone took a Soul Guide Vehicle to the Heaven Dou City Train Station.

They didn't plan to take a Soul Guide plane this time. The main reason was that a while ago, a Soul Guide passenger plane was blown up by an Evil Soul Master in the air. Only a few Soul Masters with flying Martial Souls survived. Even though a month had passed, this incident was still the hottest news in the Federation, which led to the suspension of operations at all major airports.

As everyone knew, as long as you didn't take the high-speed train with Tang Wulin, you basically wouldn't be ambushed by Evil Soul Masters. This point was still safe.

Departing from Heaven Dou City, they traveled all the way south.

The natural scenery and cityscapes along the way captivated Ye Xinglan. She had barely left Heaven Dou City since she was born.

As for Na'er, although she had a smile on her face, she seemed uninterested, as if she had something on her mind.

Nan Liujing noticed, but he never said anything.

The sky was dyed with a dim yellow hue, and Shrek City, which had not yet become filled with familiar faces, was reached.

"Dear passengers, welcome to Shrek City, home to the continent's number one Soul Master Academy, Shrek Academy... It is also the headquarters of the Spirit Pagoda. Please look to your left. That building soaring into the clouds is the Heavenly Spirit Tower, the tallest building on the Douluo Continent."

As the train gradually slowed down, with the announcement, Ye Xinglan was completely captivated by the building that pierced the clouds.

"This is the Heavenly Spirit Tower?" she couldn't help but gasp. She had only seen it on television before, but now, facing it directly, she finally understood how magnificent it was.

Ye Changming, however, was indifferent. "Liujing, will someone pick you up later?"

Having already learned that Nan Liujing had become a disciple of Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, Ye Changming had long given up the idea of recruiting him.

"Yes," Nan Liujing said with a smile. "My teacher sent someone to wait for us outside the station."

"Alright," Ye Changming nodded slightly.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xinglan felt the Heavenly Spirit Tower was no longer interesting. "Without Na'er, I won't be able to sleep soundly anymore." Looking at Na'er, who was smiling, her eyes rolled. "Na'er, why don't you come with me?"

Na'er smiled and shook her head. "My family is here to pick me up, so I can't go."

"Alas, then there's no... Huh? Family?" Ye Xinglan sighed, but then suddenly reacted, staring at Na'er in surprise. "What family?"

Nan Liujing also looked at Na'er but remained silent.

Ever since Na'er didn't awaken her Martial Soul, he knew this day would come. In the original timeline, Na'er was brought back by Di Tian and others, and then went to Shrek.

Na'er pursed her lips and explained in a low voice, "When I left Heaven Dou City, someone found me and said she was my aunt. I didn't believe her at first, but she directly mentioned that I don't have a Martial Soul. This secret is only known by Uncle Ye, Brother, and Sister."

Ye Changming grew vigilant. "Na'er, the family you mentioned will be waiting for you at the train station?"

"Mm," Na'er nodded.

Ye Changming said solemnly, "Uncle Ye wants to meet them. Is that okay?"

"Yes," Na'er replied. "My aunt also wants me to bring you to meet her."

The crowd surged, and pedestrians hurried out of the train station.

Ye Xinglan was expressionless, but Na'er was very calm, holding Nan Liujing's hand as they walked.

Following Na'er's guidance, they soon arrived at a coffee shop inside the station.

Through the glass window, Nan Liujing immediately spotted a distinctive woman.

She had long, emerald-green hair cascading down her back, wore fashionable casual clothes, and was incredibly beautiful, no less so than Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu.

As they stepped into the coffee shop, the woman seemed to react and looked over.

She gracefully stood up and, before Ye Changming could speak, took the initiative to say, "Hello, I am Na'er's aunt. I assume she has already told you about me."

Ye Changming probed, "What proof do you have that you are Na'er's relative?"

Bi Ji smiled. "Na'er's physique is special. Without our family's awakening method, her Martial Soul cannot be awakened. If you have awakened her Martial Soul before, you would have sensed a hidden power that couldn't be summoned."

Ye Changming's vigilance immediately lessened by more than half. When he had awakened Na'er's Martial Soul, he had indeed felt a strong power, but he couldn't summon it no matter what. It turned out to be because of her physique.

Bi Ji turned to Na'er. "Na'er, extend your hand. I'll temporarily activate your Martial Soul first. This will also prove my identity."

Nan Liujing rubbed Na'er's head, his meaning clear.

Na'er immediately stepped forward and extended her fair, tender little hand.

Bi Ji gently grasped it, and a soft, green-gold light immediately gathered in Na'er's palm, transforming into a special magic circle.

Gradually, a peculiar, faint silver radiance flowed from Na'er's body, and a crisp, resonant dragon's roar began to emanate from her palm.

"Na'er's Martial Soul is a Dragon Martial Soul?" Ye Xinglan's eyes widened. She was now certain that this beautiful aunt was Na'er's relative.

"Mmm," Na'er let out a muffled groan.

"What's wrong?" Ye Xinglan's expression changed.

Nan Liujing calmly said, "It's just the feedback from Soul Power caused by the temporary activation of the Martial Soul. It's fine."

Seeing Na'er nod at her, Ye Xinglan finally relaxed.

Bi Ji asked, "Can I prove my identity now?"

"Of course," Ye Changming nodded.

Bi Ji then looked at Nan Liujing and said with sincere gratitude, "Speaking of which, I must thank you for taking Na'er in."

Nan Liujing chuckled. "I like Na'er very much, and I'm very fortunate to have met her and made her my sister. It's an unforgettable memory."

Na'er's beautiful purple eyes blinked, hiding a hint of joy.

Bi Ji said with a sigh of relief, "You may not know how important Na'er is to our family. She is the most talented existence in a thousand years. If anything were to happen to her, it would have a tremendous impact on our family's legacy."

Ye Xinglan couldn't help but ask, "Then why was Na'er lost? If Liujing hadn't saved her, she would have been abducted by human traffickers long ago."

Bi Ji sighed. "When the family's strong members took Na'er out, they encountered an attack by Evil Soul Masters. The family members protecting her almost all died, including two Titled Douluo."

Ye Xinglan's pupils contracted. Two Titled Douluo died? How strong were the enemies?

Ye Changming frowned inwardly. The Evil Soul Masters had become active again recently, and they were also a key target of the sect's defense.

Nan Liujing's expression was solemn on the surface, but in his heart, he was already guessing who had fabricated this story.

Bi Ji didn't dwell on the matter. She took out a jade box from her storage ring and handed it to Nan Liujing. "This is a token of gratitude. Please accept it."

Nan Liujing looked at the jade box and gently shook his head.

At the very beginning, when he intervened in Na'er and Tang Wulin meeting, it was indeed for himself. But since adopting Na'er until now, he had long considered her family.

He would definitely prevent Gu Yue from merging with Na'er in the future. No matter what, he would change everything.

Bi Ji insisted on giving the gift. "The fact that you adopted Na'er shows your character. The item inside the jade box is our family's highest level of gratitude. If you keep it, and encounter a situation where death is certain, you can rely on this item to protect your life once. Na'er also used it to escape the attack."

Nan Liujing hesitated. He hadn't forgotten that he had been targeted by the Silver Dragon King in Aolai City before. He truly didn't dare to accept the gift Bi Ji was offering.

Na'er, standing beside them, looked a bit bewildered. In her memory, there was no such thing as a family, and she had never used anything to escape an attack. But for some reason, whenever she tried to explain, she couldn't get the words out, which made her a little unhappy.

Suddenly, a special thought surged into her mind. She picked up the jade box herself and forcefully stuffed it into Nan Liujing's hand. "Brother, you keep it."

Nan Liujing accepted it unexpectedly. Bi Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Now that the gift has been delivered, I can report back."

Ye Changming frowned slightly. This peerless beauty seemed a bit too eager to give gifts.

Bi Ji also seemed to realize her haste and quickly covered it up with a smile. "Na'er will be living at Shrek Academy from now on, so you siblings will still see each other."

Ye Changming's heart stirred. "Does your sect have a connection with Shrek Academy?"

Bi Ji smiled. "We have some connection, but it's not too deep."

This made Ye Changming completely relax, his guard completely down.

Now that the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were united against a common enemy, their relationship was exceptionally close. Anyone connected to Shrek Academy was an ally.

Nan Liujing held the jade box without a word. Na'er never just called him "Ge" unless she was reminding him of something.

To be targeted by Tang San, and now by the Silver Dragon King. What a time to be alive.

You're forcing me to become a Dragon Knight, Gu Yue!

"Jingle Bell"

Suddenly, the urgent ringing of a mobile phone broke the silence.

Everyone looked at Nan Liujing.

He pulled out his phone and saw the screen displayed "Teacher Leng." He pressed the answer button.

Leng Yaozhu's gentle voice came through the other end: "The person sent to pick you up said they couldn't find you."

"My apologies, Teacher. I was delayed at the station with an elder," Nan Liujing explained, then asked, "Does the person you sent have any distinguishing features?"

"Features?" Leng Yaozhu thought for a moment. "Look for the most rugged-looking person in the crowd, and you can't go wrong."

"Okay, I'll head over right away," Nan Liujing replied.

After hanging up, he exchanged a glance with Na'er and said to Bi Ji, "Senior, are you taking Na'er back now, or...?"

Bi Ji replied, "I'll take Na'er back to the clan to awaken her Martial Soul first, and then we'll go to Shrek Academy."

Nan Liujing said softly, "So, from now on, we'll be parting ways."

"Brother." Na'er was reluctant, her eyes turning slightly red. She truly didn't want to leave with this aunt, but she couldn't refuse.

A cold glint flashed in Nan Liujing's eyes. He smiled, stepped forward, and ruffled Na'er's head. As if by magic, he produced a bracelet emitting a soft green-gold light.

Ye Changming recognized it. It was the Life Crystal Stone he had given Nan Liujing when he first picked him up at Heaven Dou Airport.

Nan Liujing personally fastened it onto Na'er's wrist. A pure aura of life dispelled her unease.

"Shrek Academy and Spirit Pagoda aren't far apart. You can come find Brother anytime later."

"Mm." Na'er looked down at the green-gold bracelet on her wrist, a smile gracing her features.

Na'er was taken away by Bi Ji. Ye Changming also left with Ye Xinglan.

After seeing them off, Nan Liujing immediately found the person sent to pick him up, based on the features Leng Yaozhu had described.

It was a middle-aged man in his early thirties, burly, with hair like steel needles and a particularly fierce-looking face. Passersby seemed to fear him and gave him a wide berth.

"Nan Liujing?"

"Yes."

Bai Haoze nodded and patted the Soul Guide Vehicle beside him. "Hop in!"

"What should I call you, Senior?" Nan Liujing asked casually as he got into the vehicle.

"Bai Haoze." The middle-aged man's voice was deep, matching his appearance.

Upon hearing the name, Nan Liujing's eyebrows shot up.

Bai Haoze, with the Bright Unicorn Martial Soul, a Titled Douluo, and a younger sister named Bai Zhicen.

This would be normal, but his past life memories told him that this "brother" was actually a woman! She had used a special method to achieve her current appearance. A minor character who only appeared in the later stages of the Dragon King era.

He glanced at the man's powerfully muscular physique and couldn't help but twitch his lips.