Gulp, gulp.
Nan Liujing ravenously devoured the thick porridge made with Hundred Year Snow Jade Shrimp and Spirit Transmission Rice.
The springy shrimp meat was incomparably fresh and sweet, while the Spirit Transmission Rice gave off a fragrant aroma. Once swallowed together, they immediately turned into streams of Life Energy that flowed into every part of his body, making him feel hot and brimming with vitality.
This unrestrained pleasure of enjoying good food was something he had never dared to hope for during the years he had spent constantly falling unconscious.
"Eat slowly. There's more if it isn't enough." Watching the boy wolf down his food, Sun Kong's stern voice could not help but soften.
Nan Liujing indeed slowed down. After chewing and swallowing another mouthful of shrimp, he asked quietly, "What should I call you?"
From his birth until today, several years should have passed. Yet because of his intermittent comas and fragmented memories, not only did he not recognize the person before him, he could only vaguely remember the outlines of his own parents' faces.
"Your father acknowledged me as his eldest brother. You can call me Uncle," Sun Kong said softly.
"Uncle." Nan Liujing nodded in understanding.
Sun Kong nodded. "Your parents went out to deal with something recently. For now..."
"They're already gone, aren't they?" Nan Liujing interrupted him.
Sun Kong froze and stared directly at the boy on the bed.
Their eyes met.
There was little expression on Nan Liujing's face. After their brief exchange of gazes, he looked away, swallowed the last piece of shrimp he had deliberately left in the bowl, and said in a deep voice, "Please take me to pay my respects to them."
Sun Kong was silent for several seconds before answering.
"Alright."
On the quiet road, a Soul Guide Vehicle traveled at an unhurried pace. Yet unlike ordinary Soul Guide Vehicles, it was actually floating through the air, hovering a full thirty centimeters above the ground.
Nearly transparent levitation wings were mounted on both sides of the vehicle, pale blue vortex energy slowly circulating within them and keeping it aloft. A faint soft glow passed over the roof, where the core of the Soul Guidance Array continuously absorbed solar energy, ensuring that under normal operation, the vehicle almost never needed manual infusions of Soul Power.
In the passenger seat, Nan Liujing turned his head to watch the ever-changing scenery outside, his thoughts in turmoil.
In this era he had arrived in, Tang San had already become a legend of Douluo Continent, while the Spirit Pagoda founded by Huo Yuhao had spread across three continents. Its overall hidden strength had already surpassed Shrek Academy.
If he had not searched the encyclopedia using a computer and confirmed that there was not yet the slightest record of Tang Wulin, he would have started doubting his life.
Compared with Douluo Dalu 1 and Dou Er, there were truly not many opportunities left in the timeline of Dou San. Moreover, the various factions took turns appearing one after another.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been completely monopolized by the Tang Sect. Even if you knew it was inside Sunset Forest, you would not dare act recklessly.
Tang Hao and Ah Yin lay low in secret. One was about to become a Plane Lord, while the other had become the plane's core. They were waiting for the Abyssal Sage King to descend and complete the so-called Ten Thousand Year Grand Plan.
Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect had joined forces to secretly stand against the Federation, while the Spirit Pagoda secretly cooperated with the Holy Spirit Cult. Only after that explosion did everything temporarily come to an end.
To the west of the continent, the Abyss, firmly blocked by the Blood God Legion, greedily sought to extend its claws toward this rich land. Even the Demon Plane, which was rarely mentioned in the Original Timeline, was watching from the shadows.
It was far too chaotic.
And even that was not the worst part. Most importantly, in this era, no matter how outstanding your talent was, it was nearly impossible to become a true god.
Could you surpass Yun Ming in talent?
"We're here."
"Take the flowers."
The Soul Guide Hovercar slowly came to a stop, and Nan Liujing emerged from his thoughts.
Since he was here, he would make the best of it.
Nan Liujing concealed his thoughts and followed Sun Kong out of the vehicle.
Ahead of them stood a cemetery of considerable size. Outside its tightly shut metal main door hung four words: Spirit Pagoda Public Cemetery.
Sun Kong led Nan Liujing inside after presenting identification, and the guards stationed there allowed them through.
The tranquil hillside was surrounded by lush pines and cypresses. As the breeze blew, branches and leaves swayed, as though the departed could not wait to tell visitors the stories of their past.
The cemetery was exceptionally neat, with winding stone paths leading in different directions.
Nan Liujing glanced over the tombstones along the way and discovered that nearly all those buried here had made outstanding contributions to the Spirit Pagoda.
After winding around for some time, the two arrived before a tombstone in an especially quiet setting.
Sun Kong stepped aside by half a pace, allowing Nan Liujing to see the two photographs embedded in the tombstone.
His heart gave a violent jolt as memories surged forth and crashed into him like a tide.
The photograph on the left showed a young man who appeared to be only around thirty. His facial features were refined, a gentle and cultured smile rested at the corners of his lips, and his eyes were warm and profound.
The photograph on the right showed an exceptionally beautiful woman who looked barely over twenty. The corners of her brows tilted slightly upward, lending her a playful, lively air. Her eyes were large, and her pupils were a deep dark blue.
Nan Tian, Xia Yue Xin.
"These are your parents." Looking at the tombstone, Sun Kong said in a deep voice, "They were the finest parents I have ever seen."
Nan Liujing said nothing. With utmost solemnity, he placed down the flowers he had brought. Then, before Sun Kong could react, he knelt directly on the ground and kowtowed nine times in succession.
After that mysterious voice had awakened him and repaired his fragmented memories, he recalled his father speaking with someone in this life. From those scattered words, he learned that his parents had died for his sake.
Such grace weighed as heavily as heaven and earth.
Sun Kong did not say a single word throughout. In his view, Nan Liujing was far more mature than he had imagined, much like his father had been in his youth.
Mature or not, his will would be stronger than that of countless others. For this child, setbacks on the path of growth would not easily crush him.
Bzz~
A faint vibration sounded. Sun Kong lowered his head and glanced at his pocket. Without disturbing Nan Liujing, who remained kneeling after finishing his kowtows, he moved elsewhere and answered the call.
"Hello, hello, hello." A deep male voice sounded from the other end.
"Get to the point." Sun Kong was not polite with an old friend he had known for decades.
"Godfather." Suddenly, the deep male voice on the other end changed into a crisp, pleasant one.
Sun Kong's expression instantly softened. "Si Duo, Godfather's here."
"Godfather, I'm about to awaken my Martial Soul. Can you come to my Awakening Ceremony?" the girl's sweet voice rang out again.
"Of course." Sun Kong smiled faintly. "Si Duo, be good and give the phone to your father. Godfather has something to discuss with him."
"Mhm, mhm." The girl replied with a bright smile.
"Old Sun." The person on the other end quickly changed.
Sun Kong said in a deep voice, "Who did you invite to Si Duo's Awakening Ceremony?"
"Apart from the Wu Family, just us old brothers," the deep voice replied.
Sun Kong said in a deep voice, "I won't hide it from you. The Federation has already issued me a new appointment. Before long, I'll be leaving Star Luo City."
Inside the exquisitely decorated villa living room, Wu Jingru narrowed his eyes slightly. "Where are you going?"
"Ming Capital," Sun Kong said directly. "Before I leave, I want to use Si Duo's Awakening Ceremony as an excuse to arrange a dinner. I'll invite the Star Luo City Spirit Pagoda Master and the newly appointed Chief Administrator of Star Luo City to meet with you."
"The waters in Star Luo City run deep. Once I'm transferred away, you'll be under quite a bit of pressure."
Wu Jingru paused before sighing. "It seems my choice back then to give up entering Shrek Academy and join Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was indeed correct."
"Bullshit. You call that giving up? You were clearly eliminated because you failed your final exam. And I'm doing this for Si Duo, not because of you." Sun Kong spoke with disdain.
Pfft.
In the villa living room, Wu Jingru awkwardly glanced at his daughter and wife, who were trying not to laugh.
Sun Kong said, "Oh, right. My nephew will be awakening his Martial Soul too. We might as well arrange for him to do it together with Si Duo."
"Your nephew?" Wu Jingru asked suspiciously. "Are you sure you only want to arrange for them to awaken their Martial Souls together and have no other intentions?"
...Sun Kong was speechless. "If you're willing, I wouldn't mind arranging a childhood betrothal between these two children. Then the two of us would become even closer family."
"The Awakening Ceremony is at noon the day after tomorrow. Remember to be there." Wu Jingru hurriedly changed the subject, then hung up immediately after speaking.
"One day, you'll cry when you marry off your daughter."
Glancing at the disconnected call, Sun Kong gave a soft snort before silently returning to Nan Liujing's side.
Before you continue