Tang Wulin Was on the Train, So It Wasn't Strange That It Happened to Me First (4K)
"Since Tang Wulin was on the train, then it wasn't strange..."
Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly understood. Case solved—it wasn't his problem!
The Train Killer passive had simply triggered!
Eastsea Academy was on break, and Wu Changkong had brought Tang Wulin to Heaven Dou City. First, to pay respects to his lover, Long Bing; second, to use the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform at the Spirit Pagoda to help Tang Wulin advance his Soul Ring. They had happened to take the same Soul Guide Train.
On top of that, the train attendant was Mo Lan, daughter of Mo Wu. The temptation for Evil Soul Masters was simply off the charts!
All the Evil Soul Masters had been executed. The Security Team came to deal with the corpses and the mess covering the ground, while the beautiful, sweet-voiced train attendant went through every carriage to calm the passengers.
The Soul Guide Train resumed normal operation. Having learned a painful lesson from being sandwiched between two people last time, the clever Na'er switched to the window seat and began searching for Heaven Dou City's local specialties.
Gu Yue still sat on the outermost side, diligently researching the Spirit Pagoda. Even after hearing Tang Wulin and Wu Changkong's names, she showed no intention of greeting them. Zhao Xuanzhen, meanwhile, sat between the black-and-white pair of beautiful girls, enjoying the feeling of being embraced from both sides.
After a while, Mo Lan approached the three of them with a Soul Guidance Screen in hand. Her curvaceous figure lowered into a half-crouch as she said gently, "Hello, three Soul Masters. Thank you for your courage and fearlessness in handling this vicious Evil Soul Master attack.
"The Federation wishes to reward the three Soul Masters for stepping forward. I'll register your information. From now on, you'll receive Free Rides on Soul Guide Trains and unlimited boxed meals!"
"Thank you."
The three accepted gladly. Evil Soul Masters were inhuman creatures; grinding their bones to dust would not have been excessive. Who would have thought there would be an unexpected reward as well?
Although, given their identities and status, they would rarely have opportunities to ride Soul Guide Trains, and even Na'er would not eat the train's boxed meals, it was the Federation's goodwill. There was no need to stubbornly refuse.
"Zhao Xuanzhen, Gu Yue, Na'er..."
Cards similar to identification cards had already appeared in the Legend of the Dragon King Era. As she registered their information, Mo Lan firmly engraved those three names in her heart, filled with gratitude.
The Evil Soul Masters had come entirely for Mo Wu, the Heaven Dou City Governor. With his only daughter, Mo Lan, taken hostage, Mo Wu would inevitably have been thrown into complete disarray.
On Douluo Continent, Soul Masters stood far above ordinary humans. How difficult had it been for Mo Wu, an ordinary man, to rise to such a high position? Too many eyes were watching him. One wrong decision, and his political career would immediately come to an end.
Mo Lan was grateful to Zhao Xuanzhen and the others on behalf of herself, her father, and the hundreds upon hundreds of innocent passengers aboard the Soul Guide Train.
The rest of the journey was calm, and the Soul Guide Train arrived safely in Heaven Dou City. Dusk draped a thin veil over the city, while several clumps of wild grass rustled in the cracks between the mottled green bricks of the Train Station platform.
More than twenty thousand years ago, Heaven Dou City had already been a renowned metropolis on Douluo Continent. It had been the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire and, after its division, the Heaven Dou Empire.
Heaven Dou City occupied an excellent location. It was not far from the birthplace of soul beasts, the Star Dou Great Forest, and was also close to Shrek City, the greatest city on Douluo Continent. It could be called the core region of the entire continent.
Though it was already late, Heaven Dou City remained brilliantly lit. After the exhausting journey, the three decided to fill their stomachs with dinner before finding an inn to meditate and rest.
Na'er volunteered to lead the way. She had clearly found quite a few restaurants recommended by locals on the Soul Net.
In stark contrast to technologically advanced Shrek City, Heaven Dou City maintained a retro style. From the ancient patterns on the buildings lining the streets, the three could sense the vicissitudes left by twenty thousand years.
Gu Yue had only been to Eastsea City, while Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er had only visited one more place than she had—Shrek City. Strolling through the quaint Heaven Dou City now carried a unique charm.
"Zhao Xuanzhen, look!"
Na'er suddenly grabbed Zhao Xuanzhen's sleeve and stared fixedly at a shop by the roadside.
Heaven Dou Young Woman Milk Tea.
This milk tea shop was an unconventional oddity amid the ancient-style surroundings. Bells hung beneath the eaves, jingling in the evening breeze. Its outer walls were painted with a cherry-blossom gradient, making the pink Heaven Dou Young Woman Milk Tea sign seem as though it had been soaked in honey.
"This place is super popular. Let's try it!"
Na'er had clearly planned this all along. She grabbed Zhao Xuanzhen and Gu Yue, one on each side, and dragged them into the milk tea shop.
The woman behind the glass counter looked up at the sound. A purple cheongsam hugged her plump waist, and two pearl frog buttons had been deliberately—or perhaps casually—undone, revealing an ink black vine tattoo at her collarbone. Her fingers wiping the cup wall were long and slender, her nails a pale shell-like pink.
"Huh?"
Na'er froze instantly. No joke—the owner really was a young married woman!
Her silver eyes flicked toward Zhao Xuanzhen without leaving a trace. This guy preferred Older Sisters; Na'er had noticed long ago, and she was utterly baffled by it. He spent every day with the super beautiful girl Na'er, so who exactly had ruined his taste in women?!
Zhao Xuanzhen showed not the slightest reaction, and Na'er quietly relaxed. Gu Yue's sudden intrusion into their lives had awakened Na'er's possessiveness over her Core of Humanity. Recently, she could not help having a few more thoughts of her own.
"What would the three of you like to drink?"
The young married woman swayed her waist, her voice as melodious as an oriole's.
Leaning closer to the display case wreathed in cold mist, they saw a dazzling array of drinks that seemed to preserve an entire spring. Gu Yue read through every milk tea name before saying:
"One Passion Fruit Duet, iced, with no extra sugar."
"No problem!"
The owner began preparing the milk tea on the spot. When Gu Yue turned her head, she found Na'er looking at her with utter disdain, as if saying, How could you possibly have such terrible taste?
"What are you doing?" Gu Yue unconsciously stepped back half a step, a trace of confusion appearing in her black eyes.
Na'er crossed her arms over her chest, rose onto her toes, and looked down at her. "Passion Fruit Duet won't do. It can't earn my approval. It has to be the Meimei Puji Taotao that's so good it makes you stomp your little feet. That's the supreme drink at the top of the milk tea evolution chain!
"Boss, one Meimei Puji Taotao, iced with coconut jelly, full sugar!"
Gu Yue's pretty face darkened, and veins bulged at her temple. Who would have thought there was even a hierarchy of contempt in the milk tea world?!
Zhao Xuanzhen fell into thought. They could both drink iced beverages...
Wait, why was he even thinking that?
After silently condemning his own cheap soul, Zhao Xuanzhen ordered a half-sugar Duo Rou Grape.
The three milk teas were freshly prepared. Fruit pulp floated in the Passion Fruit Duet, and fine droplets condensed on the cup wall. The pink-and-white gradient layers of the Meimei Puji Taotao looked especially tempting, its cream cap sprinkled with powdery crystal sugar like stardust. The Duo Rou Grape resembled a deep-purple whirlpool, with konjac crystal balls rising and sinking within it.
The three left the milk tea shop. As their straws pierced the cup lids and the cream caps puffed up like clouds, Na'er took a huge gulp!
"Mmm..."
Na'er smacked her lips, looking disappointed. The Meimei Puji Taotao had not met her expectations, and her gaze quietly shifted to the Duo Rou Grape in Zhao Xuanzhen's hand.
"This one isn't good. I want to drink your Duo Rou Grape!"
"No."
"Zhao Xuanzhen, you're disgusted by me!"
"Yeah."
"How awful! I fed you, lent you my shoulder to sleep on, and now you won't even let me have one sip of your milk tea. How could a human like you be even more cold-blooded than a soul beast?!"
Na'er secretly stepped on Gu Yue's foot and counted her contributions on her fingers.
"...Fine."
Zhao Xuanzhen handed over the Duo Rou Grape. Na'er giggled, but instead of taking it with her hand, she leaned forward, clamped the straw between her lips, and took a fierce gulp.
After releasing the straw, Na'er licked her canine tooth with the tip of her tongue. The fragrant aftertaste burst between her teeth as she said indignantly, "I clearly ordered full sugar! Why does half sugar taste sweeter and better?!
"I'm going to demand an explanation. She'd better give me a reasonable one, or I'll blow up every young married woman in Heaven Dou City!"
"Stop embarrassing yourself. Let's go."
Zhao Xuanzhen grabbed Na'er by the back of her neck and ruthlessly suppressed her. Gu Yue, watching from the side, was in an excellent mood, and an enchanting curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
The three walked together through the tide of people. There was elegance amid the bustle, spirit amid the quiet.
Na'er had already picked out a restaurant while they were on the Soul Guide Train, and she led Zhao Xuanzhen and Gu Yue through streets and alleys.
A thread of fragrance drifted toward them, carrying the fresh scent of an entire river roasted over charcoal. Blue smoke wrapped around the charred aroma and spilled through the entrance, enticing passersby to stop.
Yuhao Grilled Fish.
"You really know how to pick them..."
Zhao Xuanzhen narrowed his eyes. Huo Yuhao had ascended to the God Realm in his twenties, so Yuhao Grilled Fish had little actual connection to Huo Yuhao himself. The founder had merely borrowed Huo Yuhao's tremendous fame to attract customers. Still, Yuhao Grilled Fish had indeed made a name for itself, opening branches in many major cities.
Having endured the divine skill Revive My Lover, Zhao Xuanzhen ignored all mental attacks, including stories about grilled fish.
"Welcome, three guests. Our grilled fish are selected and killed fresh."
A waiter wearing a dark blue apron around his waist greeted them with a cheerful smile. He held a bamboo scoop net and led the three to a wall.
The entire wall had been converted into a three-dimensional aquarium, filled with various kinds of freshwater fish. Droplets splashed by the lively fish flicking their tails landed on the sensory screen, while fill lights cast rippling reflections across the water.
Yuhao Grilled Fish truly deserved to be Heaven Dou City's hottest restaurant. Even though the dinner rush had passed, many customers still surrounded the aquarium to choose fish.
Na'er studied the fish school and mused, "Which one should we pick? I'm a little hungry and want a big fish, but the bigger the fish, the bigger the bones."
Gu Yue continued, "The bigger the bones, the less meat there is."
Zhao Xuanzhen frowned. "The less meat there is, the smaller the fish."
Na'er came to a sudden realization. "So, in conclusion, the bigger the fish, the smaller the fish... Hiss, the more you think about it, the scarier it gets!"
Three Little Children Debate Fish had appeared in the world. The waiter's expression visibly stiffened for a moment, and he instantly broke into a cold sweat!
Just then, through the cover of the aquarium, Zhao Xuanzhen spotted two figures. The adult man had a cold face and an unapproachable aura, while the youth was high-spirited, his large black eyes especially lively.
Wu Changkong and Tang Wulin. In another timeline, after entering Heaven Dou City, Wu Changkong had brought Tang Wulin here to eat Yuhao Grilled Fish.
Tang Wulin's eyesight was excellent, and he likewise saw the three figures choosing fish inside Yuhao Grilled Fish.
"Gu Yue is traveling with them..."
Tang Wulin stared at Gu Yue as she bickered back and forth with Na'er. This was a side of her she had never shown before. At Eastsea Academy, Gu Yue had seemed like an icy machine, yet now she had become a living, breathing person.
"Gu Yue, your classmate is here. He's looking at you," Zhao Xuanzhen reminded her.
Gu Yue raised her eyes and saw Tang Wulin's burning gaze. Then she slightly turned her head and said to Zhao Xuanzhen, "Please put an arm around my shoulder."
"All right."
A hand gently rested upon her swan-like neck and shoulder. Gu Yue's delicate body could not help trembling for an instant. She slowly exhaled, then quietly Teleported a little closer to Zhao Xuanzhen.
Outside the restaurant, Tang Wulin's jaw tightened, and his expression went blank for a moment.
Seeing Gu Yue's iceberg melt and watching her become intimate with Zhao Xuanzhen, Tang Wulin felt somewhat disillusioned. In truth, he and Gu Yue had never been that close. He had never possessed her, yet it felt as though he had lost her countless times in some unseen way, like a toy he had looked at every day while standing on tiptoe, only for a stranger to buy it.
For one instant, he felt relieved. The next, his heart twisted like a knife.
Wu Changkong sensed the change in Tang Wulin's emotions and comforted him with a cold face. "Those two children must be Core Disciples of the Spirit Pagoda. Gu Yue joined the Spirit Pagoda, so it's only natural for them to be close."
"I know." Tang Wulin pressed his lips together. "Teacher Wu, can we go somewhere else? I suddenly don't want grilled fish anymore."
Wu Changkong nodded, and the two turned and left Yuhao Grilled Fish.
Inside, Na'er brushed away Zhao Xuanzhen's hand and glared at him, complaining resentfully, "Touching her shoulder? You're pretty bold. At this rate, who knows what you'll do next!"
Na'er's defenses had completely shattered. Gu Yue, on the other hand, was immensely pleased. Today was only one small step. One day, you'd be the one crying!
"I want that silver fish."
Na'er pointed to an unusual fish. A thin silver line ran along its blue-black dorsal fin.
"That silver one looks special. Let's eat that one."
However, a customer nearby had also taken a liking to the silver fish.
The moment the words fell, two waiters prepared to catch the fish. Then the water suddenly surged, silver scales flashing in a blur. The silver fish streaked through the water like a ray of light and landed precisely in the scoop net beside Zhao Xuanzhen and the others.
"That person wanted our fish too." Na'er blinked. She knew Zhao Xuanzhen had made his move.
"I bought it first, so it's mine."
Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly.
Having been a step too slow and missed out on the silver fish, the customer shrugged and chose another fish instead.
That was how things normally went. The silver fish merely looked unusual; it tasted almost no different from ordinary fish. Was one supposed to deserve to die over a single fish?
The grilled fish arrived on an iron plate, its sizzling oil bursting into golden sparks. Amber charred spots covered its entire body, and its skin was crisp and charred, with pepper grains and perilla flakes scattered over it like stars.
Gu Yue lightly tapped the fish's belly. Amid a crisp crackle, milky white mist spread out, revealing garlic clove-like flesh as white as snow petals. Juices and oil seeped from its fibers and soaked into the lotus leaf beneath it. She elegantly picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, tasted it, and nodded approvingly.
Na'er eagerly placed the fattest crescent meat beside the fish gills into her mouth. Her teeth broke through the skin with a crisp sound like cracking a sugar shell, only to be flooded by scorching fresh juices. The pungent fragrance of Dried Tangerine Peel and Old Ginger swirled over her tongue, and a trace of sweetness climbed up her throat.
"Delicious!"
With that cry, Na'er entered eating mode, tearing through the grilled fish like a whirlwind.
Seeing the sauce-colored stain on her cheek, Zhao Xuanzhen pushed over a bowl of thick, milky soup. It was fish eye stew, with two Exquisite Lotus Pods kneaded from fish paste floating on top.
"Zhao Xuanzhen, where are we delivering Old Han's letter?" Na'er asked indistinctly.
"The Forging Association Headquarters in Heaven Dou City."
Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze grew distant.
Whether delivering the letter or visiting Muye, neither mattered as much as what Zhao Xuanzhen truly intended to do.
The Eight Deceitful Gods required Heaven's Timing, Geographical Advantage, and Human Harmony to accelerate their birth, and each location could nurture only one Eight Deceitful God. The Soaring Serpent had already occupied the Spirit Pagoda. Zhao Xuanzhen wanted to Awaken a second Eight Deceitful God in Heaven Dou City, and its importance was no less than the Soaring Serpent that controlled the Deceitful Soul!
The Dry Gold Image, the power of fierce might!
Before you continue