Setting Off!

At the same time.

On the way back to the dormitory.

Tang Ya walked with her head down, not saying a word.

Bei Bei walked by her side, remaining silent.

Xu Sanshi trailed at the back, arms crossed, lost in his own thoughts.

After walking for a long time, Tang Ya suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Bei Bei."

Bei Bei looked at her: "Hmm?"

Tang Ya lifted her head; her eyes were slightly red, but she wasn't crying.

"Was I too impatient?"

She asked, her voice muffled:

"He's only six years old, he just arrived at the academy, and I was already in such a rush to pull him into the Tang Sect... does that make me look foolish?"

Bei Bei was silent for a second.

Then, he reached out and ruffled Tang Ya's hair.

"Not foolish," he said. "You just want the Tang Sect to be better."

Tang Ya pursed her lips.

Bei Bei withdrew his hand, his gaze drifting toward the distance.

"But he was right."

"Six years old, level thirty, possessing a hundred-thousand-year Contract Beast."

"Someone like that really shouldn't be bound by any faction."

He lowered his head, looking at Tang Ya:

"Let him walk his own path."

"When he gets tired of walking, when he's gone far enough and wants a place to rest his feet."

"The Tang Sect will still be here."

Tang Ya was stunned.

She looked at Bei Bei and suddenly smiled.

"Bei Bei, when did you become so good with words?"

Bei Bei smiled but didn't answer.

He simply looked up at the night sky.

Moonlight spilled down.

The river of stars flowed on.

That young man's journey had only just begun.

And he, he only wanted to watch from afar.

To see just how far he could go.

Late at night.

Sea God Pavilion.

Elder Mu sat by the window, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands.

Yan Shaozhe stood behind him.

"Teacher, did you... intentionally have Bei Bei and the others stay behind today?" Yan Shaozhe asked.

Elder Mu didn't answer, only looking out the window.

After a long while, he spoke:

"Shaozhe, how much longer do you think I have to live?"

Yan Shaozhe was silent.

Elder Mu continued: "One year? Two years? Three years at most."

"After three years, when I am gone, who will protect him?"

Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Elder Mu turned his head to look at him:

"That is why I need more people to know his secret."

"Not so that more people will protect him."

"It is to bind more people to him."

Yan Shaozhe was stunned.

Elder Mu looked back out the window.

"Those three children, including Bei Bei, all have good talent."

"Especially Bei Bei, with his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, and he even possesses the bloodline of the Radiant Sacred Dragon. His future floor is at least that of a Title Douluo."

"Let them witness Bai Lan's potential with their own eyes, and let them become Bai Lan's companions."

"One day in the future, when I am no longer here, they will be Bai Lan's backing."

Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath.

His teacher was thinking much further ahead than he was.

"But teacher..." He hesitated for a moment: "What if they can't keep the secret?"

Elder Mu smiled.

"Can't keep it?"

He shook his head, his gaze profound:

"Do you think that after witnessing Bai Lan's true strength, they would be willing to let him die?"

Yan Shaozhe was taken aback.

Elder Mu picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.

"People are all like this. When you have no connection to a genius, you might be jealous of him, or even want to destroy him."

"But when you become partners, friends, and a community of shared destiny..."

"You will protect him at all costs."

He set down the teacup and looked out the window.

Under the moonlight, that golden Tiangang Bamboo stood quietly by the lake, with Yinxing sitting beside it, gazing up at the starry sky.

"Because protecting him is protecting yourself."

Yan Shaozhe fell silent.

After a long while, he spoke:

"Teacher, are you really going to Shadow Valley in person tomorrow?"

Elder Mu nodded.

"But your health..."

"My body can still hold up." Elder Mu waved his hand: "Besides, this time it is mainly for him to make a move."

Yan Shaozhe was stunned: "Let him make a move?"

Elder Mu smiled, his expression carrying a hint of cunning:

"Last time he wanted to show off his skills, but it was ruined by my sudden appearance."

"This time, I will let him fight to his heart's content."

"I am mainly going there to hold the line."

Yan Shaozhe was silent for a second, then he also smiled.

"Teacher, you are letting him use this as practice."

Elder Mu did not deny it.

He stood up and walked to the window.

"A thirty-thousand-year Tiangang Bamboo, a hundred-thousand-year Void Butterfly Empress."

"It is time to let him test just how strong he really is."

The next morning.

Bai Lan had just finished his night of cultivation when a knock came at the door.

He got up to open it.

Outside, Yinxing stood quietly.

"Master," she said, "Elder Mu asked me to come and get you."

Bai Lan nodded and followed her out of the dormitory.

By the lake, the golden light of the Tiangang Bamboo was exceptionally dazzling in the morning sun.

Elder Mu stood beneath the bamboo, his hands behind his back.

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head.

"You're here?"

Bai Lan walked over and bowed: "Elder Mu."

Elder Mu nodded, looking at him.

"Rested well?"

"I have."

"Then let's go."

Elder Mu turned and walked toward the outside of the academy.

Bai Lan followed him.

After a few steps, he suddenly asked:

"Elder Mu, just the two of us?"

Elder Mu didn't even turn his head:

"What, you think that's too few?"

Bai Lan shook his head: "No, it's just..."

He paused, then asked: "Are you not going to intervene?"

Elder Mu stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at him.

There was a hint of amusement in those eyes.

"Do you want me to intervene?"

Bai Lan was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"I don't."

Elder Mu smiled as well.

"That's right."

He turned around and continued walking forward.

His voice drifted back from the front:

"Kid, on this trip, unless you are on the verge of death, I will not lift a finger."

"Let me see just how strong you really are."

Bai Lan stood where he was, watching his back.

The morning light shone on that aged frame, casting a long shadow.

He took a deep breath and followed.

Behind them, Yinxing silently caught up.

The Tiangang Bamboo transformed into a streak of golden light, vanishing into the Contract Book.

The lakeside returned to tranquility.

Only on the surface of the lake did a faint golden reflection remain.

The next morning.

The sky was barely bright, and the morning mist had yet to disperse.

Outside the gates of Shrek City, two figures stood silently.

Elder Mu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant main road, his expression calm.

Bai Lan stood by his side, a simple bundle slung over his waist, his gaze fixed on that massive city gate.

"Let's go." Elder Mu spoke, turning to walk out of the city.

Bai Lan followed.

After a few steps, he suddenly asked: "Elder Mu, where is Shadow Valley?"

"Southwest of the Star Luo Empire, near Illusion Valley." Elder Mu didn't turn his head: "It's about a five-day journey from here."

Five days.

Bai Lan calculated silently in his heart.

Five days is enough time for many things to happen.

Enough time to meet many people.

Enough time to... fight many battles.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Elder Mu seemed to sense something and glanced back at him.

There was a hint of amusement in those eyes.

"What, are you looking forward to it?"

Bai Lan did not deny it: "A little."

Elder Mu laughed.

"Then let's go."

He turned around and continued walking forward.

The morning light shone on his aged back, casting a long shadow.

Bai Lan watched that shadow and suddenly asked:

"Elder Mu, are you really not going to intervene?"

Elder Mu did not even turn his head:

"Unless you are about to die."

Bai Lan smiled.

"That's good."