"..."
Not long after, in the student dormitory, Tang Wulin entered his room with a smile.
But as soon as he sat down on his bed, his expression turned grave. He gritted his teeth, anger plain on his face.
Without the slightest hesitation, he lay down and entered his consciousness space.
"Hmm?"
"Wulin, why are you..."
Tang San, dressed in a black robe, froze and had just started to speak when the person before him strode up, face full of fury and teeth clenched.
"Old Tang! Tell me, what exactly is going on? Did you have anything to do with it?"
Tang Wulin was nearly beside himself with rage.
This was the first time he had taken the initiative to speak to Old Tang.
And this time, he was truly angry—a man in a black robe, another man in a black robe.
He was dressed almost exactly like Old Tang. Those detestable black-robed men! As if hurting him wasn't enough, one of them had even hurt his friend Xie Xie. How could anyone be so awful?
"Wulin, it's a long story. Even I didn't expect someone coveting your bloodline to come after you so soon."
"If I hadn't intervened earlier, something would have happened to you by now. He was far more powerful than you could imagine."
"I'm already considering whether I should have you leave Eastsea City. It's no longer safe here."
Tang San's face was full of helplessness as he spoke.
Di Tian had even made a move. He was the strongest being in the Star Dou Great Forest, and the only one truly close to God Rank. How could Tang San have expected Wulin, who was only a one-ring Soul Master, to encounter such a formidable enemy?
What he couldn't understand was...
Where were Wulin's parents?
They were both true God-Rank powerhouses. At a time like this, could they still not have broken through Douluo Continent's source? Could they really not sense Wulin?
"..."
Hearing Tang San's words, Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.
"Coveting my bloodline?"
"Old Tang, watch what you say. This isn't my bloodline. It's the Golden Dragon Bloodline—the Golden Dragon King sealed inside me, with countless ties to you!"
He gritted his teeth and shouted angrily.
What did he mean, his bloodline? He was an ordinary human. How could he possibly have the Golden Dragon King's bloodline? Wasn't it because of the other man?
His friend Xie Xie had nearly been hurt, too!
Every calamity, every misfortune that had befallen him—
It had all come from the man before him.
"You... Child, I know you're angry, but you shouldn't take it out on me."
Tang San froze. For a moment, he fell silent. Was this what he wanted to see?
Wulin, why was he taking his anger out on him?
"Listen!"
"If it weren't for you, if it weren't for this inexplicable Golden Dragon King Seal, would I be like this?"
"I'm just an ordinary person!"
"Old Tang, can't you just leave me alone—"
Tang Wulin's eyes reddened. After gasping out those words, he returned to reality without hesitation. Leaning against the side of his bed, he burst into tears, feeling utterly wronged.
He didn't understand.
What had he done wrong?
He worked hard at blacksmithing, worked hard to earn money, and worked hard to cultivate, all so he and his family could live a better life.
But now, everything had changed.
He might not even be able to live in peace, and the people around him were at risk of being harmed, too. Why did he have to go through all this?
All he wanted was to live happily with his family!
His parents' faces flashed through his mind, and Tang Wulin sobbed louder and louder. He was still a child, after all. No matter how strong he tried to be, he was only nine years old!
"Wulin..."
Tang San sighed. He didn't know how to comfort the child. At a time like this, it was best to let him have some peace and quiet.
"Damn Dragon Clan! Damn Beast Clan!"
"One day, when I return, I'll slaughter every last one of you! Hmm, except Xiao Wu!"
Tang San thought, his heart brimming with murderous intent.
"..."
A little while later, back in the dormitory, Tang Wulin—his eyes red from crying—checked the time and wiped away his tears before heading outside.
A minute later, he was jogging downstairs toward the athletic field.
He took out the Thousand-Refined Heavy Silver Vest he'd had made specifically for training his body from his Soul Tool. It was designed to improve his physical fitness.
Improving his physique had always been part of his daily routine, just as essential as blacksmithing and cultivation.
Ever since Big Brother Lu Li had told him about this kind of training, he had never forgotten it—not even today.
As he thought about it, Tang Wulin put on the vest with practiced ease and began running laps. By the eighth lap, another figure had appeared beside him without him noticing.
"Well, look who it is—Tang Wulin, my junior."
At the sound of the melodious voice, Tang Wulin glanced over instinctively. A youthful, radiant figure had come up beside him.
She looked about twelve or thirteen, with her hair tied in a pretty high ponytail. Wearing the uniform of an upperclassman, she smiled at him.
"S-Senior..."
Tang Wulin froze, then smiled back. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her, but...
His senior was still so beautiful.
"Hi to you, too..."
"Wait, something's wrong. Why have you been crying?"
The girl took one look at his tear-reddened eyes and visibly froze. Her smile faltered, and she came to a stop.
"You're so cute. You won't look as good if you cry. Let me tell you, a real man shouldn't shed tears..."
She looked at him and spoke earnestly.
"I... I was thinking about my family. I've never been away from them before. Thank you for your concern, Senior."
Tang Wulin stopped as well and gave her a shy smile, answering earnestly.
"So that's it. I'm sure your parents miss you just as much. You're a wonderful child, and parents only find it even harder to be apart from their children."
The girl smiled at him as she said this.
"Mom and Dad..."
"They must miss me a lot!"
Tang Wulin nodded seriously as he replied.
"That's more like it. You should be your adorable self."
The girl smiled, clearly pleased.
"Th-Thank you..."
Tang Wulin blushed and rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
"You're so shy."
"Anyway, don't cry anymore. Oh, I remember—I promised to tell you my name the next time we met."
"Remember this: your senior's name is Ouyang Zixin."
Ouyang Zixin smiled and patted his head, her face full of concern as she spoke warmly.
"I'll remember, Senior."
Tang Wulin nodded solemnly as he replied.
In the glow of the setting sun, the boy's shy smile and the girl's lively energy formed a striking contrast, then gradually blended together.
"..."
Early the next morning.
"Now that everyone's here, let's get started."
In Class Zero's classroom, Lu Li looked over everyone who had shown up and smiled.
"Yes, Teacher Lu Li. But why are you the only one here today? Where's Teacher Wu...?"
Tang Wulin and the others answered, but when they saw that Lu Li was alone, they couldn't help feeling puzzled.
"Your Teacher Wu is going through something major at this stage. By the time he gets here, he won't be a Six-Ring Soul Emperor anymore."
Lu Li chuckled. He'd checked on the way over, and Wu Changkong was still in his office, absorbing the medicinal effects of the Mysterious Ice Grass.
"Teacher Wu is about to break through to Soul Saint?"
"That's wonderful!"
The others' eyes lit up at his words. They all realized how significant this was.
They'd been looking forward to his breakthrough and return for ages.
"So I'll be taking you through today's lesson on my own. It's still a practical class. Come on, let's head downstairs."
Lu Li smiled faintly.
"Yes, Teacher Lu Li!"
"..."
"Wait."
Not long after, when they arrived at the athletic field, they quickly realized what was going on.
"Teacher Lu Li, Teacher Wu isn't here today."
"We're..."
"Going to fight you?"
Tang Wulin suddenly thought of something and trailed off.
"..."
And he wasn't the only one. At that moment, the others also realized something was off.
"You...?"
"We're fighting you?"
Xie Xie's eyes widened. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi fell silent, while Wei Xiaofeng's jaw had already dropped. They all stared in disbelief, swallowing nervously.
The five Soul Masters and Soul Grandmasters of Class Zero...
Were they supposed to fight a Titled Douluo?
"Big Brother Lu Li..."
Even Gu Yue seemed at a loss for words. She blinked, her beautiful eyes filled with complicated emotions, as if she were wondering whether all humans had strange ideas.
Someone like Big Brother Lu Li...
Could he have strange ideas, too?
It seemed like making him submit to her one day would be quite the experience. Hmm?
A strange glint flashed through Gu Yue's eyes as she thought to herself.
"..."
Before you continue