Three Years Later

Three years later

"Old Tang, what do I need to prepare before I can break the third seal?"

Tang Wulin stood up and brushed the dust off himself, then asked again in his mind.

"Are you sure you want to break through the third seal now? Think it over carefully. The faster you break through, the sooner the seals behind it will start to loosen."

"At this rate, you might soon face a series of breakthroughs. If you can't break the seals, you know what the consequences will be."

"Mm. I've made up my mind."

Tang Wulin nodded. Old Tang had already told him what would happen if he failed to break through.

But if he shrank back in the face of hardship, how could he save his parents from Qiangu Wuji—or kill Gu Yue and take her power?

A year of wandering had taught him one thing: weakness was a sin. Without power, he couldn't even protect his own family.

He would grow stronger—stronger than everyone else!

He would make Gu Yue regret looking down on him!

"Ah! Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you."

Old Tang sighed in his mind, then continued.

"First, break through another rank. You're breaking the seals too quickly, and your body can't keep up. To be safe, reach the Three-Ring level before you break the third seal."

"Three-Ring?"

Tang Wulin murmured, then nodded. Only then did he raise his hand, and a wisp of Blue Silver Grass, wreathed in faint black smoke, appeared in his palm.

Two purple Soul Rings tinged with red floated quietly around his feet.

Looking at the two purple Soul Rings, Tang Wulin's gaze grew especially complicated.

Another figure surfaced in his mind.

He had encountered her by chance while traveling across the continent. A battle had been raging at the time.

A group of unknown Soul Masters were fighting the Federation's enforcement squad.

Amid the chaos, a mysterious figure sat quietly at the edge of the battlefield, shrouded in black smoke. He couldn't make out her face; all he knew was that she was a woman. She sat there like a lone, aloof queen.

Before her, a Titled Douluo and all kinds of powerful Soul Masters formed a wall.

The battle was one-sided from the very beginning. The Federation's forces were slaughtered, and the entire battlefield ran red with blood.

Tang Wulin had thought he was as good as dead. Strangely, however, that woman hadn't killed him. Instead, she'd read his thoughts with a single question.

"Are you longing for revenge?"

Tang Wulin had just started to answer when she waved her hand, and someone carried him away.

For a long time, Tang Wulin was kept in one place.

Every day, people there chanted before him.

"May holy light shine upon the land and bring the Holy Spirit into the world."

When he finally regained his freedom, he discovered that his Soul Spirit had been upgraded to a Thousand-Year Soul Spirit, and his Soul Power had increased considerably as well.

Looking back, Tang Wulin had a fair idea who those people were.

They were probably the legendary Evil Soul Masters.

He was confused.

"Old Tang, if I join the Evil Soul Masters for the sake of power, does that mean I'll become a bad person?"

Old Tang: "..."

"Child, whether you're a bad person depends on how you use that power. If you're only seeking revenge and fighting for justice, what's wrong with that?"

That was right!

He was only seeking revenge. Was there really anything wrong with that? Qiangu Wuji had been throwing his weight around and pushing him into a corner because of his birth. And Gu Yue coveted his power, with a heart full of wicked schemes!

Everything he did was only to seek justice. What was wrong with that?

Exactly!

He wasn't the one at fault. It was those people who kept pushing him around!

Murmuring to himself, Tang Wulin clenched his fist. Then, without another moment's hesitation, he slowly made his way out of the forest.

Three years later...

Aolai City.

Winter had arrived, and snow fell thick and fast. The streets and alleys were blanketed in white.

In the courtyard of the old house, the now-grown Qiangu Wuji was building a snowman with Na'er.

Three years had changed his appearance considerably.

For starters, he'd grown nearly half a head taller, reaching close to one and a half meters. His hair had returned to its original style, long and straight, and golden. His appearance hadn't changed much; he was still every bit as beautiful.

If he'd still looked like a little boy as a child, now anyone who saw him would say he was a little girl.

Even Leng Yaozhu often wondered aloud whether she'd given birth to a son or a daughter.

"Brother Wuji, are you leaving for Eastsea Academy tomorrow?"

Before long, they had built a lifelike snowman. Na'er crouched on the ground in her fluffy gloves, blowing warm air into her hands as she asked.

"Yeah. I've been here long enough."

Qiangu Wuji smiled and ruffled her hair. Na'er had grown quite a bit over the past three years, too. She'd once been half a head shorter than him, but now she was almost his height.

Looking at Na'er's smooth silver hair, he found the resemblance rather amusing. The way things stood, she and he seemed more like the Silver Dragon King and the Golden Dragon King.

"Then what about me, Brother Wuji? What will I do after you leave?"

Na'er tossed her head in displeasure.

She was clearly sulking.

Seeing her pout, Qiangu Wuji couldn't help laughing.

"What, are you afraid I'll leave you behind? You're so cute, Na'er. How could I bear to abandon you?"

"Brother Wuji, you're lying. You're going to Eastsea Academy soon. How will I see you once you're there?"

Na'er clearly wasn't so easily fooled. She puffed out her cheeks and glared at him.

Qiangu Wuji fell silent. He'd already received an invitation from Eastsea Academy.

And once he went there, he couldn't take Na'er with him. She still hadn't awakened her Martial Soul.

That really was a problem.

"Na'er, don't pester your Brother Wuji. Don't worry, he'll come back. You'll have plenty of chances to see him."

Just as he was at a loss for how to answer, a soft laugh came from outside, interrupting them.

Qiangu Wuji looked toward the voice and saw Leng Yaozhu approaching with a smile, dressed in thick winter clothes.

"Mom, you're back."

Leng Yaozhu came over and glanced at Na'er before turning to Qiangu Wuji.

"Wuji, you don't need to worry about Na'er. I've already arranged a place for her."

"Arranged a place for her?"

Qiangu Wuji frowned slightly. Did that mean she was going to send Na'er away?

Na'er froze too. Her big eyes filled with tears, and she looked ready to cry.

"What are you thinking? I just can't take Na'er with me. It doesn't mean I don't want her," Leng Yaozhu said, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry at their expressions. "And the place she's going isn't far from our home. You can visit her whenever you come back."

As she spoke, she waved a hand.

"Anyway, let's leave that for now. You two go change. Then come with me to meet someone."

"Meet someone?" Qiangu Wuji asked, confused. "Who? And why do we have to change?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

Leng Yaozhu didn't explain. Instead, she took both of them by the hand and led them inside.

The three soon entered the living room. Leng Yaozhu pointed to a brand-new set of clothes on the sofa and urged them,

"You two, put these on."

Qiangu Wuji looked over. His jaw nearly dropped, and he stammered,

"Why are these formal clothes?"

Leng Yaozhu gave a cold laugh.

"To make that guy jealous, of course!"

"That guy?"

Leng Yaozhu said two words, her voice icy.

"Yun Ming."