Parting

Wang Chuan did not actually care much about the two million.

Given his current status and the resources Leng Yaozhu had provided, his personal savings had long surpassed a hundred million.

Two million was merely a drop in the bucket to him.

It was no different from an ordinary family spending a few hundred on something.

But he understood Tang Wulin's personality. He knew that Tang Wulin had strong self-respect and would not want to accept such a great favor for nothing.

So, he nodded and followed Tang Wulin's lead.

"Alright, consider it a loan from me."

"But Wulin, remember this: there's no need to rush to repay it."

"I know you work very hard at Mang Tian Studio, but you're still young. The road ahead is long."

"Cultivation and growth come first. Don't overwork yourself just to repay the money early, or even delay important matters and hurt yourself."

"Understand?"

"Mm! I understand!"

"Thank you, Brother Chuan!"

Tang Wulin nodded vigorously. His gaze toward Wang Chuan was filled with fervent admiration and dependence.

Then, under the Spirit Transmitter's guidance, Tang Wulin entered the specially designated Soul Spirit Fusion Chamber, his heart full of excitement and apprehension.

Wang Chuan and Tang Ziran waited quietly in the waiting area.

Watching this scene, Tang Ziran felt a jumble of emotions. He was happy for his son, deeply grateful for Wang Chuan's generous help, yet faintly worried about how they would repay such a favor in the future.

About half an hour later, the fusion chamber door opened.

Tang Wulin emerged. Although his face was slightly pale from the mental exhaustion, his eyes shone like stars, and his face overflowed with irrepressible joy.

"Brother Chuan! Dad!"

"I succeeded in the fusion!"

He hurried over to the two of them and impatiently released his Martial Soul.

A faint blue-gold glow emerged, and a stalk of Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm. It was more solid than before, with faint golden patterns lining the edges of its leaves.

Immediately afterward, a bright yellow ring rose from beneath his feet, transforming into a hundred-year Soul Ring that pulsed slowly around him.

The Soul Ring's glow was stable, showing that the fusion process had gone extremely smoothly.

Tang Wulin tilted up his little face and looked eagerly at Wang Chuan, his expression plainly screaming, "Praise me."

Seeing him like this, Wang Chuan could not help laughing. He reached out and rubbed Tang Wulin's hair, praising him sincerely.

"Excellent!"

"The fact that your Soul Spirit fusion went so smoothly means you're highly compatible with this Soul Spirit."

"Take your time and properly feel the new power you've gained."

"Mm-hm."

Having received his approval, Tang Wulin was immediately satisfied. He broke into a silly, honest grin.

He carefully withdrew his Martial Soul and Soul Ring.

But that excitement lingered for a long time.

He knew that from the moment he obtained this hundred-year Soul Ring, his life had climbed to a new stage.

And none of it would have been possible without Brother Chuan's help.

This kindness was something Tang Wulin would never forget for all eternity!

As night deepened, the Wang family home glowed warmly.

Yet a faint air of parting sorrow filled the room.

Luo Ya kept up a stream of instructions while deftly giving Wang Chuan's luggage one final inspection.

Every so often, she took out clothes she had already folded, folded them another way, and packed them back in, as though that would ensure her son was a little better cared for while away from home.

"I put your train ticket in this inner compartment. Don't forget it. When you get to the station, take it out early..."

"Once you've settled down in Eastsea City, contact home immediately to let us know you're safe, understand?"

"The Soul Guidance Train leaves at 9:05 tomorrow morning, so don't oversleep..."

Wang Chuan sat patiently at the side, listening to his mother's meticulous reminders. He nodded repeatedly, a reassuring smile on his face.

"Alright, Mom. Don't worry."

"The ticket, Soul Guidance Communicator, spare clothes, common medicinal pills... I've checked them all several times. I won't forget anything."

"I've set an alarm as well."

Seeing her son so calm and composed, as though he had long been ready to fly on his own, Luo Ya's eyes could not help reddening slightly.

Time passed swiftly. That small figure whose collar she had still needed to straighten when he awakened his Martial Soul—

Was now a nine-year-old boy about to graduate from Red Mountain Primary Academy and enter an intermediate academy in distant Eastsea City, where he would begin an independent life of study.

She knew her son was extraordinarily talented, and that a great figure like Leng Yaozhu was looking after him.

But as his mother, how could she possibly let go of that reluctance and concern so easily?

Originally, Leng Yaozhu had hoped Wang Chuan would go directly to Ming Capital, the capital of the Sun Moon Federation, and continue his studies at the foremost Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. The resources and opportunities there were undoubtedly the best.

But after careful consideration, Wang Chuan had still declined his master's kindness and chosen Eastsea Academy in Eastsea City.

He had his reasons.

On one hand, although Eastsea Academy's teaching standards did not match those of Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, they were more than sufficient for his current stage of learning.

More importantly, according to the course of events he knew from the "plot," Na'er would soon regain her memories and leave, while Gu Yue would begin approaching Tang Wulin.

He needed to keep track of the two of them from an appropriate distance.

Tang Wulin was a younger brother he acknowledged, while Na'er was a younger sister he sincerely cherished.

He could not stand by and watch them continue down that original path, one filled with hardship and even tragedy.

Eastsea City happened to be a crucial point in the chain of future events.

Thinking of this, Wang Chuan could not help sighing softly.

Sometimes, he felt less like a transmigrator who had come to this foreign world to make his mark and pursue the pinnacle, and more like an overly worried "nanny."

But on second thought, while cultivation and becoming stronger were indeed fundamental, if he ended up with no one by his side, with only cold cultivation and power remaining, then this road to immortality would be far too lonely.

Tang Wulin's sunny sincerity and Na'er's innocent dependence had long become warmth he could not bear to part with in his life.

So, since he had accepted them—

Then protecting and spoiling them was only natural.

"Big Brother, are you leaving Na'er?"

A soft, tender voice rang out, carrying an unmistakable sob.

At some point, Na'er had arrived at the doorway. Her little hands clung to the doorframe, and her clear silver-purple eyes brimmed with tears as she stared unblinkingly at Wang Chuan, as though the tears would burst forth at any moment.

Wang Chuan's heart softened. He rose, walked over, and crouched before her. Gently rubbing her smooth silver hair, he spoke with unprecedented tenderness.

"Be good, Na'er. Big Brother isn't leaving you. I'm just going to a school farther away."

"Just like you study at Red Mountain Academy, Big Brother also needs to learn new things and become stronger."

"But..."

"But Na'er doesn't want Big Brother to leave..."

The large tears finally rolled down. Na'er sniffled, her small hand clutching tightly at Wang Chuan's clothes, as though Big Brother would disappear the moment she let go.

Wang Chuan gently gathered her into his arms and patted her back soothingly.

"Don't worry. Big Brother promises that whenever I have time, I'll come back to see Na'er."

"And we can talk through the Soul Guidance Communicator, just as if Big Brother were still at home."