A dazzling array of delicacies covered the table—steamed, fried, stir-fried, boiled, and even cold dishes.
This was the fullest Tang Wulin had eaten in the three years since awakening his Martial Soul.
The exquisite, high-grade food turned into waves of warmth within him, spreading through every inch of his body.
The cells that had fallen dormant from malnutrition over the past three years were thoroughly revived by this hearty feast.
Tang Wulin even had the subjective feeling that, after one dinner, he had grown noticeably taller.
Half a pot of rice and most of the dishes on the table disappeared into his bottomless stomach.
Even Mang Tian, rough as he was, was dumbfounded by that appetite. The way he looked at Tang Ziran and Lang Yue carried a trace of admiration.
Seeing this, Long Zijin smiled faintly. The first step in disrupting Tang San's plan had been properly set in motion.
He glanced at Na'er, who was intermittently lost in thought, and saw the two clearly distinct trains of thought in her eyes...
He did not interfere. Instead, he drained the last half-mouthful of Purple Brew, rose to his feet, and said, "Please enjoy yourselves. It's getting late, so I'll head back to the Spirit Pagoda first."
With that, Long Zijin set down his goblet and headed outside with Di Guangming...
Though Lang Yue was astonished by his deep connections—he could casually obtain ingredients fit for the celebration banquet she had enjoyed only after her research breakthrough in her younger years—
She did not forget to pat her son on the shoulder and lower her voice. "Wulin, hurry and see them off."
"Okay!" Tang Wulin put down the plate he had been eagerly licking clean and dashed after them.
The evening breeze rustled softly as the crowds flowed without end.
Streams of soul-guided cars roared beneath the overpass.
Long Zijin strolled slowly, admiring the scattered lights and unhurried pace of the little human city.
Tang Wulin followed beside him, unsure how to start a conversation. In the end, he could only force out, "Thank you, Brother Long."
"What are you thanking me for?" Long Zijin turned to ask.
Tang Wulin hurriedly replied, "Of course I'm thanking you for lending me sixty thousand Federal Coins at noon today, and for agreeing to sponsor my schooling now."
"Mom and Dad never say it, but I know that living expenses in Aolai City must be far lower than in a big city. So, to make sure I don't go hungry, they'll definitely have to work even harder."
"They don't say it, but I know too... I'm almost becoming a burden this family can no longer bear."
As he spoke, Tang Wulin clenched the hem of his shirt. A misty sheen once more filled his beautiful eyes.
But he quickly clenched his fists and strengthened his resolve. "But please don't worry. I'll soon be able to complete Thousand Refinement on my own and become a Rank 2 Blacksmith. Teacher Mang Tian told me so himself."
"Once I can take on part-time work independently, I'll earn lots and lots of money and pay you back!"
Listening to his impassioned words, Long Zijin merely walked on in silence without offering any response.
Until Tang Wulin felt as though his steps were about to tangle together.
Long Zijin suddenly said, "It's been three years. Have you ever regretted choosing the path of a Soul Master?"
Tang Wulin lowered his head and fell silent...
Yes, perhaps he had simply been unlucky.
Ever since he had awakened his Martial Soul and decided to become a Soul Master, he had not received a single piece of good news in three years.
A useless Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, a defective Soul Spirit, his mutated Martial Soul affecting his body and gradually draining his family dry, his teacher looking down on him and classmates mocking him, the calluses on his hands growing thicker and thicker...
"I've felt upset about it, but I don't regret it." Tang Wulin suddenly raised his lowered head.
But Long Zijin's way of asking questions was always so unusual. "Do you love your teacher? That Rank 6 Blacksmith?"
"Teacher Mang Tian?" Tang Wulin nodded instinctively. "I do. Of course I do."
"Teacher Mang Tian taught me all my blacksmithing skills. Other than Mom, Dad, and Na'er, he's the person I respect and love most, most, most, most!"
"Then do you think he loves you?" Long Zijin was like a Goddess of Love, laying bare the emotions of the human world.
Tang Wulin continued rubbing the hem of his clothes, speaking quietly and uncertainly. "Well... I think he does?"
"True love is mutual and two-way." Long Zijin suddenly stopped.
He turned to face him directly. "He has selfish motives. His love is very selfish."
"He wants you to make progress in Soul Power cultivation, but he does not want you to go too far down the path of a Soul Master. He wants to keep you on the path of blacksmithing, so you can achieve the dream he himself never reached."
"Huh? Why do you say that?" Tang Wulin scratched his head.
Though he was mature for his age, his comprehension was ultimately still that of a nine-year-old child.
Long Zijin spoke frankly. "He is a Rank 6 Grandmaster. He came to live in seclusion in a small city only because he believed his future held no hope. To him, one million Federal Coins is nothing—unless he does not love you, or perhaps..."
"He does not want you to devote too much attention to becoming a Soul Master while walking the path of blacksmithing."
A violet gleam flashed through his Pure Gold Eyes. Long Zijin turned and continued, "Although Soul Power cultivation is essential if one wishes to become a top-tier blacksmith, a person's energy and lifespan are always limited."
"No one can excel in every aspect. Perhaps your great dream of becoming a Soul Master and his great dream of becoming a Divine Blacksmith have, more or less, come into conflict."
"Now that your family is struggling financially and your teacher is no longer supporting you, will you still persist on the path of a Soul Master?"
"I... I..." Tang Wulin hesitated.
"You don't need to answer me now. Over the next few days, ask yourself properly. Ask your true self." Long Zijin turned and walked down the overpass.
"Oh, right."
Beneath the overpass, he suddenly turned his head. His voice drifted from afar. "If you still can't eat your fill during this period, come find me at the Spirit Pagoda."
"The meals will be the same as tonight's."
By the time Tang Wulin came back to his senses and wanted to catch up to thank him again, that cluster of Amethyst Flowing Cloud had already entered the distant scattered lights.
He was left standing blankly alone on the overpass.
Not far behind Tang Wulin.
Na'er was also standing at the doorway, lost in thought.
Over the past two days, these confused spells had been happening to her more and more often.
She knew in her heart that the day she would have to bid farewell to this little family and fulfill her duty as the ruler of all soul beasts was close at hand.
When she looked back, she saw her adoptive parents clearing the bowls and dishes. The two of them were squeezed into the kitchen, whispering as if discussing some secret matter.
Suddenly, Na'er felt someone stroke her hair, and the sensation was wonderfully comforting.
When she turned around, Tang Wulin had already returned. A bright smile spread across his face; he was still that cheerful boy.
"Big Brother!"
The Holy Dragon King no longer used the Time-Traveling Dragon.
He was accompanying the Dragon Emperor, walking along the edge of the human world's everyday bustle.
All of a sudden, he felt compelled to say something presumptuous. "Your Majesty, you've become more complicated."
Long Zijin was silent for two seconds, unsure whether he was questioning him or asking himself. "Have I?"
"Perhaps choosing to fulfill A-Jin's wishes before I died was a mistake."
"So I also want to see whether, when faced with the same choice, a different soul—after receiving the right guidance—will make the right choice."
Before you continue