Tang Wulin: Shut Up, I Won't Allow You to Speak to Brother Yao Chuan Like That! [Combined]

Tang Wulin stared at the auction list, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

The string of zeros trailing behind the names of the Century-old Ice Crystal Fruit, the Century-old Red Flame Fruit, and the Century-old Dragon-type Soul Beast Essence Blood struck his heart like heavy hammers.

An indescribable sense of awkwardness and embarrassment instantly crawled across his face, leaving it burning hot.

He truly understood what it meant to be "a hero brought to his knees by a single copper coin."

Forget about buying them; just looking at the prices made it difficult for him to breathe.

"This... this is just too..."

Tang Wulin struggled to open his mouth, his voice dry and raspy; the words he wanted to follow were choked off by those astronomical figures, refusing to come out.

Yao Chuan, standing to the side, had already taken in every detail of his reaction.

A knowing curve tugged at the corner of his mouth as he patted Tang Wulin's slightly stiff shoulder.

"Alright, Wulin, don't look like that."

Yao Chuan's voice carried a reassuring steadiness.

"You don't need to worry about the money."

Tang Wulin jerked his head up, his eyes filled with incredulous bewilderment.

"Big Brother Yao, you... what did you say?"

Yao Chuan smiled, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

"I said, I've already bought those items for you."

Tang Wulin was completely stunned, his mind going blank.

"Bought... you bought them?"

Yao Chuan nodded affirmatively.

"Mm, if I calculate the time correctly, the auction house staff should have already set off by now to deliver them directly to our training room."

A massive wave of surprise surged over Tang Wulin, instantly drowning him.

The embarrassment and dejection on his face were swept away, replaced by a wild, disbelieving excitement.

"Really?! Big Brother Yao! This... thank you so much! Truly, I..."

He was so excited he became incoherent, his eyes turning slightly red; the immense pressure had vanished so suddenly that it felt unreal.

He lunged forward and bowed deeply to Yao Chuan.

"Big Brother Yao! I, Tang Wulin, will remember this kindness! In the future, I will definitely..."

However, once the initial euphoria faded, his reason quickly returned.

The moment he thought of the total price of those three items, Tang Wulin's heart sank again.

He straightened his posture, the joy on his face replaced by deep guilt, and his voice became exceptionally firm.

"No! Big Brother Yao, this absolutely won't do! These items are too precious! I... I cannot take them for free! Consider this a loan! I will definitely pay you back! I'll work myself to the bone if I have to, but I will return it! I swear!"

His gaze was incredibly earnest, without a hint of pretense.

Yao Chuan watched him being so serious and didn't insist on pushing back.

He understood the stubbornness in Tang Wulin's bones all too well.

"You kid, pulling this with me."

Yao Chuan shook his head helplessly and reached out to ruffle Tang Wulin's hair, like a truly doting older brother.

"Fine, fine, fine, I can't win against you. We'll do it your way—consider it a loan. Pay me back slowly once you become a Master Blacksmith and have money, alright? It's not like I'm short on cash anyway."

He smiled gently, with a hint of teasing.

"Just think of it as an early investment in a future lucky charm."

Hearing Yao Chuan agree to treat it as a loan, the heavy stone in Tang Wulin's heart finally settled, and a smile returned to his face as he nodded repeatedly.

"Mm! Thank you, Big Brother Yao! I will definitely pay you back as soon as possible!"

Watching Tang Wulin's relieved and grateful expression, a trace of imperceptible satisfaction flashed in the depths of Yao Chuan's eyes.

He was calculating rapidly in his mind.

This "investment" was a massive profit for him, with no losses.

First, by taking the opportunity to supervise Tang Wulin's forging over the past few months, he had managed to siphon off quite a bit of "wool" from the Golden Dragon King essence that passively leaked from the boy's body.

That pure and domineering energy was of immense help to his own cultivation.

The value of these three spiritual items could be considered "venue rental fees" and "compensation" paid to Tang Wulin, the "walking energy vault"—it was perfectly reasonable.

Secondly, and more importantly:

He wanted to use this method—offering help in a time of need, asking for nothing in return while respecting the other party's wishes—to firmly establish the image of a "reliable, thoughtful, and dependable big brother" in Tang Wulin's heart.

The more solid this image became, the more he would be able to significantly diminish the influence of "Old Tang"—the divine consciousness of Tang San sleeping deep within Tang Wulin's sea of consciousness—once it fully awakened in the future.

Judging by the overflowing trust and closeness in Tang Wulin's eyes right now, Yao Chuan felt that this goal had already been more than half achieved.

This kid's favorability and reliance toward him had definitely skyrocketed.

"Alright, now that you have the items, remember to find an absolutely safe place where no one will disturb you when you consume them."

Yao Chuan reined in his thoughts and gave a serious warning.

"Although the effects of such heaven-sent treasures are tyrannical, the process likely won't be easy. You must be extremely careful and prepare yourself well."

Tang Wulin nodded vigorously, his expression solemn.

"I understand, Brother Yao, rest assured! I will definitely find the safest place possible!"

"Mm, then I'll be off. Just wait patiently for the items to be delivered."

Yao Chuan waved his hand and turned to leave with crisp, decisive movements.

He walked away with a carefree air, but he knew clearly in his heart: the upcoming occasion of absorbing the spiritual items and breaking the seal was a "father-son affair." As an outsider, it was best for him to be tactful and leave the space entirely to Tang Wulin and that "father" residing in his sea of consciousness.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Inside the training room, only Tang Wulin remained, waiting anxiously.

He was restless, glancing toward the door every now and then.

His palms were slightly damp with sweat from a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Finally!

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking echoed.

Tang Wulin sprang up as if he had springs in his feet, rushed to the door in a single stride, and yanked it open.

Standing outside was a staff member from the auction house, holding a special, tightly sealed box that looked extremely sturdy at a glance.

"Hello, Mr. Tang. This is the item you won at auction. Please sign for it."

The staff member maintained a professional smile.

Tang Wulin's heart raced, his hands trembling slightly as he took the box and quickly signed his name on the form.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

The staff member left politely.

The heavy door of the training room closed behind him with a dull thud.

Clutching the box, which felt as heavy as a thousand jun, Tang Wulin walked quickly to the center of the training room and set it down with the utmost care.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his heart, which felt as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

Then, he closed his eyes, sank his consciousness deep into his sea of consciousness, and called out to that pale golden figure.

"Old Tang! Old Tang! The items are here! All three are gathered!"

His consciousness was filled with unprecedented excitement and fervor.

Deep within the sea of consciousness.

That pale golden light, under the intense call of Tang Wulin's consciousness, began to ripple slowly.

As the golden light flowed, the outline of a figure—vague yet carrying an aura from the dawn of time—gradually became clear.

Tang San's divine sense had awakened.

However, when his perception instantly synchronized with the outside world, saw the box in front of Tang Wulin, and sensed the three familiar auras within—the very spiritual items needed to break the first seal...

His face, composed of divine sense and meant to be as still as an ancient well, froze instantly.

An indescribable sense of bewilderment, like a thunderbolt from the nine heavens, struck his newly awakened and still somewhat fragile soul!

What was going on?!

Tang San's divine intent fluctuated violently, nearly dissipating.

He could hardly believe his own perception!

According to his estimates, given the child's current family background and strength, gathering these three priceless spiritual items would take at least a few years, perhaps even requiring some special fortuitous encounters.

He had fallen back into a deep slumber to recover his strength after giving his instructions, intending to wake up in a year or so to check on the progress.

But now?!

How much time had passed since he last gave those instructions?!

Two months? Three months?!

How did this kid get them?!

Was this speed... cheating?!

This script was all wrong!!!

However, what shook his soul even more, nearly making him scream out loud, was another crystal-clear perception!

His incredibly keen divine sense instantly captured the aura belonging to the Golden Dragon King's core essence within Tang Wulin's body.

This power remained strong, tyrannical, and lay dormant with destructive might.

But!

The total volume of this power... seemed to have decreased by a tiny bit since he last fell into a deep slumber?!

Although the amount lost was like a drop in the ocean or a single hair from nine oxen compared to the vast, abyssal origin power of the Golden Dragon King, and could almost be ignored.

But!

To this wisp of Tang San's divine soul, which resided within the sea of consciousness of Tang Wulin and was inextricably linked to the seal of the Golden Dragon King, with its perception amplified to the extreme...

This loss, so minute that an ordinary person would never notice it, was as clear as a firefly in the dead of night!

It was like a pebble cast into a calm lake, the ripples it stirred up magnified infinitely within his divine soul's perception!

"Loss?!"

Tang San's divine soul trembled violently, his pale golden silhouette flickering as if it might collapse at any moment from sheer shock.

"How could there be a loss?!"

"The core essence of the Golden Dragon King is sealed deep within Wulin's spine, locked tight by my power and layers of seals! Theoretically, unless the seal loosens, it is absolutely impossible for even a sliver to leak out on its own!"

"Yet now... the seal remains intact, but the power has diminished?"

"Though the amount is pitifully small, it has undeniably decreased!"

"Who did this?!"

"Who could silently extract a wisp of the Golden Dragon King's origin essence from outside the seal I laid down?!"

"This... this is absolutely impossible!"

"Unless..."

An extremely absurd and heart-stopping thought uncontrollably surfaced.

"Unless an existence of the same level... or perhaps an even higher level, has taken action?"

"But in this world..."

Immense shock, mixed with deep confusion and an indescribable sense of vigilance, washed over Tang San's newly awakened divine soul like freezing seawater.

He looked at Tang Wulin outside, who was flushed with excitement and cradling the box as if it were a rare treasure, and then looked at those three spiritual items that should not have been obtained so easily...

A feeling of intense dissonance, like a cold viper, coiled around the core of his divine consciousness.

"Something is wrong!"

"This feeling... it's far too wrong!"

Tang San's divine consciousness roared silently in the depths of the sea of consciousness, a massive question mark threatening to shatter his fragile wisp of divine thought.

"There is definitely a problem!"

"A huge problem!"

After his internal lament, Tang San's divine soul suddenly withdrew.

He grew suspicious the very first moment.

This matter was not right!

He had to get to the bottom of it immediately!

"Wulin," Tang San's divine voice sounded as calm as possible, carrying a hint of perfectly measured concern, "these three spiritual items were not easily obtained, were they? Was there any... special fortune involved? Could you tell me how it happened?"

Tang Wulin was currently immersed in immense joy and deep gratitude toward Yao Chuan, completely off his guard.

He did not think twice about the probing tone in Tang San's words.

"Yes, Old Tang," Tang Wulin's voice was filled with sincerity, "this is all thanks to Brother Yao Chuan! He knew I was in urgent need, so he specifically helped me win these three spiritual items at auction! I... I really don't know how to thank him enough!"

In his words, the trust and gratitude toward Yao Chuan were practically overflowing.

Tang San's divine consciousness sank abruptly.

Yao Chuan!

It was this Yao Chuan again!

He had previously felt that the timing of this person's appearance and the abilities he displayed were far too bizarre.

Hearing now that it was Yao Chuan who had managed to acquire these three century-old spiritual items—which even ordinary soul master families might not easily gather—his suspicions instantly climbed to their peak.

Deep-minded!

Scheming for something grand!

He was definitely not someone to be trifled with!

A strong sense of crisis exploded in Tang San's heart.

This Yao Chuan was likely targeting his son, or rather, targeting the origin of the Golden Dragon King sealed within his son's body!

No!

He had to make Wulin stay away from this person!

"Wulin," Tang San's voice became unprecedentedly serious, carrying the unique majesty of divine power, as he attempted to suppress Tang Wulin's blind gratitude, "listen to this old man!"

"Pies do not fall from the sky for no reason! This man is deep and calculating, and his generosity is so extravagant that it is definitely not out of simple kindness!"

"He who offers favors without cause has either a hidden agenda or a thief's heart! You must understand that the karma of this world is the hardest to repay!"

"You are still young and do not know the sinister nature of the human heart!"

"Take this old man's advice: this person... is absolutely not a good soul. You must stay away from him!"

"Do not be deceived by his outward appearance, lest you live to regret it!"

These words from Tang San came straight from the heart, containing the deepest worries of a long-time father for his own naive and innocent son.

He genuinely and sincerely believed that Yao Chuan harbored ulterior motives and would bring harm to Tang Wulin.

However!

These words, falling into the ears of Tang Wulin, who had just received a massive favor from Yao Chuan, were like igniting a live volcano!

A nameless rage instantly shattered Tang Wulin's reason!

Brother Yao Chuan had reached out to help him without asking for anything in return during his most desperate and helpless moments, solving the very problems that had nearly crushed him!

Brother Yao Chuan had poured out all his knowledge during his forging practice, strict yet filled with expectation!

In his heart, Brother Yao Chuan was as reliable as an elder brother, a presence worthy of his absolute trust!

But now, this so-called "father" (divine consciousness), who had never even met Brother Yao Chuan, was using such vicious language to slander his benefactor and his brother based on nothing but conjecture!

How could he endure this?!

Tang Wulin's eyes turned blood-red in an instant, and an unprecedented fury surged straight to his crown.

He did not even notice that the Golden Dragon King bloodline dormant within his body had been stirred by this anger, faintly emitting a low roar.

"Shut up!!"

The roar exploded like a thunderclap deep within his sea of consciousness!

Tang Wulin's voice was filled with rage and unquestionable firmness!

"I will not allow you to speak of my Brother Yao Chuan like that!!!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer, smashing fiercely against Tang San's divine consciousness!

The space within the sea of consciousness seemed to freeze.

A deathly silence took hold.

The light cluster of Tang San's divine consciousness fluctuated violently, flickering on and off, revealing the extreme shock and... bewilderment of its master?

For a few seconds, his mind was completely blank.

Wh... what?

Shut... up?!

Not... allowed?!

He... he, the dignified God King of the Divine Realm, the existence who controlled the Divine Realm's hub, the dual-title holder of the Sea God and Asura God, the God King Tang (Buddha Tang) whose mere foot-stomp could make the entire Divine Realm tremble...

Had just been... scolded by his own son?!!

And it was that kind of extremely crude, merciless scolding?!