Teacherly Support, Silver Farewell!

Aolai City's evenings always carried a grand yet decadent golden-red hue.

Outside Mang Tian Workshop, the engine of the divine mecha rumbled softly, and the air currents it stirred tousled everyone's hair.

"Linyuan."

Zhen Hua patted Tang Linyuan on the shoulder, his gaze full of affection and expectation.

"Although I'd love to take you back to Heaven Dou City right now and throw you into my Forging Room for round-the-clock training,

I respect your choice. On a Soul Master's path, one's foundation is the most important thing."

"Since you've already mastered Spirit Refinement, the next step is accumulation."

Zhen Hua took a yellowed notebook from his robes and handed it to Tang Linyuan.

"This contains my insights on 'Fusion Refinement.' After Spirit Refinement comes the attempt to fuse multiple metals and create alloys with stronger properties. It doesn't require especially high Soul Power, so it suits your current stage perfectly."

"I'll come to Eastsea City once a month to check on your progress. But remember, when you're ready to challenge Level Seven Soul Forging, you must return to Heaven Dou City with me."

"Your disciple understands." Tang Linyuan accepted the notebook with both hands and bowed solemnly. "I will not disappoint Teacher's high expectations."

Meanwhile, Mu Chen was also giving Tang Wulin some instructions.

"Wulin, although your Thousand Refinement has reached first grade, you relied on your natural strength and a bloodline eruption. Your technique is still far too rough." Mu Chen smiled as he rubbed the little fellow's head.

"But there's no rush. In a few months, Eastsea Academy's admissions season will begin. Take my letter of recommendation and apply then. We'll meet in Eastsea City, and when the time comes, Teacher will properly train you."

"Yes, Teacher!" Tang Wulin grinned foolishly, rubbing the Star Sea Ring on his hand with delight in his heart.

Cen Yue pulled Mang Tian aside to smoke, and though the two old men said nothing sentimental, the way they thumped each other's chests said more than enough.

"Let's go."

With a grand wave of his hand, Zhen Hua was the first to board the mecha.

Just as the hatch was about to close, Mu Ye, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly stopped.

The Body Sect's leader swept his exceptionally sharp gaze back and forth over the Tang brothers.

When he looked at Tang Wulin in particular, his thick brows twitched slightly.

"Such dense Bloodline Power... These two brats' physical strength is practically that of humanoid Soul Beasts."

Mu Ye thought to himself. As the leader of the Body Sect, which specialized in forging the body into divinity, he was especially sensitive to bloodline energy.

His throat moved, as if he wanted to say something, or perhaps even directly examine the boys' bone structure.

But in the end, he merely shook his head, and the light in his eyes dimmed.

"Forget it. Maybe it's just a Martial Soul mutation, or perhaps they consumed some heavenly treasure. Without the method for a second awakening of the Body Martial Soul, this Bloodline Power will stagnate by the twenties or thirties. It's still too early to say anything."

If he knew that Tang Wulin carried the Golden Dragon King sealed within him, while Tang Linyuan cultivated the Primordial Tyrant Body, this proud sect leader would probably have wept on the spot and begged to take them as disciples.

But there were no ifs in this world.

"Old Mu, what are you spacing out for? Do you still want to go back and stew soup?" Zhen Hua urged.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Why are you rushing me to my death?"

Mu Ye withdrew his gaze and stepped into the mecha in one stride.

Boom!

A streak of purple light tore through the sky and vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Only a faint lingering scent in the air proved that a Divine Craftsman had once been here.

After seeing off those great figures, the brothers bid farewell to Teacher Mang Tian, who was still in an excited state, and set out for home.

By then, the sun had already sunk halfway beneath the horizon, dyeing all of Aolai City in soft shades of orange and violet.

From afar, Tang Linyuan spotted the slender figure beneath their building.

Na'er stood quietly beside a streetlamp, her short silver hair gently stirred by the evening breeze.

She wore a white dress today, one Tang Wulin had bought her with the money he earned from his first time forging.

Under the lingering glow of the sunset, she was beautiful like a fragile dream.

But Tang Linyuan keenly caught the trace of sorrow in her eyes.

It was the unease of someone who foresaw a parting.

He knew that the Fierce Beasts of Star Dou Forest had already contacted her.

The Silver Dragon King's memories were awakening, and her responsibilities and fate were gradually pulling her away from this warm little home.

"Na'er! Why are you waiting downstairs? The wind's so strong!"

Like a happy puppy, Tang Wulin failed to notice anything unusual and ran over in huge strides.

"I've got good news for you! I have a teacher now, and he's even a Saint Craftsman! If Brother isn't free later, I'll make jewelry for you!"

As Na'er watched Wulin run toward her, her hollow purple eyes instantly focused.

She forcefully held back the mist in her eyes and revealed a dazzling smile that looked more painful than crying.

"Really? Brother Wulin is amazing."

"Of course!" Tang Wulin lifted his chin proudly, then looked toward Tang Linyuan, who was strolling over behind him. "Brother, hurry up! Na'er must be hungry, right?"

Tang Linyuan walked up to the two of them.

He looked deeply into Na'er's eyes.

That glance held too many things: understanding, acceptance, reluctance, and a promise.

Na'er's body trembled slightly.

She felt that Brother Linyuan seemed to have seen through everything, yet he said nothing. He merely reached out and gently smoothed the bangs the wind had blown out of place.

"We're not cooking tonight."

Tang Linyuan said softly, "Let's eat out. We'll eat our way through Aolai City."

"Huh? Really? That's great!" Tang Wulin cheered excitedly.

Only Na'er lowered her head and softly murmured, "Mm." Yet her little hand tightly clutched Tang Linyuan's shirt hem, so hard that her knuckles turned pale.

That night, the three of them ran through every corner of Aolai City like mad.

They went to the little alley where they had first met Na'er. It had now been cleaned up and turned into a neat street.

They went to the night market in the north of the city, where Tang Linyuan spent lavishly and bought out the entire grilled squid stall.

Tang Wulin ate until his mouth was covered in grease. Na'er also ate an unprecedented amount. Though her manners remained elegant, the way she kept eating was more like she was desperately trying to remember a certain taste.

At last, they arrived at the seaside boardwalk.

The moon had risen, reflected upon the sea in rippling waves of light.

"Brother, Brother Wulin."

Na'er suddenly stopped walking. With her back to them, she looked out at the Ocean.

"What is it, Na'er? Did you eat too much?" Tang Wulin was still foolishly licking the candied hawthorn skewer in his hand.

"...It's nothing."

Na'er turned around. Moonlight spilled over her silver hair, as if coating her in a layer of sacred radiance.

She suddenly spread her arms like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest, then threw herself between Tang Linyuan and Tang Wulin, wrapping both arms tightly around her brothers' waists.

"I... I'm very happy."

"These past three years have been the happiest days of my life."

Her voice was soft, carrying a tremor that was difficult to detect.

"No matter what happens in the future, no matter where I am... you will always be my brothers. Always."

Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then hugged Na'er back carelessly.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Of course we'll always be together! Once I make money, I'll buy a huge house, and we'll bring Mom and Dad over too!"

Tang Linyuan said nothing.

He merely reached out and gently patted Na'er's thin back, feeling the girl's vulnerability at that moment.

Silently, he said in his heart:

Go, Na'er.

This parting is for a better reunion in the future.

When you return again, I will make sure that no one on this continent can ever control your fate again.

The sea breeze swept past, lifting the hems of their clothes and tangling them together.

This was Na'er's final night in Aolai City.

It was also the final echo of that carefree childhood.