Family Farewell, Departure for Eastsea!

The morning sun still fell on the Tang Family's little dining table right on time, but this time, the silver-haired figure who always sat at the far left, quietly drinking porridge, was gone.

Only an empty set of dishes and chopsticks remained there, looking especially glaring.

"Linyuan, Na'er..." Lang Yue looked at the empty chair, and her eyes instantly reddened. Even the spoon in her hand trembled slightly.

Tang Ziran sighed as well, setting down his newspaper with a disappointed expression.

That obedient, sensible daughter might have been adopted, but after three years together, they had long regarded her as one of their own.

"Dad, Mom."

Tang Linyuan put down his chopsticks. His expression was calm, though his voice was lower than usual.

"Na'er's family came for her last night. I checked their proof, and they really were her biological parents. They're a wealthy family, so I had no reason to stop them."

It was a well-intentioned lie.

It was also a conclusion to Na'er's departure that the world could accept.

"She asked me to tell you that these past three years were the happiest time of her life. If she gets the chance, she'll definitely come back to see us."

Lang Yue wiped away her tears and forced out a faint smile. "As long as the child is doing well... Finding her biological parents is a good thing too. Our family's circumstances are, after all..."

"Mom! I don't believe it!"

Tang Wulin, who had kept his head lowered without speaking, suddenly looked up. His eyes were swollen like peaches, clearly showing that he had cried all night.

"How could Na'er leave without even saying goodbye? I don't believe she'd be willing to leave us behind! I'm going to find her!"

"Sit down."

Tang Linyuan's voice was not loud, but it carried the authority of an older brother.

"Go find her? Where would you even look? Do you know where her family lives? Even if you found them, with your current strength, their family's gatekeeper could toss you out like a chick."

Tang Wulin froze, then clenched his fists, his entire body trembling as tears welled in his eyes. "But... but..."

"No more buts."

Tang Linyuan walked over to his younger brother and pressed a hand onto his shoulder. Two ghostly flames seemed to burn within his dark eyes.

"Wulin, remember this feeling of helplessness."

"Na'er didn't leave because she wanted to. She left because we were too weak to keep her."

"If you truly want to see her again, if you want to make sure no one can ever tear our family apart again, then swallow those tears, turn them into strength, hammer them into iron, and cultivate them into your Soul Power."

"When you become strong enough that the entire continent has to act according to your wishes, Na'er will naturally return."

"Do you understand?"

Tang Wulin bit down hard on his lips until he tasted blood.

He raised his head, forcibly holding back his tears. In their place was an unprecedented fierceness, like that of a wild beast.

"I understand. I'm going to become strong, strong enough that no one will dare take Na'er away."

"Eat." Tang Linyuan returned to his seat. "After breakfast, we're going to the workshop. Extra training today."

"Okay!"

Those were the hottest months of summer.

The cicadas in Aolai City shrieked themselves hoarse, while the sound of hammering in Mang Tian Workshop was louder and more relentless than their cries.

The empty place at home became a sword hanging over the two brothers' heads.

There was no more laughing and playing, no more weekend outings.

There was only the monotonous routine of cultivation, forging, and meditation, day after day.

Tang Linyuan was like a devilish instructor. He was ruthless toward himself, and even harsher toward Wulin.

He improved the Dragon Swallowing Breathing Technique, combining it with the life attribute of the Emerald Dragon Snake to forcibly widen Tang Wulin's meridians.

Every widening was accompanied by agonizing pain, but Tang Wulin did not make a sound. He gritted his teeth and swallowed it all.

Time quietly passed amid the ringing clash of sweat and steel.

Three months later.

The autumn wind rose, and the fallen leaves turned yellow.

It was another school season, and the day Red Mountain Academy's graduates reported to intermediate academies.

Mang Tian Workshop.

Boom!

A deafening sound rang out. It was the sound of metal resonating with a soul.

Tang Wulin stood bare-chested, his once-childish body now beginning to take on the shape of a young man. His muscles were clearly defined and full of explosive power.

Before him, a piece of Thousand Refinement Grade One Sinking Silver emitted dazzling silver light. Its purity had even faintly touched the threshold of Spirit Refinement.

"Whew..."

Tang Wulin put away his twin hammers and wiped the sweat from his face.

He examined himself internally. Within his dantian, Soul Power surged like a tide.

Level Fifteen Soul Master!

Under the nourishment of the Emerald Dragon Snake's life energy and the boost of the breathing technique, his cultivation speed had been like a rocket. In just a few months, he had risen four levels in a row!

Moreover, his foundation was incomparably solid, and his blood and vitality were as vigorous as those of a humanoid tyrannosaur.

More importantly, his forging level had become that of a genuine Level Four Blacksmith. He could steadily produce Thousand Refinement Grade One materials.

If this were in Eastsea City, those so-called forging geniuses would be too ashamed to do anything but bang their heads against walls.

"Not bad."

In the corner, Tang Linyuan slowly opened his eyes.

He had not been forging. Instead, he was wiping down the Tyrant Profound Divine Spear.

Compared to Tang Wulin's outwardly displayed dominance, Tang Linyuan had become more restrained and profound.

He merely sat there, yet he seemed like a divine weapon that had concealed its edge.

Level Thirty-Two Soul Elder.

That was his current level.

Although he had deliberately suppressed the rate at which his Soul Power increased, focusing more of his energy on tempering his Spear Intent and Spirit Refinement, the terrifying foundation he had accumulated still allowed him to easily cross the threshold of Level Thirty.

The first four forms of the Nine Calamity Annihilation Styles were no longer limited to fixed techniques. They had become his instinct.

Mountain Collapse, Sea Severing, Void Splitting, Falling Star.

He could use those four moves as easily as lifting a hand.

As for the fifth form...

Tang Linyuan looked at the faint black gleam appearing and disappearing at the tip of his spear, a slight smile curling his lips.

It involved the profound laws of space and Devour. Though it had not yet fully taken shape, he had already found the path forward.

His forging had also progressed greatly. Under Teacher Zhen Hua's constant guidance and the investment of massive amounts of rare metals, reaching Level Six was only a matter of time.

One late night, at Mang Tian Workshop.

Tang Linyuan connected to the private encrypted communication line that only Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua could answer.

"Teacher, this disciple has a request."

On the other end of the screen, Zhen Hua looked somewhat surprised.

"Oh? You brat are usually so proud, yet you actually have something to ask of me? Go on, do you want some rare metal?"

"It's not metal."

Tang Linyuan shook his head, his expression more solemn than ever.

"It concerns my parents' safety."

"Wulin and I are about to go to East Sea to study, and our future is destined to be full of turmoil. Aolai City is nice, but it is remote, and its security is weak. I'm worried that enemies or unrest might affect my parents someday."

"Therefore, I'd like to ask Teacher to arrange a residence for my parents in Heaven Dou City. It doesn't need to be luxurious, only safe. I want them to settle down in Heaven Dou City."

Hearing this, a trace of approval flashed through Zhen Hua's eyes.

This child was not only monstrously talented. His thoughtfulness and filial devotion were even rarer.

For a Soul Master, the greatest fear was trouble at home.

"Haha, I thought it was something major." Zhen Hua waved a hand.

"Granted! There happens to be a residential district beside the headquarters of the Heaven Dou City Blacksmith Association. It's one of the safest places on the entire continent. Not even a fly could get in. I'll send someone to pick them up, and I'll arrange an easy job for your father while I'm at it. They'll have no worries for the rest of their lives."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Tang Linyuan bowed deeply.

The night before departure, at the Tang Family home.

When Tang Linyuan proposed this, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's first reaction was to refuse.

"Heaven Dou City? It's so far away, and it's such a big city. How could we possibly get used to living there..." Lang Yue hesitated. "And the expenses over there..."

"Mom, money isn't a problem."

Tang Wulin stepped forward as well. Although he was reluctant, he understood his brother's good intentions.

"The money Brother and I have earned over the years is enough for you to live comfortably there for the rest of your lives. Besides, Brother's teacher is a Divine Craftsman. No one there would dare bully you."

"Dad, Mom."

Tang Linyuan held his parents' hands, his eyes earnest.

"Wulin and I are destined to walk a path full of challenges. If you stay here, we'll be distracted outside. We won't be able to sleep peacefully. Only if you're in Heaven Dou City, in the safest place possible, can we go out and make our way without worries."

Looking at the determined eyes of his two sons, Tang Ziran remained silent for a long time.

In the end, the honest man's eyes reddened, and he nodded heavily.

"Fine. We'll move."

Aolai City, Soul Guidance Train Station.

Today's whistle seemed longer than usual.

On the platform, two groups were saying their farewells.

On one side was a luxurious special train bound for Heaven Dou City—something Zhen Hua had specially arranged through his connections in the Blacksmith Association.

Several Association guards dressed in black suits, their auras unfathomable, respectfully helped Tang Ziran and Lang Yue carry their luggage.

On the other side was an ordinary train bound for Eastsea City.

"Linyuan, Wulin, take good care of yourselves once you get there!"

Lang Yue stood by the window, unable to stop her tears from falling.

"Remember to put on more clothes when it gets cold. Don't skip proper meals just to save money..."

"We know, Mom! Don't worry!" Tang Wulin waved, his eyes red as he fought to keep his tears from falling.

Tang Linyuan stood beside his younger brother, straight as a spear.

He watched as his parents settled in under the escort of those high-ranking Soul Masters, and at last, a great weight lifted from his heart.

As long as his parents were in Heaven Dou City, under Zhen Hua's watch, those possible tragedies from the original story would never happen.

He had severed the final chain that could threaten his family.

"Dad, Mom, have a safe journey."

Tang Linyuan spoke softly. "Once Wulin and I make a name for ourselves in East Sea, we'll come to Heaven Dou City to see you."

Woooo—!

The whistles of the two trains sounded at the same time.

One train headed north, toward the center of the continent, toward the haven where his parents could enjoy their later years in peace.

The other headed east, toward the Ocean, toward the battlefield where the two brothers would brave the storms.

The wheels began to turn.

Tang Wulin leaned against the window, watching the train carrying his parents gradually disappear beyond the horizon. At last, he could no longer hold back, and a tear splashed against the windowsill.

"Brother, now it's really just the two of us."

Tang Linyuan withdrew his gaze and turned around.

The sorrow of parting gradually faded from his eyes, leaving behind only the absolute sharpness of someone who had cast off a burden.

"No."

A wild, arrogant curve lifted at the corner of the young man's lips. His gaze pierced through the window, as if he could already see Eastsea City standing by the shore.

"It means that the two of us can finally let loose and grow stronger."

The train accelerated, transforming into a streak of silver lightning as it carried the world's two greatest uncut jades forward without hesitation, charging toward the magnificent, surging expanse called "the strong."