Depart for the Heaven Dou Empire, Zhang Lexuan is Moved

Once the elders dispersed amidst their exclamations, Sea God Island returned to its former tranquility, leaving only Cao Longyan, Mu En, and Bei Bei behind.

Mu En sat in his wheelchair, his withered yet warm hands holding Cao Longyan's hand in one and Bei Bei's in the other.

With his soul power controlled to perfection, he slowly turned the wheelchair, leading the two of them to the open space beneath the Golden Ancient Tree.

Stopping at their destination, Mu En released their hands and moved forward a few paces before turning around. His gaze swept over his two great-grandsons with kindness, finally resting on Cao Longyan, his tone filled with tenderness.

"Little Yan, you should go back and rest first. You just awakened your martial soul yesterday, and absorbing a soul ring beyond your limit today must have exhausted you. There is no need to cultivate with Bei Bei."

Hearing this, Cao Longyan's lips parted slightly. With a hint of stubbornness in his eyes, he was about to argue, wanting to say he was fine and could continue.

But before he could speak, Mu En saw through his thoughts. His eyes narrowed slightly, his brows furrowed, and he interrupted him with a gentleness that brooked no refusal.

"Little Yan, listen to your Profound Ancestor."

Bei Bei, standing to the side, understood Cao Longyan's stubborn nature and smiled teasingly.

"That's right, Brother Yan. Profound Ancestor is right. If you keep training this tirelessly, I'm afraid it won't be long before I can't even see your dust."

Cao Longyan rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, though his heart felt warm.

Naturally, he wouldn't refuse their kindness. He bowed slightly, his tone respectful and obedient.

"Alright, I'll listen to Profound Ancestor and Brother Bei Bei. I'll go back and rest now—I promise I'll get plenty of sleep!"

Seeing this, a gratified smile appeared on Mu En's face. He nodded gently and stroked his long, white beard with one hand.

"That's better. Go on, get some good rest. If you feel any discomfort, you must come to your Profound Ancestor immediately."

"Yes!"

Cao Longyan nodded heavily at Mu En, waved at Bei Bei, and turned to head toward his living quarters.

Watching his retreating figure, Bei Bei couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Profound Ancestor, with Brother Yan's nature and his talent, he will surely carve out a history of his own in the future."

Mu En stared in the direction Cao Longyan had left, his eyes full of expectation, and sighed softly.

"Indeed, but this nature is a double-edged sword. All we can do is provide him with the right guidance so he doesn't go astray. A single misstep can lead to eternal regret..."

Unexpectedly, upon returning to his room, Cao Longyan dove into his neatly folded quilt and fell asleep instantly, a neatly folded blanket resting beside his pillow.

Over the next half month, Cao Longyan and Bei Bei underwent dull but highly effective training under Mu En's guidance.

Cao Longyan could now use his first soul skill twice in succession while maintaining his combat capability afterward.

This was a vast improvement from when he had first obtained his soul ring and would be completely drained after a single use.

Mu En and Bei Bei were both astonished by his talent and comprehension.

One morning, Cao Longyan felt a sudden tightening in his chest. An inexplicable premonition lingered in his heart, causing him to wake up an hour earlier than usual.

As he stepped out of his room, he didn't see Mu En's familiar figure. Driven by curiosity, he found himself walking toward the entrance of the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion.

He had barely approached when he heard Zhang Lexuan's voice, though it was laced with a hint of a sob.

What's going on? Could it be that Profound Ancestor...

Thinking this, Cao Longyan prepared to push the door open and put a stop to whatever was happening.

However, the words he heard next welded his hand to the doorknob, and he felt as if he had been nailed to the spot.

"Elder Mu, this disciple wishes to request your permission to leave Shrek for a while. I want to return to the Heaven Dou Empire to pay my respects to my parents..."

Mu En was silent for a moment. Looking at the obsession and sorrow in Zhang Lexuan's eyes, his heart softened, and he nodded slowly.

"Go, child. I know you have always kept them in your heart. Travel safely, and return soon. But remember, never let hatred blind you. The dead are gone, and your enemies have been destroyed. Let the past drift with the wind and let time wear it away."

Mu En paused.

"Also, Lexuan, the gates of Shrek are always open to you. Shrek will always be your home."

Tears welled up in Zhang Lexuan's eyes as she bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Elder Mu! I will not let you down, and I will never let Shrek down."

Stunned behind the door, Cao Longyan closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Sigh, it was just a false alarm. That was a close one.

Hearing the voices outside cease, Cao Longyan's heart stirred, and he quietly returned upstairs.

He knew that Zhang Lexuan's clan had been slaughtered by political rivals years ago, and her mother had died right before her eyes while trying to protect her. This was the eternal pain in her heart.

If Sister Lexuan goes back to pay her respects alone and returns to her homeland without anyone to guide her, what if she becomes overwhelmed with grief...

Cao Longyan shook his head, his mind made up.

He would go with Sister Lexuan!

He hurried back to his room and wrote a note explaining that he was following Zhang Lexuan to the Heaven Dou Empire and that he would protect himself and not cause her any trouble. He then placed the note at the door of Mu En's room.

Within the fireball, that vague, heroic figure let out a disdainful snort.

Just as Cao Longyan finished and turned to grab his bag, he ran straight into Mu En.

Cao Longyan was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

However, Mu En simply smiled.

"Little Longyan, if you want to go, then go."

Cao Longyan nodded, walked out of the Sea God Pavilion, and quietly followed Zhang Lexuan, who was preparing to depart.

Mu En picked up the note Cao Longyan had left behind, watched his retreating figure, and couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.

Just as Zhang Lexuan stepped outside the gates of Shrek City and placed her luggage onto the carriage, she sensed a familiar aura approaching from behind. Turning around, she saw Cao Longyan carrying a small bag, grinning at her.

"Little Brother Longyan? Why are you here?"

Zhang Lexuan's eyes were filled with surprise, which immediately melted into deep emotion, her eyes turning red once again.

"Are you coming with me to the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"I heard your conversation with Profound Ancestor this morning."

Cao Longyan stepped forward, his tone gentle.

"Sister Lexuan, it's too lonely for you to go back alone. I'll accompany you; I can keep you company while you pay your respects to your parents, and I can protect you too. I have my first soul ring now, along with two guardian spirits."

Zhang Lexuan looked at the boy before her. Despite being only six years old, he possessed a composure and tenderness that far exceeded his age, yet he would still occasionally reveal the innocence and cuteness of a child. Her heart nearly melted, and she reached out to gently ruffle his red hair.

"Alright, thank you, Little Brother Longyan. Having you here makes Sister Lexuan very happy."

She tucked away her sorrow, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

"However, your Sister Lexuan is a Soul Emperor, so it's not your turn to protect me yet!"

As she finished speaking, the two of them boarded the carriage and set off on the journey to the Heaven Dou Empire. Zhang Lexuan was soon overcome by grief again; she didn't speak much along the way, occasionally staring blankly out the window with a sorrowful expression.

Cao Longyan didn't disturb her much, simply accompanying her in silence and occasionally telling her interesting stories from his past life to cheer her up.

Zhang Lexuan was deeply moved, pulling him into her arms from time to time.

This left Cao Longyan blushing frequently, steam rising from the top of his head.

A few days later, the two arrived at the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. Zhang Lexuan led Cao Longyan straight to the cemetery she had built for her parents when she first left.

The cemetery was located on a small hill in the suburbs, quiet and secluded. Two tombstones stood silently, engraved with the names of Zhang Lexuan's parents.

Zhang Lexuan walked up to the tombstones and slowly knelt down. Tears slid silently down her cheeks as she whispered of her longing and grievances over the years.

Cao Longyan stood quietly to the side without speaking, merely releasing a wisp of gentle soul power to envelop Zhang Lexuan, soothing her emotions.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei, the two guardian spirits, appeared quietly and hid in the shadows, vigilantly observing the surroundings to ensure no one disturbed them.

After more than an hour, Zhang Lexuan wiped away her tears, walked over to Cao Longyan, and stepped forward to hug him tightly, a look of gratitude on her face.

"Little Brother Longyan, thank you for staying with me all this time."

However, Cao Longyan was having a hard time; with his six-year-old stature and Zhang Lexuan leaning down specifically, his head ended up buried right in her chest...

"Mmph, mph, Sister Lexuan, I... I'm about to suffocate..."

Realizing what had happened, Zhang Lexuan's cheeks flushed slightly. She gave the back of his head a light tap and chided him playfully.

"You're so young, yet you have no sense of propriety. Did Bei Bei teach you this? I'm going to settle the score with him when I get back for daring to corrupt my cute Little Brother Longyan!"

Far away on Sea God Island, Bei Bei couldn't help but sneeze.

Cao Longyan couldn't help but let out a snicker.

Brother Bei Bei, I'm sorry you have to take the fall for this.

"Sister Lexuan, calm down, there's no need to go looking for trouble with Brother Bei Bei."

At this moment, the sorrow and gloom in Zhang Lexuan's heart had been swept away by Cao Longyan. She stared straight at him, her eyes as gentle as water.

Little Brother Longyan, you are truly wonderful...

"Little Brother Longyan, in a while, Sister Lexuan will take you to the auction house in the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. Bid on whatever you like; I'll foot the bill for everything. Consider it a thank you for your company on this journey."

With that, she pulled a black gold card from her storage soul tool and waved it in front of him.

Cao Longyan didn't refuse; he nodded, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"Thank you, Sister Lexuan, but I'm definitely going to make you spend a fortune!"