"Mm..."
Fang Lin stood in the hallway, looking at the office door that had already closed in front of him. His tone held a hint of helplessness. "Let me think... where should I go now?"
He had basically been "kicked out" by his teacher.
Of course, calling it "kicked out" wasn't entirely unfair. Han Tianyi's burst of spiritual power had been swift and decisive, leaving him no chance to say another word.
It had felt like being gently pushed out by a breeze that brooked no refusal.
Fang Lin stood where he was, silent for a moment.
Go back to his room? He'd only just woken up. Lying down again would be a waste of this beautiful morning light.
Cultivate? That was certainly the sensible thing to do, but in his current state, it didn't seem urgent.
A few thoughts turned over in his mind, and gradually he came up with a plan.
The weather was so lovely. Why not go out for a stroll?
This was Shrek City, where the sun never set.
The three great organizations of the Douluo Continent—the Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, and the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters—all stood within this city.
"Sounds good. I'll go for a walk."
Fang Lin chuckled softly and turned toward the private elevator. He pressed the button, and the doors slid open without a sound.
He stepped inside and pressed the button for the first floor. The elevator began its smooth descent.
"Ding!"
A crisp chime rang out. The first floor had arrived.
Fang Lin stepped out of the elevator, and the view before him was even more expansive than he had imagined.
The Spirit Pagoda's lobby was vast and imposing, with a lofty ceiling.
It was built entirely of polished marble, smooth as a mirror. Every detail spoke of luxury and refinement.
Beautiful murals carved into the lobby walls depicted the Spirit Pagoda's long history and momentous events.
Huge soul-guidance crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, bright glow that lit the entire lobby as if it were broad daylight.
Fang Lin was naturally familiar with the stories in the murals. They depicted the famous "Sea God's Dog Training Plan."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He didn't linger, heading straight for the exit.
People streamed through the lobby: students in Shrek Academy uniforms, Soul Masters from all over, and ordinary people passing among them.
As he left the Spirit Pagoda, fresh air washed over him, carrying the unique chill of early morning.
Fang Lin took a deep breath and felt himself grow much more alert.
On the streets of Shrek City.
Fang Lin stood at the roadside, looking around. For a moment, he didn't know which way to go.
"Forget it."
He chuckled under his breath. "I'll just wander."
He didn't have any particular destination anyway. He'd go wherever his feet took him and see whatever there was to see.
This aimless wandering was more relaxing than hurrying along.
There was nowhere he had to reach, and no deadline to beat. He could do as he pleased.
Fang Lin strolled slowly down the street.
Shrek City's morning was quiet and orderly. Shops opened one after another as proprietors arranged their goods.
The morning breeze swept in from the street corner, carrying a hint of everyday life and the aroma of food from some nearby shop.
At the smell, Fang Lin realized he was getting a little hungry.
Following the scent, he came to a breakfast stall.
The stall wasn't large, but it was neat and clean.
White clouds of steam billowed from the stacked bamboo steamers, mingling with the savory aroma of meat. The owner bent over to arrange the baskets, his movements quick and practiced.
The steamers were stacked high, every tier sending up curls of steam. On this chilly morning, they looked especially tempting.
"Boss, two meat buns, please," Fang Lin said.
"Coming right up!"
The owner replied in a loud voice.
He deftly picked out two buns with his tongs, wrapped them in oiled paper, and handed them over. "Fresh out of the steamer. Eat them while they're hot!"
Fang Lin paid and took the buns, then bit into one.
The soft dough encased tender, juicy meat filling, and its rich, savory flavor immediately spread through his mouth.
The temperature was just right—not hot enough to burn his mouth, but warm enough to comfort him.
Eating his buns, he strolled along the street, enjoying the leisurely morning light.
Sunlight spilled over the street, gilding everything with a faint golden hue.
But just then, a petite figure at the street corner caught Fang Lin's eye.
It was a little girl who looked only five or six. She was crouched alone by the roadside, curled into a tiny ball like a kitten abandoned at the corner.
She huddled in on herself, both little hands wrapped around her knees, her chin resting on her arms as she sat there in silence.
Long silver hair spilled over her shoulders. It was a little disheveled, and glimmered faintly in the morning light.
Her little dress was filthy, caked in dust and mud. One corner of the hem was torn, as if she had been wandering outside for a long time.
Fang Lin's steps slowed, and he instinctively took another look.
It wasn't because she looked pitiful, but because of that silver hair, those violet eyes, and the exquisitely lovely little face beneath the dust...
His heart gave a sudden jolt, and he nearly dropped the bun in his hand.
"No way?"
"This... isn't this the Silver Dragon King's legendary appetite?"
Fang Lin's mouth twitched as a flood of thoughts surged through his mind.
Silver hair and violet eyes, the appearance of a five- or six-year-old, wandering the streets alone. Taken together, those clues pointed unmistakably to one person.
It seemed something unexpected had happened in this world.
Before he could sort out his thoughts,
the little girl seemed to sense Fang Lin's gaze. She slowly raised her head and looked over at him, as if deep in thought.
Her eyes settled on him and lingered for two seconds. Then she slowly got to her feet and toddled toward Fang Lin.
The little girl came up to him and gently tugged at his clothes with her dirty little hand.
She tilted up her face and looked at him timidly with violet eyes.
"Big brother..."
Her voice was soft and sweet, tinged with nervous caution. "I'm hungry..."
Looking at her, Fang Lin felt something stir gently in a corner of his heart. He couldn't say what it was—only that it was an inexplicable feeling.
He held out the bun he had left.
The little girl's eyes lit up at once. She took the bun and began eating it in tiny bites.
She ate with great care, her cheeks puffed out and her violet eyes curving slightly, as if she'd tasted some delicacy from heaven.
In the space of a few breaths, the bun had vanished without a trace.
Fang Lin looked at Na'er, his voice softening without him noticing. "My name is Fang Lin. What's your name?"
"Na'er..."
The little girl answered in a soft, sweet voice that tugged at the heartstrings.
"Na'er. What a lovely name."
Fang Lin smiled and gently patted her hair.
Na'er's little face turned slightly red, and she bashfully lowered her head.
Fang Lin continued, "Na'er, do you remember where your home is?"
Na'er tilted her head and thought for a moment. A flicker of confusion passed through her violet eyes. "I don't remember..."
"Do you remember who your parents are?" Fang Lin asked gently.
Na'er lowered her head, her little hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her dirty dress.
Her voice grew even quieter, tinged with hurt. "I don't remember that either..."
Fang Lin fell silent for a moment. Looking at Na'er's silver-haired head bowed slightly, he had already made up his mind.
"Then... Na'er, would you like to come home with me?" he asked calmly.
"Okay."
Na'er immediately nodded.
At that instant, a glint flashed in her violet eyes. The corners of her mouth curved up into a triumphant smile.
"???"
For some reason, Fang Lin suddenly felt as if he were the prey.
It wasn't that he had picked up Na'er. It was that Na'er had been waiting for him.
The thought flashed through his mind, leaving Fang Lin momentarily stunned.
"Big brother... I'm still hungry."
Na'er spoke, her violet eyes filled with genuine hunger.
Fang Lin came back to himself, amused by her serious little expression. "All right. Big brother will take you to get something to eat."
"Mm!"
Na'er nodded obediently.
Fang Lin took Na'er's hand, feeling its cool touch against his palm.
Her hand was tiny and soft, but she clasped his fingers naturally.
The two of them walked back along the street.