New Era

The golden and silver radiance completely receded, and the secret chamber returned to silence. Only the soft glow emanating from the jade walls illuminated the two figures embracing each other. The dark silver book lay quietly on the jade table, seeming no different from an ordinary, weighty tome, with none of its former mystique remaining.

Neither Tang Wulin nor Gu Yuena spoke first. They simply held each other tightly, as if using that tangible warmth to confirm the other's existence and dispel the bone-deep chill left by the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice—a chill that came not from outside, but from deep within their souls, from the echo of memories surrounding the final outcome they had once chosen together.

After a long while, Gu Yuena shifted slightly and lifted her face from Tang Wulin's shoulder. Moisture still lingered in her purple eyes, but her gaze had regained its clarity and was even firmer than before. She gently raised a hand, her fingertips brushing over Tang Wulin's cheek to wipe away a tear he himself hadn't noticed.

"It's all over, Wulin." Her voice was soft, yet it carried the power to soothe every ripple. "That was the choice we made ten thousand years ago. But now, we're here."

Tang Wulin drew in a deep breath. The calming sandalwood incense in the chamber finally seemed to take effect, gradually settling the turbulent waters of his heart. He held Gu Yuena's hand against his cheek, her reflection clear in his golden eyes as he said with utter focus, "Yes, we're here. This time, it isn't an ending. It's a beginning."

He released her, though their hands remained tightly clasped, and swept his gaze over the rows of bookshelves around them. "What is recorded here isn't just our past. It also chronicles the changes of the ten thousand years after we fell asleep. We need to truly understand this world as it is now before we can know how to walk the road ahead."

Gu Yuena nodded in agreement. The two of them did not linger any longer, walking hand in hand toward the chamber doors. Tang Wulin circulated his Soul Power and lightly touched the formation mechanism beside the door. The heavy metal doors slid open soundlessly. Outside, Tang Fenghua stood quietly with his hands lowered, his expression respectful. He had clearly been waiting for a long time.

When he saw them emerge—especially their slightly reddened eyes, their connected auras, and the way they supported one another—understanding flashed through Tang Fenghua's eyes, followed by even deeper reverence. He bowed deeply. "Ancestor. Lady Gu Yuena."

"Master Tang, sorry to keep you waiting." Tang Wulin's voice had returned to its usual steadiness. "Take us somewhere quiet and tell us about the state of the Douluo Continent ten thousand years later."

"Yes. Please follow me." Tang Fenghua stepped aside to lead the way, guiding them through several silent corridors to an elegantly furnished room with a broad view. One side of the room was dominated by a massive floor-to-ceiling glazed window overlooking part of Heaven Dou City's bustling scenery, while the opposite wall was covered by bookshelves filled mostly with geographical records, annual reports on major powers, and the latest journals on Soul Tool technology.

After the maidservant served tea, she quietly withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the room.

Tang Fenghua did not waste time and immediately began his report. His voice was clear and organized. "Ancestor, Lady Gu Yuena, ever since the two of you were eternally sealed in the Far North ten thousand years ago, the core power structure of the Douluo world has remained largely centered around the Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Federation Parliament."

He paused briefly to organize his thoughts before continuing. "First, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy have remained the strongest and most central allies through ten thousand years of trials. We share the most advanced Soul Tool research results, including the latest individual weapons, large-scale defensive systems, and... the most urgent and cutting-edge technology of this era: outer-space exploration. Shrek City and the Tang Sect's major branches remain sacred lands and beacons of technology in the eyes of Soul Masters across the continent."

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena listened quietly. This did not surprise them; the close bond between those two powers had already been deeply rooted ten thousand years ago.

"As for the Spirit Pagoda..." Tang Fenghua's tone grew slightly grave. "After the... incident ten thousand years ago, both its power and reputation suffered a tremendous blow. It could no longer stand on equal footing with the Tang Sect and Shrek. In recent years, although it has maintained a vast industry and influence due to the irreplaceable importance of Soul Spirits to Soul Master cultivation, it has generally remained in an awkward position—not quite rising, yet not quite falling."

An extremely complicated emotion flashed through Gu Yuena's purple eyes. There was relief, but also an indescribable melancholy. The Spirit Pagoda had far too deep a connection with her. It had been the tool she once tried to use to revive the soul beasts, yet it had also carried too much scheming and betrayal.

Tang Fenghua continued, "The once-flourishing Spirit Academy could no longer gain a foothold in Shrek City under Shrek Academy's continued pressure. Around seven thousand years ago, it moved its headquarters to Mingdu, the center of the Federation Parliament. However, its foundational headquarters still remains in Shrek City. Furthermore, since the Federation Parliament recognized that the Spirit Pagoda could easily win over and influence low- and mid-level Soul Masters through Soul Spirits, it passed legislation long ago to reduce the Spirit Pagoda's number of parliamentary seats by nearly half as a measure of balance."

Tang Wulin nodded slightly. The methods of parliamentary checks and balances were the same in every age. What concerned him more was another matter. "What level can Soul Masters reach now at the limit of cultivation?"

At that, Tang Fenghua brightened, a trace of pride entering his tone. "Thanks to the continuous rise in Douluo Star's life level over the past ten thousand years, along with the support of Soul Tool technology, the theoretical cultivation limit for Soul Masters can now reach level one hundred and twenty—the Super God Rank. Of course, those who can attain that realm are exceedingly rare. Every one of them is a peerless genius, and most have deep ties to either our Tang Sect or Shrek."

Level one hundred and twenty. Super God Rank. Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance, each seeing a ripple of emotion in the other's eyes. Ten thousand years ago, such a realm had been almost unimaginable. Only the gods of the God Realm could attain it. It seemed that during the ten thousand years without the God Realm's guidance, Douluo Star had forged a unique path of evolution for itself.

"As for those above level one hundred and twenty..." Tang Fenghua unconsciously lowered his voice, and heartfelt reverence filled his words. "At present, only one person is known."

"Oh?" Tang Wulin raised an eyebrow.

"It is the current Master of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy." Tang Fenghua's expression became incomparably solemn, with even a hint of mystery. "The Sea God Pavilion Master is... extraordinarily mysterious. No one knows his true name, nor does anyone know how many years he has lived. He only occasionally appears for the Sea God Pavilion's most important decisions. His cultivation... is unfathomable. He has long surpassed the ordinary scope of the Super God Rank. There are rumors that he may be one of the ancient figures who has survived from your glorious era ten thousand years ago until today."

Golden light flickered in Tang Wulin's eyes as he silently committed that information to memory. Someone who might have lived from ten thousand years ago until now was a living history book in his own right.

Gu Yuena spoke softly, asking another question that concerned her. "What is the relationship between humans and soul beasts like now?"

A smile appeared on Tang Fenghua's face. "Lady Gu Yuena, please rest assured. Peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts is now the consensus across the continent. Soul beast habitats are strictly protected, and transformed soul beasts have been widely accepted into human society. Of humanity's several administrative planets, one belongs exclusively to soul beasts. It is said that all of this is inseparable from the far-reaching impact of the final decision you two made ten thousand years ago, as well as the continued efforts of later powers—especially Shrek and the Tang Sect."

Upon hearing that answer, the taut string in Gu Yuena's heart finally seemed to loosen a little. Perhaps this was the most comforting news the passage of ten thousand years had brought her. The fate of the soul beasts she had fought for, suffered for, and ultimately even frozen herself alongside had, in the end, moved in a relatively bright direction.

After giving them a general overview of the continent's current power structure, Tang Fenghua tactfully took his leave, allowing the two of them space to process the vast amount of information alone.

The room fell quiet again, so still that a pin dropping could be heard. Outside the window, the lights of Heaven Dou City had just begun to glow, outlining a prosperous nightscape utterly unlike that of ten thousand years ago.

Tang Wulin walked to the window and stared at the endless stream of people below and the occasional flying Soul Tool passing through the sky. He remained silent for a long time. Ten thousand years of time was like an uncrossable river, separating the familiar past on the opposite bank. The world had changed beyond recognition. Former enemies might have turned to dust, and old friends might have vanished into history. Only they had returned to this familiar yet unfamiliar land in a manner almost like rebirth.

Gu Yuena quietly came to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, her silver hair flowing with a soft sheen beneath the indoor light. "How does it feel?" she asked softly.

Tang Wulin did not turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance. "Complicated. It's like waking from a long, heavy dream and finding that home is still home, but the furniture, the decorations, even the direction the doors and windows face have all changed. It's a little melancholy, but..." He paused, then turned to Gu Yuena. A new light glimmered in his golden eyes.

"More than that, it's fascinating."

He took her hand. "What Fenghua said, along with what we saw in the secret chamber, has made me understand many things. Ten thousand years ago, because of our positions, responsibilities, and missions, we had no choice but to move toward an ending. But ten thousand years later, the situation has changed. The Tang Sect and Shrek are still pillars of the world, the Spirit Pagoda has declined, and humans and soul beasts live in peace. What lies before us no longer seems to be that impossible deadlock."

Gu Yuena leaned against his side, feeling the warmth from his palm as she murmured, "Yes. The old shackles that bound us seem to have been worn away by time for the most part. But we have new identities, new 'connections.' The Tang Sect's master, the former sovereign of the soul beasts... and perhaps the 'cause' that allowed us to awaken again after being frozen."

Tang Wulin nodded. "Our memories and strength are still recovering, and there is much about this world that we need to understand and adapt to again. But this time, Gu Yue, we don't have to bear everything alone. We can face this new world together and complete what we left unfinished... perhaps things related to exploring higher realms, even the sea of stars." He recalled the outer-space exploration technology Tang Fenghua had mentioned.

"Mm." Gu Yuena answered softly. The countless lights outside the window were reflected in her purple eyes, along with Tang Wulin's figure. "Whatever lies ahead, you're here, and I'm here."

The two of them said nothing more, simply leaning quietly against each other as their thoughts drifted.

In Tang Wulin's mind, fragments of the past and the information he had just learned about the last ten thousand years continuously collided and intertwined: Gu Yuena's resolute yet heartbreakingly beautiful tear-filled eyes before their freezing overlapped with the firm, gentle purple eyes before him; the Tang Sect's Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapons of ten thousand years ago intersected with diagrams of modern cutting-edge Soul Tool technology; Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion became connected with the figure of that mysterious Pavilion Master... Bit by bit, the outline of Tang Wulin's existence was being redrawn and reshaped, transforming from a tragic hero of ten thousand years ago into someone reborn—one who carried the past, stood in the present, and faced the future.

The same was true for Gu Yuena. The responsibility of the Silver Dragon King and the mission of the soul beasts' sovereign seemed, after learning of the present peace, to have found a new and gentler way to continue. And her love for Tang Wulin, rooted deep within her soul, had become the most unwavering core of her rebirth. The rise and fall of the Spirit Pagoda was like drifting smoke, and the ripples it stirred in her heart gradually calmed. What mattered more to her was the lover she had regained by her side and the future they were about to write together.

Their hands were clasped tightly, as if they meant to firmly hold onto the regret of having been forced to let go ten thousand years ago, never releasing it again until eternity.

Outside the window, the stars of a new era quietly began to light up the night sky, as though waiting for these lovers who had crossed the ages to begin a new legend.