Tiandou's Sweetness

Morning light streamed through the intricately carved window lattice, spilling across the floor covered in soft carpets. The top-floor suite of Snowview Pavilion, the most luxurious hotel in Heaven Dou City, was suffused with a tranquil, ancient atmosphere. The room was exquisitely decorated; the wood and porcelain all carried the weight of time rather than blindly pursuing the dazzling glamour of Soul Guidance Technology. Through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, the antique-style buildings outside awakened beneath the morning light. Their upturned eaves, bracket sets, gray tiles, and white walls made Tang Wulin briefly lose himself, as though he had returned to the Douluo Continent of ten thousand years ago, when Soul Guidance Technology had only begun to flourish and ancient traditions still remained.

It is currently peak enrollment season for the major academies, so this famous tourist city is actually quieter than usual. Tang Wulin understood. This rare calm suited the character of the ancient city even better, allowing him and Gu Yuena to enjoy this brief moment of peace.

He lowered his head, his gaze tenderly settling on the person still sleeping in his arms. Gu Yuena's silver hair spread across the pillow like flowing moonlight, making her fair skin appear even more crystal-clear. Her long lashes resembled two little fans, casting faint shadows beneath her eyelids. She slept peacefully and serenely. Without her usual cool exterior, she seemed entirely defenseless at this moment, even carrying a trace of childlike fragility.

As he watched her, an indescribable warmth and flutter rose within Tang Wulin's heart. As though drawn by an invisible force, he unconsciously bent down and, with utmost gentleness, placed a kiss on her smooth cheek.

The touch was slightly cool, yet it carried a scent that put his heart at ease.

However, just as his lips were about to pull away, those tightly shut purple eyes suddenly flew open! They were clear and bright, without the slightest trace of post-sleep haze. Instead, they held a hint of slyness and triumphant mischief. The corners of her lips curved upward into a captivating smile.

"Caught you, Wulin."

Her voice carried the husky quality of someone just awake, lightly brushing against Tang Wulin's heart like a feather.

Tang Wulin was like a child caught doing something naughty. A faint blush instantly spread across his handsome face, all the way to his ears.

Seeing his rare bashful expression, the amusement in Gu Yuena's eyes deepened, as though they were filled with starlight. Not only did she not push him away, she instead snuggled further into his arms and found a more comfortable position.

Feeling her movement, Tang Wulin was instantly overwhelmed by immense satisfaction and affection. Rather than loosening, his arms wrapped around her even more tightly. His voice was low and slightly hoarse.

"Mm, you caught me. Then... punish me by making me kiss you every day, okay?"

Those nearly shameless sweet words made Gu Yuena's face flush slightly as well. She gave a soft spit.

"Bad guy..."

Yet she buried her face deeper into his chest, concealing her quickening heartbeat.

The morning quiet was wrapped in an intimate atmosphere. The two lingered together in the warm bed, whispering softly and affectionately for a long while before reluctantly getting up once the sunlight had grown brighter.

After washing up, they left hand in hand. The cool air filling their lungs refreshed them. They strolled along streets paved with bluestone slabs, enjoying this rare leisure. There were not many pedestrians in Heaven Dou City that morning. Every now and then, young Soul Masters dressed in academy uniforms of various colors hurried past, their faces filled with youthful energy and hopes for the future.

As they wandered aimlessly through the city, an overbearing, rich fragrance suddenly slipped into their noses without warning.

It was a blend of charred aroma, spiciness, and the scent of some unique sauce. It was incredibly enticing and instantly stirred their appetites.

Tang Wulin stopped in his tracks, his golden eyes lighting up. This scent... felt inexplicably familiar, as though something deep within his soul had been awakened. Yet it was also mixed with fresh aromas from spices that could only have existed ten thousand years later.

He instinctively looked at Gu Yuena and found that she was looking at him as well. Her purple eyes held the same curiosity and a hint of interest. They exchanged a glance, and both already knew the answer.

"Mm, let's take a look." Tang Wulin took her hand and followed the scent.

After turning a corner, they saw a shop ahead. Its sign was an ancient wooden plaque bearing four bold, flamboyant characters—Yuhao Grilled Fish. A short queue had already formed outside, and the aroma was spreading from within.

"Yuhao Grilled Fish..." Tang Wulin murmured the name, as though something in his mind had been stirred. He pulled Gu Yuena to the end of the line, anticipation in his eyes.

They did not wait long. Once inside, the rich bustle of cooking and the aroma of grilled fish became even more intense. They ordered a large selection of grilled fish in different flavors, along with several side dishes.

When grilled fish that was charred on the outside and tender within, covered in secret sauce and bright red chilies, was brought to their table, Tang Wulin eagerly picked up a piece with his chopsticks, blew on it, and put it into his mouth.

In an instant, the numbing, spicy, fresh flavors exploded across his tongue. The fish was delicate and tender, while the sauce carried exceptionally rich layers of flavor. That familiar sensation surged into his heart like a tide!

Another scene seemed to appear before his eyes. It was also a grilled fish restaurant, though its decor was nowhere near as refined as this one. Sitting across from him was his teacher, whose face was always cold but who silently cared for him—Wu Changkong.

"Eat more." Wu Changkong placed the grilled fish before him into Tang Wulin's bowl. His tone still carried little warmth, but his actions revealed a rare tenderness.

Tang Wulin had still been young back then, eating until his face was covered in oil. At a nearby table, a bold female Soul Master saw Wu Changkong's breathtaking looks and cold, stern temperament. Blushing, she came over to strike up a conversation.

"Excuse me... sir, could we get acquainted?" the female Soul Master asked sweetly.

Wu Changkong did not even raise his eyelids. He merely coldly uttered three words. "Not convenient."

Unwilling to give up, the female Soul Master looked at Tang Wulin, who was eating happily, attempting to find an opening. "What a cute little boy. Is he your younger brother?"

Before Tang Wulin could speak, Wu Changkong expressionlessly replied in an unwavering, unquestionable tone.

"He is my son."

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!" Tang Wulin had nearly choked on the fish and stared at his teacher in shock.

The female Soul Master was even more dumbfounded. She looked at Wu Changkong's excessively youthful face, then at Tang Wulin. In the end, her expression turned pale and then green as she left resentfully.

After the female Soul Master had gone, Wu Changkong calmly glanced at Tang Wulin, who was still coughing, and added, "Peace and quiet."

Thinking of that, Tang Wulin could not help laughing aloud, though the corners of his eyes grew slightly moist. Beneath that cold tone had been Teacher Wu's awkward way of protecting him.

"What did you remember?"

Gu Yuena noticed the change in his mood and asked softly. She ate more elegantly than he did, but she was clearly very satisfied with the flavor as well. Her purple eyes narrowed slightly, like those of a contented cat.

Tang Wulin recounted the amusing story of Wu Changkong "acknowledging his son." Gu Yuena could not help smiling as she imagined the normally stern Wu Changkong saying those words, as well as the stunned expression of the young Tang Wulin.

"Teacher Wu... must have been very proud of you later on." Gu Yuena put down her chopsticks and gently took Tang Wulin's hand resting on the table.

"Mm." Tang Wulin nodded heavily, pushing that longing and melancholy back into his heart. He turned his hand over and held her slightly cool one. "This flavor is very similar to what it was ten thousand years ago, but it tastes even better now. It seems Yuhao Grilled Fish has been passed down well." It was connected to the legendary Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao from ten thousand years ago. By seniority, he should probably even call him brother-in-law.

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After eating and drinking their fill, both of them were in excellent spirits. They left the grilled fish restaurant hand in hand beneath the perfect sunlight.

"Where should we go next?" Gu Yuena asked. She had also developed a strong interest in this city, which was filled with ancient charm while incorporating elements of the new era.

Tang Wulin thought for a moment, a hint of interest flashing through his black eyes. "I heard Heaven Dou City has the largest Soul Guidance Technology Experience Center in the northern part of the continent. Shall we go take a look? We can see how far things have developed after ten thousand years."

Gu Yuena had no objection and nodded.

The Tiandou Soul Guidance Technology Experience Center was a sleek, futuristic building that stood in stark contrast to the antique buildings around it. Its interior was vast, displaying all kinds of cutting-edge Soul Guidance Technology products in separate categories: from intelligent household Soul Tools and holographic communication platforms to realistic combat training pods and the latest personal flight Soul Tools. Everything was on display.

Gu Yuena seemed quite curious about the dazzling holographic projections and intelligent interactive devices. She stopped before an "Elemental Experience Pod" that claimed to simulate any environmental temperature and instinctively released a trace of spiritual power to sense its internal structure. As a result, the pod's indicator lights flashed wildly several times, its holographic projection froze, and then it went dark...

A nearby staff member rushed over in confusion to inspect it, muttering, "Strange. The data stream was fine just now. Why did it suddenly overload?"

Gu Yuena had already nonchalantly pulled Tang Wulin to another area. A nearly imperceptible smugness flashed through her purple eyes, like a little girl whose prank had succeeded. Seeing this rare playful side of her, Tang Wulin could not help smiling. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Looks like even the little gadgets of ten thousand years later can't withstand an investigation by the Silver Dragon King."

Gu Yuena's pretty face reddened, and she lightly punched him with her small pink fist.

On the other side, Tang Wulin stopped in the forging exhibition area. The latest Soul Guidance forging platforms were displayed there, equipped with intelligent auxiliary systems and precise energy control. A senior technician was demonstrating the forging of a complex sixth-rank Soul Guidance core array.

Tang Wulin watched for a while and shook his head slightly. In the eyes of a Divine Craftsman like him, the technician's methods were skilled, but many of his techniques for exerting force and guiding energy had taken unnecessary detours, making them inefficient.

Perhaps his hands were itching, or perhaps he could not resist offering some "guidance." During a break in the demonstration, he stepped forward and said to the somewhat arrogant technician, "Would you mind if I gave it a try?"

The technician looked at Tang Wulin, who appeared excessively young after disguising himself, and was somewhat dismissive. Still, he stepped aside.

Tang Wulin did not use any of the flashy intelligent assistance systems. He merely picked up the most basic forging hammer and selected a piece of ordinary Heavy Silver. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze had become incomparably focused. The Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated, Bloodline Power stirred slightly, and his hammer rose and fell!

Clang, clang, clang—!

A series of crisp, melodious strikes rang out, carrying a strange rhythm. Under his hammer, the piece of Heavy Silver seemed to come alive, becoming purer and more malleable at a speed visible to the naked eye. Its internal structure naturally arranged itself into its most perfect form amid the blows! He had not even used one-tenth of his strength. It was merely the most basic hundred refinements, yet he had forcefully achieved the effect of thousand refinements—and at astonishing speed!

After only a dozen or so strikes, a Heavy Silver ingot appeared before everyone. Its luster was restrained, it was completely free of impurities, and energy even faintly seemed to flow within it.

The entire forging area fell silent. The senior technician stood frozen in shock, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg. The surrounding visitors gathered around as well, exclaiming in amazement.

Tang Wulin put down the hammer and smiled at the technician without saying anything. Then, taking Gu Yuena's hand as her eyes glimmered with amusement, he quickly left before the situation could cause a commotion.

"You," Gu Yuena said with a soft laugh and a shake of her head once they reached a less crowded area. "You still love showing off."

"My hands were itching. I couldn't resist." Tang Wulin rubbed his nose, somewhat embarrassed, though his eyes still shone. "But ten thousand years of development really has produced many things worth learning from, especially in terms of microscopic energy control."

By evening, they experienced a city sightseeing Soul Guidance shuttle. Mature Soul Guidance flying car technology had not existed ten thousand years ago, but it had now developed to a highly refined level. The enclosed shuttle cabin offered excellent privacy. The shuttle slowly rose into the air, revealing the beautiful sight of Heaven Dou City's lights just beginning to illuminate the night. Ancient buildings intertwined with modern Soul Guidance neon lights, creating a dreamlike scene.

Tang Wulin pointed to an area below that had been developed into a park surrounding an artificial lake. "Look there. According to city maps and historical records, ten thousand years ago, that place seemed to have been at the edge of a dense Soul Beast forest."

Gu Yuena followed his finger. A trace of reminiscence flickered through her purple eyes, but it quickly settled into calmness. She gently rested her head against his shoulder, feeling his steady heartbeat, and replied softly, "Time passes, and seas turn into fields. But things are good as they are now, with you by my side."

The shuttle moved between the towering buildings of Heaven Dou City's outer district, as though drifting through a river of stars.

At nightfall, they returned to the top-floor suite at Snowview Pavilion. Tang Wulin pushed open the door to the terrace and led Gu Yuena outside. The terrace was spacious and furnished with comfortable reclining chairs. The night breeze was slightly cool, carrying the distant bustle of the city, though the height made it seem less real. Looking up, the deep night sky resembled immense dark blue velvet, dotted with countless brilliant stars that reflected one another with the sea of city lights below.

The two leaned side by side in reclining chairs, covered by a soft, thin blanket as they gazed at the stars.

"It's so beautiful." Gu Yuena sighed softly. The river of stars reflected in her purple eyes. "Ten thousand years ago, it seems we rarely had time to quietly watch the stars like this."

"Yeah." Tang Wulin put an arm around her shoulders, allowing her to lean against him more comfortably.

"Back then, we were either cultivating or fighting, or thinking about how to deal with every kind of crisis." His voice carried a trace of relief and sentiment.

After a moment of silence, he looked at the boundless sky, and a new light gradually ignited in his eyes. "Gu Yue, once we recover all our memories and settle down completely... how about I take you to see the real stars?"

Gu Yuena was slightly startled and turned to look at him. "The real stars?"

"Mm." Tang Wulin nodded, his black eyes sparkling in the darkness.

"Not from so far away like this. Didn't Tang Fenghua say that the Tang Sect and Shrek possess the most advanced deep-space exploration technology? We can take an interstellar Soul Guidance spacecraft and see those distant galaxies with our own eyes. We can explore unknown planets. Just like... the journey through the universe we dreamed of ten thousand years ago."

His words were full of anticipation and plans for the future. It was a future without war or conflict, one belonging only to the two of them and filled with limitless possibilities.

Gu Yuena felt as though something had filled her heart, warm and sweet. She looked at his serious profile, at the sea of stars reflected in his eyes, and her lips curved into an incomparably gentle, happy smile.

She took the initiative to reach out and interlace her fingers with his. Her voice was soft but utterly resolute.

"Okay. Wherever you go, I'll go."

After a pause, a hint of mischief flashed through her eyes. She deliberately added in a faintly reproachful tone, "But this time, we can't sleep for another ten thousand years. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait that long."

Tang Wulin was first stunned, then understood that she was referring to their ten-thousand-year ice seal. He could not help laughing. Tightening his arm, he pulled her more firmly into his embrace, gently resting his chin against her forehead as he made a solemn promise.

"We won't. This time, we'll stay awake and see every sight in this universe together."

Beneath the night sky, their embracing figures seemed to merge with the brilliant river of stars. Ten thousand years of loneliness and waiting appeared to have been repaid in this moment. The road ahead might still hold the unknown, but with each other and their shared hopes for the future, they possessed the most complete happiness in the world.