Tremors Across All Sides

Heaven Dou City's peaceful morning seemed no different from any other. But for several of the highest powers on the Douluo Continent, a silent storm was brewing.

After seeing Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena off, Tang Fenghua, the Tang Sect Master, immediately sent out two pieces of information through the highest-level confidential channels. One flew toward Sea God Pavilion in Shrek City, while the other reached Spirit Pagoda headquarters.

Shrek City, deep within Sea God Pavilion.

This was not a traditional room, but a strange space naturally formed from countless golden roots. At its center lay a spring brimming with dense life energy, while the veins of the Golden Ancient Tree faintly flowed across the surrounding walls. The current Master of Sea God Pavilion was a man in a simple gray robe. He appeared to be nothing more than a refined middle-aged man, yet his gray eyes seemed to hold the dust of ten thousand years. He was silently studying the energy-condensed message before him.

The message was simple, consisting of only a few words, yet it sent violent ripples through the normally unruffled eyes of this mysterious Pavilion Master.

"Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena confirmed revived. Memories partially restored. Currently in Heaven Dou, possibly heading to Shrek."

He slowly closed his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously stroking a smooth golden tree root at his side, as though feeling a distant pulse through it. Only after a long while did he softly murmur, his voice carrying the distance and melancholy of time itself.

"They finally... came back."

Scenes from ten thousand years ago surfaced in his mind: Golden Dragon Yueyu, high-spirited on the battlefield while bearing a crushing fate, and Silver Dragon Wulin, cold and breathtakingly beautiful, ruler of the elements. He had been a witness to that era. More than that, he had received no small amount of favor and guidance from Golden Dragon Yueyu. In a sense, he truly was Tang Wulin's junior.

"Elder Yi, has the news been confirmed?" A gentle yet reverent voice came from the entrance to the space. The newcomer was the current president of Shrek Academy and one of Sea God Pavilion's vice pavilion masters.

The Pavilion Master known as Elder Yi nodded slightly and waved away the energy message. "Confirmed. It is Ancestor Tang Wulin and Her Excellency Gu Yuena. They... truly have returned."

Excitement and disbelief instantly flooded the president's face. "This... this is wonderful! With the return of the two ancestors, Shrek will surely once again—"

Elder Yi raised a hand, cutting off his words. His gaze returned to the stillness of an ancient well. "Pass down the order. This news is to be classified as Sea God Pavilion's highest secret. Only the elders present may know of it. It is strictly forbidden from leaking. All academy affairs are to continue as usual."

"Pavilion Master, you mean... we will not take the initiative to welcome them?" The president was somewhat confused.

He looked into the void, his gaze seeming to pierce through space and see those two peerless figures.

"They have endured ten thousand years of slumber. Their memories have not fully returned, and their hearts are unsettled. What they need now is not a grand welcoming ceremony, but a natural process of returning. Shrek is here. It will forever be the home in their memories. When they set foot upon this land and feel the call of the Golden Ancient Tree, it will not be too late for us to meet them."

He paused, and a decisive tone that allowed no doubt entered his voice. "Besides, the position of Master of Sea God Pavilion should have been returned to its rightful owner long ago. When the ancestor returns, I will resign."

He spoke calmly, as though stating a fact that had long been destined. After ten thousand years of guarding, he had long since grown indifferent to power and status. All he cared about was Shrek's legacy and the peace of this continent. To him, Tang Wulin's return was the moment to set down his burden and return the mission to its true master.

The president's expression turned solemn with respect, and he bowed deeply. "Yes, Elder Yi. I understand."

Shrek City, Spirit Pagoda headquarters, top-floor secret chamber.

The atmosphere here was entirely different from the peace of Sea God Pavilion. It was filled with oppression and calculation.

Two elderly men with utterly different temperaments sat facing one another. One had a gloomy face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, while powerful spiritual pressure radiated from his body. He was Qian Gu Hongchen, one of Spirit Pagoda's two current Pagoda Masters. He tightly gripped an encrypted message similar to the one Sea God Pavilion had received, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"The Silver Dragon King... Gu Yuena really isn't dead. She has returned!" Qian Gu Hongchen's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor. It was not joy, but deep fear and apprehension. He came from the Qian Gu Clan. Ten thousand years ago, that surname had been deeply entangled in grievances with Gu Yuena, even serving as one of the forces behind the final tragedy. He feared that Gu Yuena's return would strip away the power he had worked so hard to seize.

The other Pagoda Master sitting across from him was named Leng Qianshan. He was the head of another major family within Spirit Pagoda, and he appeared much calmer. His beard and hair were completely white, his face lean, his eyes profound, and his aura deep and enduring. He was clearly a peak Level 119 powerhouse. Slowly setting down his teacup, he looked at his agitated companion and said blandly, "Hongchen, why panic so much? Pagoda Master Gu's return may not be a bad thing for Spirit Pagoda."

"A bad thing? Qianshan! Have you lost your mind?" Qian Gu Hongchen nearly slammed the table as he rose. "Who is she? The common ruler of soul beasts ten thousand years ago, Spirit Pagoda's former spiritual Pagoda Master! Once she returns, will there still be any place for you and me in Spirit Pagoda? Will the situation we have painstakingly built over the years not simply be handed over to her?"

Leng Qianshan shook his head, disappointment flashing through his eyes. "Hongchen, is power all you see? Have you ever considered why Spirit Pagoda is now stuck in such an awkward position, restrained by Parliament at every turn, even stripped of our academy grounds in Shrek City? It is precisely because we have all lost that sharpness and... legitimacy!"

He rose and walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling Mingdu below. His tone carried remembrance and passion. "Why did Spirit Pagoda flourish ten thousand years ago? It was because of Pagoda Master Gu's courage and methods! She personally elevated the spirit soul system once more and laid the foundation of Spirit Pagoda through essential things like the Ascension Platform! Look at us now. Federation Parliament has cut our seats in half and watches us with suspicion at every turn. Once Pagoda Master Gu returns, given her relationship with that person, will we still need to heed their expressions?"

He suddenly turned around and stared intensely at Qian Gu Dieting. "Pagoda Master Gu's return is the perfect opportunity to restore Spirit Pagoda's prestige! She represents Spirit Pagoda's most legitimate and strongest legacy. So long as she is willing to return, I am willing to offer up the position of Pagoda Master immediately! With her overseeing us, would Parliament still dare oppress us like this? And how would Shrek and Tang Sect view us then?"

Leng Qianshan had been stuck at the Level 119 bottleneck for more than forty years. He knew full well that without a tremendous opportunity, surpassing divinity would be impossible in this lifetime. To him, power was far less important than achieving a breakthrough and reviving Spirit Pagoda. If Gu Yuena's strength could return Spirit Pagoda to its peak, he would not only gain the chance to cultivate wholeheartedly, but also leave his name in history. Why would he refuse?

"You... you've gone mad!" Qian Gu Hongchen trembled with fury. "You're seeking the skin of a tiger! She is the common ruler of soul beasts!"

"So what?" Leng Qianshan sneered.

"Ten thousand years have passed. Humans and soul beasts already coexist peacefully. After experiencing such a cycle of reincarnation, how could you and I possibly fathom her thoughts? What matters is that she can make Spirit Pagoda great again! Hongchen, if you insist on obstructing this, do not blame me for disregarding our fellowship!" The pressure of his peak Level 119 cultivation faintly spread outward, making Qian Gu Hongchen's expression turn even uglier. After all, his cultivation was inferior.

Inside the secret chamber, the atmosphere was drawn taut as a blade. Spirit Pagoda's internal rift had become completely exposed because of Gu Yuena's return.

Heaven Dou City, Tang Sect Ancestral Grounds, confidential council hall.

Tang Fenghua, Tang Qingfeng, and several core hall masters gathered together. The atmosphere was equally grave, though it held more caution and anticipation.

"The news has been sent according to the ancestor's instructions. On Shrek's side, Sea God Pavilion's Pavilion Master should have personally received it. As for Spirit Pagoda... it will likely cause no small amount of turmoil." Tang Fenghua spoke in a deep voice.

A hall master in charge of intelligence frowned. "Sect Master, should we make limited disclosure within the sect regarding the ancestors' return? After all, this would be beneficial to our—"

"No." Another hall master of great seniority interrupted him. His gaze was wise. "The ancestor and Her Excellency Gu Yuena have only just returned. Their memories are not restored, and their state of mind is unclear. Their identities ten thousand years ago were extraordinary and involved far too many matters. Revealing it rashly may attract unnecessary attention and probing from all sides, which would instead interfere with their recovery. What we should do now is wait and observe, continue developing, and wait for the ancestors to contact us on their own or issue further instructions."

Tang Qingfeng nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The ancestors are no longer as they were in the past, forced to shoulder the fate of their people. They are now truly free. Their choice to leave quietly means they wish to have time and space of their own. Tang Sect should become their strongest support, not the shackles that bind them. Everything can wait until they are ready."

Everyone fell silent, then nodded in succession. They were filled with reverence and trust toward the two legends who had saved the continent, willing to grant them the greatest patience and freedom.

As for Federation Parliament, no matter how dissatisfied Qian Gu Hongchen was with Leng Qianshan, he did not reveal the news to Parliament. For the current Parliament still feared those three forces to the extreme. If they possessed a weapon like the one that destroyed Shrek City ten thousand years ago, they would still use it without hesitation. Parliament remained calm.

As for the true supporter behind Parliament, he merely toyed with the piece of soul-forged metal in his hand. A faint dragon's might leaked from it. It was precisely the piece of soul-forged metal Tang Wulin had forged in Aolai City.

Meanwhile, in a corner of Heaven Dou City, Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena knew nothing of all this. Or rather, they did not care.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena held hands, wandering through Heaven Dou City's ancient streets and alleys like the most ordinary couple. At teahouses, they listened to storytellers recount myths adapted from their story ten thousand years ago. Whenever the tale grew exaggerated, they exchanged smiles, understanding everything without words. By the river, they released wish-making soul tool lotus lanterns. Gu Yuena watched the lights of countless homes and the stars reflected in the water, then softly said, "The peace of today is wonderful." Tang Wulin merely tightened his grip around her slender hand.

As the sun set, they climbed an ancient clock tower and looked down upon the city dyed golden-red by the evening glow. Gu Yuena gently leaned against Tang Wulin's shoulder. Her silver hair brushed across his neck in the breeze, bringing a faint itch and sweet fragrance.

"Wulin."

"Mm?"

"If... things could continue like this forever, that would be nice too."

Tang Wulin lowered his head and looked at her dependent profile, tenderness overflowing from his golden eyes. "I feel the same. We'll find a place we like and live only for ourselves, watching the sunrise and sunset just as we are now."

He paused, his voice carrying incomparable resolve and a trace of relief. "This time, nothing will ever separate us again. Nothing will force us to make choices against our hearts. We will live only for each other, only for our future."

Gu Yuena raised her head. Her purple eyes reflected the final glow on the horizon, as well as his loving face. She leaned forward of her own accord and pressed a gentle yet resolute kiss against his lips.

"Mm. I only care about you."

The grandeur and turbulence of the past had returned to silence, while the future remained unknown. At this moment, only the warmth in their palms and the reflections of each other in their eyes were real.

This was the tender time that Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena had waited ten thousand years for.