Heart's Desire

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena boarded the high-speed Soul Tool train bound for Shrek City. Compared with the ordinary train they had taken on the way here, this dedicated line connecting the two core cities was clearly far more upscale. They had bought a sightseeing business-class compartment at the front of the train. It was quieter, and through the huge curved Soul Tool glass window, they could freely take in the scenery racing backward along the route.

The compartment was lit in soft, warm tones. The seats were wide and comfortable, equipped with soundproofing formations that shut out the friction of wheels against rails, leaving only a faint hum. The two sat side by side by the window, watching Mingdu's city skyline, with its fractured beauty, gradually shrink and blur from view before finally giving way to vast fields and the occasional Soul Beast forest flashing past.

"At last, we can have some peace and quiet." Tang Wulin let out a soft breath, relaxing slightly as he leaned back against the cushioned seat. Their trip to Mingdu had brought them an overwhelming amount of information—from the bustling admissions at Spirit Academy, to the tradition of "challenging the school" outside Sun-Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, to the Federation Parliament's veiled threats and Sister Mo Lan's statue. Every part of it had tugged at their hearts and stirred memories from ten thousand years ago.

Gu Yuena nodded slightly and gently rested her head on his shoulder. Her violet eyes watched the flowing scenery outside, her gaze distant. Leng Yaozhu's past, the undercurrents within Spirit Pagoda, the Parliament's unknown trump cards... all of it would take time to process.

The train sped along smoothly and steadily. After an unknown amount of time, a somewhat noisy burst of cheerful footsteps and laughter belonging to teenagers came from outside the compartment, breaking the silence beyond. It sounded like a group of young people excitedly discussing something.

That voice... sounds familiar.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance, each seeing confirmation in the other's eyes. Sure enough, a moment later, through the frosted glass on the compartment door, they saw a group of young figures in Shrek Academy's green uniforms walk past. Among them, the two who stood out the most were the handsome young man with the Skyfrost Sword martial soul who had held a loudspeaker outside Sun-Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, and the lively girl beside him.

"Dong Qingyan! Xu Feng! You two, slow down!" a classmate called from behind them.

"Got it!" The girl named Xu Feng turned back in reply, but not only did she not slow down, she grabbed the arm of the boy named Dong Qingyan and excitedly pointed out the window. "Qingyan, look! That cloud looks like a big turtle!"

Dong Qingyan wore a somewhat helpless expression, but there was an unobtrusive indulgence hidden in his eyes. He let her pull him along and followed the direction she pointed, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "Mm, it does look a little like one."

Their compartment appeared to be diagonally opposite Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena's. The group of youngsters chattered as they entered it and closed the door, but even the soundproofing formation seemed unable to contain their high spirits. Faint laughter and conversation could still be heard.

"Didn't expect to be on the same train as them." Tang Wulin smiled, finding it quite a coincidence. Looking at these energetic juniors, he seemed to see the shadows of himself and his companions from ten thousand years ago.

Gu Yuena also revealed a faint smile. "That child called Dong Qingyan has a very solid foundation in sword intent. The seed you planted seems to have sprouted well."

After a while, the door to the compartment opposite them opened again. A man in his thirties with a steady temperament, likely the Shrek Academy teacher leading the group, stepped out. He seemed to be heading to the train's service area to retrieve something. When he returned, Dong Qingyan and Xu Feng also emerged from the compartment and happened to meet the teacher in the corridor.

"Teacher Li!" The two greeted him respectfully.

"Mm." Teacher Li nodded. Looking at his two most outstanding students, satisfaction appeared on his face. "You both performed well at Sun-Moon Academy this time. Especially Qingyan—your adaptability and use of sword intent were much more polished than before. Once we return, the academy will award you the corresponding points."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Dong Qingyan replied steadily, while Xu Feng was already happily swinging the boy beside her's arm.

Teacher Li paused, his gaze sweeping over both ends of the corridor. He lowered his voice, and his tone turned more serious. "However, there's something I need to remind you about. Recently, the academy—especially Sea God Pavilion—has issued the highest-level gag order. Regarding... certain possible ancient powerhouses, discussion is strictly prohibited under any circumstances, and you must not spread the news outside. When you're out there, watch what you say. Don't start making noise just because you catch some rumor."

Though he had lowered his voice, Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena naturally heard every word clearly with their senses.

Ancient powerhouses? A gag order?

Tang Wulin's heart stirred as he exchanged a glance with Gu Yuena. This probably referred to news of their revival. Shrek Academy had indeed already learned of it and taken certain measures.

Dong Qingyan showed a thoughtful expression and nodded. "This student understands. Is it because of the rumors that some ancestors from ten thousand years ago may be showing signs of returning?" He had clearly heard some bits of gossip circulating from the inner court.

Teacher Li's expression hardened, and he lowered his voice even further. "It's enough that you know it in your heart. Don't say it aloud! Sea God Pavilion takes this matter extremely seriously, and its stance... does not seem completely unified. Some elders believe that if the ancestors truly return, they must consider how to receive them. But others believe that making it public rashly would draw the attention and hostility of Federation forces. In short, this is not something you should worry about now. Focus on cultivating and preparing for the outer court competition coming up soon. That's what matters."

"Yes, Teacher," Dong Qingyan and Xu Feng answered in unison.

Teacher Li retrieved his things and returned to the compartment. Dong Qingyan and Xu Feng, however, did not go back immediately. They leaned against the corridor window, watching the scenery fly past outside.

"Hey, Little Qingyan." Xu Feng nudged Dong Qingyan with her elbow, curiosity shining in her large eyes. "Tell me, if those legendary figures from ten thousand years ago really came back, what would they be like? Could they... be around our age?" Her thoughts were always flighty and full of imagination.

Dong Qingyan gave her a helpless look. He seemed to have grown used to the nickname "Little Qingyan." "How could that be? After ten thousand years, even if they were still alive, they would surely be seniors who had experienced endless vicissitudes. But..." He paused, and a trace of longing flashed through his eyes. "If we could truly see those former powerhouses with our own eyes, and witness even a glimpse of that glorious era, it would indeed be a rare opportunity."

Xu Feng propped her chin in both hands and said dreamily, "It would be great if we could ask them to teach me a move or two... Hey, do you think they'd find our current cultivation methods too flashy? I heard that Soul Masters ten thousand years ago placed more emphasis on tempering their bodies and martial souls..."

The two youths spoke softly in the corridor, full of curiosity and imagination toward those unknown "ancient powerhouses."

Inside the compartment, however, Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena listened to their conversation with complicated feelings.

"Shrek Academy has changed quite a bit too."

A complicated glint flashed through Tang Wulin's black eyes. He had never expected that his return would trigger such discussions and divisions within Shrek. He had only wanted to recover his memories with Gu Yuena, understand the Silver Dragon Spear's call, and then live the life they wanted.

Gu Yuena gently took his hand, sensing the turbulence in his heart. "It's only to be expected. After ten thousand years of development, it has its own system. To them, we are both the glory of history and uncertain variables."

Tang Wulin fell silent for a moment, then clasped her cool hand in return. His gaze became firm and clear. "Gu Yue, I think I understand now."

He looked at her, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable resolve. "Shrek is our home. That will never change. But the Shrek of ten thousand years later belongs to these children, to the new generation of Soul Masters like Dong Qingyan. We did not return to take anything away, nor did we return to gain anything."

His gaze passed through the train window toward Shrek City, as though he could already see the familiar Sea God Lake and Golden Ancient Tree.

"We returned to understand unresolved karma, answer the call of our origins, and uncover the hidden threat. If possible, we are willing to serve as a force to protect it, just as we did ten thousand years ago. But the people who should guide its future are those of this era."

He paused, then turned to Gu Yuena, a gentle smile in his eyes. "Besides, the only thing I want to 'take charge of' now is you. As for everything else, we'll let nature take its course."

As Gu Yuena listened, ripples spread through her violet eyes—the emotion of being understood and cherished. She squeezed his hand tightly, her lips curving into a breathtaking smile. "All right. I'll listen to you."

Just as the two understood each other's hearts and decided to face Shrek as "returnees" rather than "those in power," Tang Wulin's spiritual power stirred slightly, like a tiny stone dropped into a tranquil lake. He sensed that, aside from themselves and the group of Shrek teachers and students, several well-hidden auras were mixed in among the passengers on this speeding train.

One aura carried Spirit Pagoda's distinctive spiritual imprint, yet seemed subtly different within, faintly divided into two distinct styles. Another was even more concealed. Its Soul Power fluctuations carried the special rhythm of the Federation Guard's standardized Soul Tools, disguised as an ordinary merchant.

The reach of every major force had indeed already extended here. They were all closely watching everything bound for Shrek City, especially any trace that might be connected to the "ancient powerhouses."

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena exchanged a smile and paid it no mind. Now that they had decided on the road ahead, those hidden eyes could watch all they pleased.

The train roared onward, carrying the legends of old and the hopes of a new era, steadily racing toward that city filled with legend and the unknown.