Celebration

What delighted him even more was the phantom of a miniature little snake, its entire body covered in fine golden scales. Like a golden bracelet, it affectionately coiled around his wrist.

It raised its tiny head. When its cold vertical pupils looked at Bai Lin, they carried the bewilderment and dependence of a newborn.

"Little fellow."

Bai Lin extended a finger and gently tapped the little snake's cool head, a warm smile appearing on his face.

"From now on, your name will be Golden Language."

The little snake seemed to understand. It rubbed its tiny head against Bai Lin's fingertip and let out a faint hissing sound like metal scraping together, tinged with delight.

Bai Lin contentedly drew his martial soul back into his body. As the phantoms of the Blue Silver Grass and Golden Language vanished, a tiny new "resident" appeared in his sea of consciousness.

In its miniature form, Golden Language curiously appeared in that chaotic space. Instinctively, it wanted to approach its master's core consciousness—

Bai Lin, who radiated a warm and gentle aura.

However, just as it swam closer, a terrifying pressure—cold, violent, and seemingly capable of freezing the soul—came crashing down from the dark corner of the sea of consciousness like an invisible iceberg!

Golden Language's faint spiritual intelligence was instantly drowned in overwhelming terror!

Its tiny body trembled violently, and even its golden scales seemed to lose their luster as it let out a silent wail!

It abruptly curled up, fleeing desperately like a frightened streak of golden lightning to the farthest edge of the sea of consciousness, to the corner farthest from that terrifying aura. There, it tightly curled itself into a ball and shivered!

Its simple mind could not comprehend it at all:

Why were there two completely different "masters" inside its master's body?

One was warm like sunlight, while the other was cold and terrifying like an abyssal demon god!

Feeling Golden Language's fear, Bai Lin helplessly soothed it a few times within his sea of consciousness before withdrawing his awareness.

He straightened his clothes and pushed open the door to the meditation room, unable to hide the brilliant smile on his face.

Outside, Tang Ziran had long been pacing anxiously. Seeing that his son was safe and sound—especially sensing the distinctly stronger aura around him and the uncontrollable joy on his face—the weight in his heart finally lifted, and immense pride surged up once more!

Father and son nodded again to the female Spirit Pagoda master watching them from afar, then left the Spirit Pagoda that had carried their emotional ups and downs today, their steps light with immense joy.

After Tang Ziran left the Spirit Pagoda with Bai Lin, he immediately used his soul communicator to call home.

On the other end, Lang Yue heard her husband's voice, so excited that he was nearly incoherent—

"A hundred-year soul spirit!"

"The fusion succeeded!"

"It's a Golden Light Python!"

"Our son is doing great!"

She froze in disbelief at first, then overwhelming joy swept through her body like an electric current!

She covered her mouth as tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes—tears of happiness, tears of pride!

"Good..."

"Good!"

"That's wonderful!"

"I knew it!"

"I knew our Linlin was the best!"

Lang Yue choked up, her voice filled with excitement.

She immediately ended the call, wiped away her tears, and grabbed Na'er, who had been quietly reading beside her.

"Na'er! Come on!"

"Go grocery shopping with Mom!"

"Your brother succeeded!"

"He got a hundred-year soul spirit!"

"We're going to celebrate properly today!"

Although Na'er did not quite understand what a hundred-year soul spirit meant, seeing her mother so happy and hearing—

"Brother succeeded."

—made her pale violet eyes light up at once. She nodded vigorously.

"Mhm!"

"Celebrate!"

"Brother is amazing!"

Mother and daughter rushed off to the market in high spirits.

Lang Yue nearly bought out all the ingredients she usually could not bear to buy—chicken, duck, fish, meat, fresh vegetables, and fruit—all crammed into large shopping bags.

When they returned home, she tied on an apron. Soon, the kitchen rang with the symphony of pots and pans, while the warmth of cooking and tempting aromas filled their little home.

When Tang Ziran and Bai Lin finally appeared at the mouth of the alley, they could see two figures waiting eagerly at the door from far away.

"Linlin!"

Unable to restrain herself any longer, Lang Yue rushed over like a gust of wind. Throwing open her arms, she tightly embraced her son as soon as he came close!

Her embrace was warm and firm, carrying a mother's unique fragrance and indescribable excitement.

"My good son!"

"You're amazing!"

"Mom is so proud of you!"

"So proud!"

She repeated it over and over, her voice choked with emotion as tears of joy slid down her face once again.

Na'er ran over as well. Tilting up her little face, she looked at Bai Lin with sparkling pale violet eyes. A pure, innocent smile bloomed across her face as she spoke in a soft, sincere voice.

"Congratulations, Brother!"

The afterglow of the setting sun fell over the small doorway, gilding the embracing mother and son, the smiling father, and the innocent little sister with a warm golden edge.

Laughter and cheerful voices scattered all gloom.

Dinner was even more lavish than New Year's.

The large dining table was covered with an array of dishes, complete in color, aroma, and flavor, each one gleaming enticingly.

The family sat around it together in a lively yet warm atmosphere.

Tang Ziran vividly recounted the dangers and surprises inside the Spirit Pagoda. Lang Yue kept placing food into Bai Lin's bowl, while Na'er listened curiously.

After dinner, beneath the expectant gazes of his parents and Na'er, Bai Lin stood and walked to the center of the living room.

With a thought, his expression turned focused.

Buzz!

A bright, pure yellow ring, as if forged from gold, suddenly emerged beneath his feet and slowly began to rotate!

Gentle yet powerful soul power rippled outward, filling the entire room!

The yellow that symbolized a hundred years of cultivation was so dazzling, so eye-catching!

"A hundred-year soul ring..."

"It really is a hundred-year soul ring..."

Tang Ziran looked at the ring that represented the solid beginning of his son's path as a soul master. His voice carried the weight of countless emotions and immense relief, and his eyes grew moist once more.

It was as though he could see his son's limitless future.

Lang Yue covered her mouth, joy-filled tears glimmering in her eyes again. Looking at her son's small but upright figure, she felt that this was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen in her life.

Na'er opened her beautiful violet eyes wide, staring without blinking at that gorgeous yellow ring. Her little face was full of astonishment and admiration.

"Brother..."

"You're so amazing!"

Bai Lin felt his family's gazes, the power contained within the soul ring, and the faint affection Golden Language conveyed from his wrist. His heart was filled with immense warmth and satisfaction.

This road, which had seemed so difficult, now had his family's companionship and support.

It had the support of the other "self" within his body.

And with this hard-won hundred-year soul ring, he had finally...

Taken a solid first step!

The lights of home gently enveloped the little house, filling it with joy and hope.