The Afterglow of Sea God Fate

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue did not head toward the shore. Instead, they went straight to the Golden Crown, embracing as they watched the fireworks continuously rise.

He stroked Gu Yue's long silver hair and could not help asking, "You two..."

Gu Yue said, "After returning from Dragon Valley, neither she nor I could suppress our origin power any longer. That was how this happened."

Tang Wulin asked, "The Dragon God's power?"

Gu Yue said, "Dragon God's Heart has been nourishing our origins."

Tang Wulin sighed softly. "Is this the second path the Dragon God gave you?"

Gu Yue replied flatly, "To be precise, this is only the first step. After all, she possesses thirty percent of my power. Even the Dragon God would find it difficult to make up for that missing portion out of thin air."

"Ultimately, she and I are not yet completely independent. We share the same origin, and that determines the limits of each of us."

"The most direct method is to completely separate us. Though we come from the same source, by using your humans' cultivation methods, we might even both reach the God King level."

"We did not dare do this before because the risk was too great. If we failed, the entire plan would be ruined. But now that a wisp of the Dragon God's divine consciousness remains, if He says it can be done, then it can."

A golden gleam flashed in Tang Wulin's eyes. "Perhaps... the Golden Dragon King's power could..."

Gu Yue glared at him. "No! Unlocking your final two seals may already be a near-death experience, let alone forcibly transferring your origin to us."

Tang Wulin said helplessly, "It is still an option worth considering. Of course I would not gamble with my life. I still want to grow old with you."

Gu Yue's pretty face reddened. Snuggling into his arms, she muttered softly, "You're the old one."

Tang Wulin teased, "Are you sure you want to compare ages with me?"

Gu Yue immediately raised her head and stared at him, danger flashing in her eyes.

Tang Wulin turned serious and raised his hands in surrender. "My mistake."

Gu Yue gave a soft snort.

Over Sea God Lake, the fireworks display gradually faded. The pleasure boats also reached the shore, and the elders returned to their residences.

Tang Wulin felt a chill. Releasing the hand around Gu Yue's waist, he turned to look at the person who had suddenly appeared atop the Golden Crown.

The newcomer let out an angry snort. A spear tore through the air, aimed directly at Tang Wulin's throat. Terrifying killing intent swept across the sky, and in an instant, heaven and earth changed color. Even the Golden Tree, radiating a green-gold halo, was cowed by that pressure, its light dimming slightly.

Gu Yue stepped forward, nine-colored radiance lighting up around her. Streaks of dazzling light bound the spear, while anger rose in her eyes as well. The Silver Dragon King's God King-level spiritual power reversed and swept away Yun Ming's spiritual power.

Yun Ming withdrew the Sky-Piercing Divine Spear, a trace of shock crossing his eyes.

Gu Yue said coldly, "I respect you as Na'er's teacher, so I will not attack you. This is only a warning. If you dare strike at him again, merely forcing you back will not be enough."

"Gu Yue, go back first." Tang Wulin took her hand, his voice gentle.

Gu Yue frowned. "He truly wanted to kill you!"

Tang Wulin chuckled. "Don't worry."

Gu Yue came to her senses. "That's true. I had almost forgotten about your cultivation."

Tang Wulin said, "...Even if I was once weaker than you, I was later on the same level as you, all right?"

Gu Yue blinked. "I'm getting old. I forget things easily."

Silver light flickered around her, and she vanished from the Golden Crown.

After she left, just as Tang Wulin had expected, Yun Ming did not attack again.

Yun Ming looked at him coldly. "You two are quite lovey-dovey!"

Tang Wulin did not yield an inch. "Should I have rejected her, only to go back and seek her out later? That would be truly irresponsible."

Yun Ming fell silent.

"Pavilion Master, I respect you. But in this matter, you have neither standing nor the right to interfere," Tang Wulin said. "If there is nothing else, I'll be leaving."

After Tang Wulin left, Yun Ming leaned against a branch of the Golden Crown and let out a quiet sigh.

"Ming." Yali landed beside him. Gentle white light enveloped them, soothing Yun Ming's emotions.

Yun Ming's eyes were filled with pain and heartache. "Na'er is also a child we raised and doted on..."

Yali's eyes were tearful as well, but she still held Yun Ming's hand and comforted him softly. "Na'er has grown up. We have to believe she can handle it."

Yun Ming embraced her in return.

"Let's hope so."

"Boss..." Xie Xie's eyes brimmed with tears. "You were alive, yet you never even let us know you were safe..."

Xu Lizhi also condemned him. "Exactly! You're so heartless! Do you know how worried we were?"

Xie Xie suddenly glanced around mysteriously, then leaned close to Tang Wulin and whispered, "Boss, you have no idea. When they heard something had happened to you... Gu Yue's hair turned white overnight!"

Tang Wulin was drinking water. Hearing Xie Xie's words, he nearly choked to death. Laughing despite himself, he said, "What kind of nonsense is this now?!"

Yet even Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui nodded solemnly.

Ye Xinglan said, "Someone from the Tang Sect came to report your disappearance to Elder Cai. And on that very day, Gu Yue's hair turned white."

Tang Wulin said helplessly, "Martial soul mutation..."

Xie Xie said, "She was shocked, devastated by grief, and her martial soul mutated... How reasonable is that!"

"What did you say?" A cold female voice emerged from behind Xie Xie.

Xie Xie sprang away, jumping behind Yuanen Yehui. "Why do you always show up without making a sound now?!"

Tang Wulin watched Gu Yue, who occasionally enjoyed scaring people, and smiled helplessly.

Gu Yue pulled over a chair and sat beside Tang Wulin, naturally picking up his cup and taking a drink.

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."

Tang Wulin frowned. "So soon?"

Gu Yue glanced at him. "I have already delayed for too long."

Yuanen Yehui asked, "Are you really no longer going to be one of the Shrek Seven Monsters?"

Gu Yue nodded. "This position belonged to Wulin in the first place. I was only filling in temporarily. Since he has returned, I need to go do what I need to do."

Ye Xinglan said gravely, "If you ever need us, just say the word."

Gu Yue froze for a moment, then smiled faintly. "All right."

Tang Wulin propped up his face as he watched her smile, warmth and emotion stirring in his heart.

Over these three years, Gu Yue had not only sorted out the feelings between them, but had finally begun to gradually let go of her distant attitude and try to accept the warmth of friendship.

Tang Wulin pinched her fingertips. "Let's go talk to Zhengyu. You girls go ask Xiaoyan about the situation."

Gu Yue stood up. "Then let's go."

The three women and three men split up to handle their respective tasks.

"What a nice reunion, and that brat Yue Zhengyu just had to cause trouble!" Xie Xie muttered.

Tang Wulin said, "If he truly cannot change his mindset and put himself in Xiaoyan's shoes, they may never be able to get past this resentment for the rest of their lives."

Xu Lizhi sighed. "He is too proud."

Xie Xie said, "He's the young master of the Holy Family. How could he not be arrogant? That brat made Xiaoyan angry, Boss. You have to teach him a hard lesson."

Whether Tang Wulin would teach Yue Zhengyu a lesson was another matter. First, he flicked Xie Xie on the forehead. "Stop taking pleasure in his misfortune."

Xie Xie covered his head. "This is loving concern for him!"

Tang Wulin could not be bothered with him.

"You wait here. I'll go in alone."

He had already locked onto Yue Zhengyu's location. Striding into the small forest within the inner court, he found Yue Zhengyu deep inside, looking disheveled and utterly dejected.

Yue Zhengyu stared blankly at him and murmured, "Captain..."

Tang Wulin sighed inwardly and patted his shoulder. "Sit."

Tang Wulin and Yue Zhengyu talked for a long time. Only at dawn did they emerge from the forest.

Xie Xie and Xu Lizhi had waited quietly all night.

Seeing the two come out, Xie Xie yawned and looked at Yue Zhengyu lazily. "Don't let it happen again."

Yue Zhengyu lowered his head and replied dully, "Mm."

Xu Lizhi handed him a bun. "Have something to fill your stomach."

Yue Zhengyu accepted the bun, his eyes reddening. He hurriedly used the motion of eating it to hide his tears.

Tang Wulin put an arm around his shoulders. "Let's go."