The Youngest Member of the Sea God Pavilion

Tang Wulin gave them a calm glance, then looked down at the food in his hands. Forget it, no rush. Food first!

He would show them what he was capable of when the competition came around!

Wu Feng was also full of dissatisfaction. "Why? Why does that brat get to sit there and eat while you have to stand, Ning Tian? You're the young lady of the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect. Why should you have to stand?"

Ning Tian said to Wu Feng beside her, "Don't cause trouble. That boy is dressed extravagantly, and the patterns on his clothes look somewhat like the Sea God Pavilion's emblem."

At the long table, Tang Wulin had already cleared twenty plates clean. Beside Na'er's bowl was a neat little stack of thoroughly gnawed rib bones.

She set down her chopsticks and let out a satisfied sigh. Looking up at Tang Wulin, her purple eyes gleamed with a watery brightness. "Brother, I'm full."

Tang Wulin also put down his chopsticks. Looking at the sea of empty plates and bowls on the table, he rubbed his stomach and gave a satisfied hum.

Then he put the two stools back into his storage soul tool, stood up, and held out a hand to Na'er. "Come on. Let's go take a look at your dormitory."

Tang Wulin then turned and greeted Uncle Chen, signaling that he was leaving.

Na'er placed her hand in his palm, then glanced back at the empty tabletop. A contented little curve appeared at the corner of her lips as she obediently followed Tang Wulin toward the cafeteria entrance.

Sunlight streamed in through the doorway, stretching their tall and short shadows far across the ground. The tips of their silver-white hair swayed softly in the light.

Holding Na'er's hand, Tang Wulin followed the bluestone path through the outer court at an unhurried pace toward the student dormitories.

The leaves of the plane trees lining both sides of the path rustled in the wind. Dappled light fell over his shoulders and Na'er's silver-white hair, flickering on and off like shattered gold scattered across them.

The dormitory building was a five-story grayish-white structure. Its exterior walls were covered in half-withered vines, while several outer court disciples' uniforms hung from the windowsills. When the wind blew, their sleeves swayed back and forth—probably rather frightening to see at night.

The entire dormitory was quite old and run-down.

When Tang Wulin reached the entrance and was about to step over the threshold, he caught sight of something beneath a nearby plane tree from the corner of his eye and stopped.

Mu En was lying on a bamboo recliner beneath the tree. The chair was old, and it creaked under his weight.

He had his eyes narrowed as he basked in the sunlight filtering through the leaves, looking as carefree and lazy as an immortal. His cheeks occasionally moved.

Tang Wulin released Na'er's hand and quickly walked over. Stopping before Mu En, he gave a slight bow and respectfully called, "Teacher."

Mu En lifted one eyelid into a narrow slit. His cloudy eyes shifted before settling on the youth in front of him.

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying the hoarseness of someone who had just awakened from a nap. "Little Wulin, you're back. Your aura has become much more solid, and your soul ring should be quite good. Looks like this trip wasn't wasted. Oh, you even brought back a pretty little girl."

As he spoke, his gaze passed over Tang Wulin's shoulder and landed on Na'er, who stood half a step behind him.

The silver-haired little girl stood quietly with her hands folded before her. Her purple eyes were as clear as two violet crystals washed clean by rain. She looked up at the old man on the bamboo chair without avoiding his gaze or appearing nervous. Her calm bearing made her seem unlike an ordinary little girl.

Mu En set aside his chicken leg and used the armrests to sit up straighter. The lazy expression on his face faded somewhat, replaced by a warm smile, and his voice softened. "Little one, what is your name? Can you tell Grandpa what your martial soul is?"

Na'er blinked and tilted her head to look at Tang Wulin beside her. Only after seeing him nod did she turn back and answer in a soft, sweet voice, "Gu Yuena. Na'er's martial soul, Brother said, is an Elemental Envoy."

"Elemental Envoy?" Mu En repeated the words, his brows lifting slightly. A faint trace of contemplation flashed through his cloudy old eyes. "This is the first time I've heard of such a martial soul. It certainly doesn't sound simple."

"Of course it isn't simple." Tang Wulin took over with a smile. "Na'er's martial soul can control six elements: fire, water, wind, earth, light, and space. I still don't know exactly how her soul skills work at the moment, but with a martial soul like that, how bad could it possibly be?"

The instant Mu En heard the words "six elements," he abruptly sat upright. The bamboo chair let out an exaggerated creak. His gaze fell upon Na'er, and all the laziness in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by a serious, appraising light.

He fell silent for two breaths, as if carefully probing something with his senses. Then he slowly leaned back against the chair, a smile curling his lips.

"Six elements..." he murmured, his voice thoughtful. "Little Wulin, you have good judgment."

Tang Wulin smiled calmly, though another thought passed through his mind.

When he had first arrived at Shrek, Mu En's waist had been broken. He had been like an oil lamp about to burn out, his bones riddled with cracks and his soul power badly scattered.

Over the past six years, Tang Wulin had relied on the vitality of his Blue Silver Emperor martial soul to gradually send nourishing energy into Mu En's body. He had also drawn upon a little of the Golden Ancient Tree's power, finally repairing those old injuries.

By now, although Mu En had not fully returned to his peak, he could at least stand straight again. His vigor and spirit were no longer anything like the exhausted state he had been in back then.

Only with Mu En alive could he grow steadily.

Without this Dragon God Douluo standing guard, Shrek's status would likely fall several levels. Long Xiaoyao was an old fool obsessed with love, while Ye Xishui was a complete madwoman. Neither was easy to deal with. When the time came, who would bear the burden? So this backer had to be properly cared for—the longer he lived, the better.

Of course, Mu En had not treated him poorly either.

Because of those six uninterrupted years of treatment, Tang Wulin had joined the Sea God Pavilion at the age of twelve, becoming the youngest member in its history.

The cultivation resources he received were practically on the level of an elder's, so he was not short on money.

However, although he had been granted the status, his exact identity had not been announced to the public. Mu En's original words had been, "What we need is a living heir, not a living target." Tang Wulin deeply agreed.

He was not particularly afraid, considering Old Tang's divine consciousness resided within him, but it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Mu En's gaze rested on Na'er for a moment. After pondering for a while, he spoke. "This child is quite good. Is she one of the companions you've chosen?"

Tang Wulin turned his head to look at Na'er. The little girl had lowered her head, silver-white strands of hair falling beside her ears and covering half her face. Both hands clutched the hem of her dress.

He turned back and answered with a smile, "Yes. I feel that she and I may have a martial soul fusion skill."