The gentle breeze from Sea God Island drifted by, carrying the crisp, rich fragrance of vegetation from the Golden Ancient Tree.
He was preparing to head to the Outer Court.
At the same time, in the Divine Realm, within the Sea God Temple.
Tang San lounged lazily against a long chair wreathed in cloud patterns.
Before him floated a translucent, crystalline oval object.
Images flickered across its surface, reflecting scenes from the lower realm in real time.
The view settled on the bluestone path outside the Shrek Outer Court dormitories.
It clearly showed Tang Wulin returning from Sea God Island, the hem of his clothes fluttering in the wind.
Tang San looked at the God Realm Core, his tone filled with unconcealed pride and certainty.
"As expected of my son. But compared to Huo Yuhao, it would be better to nurture some sibling affection."
"Or perhaps we shouldn't let up on Huo Yuhao's side. Have him stay in the room next door!"
"If they spend their days together, their bond will naturally take deep root."
"But as for this Huo Yuhao..."
He paused slightly. The faint smile on his face gradually faded, and he began muttering to himself in a casual tone carrying innate contempt, his eyes gleaming with the amusement of one who held everything in his grasp.
"The so-called child of destiny, worshipped by the world, to me..."
"He is merely a servant meant to bow his head and obey my son."
Tang San's gaze shifted.
The image changed, settling at the dormitory staircase.
It clearly showed Tang Wulin lowering his head and gently reminding Na'er of something.
He stared intently at the girl's silver hair and purple eyes, studying her for several breaths.
Then he murmured softly, deep calculation hidden in his eyes.
"Silver Dragon King... Her talent and appearance are worthy of my son."
"Only, her temperament is unruly and difficult to tame. She poses no small hidden danger."
"But if she can be completely subdued, she will also be an excellent source of support. Huo Yuhao is only fit to be a dog of the Tang family!"
He lightly tapped the God Realm Core with a finger. The entire image instantly shattered into specks of light and vanished without a trace. He rose and walked to the window, gazing down upon the boundless, rolling sea of clouds in the Divine Realm.
A confident smile of certain victory curled at the corner of his lips.
At this moment, inside the Life Goddess Temple.
The atmosphere was far more complicated and solemn than in the Sea God Temple.
The Life Goddess reclined against a vine-wrapped chair, a clear emerald sphere of light hovering above her fingertips.
At the center of the light sphere was a reflected image of the lower realm.
It showed Tang Wulin and Na'er walking side by side, speaking and laughing softly.
Watching the girl tilt her head up with a faint smile, worry gathered between her brows. She turned to the God of Destruction beside her and spoke quietly.
"Little Zi, did you see that? That silver-haired little girl is the Silver Dragon King."
The God of Destruction had originally been resting with his eyes closed, fine arcs of purple electricity coiling around him. Upon hearing her words, he slowly opened one eye.
He cast an indifferent glance at the figures in the light sphere, then let out a cold snort and closed his eyes again, his voice low and heavy.
"It is her."
"Her aura is extremely similar to half of the Dragon God's. It is not as though we have never seen it before."
"Even if she turned to ashes, I would recognize her."
"If she stays by Little Lin's side every day, could there be unforeseen changes..."
The Life Goddess had not finished voicing her concerns when her fingers tightened slightly, and the light sphere dimmed somewhat.
Hearing this, the God of Destruction suddenly opened his eyes fully and sat upright. He reached out and gently pried apart her clenched fingers.
Strands of gentle purple light flowed from his palm, softly enveloping her fingertips.
His tone was tender, yet carried an unquestionable sharpness and ruthlessness.
"You need not worry."
"If she truly wishes to accompany him and behaves herself, then it will be her opportunity and fortune."
"But if she dares harbor ulterior motives and deliberately plots against Little Lin—"
The purple light in his palm suddenly flared, and fine lightning crackled sharply.
Half of his face was hidden in the dark shadows cast by his hood, his presence icy and imposing.
"My Violet Firmament Divine Thunder has never shown mercy to the severely wounded Silver Dragon King!"
Upon hearing this, most of the worry in the Life Goddess's heart dissipated.
She gently grasped his wrist in return and softly patted it.
Her tone became gentle and warm once more.
"That is true. The Silver Dragon King's origin is of the same root as the Golden Dragon King Bloodline within Little Lin. If the two truly stay together and support one another, they may not be unable to forge a path beyond even the Dragon God."
The God of Destruction's hostility faded, and his expression softened somewhat. After pondering for a moment, he gave another solemn reminder.
"As long as she behaves herself and does not stir up trouble, I will let her live freely. But if she dares entertain even the slightest improper thought..."
"I will make sure even her final wisp of remnant soul is completely erased! Though that would indeed be somewhat unfair to the Dragon God, compared to our son, I, Destruction, will bear this debt and this guilt."
With that said, he leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes to rest once more.
The purple light wrapped around the Life Goddess's fingertips never loosened.
In the lower realm, it was evening.
By the time Tang Wulin returned from Sea God Island, the sky had already darkened considerably.
At the western horizon hung the last remnant of sunset, its orange-red glow scattered by the wind like wrinkled silk.
He arrived at the entrance of Dormitory 108 and took out his key, inserting it into the lock.
With a light turn, the door opened in response.
What greeted him was the faint, refreshing scent of soapberries.
It mingled with the warm, damp smell of wood that had been wiped down with clean water.
The former heavy smell of dust had vanished completely.
The dusty windowsill looked entirely renewed, spotless and gleaming.
The tabletop had been polished until it shone like a mirror, clearly reflecting figures.
The old bedboards had been covered with brand-new, clean straw mats.
All the cobwebs in the corners had been cleared away. There was not a trace of clutter, and faint, still-damp water marks remained on the floor, yet it was so clean that the original grain of the wooden boards was plainly visible.
Huo Yuhao was squatting in a corner, holding a dry cloth as he carefully wiped away the last traces of water.
Hearing the door open, he immediately turned around.
The person who had entered was not Tang Wulin, but a youth whose brows seemed somewhat similar to Tang Wulin's. His blue-pink hair fluttered in the air, and Huo Yuhao's favorable impression of him instantly surged.
But the moment that person opened his mouth, Huo Yuhao immediately decided that he was not the same kind of person as Brother Tang. He was simply the sort of spoiled young master Huo Yuhao hated most!
Just as the two were about to start arguing, Tang Wulin pushed open the door and entered.
"What are you two doing?" Tang Wulin asked, pretending not to know.
"Y-you-you!" Wang Dong pointed at the newcomer, then looked at Huo Yuhao, confusion flashing in his eyes. "Isn't our dorm room supposed to be for two people?"
"Yes. This is my friend from the dorm next door. I asked him to come over and help me tidy up some things." A faint smile flashed across Tang Wulin's face.
Tang Wutong, Sea God Tang San's...
No, she should be called Wang Dong now!
"I hope you won't bring such unsavory people into our dorm room in the future!" For some reason, Wang Dong's tone noticeably softened when looking at Tang Wulin.
"He is my friend, not some unsavory person." Tang Wulin wore a polite smile as his gaze briefly swept over Huo Yuhao before turning to Wang Dong. "I hope this classmate can show others a little more respect."
"Thank you, Brother Tang, but I want to fight him and teach him what respect means!" Huo Yuhao said, anger blazing in his eyes.
Hearing this, Tang Wulin rubbed his forehead, a trace of helplessness flashing across his face.
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