Martial Soul Fusion Skill

Early the next morning, light rose from the surface of Sea God Lake, peeling Shrek City inch by inch from the darkness. The old bricks along the city walls gleamed with a cool bluish-gray hue in the morning light, half dampened by last night's dew and not yet fully dry.

Long Bing walked along the gravel path on Sea God Island with her arm linked through Wu Changkong's, neither hurried nor slow. Today, she had changed into a light-colored jacket suitable for movement, its cuffs neatly cinched. Her hair was not pinned up with a wooden hairpin, but tied into a low ponytail that hung behind her, its ends swaying softly in the morning breeze. Wu Changkong walked to her left. He was not carrying the wooden box containing the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, and had changed into a dark training uniform. His collar was buttoned neatly, his sleeves pulled up to mid-forearm, revealing the edges of several old scars on his wrist. His gaze rested on the door ahead, and he said nothing.

Shen Yi caught up from behind, still rubbing at eyes that had not fully opened, her footsteps unsteady and crooked. Seeing Long Bing's arm linked with Wu Changkong's, she paused, then hurried forward and snatched Long Bing's arm away from him, linking it with her own while muttering something under her breath. Wu Changkong had his companion stolen away, and his hand hung in midair for a moment. When he withdrew it, he said nothing, merely slowed his pace so the two of them could keep up.

By the time they reached the door, Shen Yi was still speaking quietly to Long Bing. The door was not fully shut, leaving a narrow crack through which morning light seeped, cutting a long, thin strip across the ground.