Na'er

The sea breeze slipped in through the window crack, carrying a salty, damp scent. At the table, Tang Wulin sipped his porridge in small mouthfuls, but his eyes kept darting toward the door. Today was the day of his martial soul awakening at the age of six.

"Linlin, are you nervous?" Lang Yue set down her chopsticks and gently stroked her son's soft blue hair.

Tang Wulin nodded, then shook his head. "A little... Mom, what if the martial soul I awaken isn't any good?" He had heard too much gossip in the streets and alleys and knew that the quality of one's martial soul almost determined an ordinary person's entire life.

"Silly child." Tang Ziran swallowed his steamed bun, his voice steady and firm. "Whether it's good or not is for other people to say. In your father's and mother's eyes, as long as you're healthy and upright, it doesn't matter what you awaken. Back then, I awakened nothing more than an iron shovel with barely any Soul Power, but didn't I still support this family with my own strength?" He paused and looked at the old cloth scarf his son never took off. "Besides, our Linlin is blessed. Maybe you'll get a surprise."

Those words were like a calming pill. Tang Wulin touched his scarf, then unconsciously pressed the Snowflake Necklace against his chest through his clothes. Its cool, familiar touch reassured him greatly. "Okay! I'll work hard!"

Lang Yue carefully straightened her son's necklace chain and tucked it beneath his collar. "When you get to the Spirit Pagoda, listen to Lord Soul Master and carry yourself confidently. No matter the result, come home early. Mom will make your favorite braised fish."

The family exchanged warm, peaceful looks. Yet deep in Tang Ziran's eyes lay a trace of barely noticeable heaviness. More than anyone, he knew that the awakening ceremony was an important event officially recorded by the Spirit Pagoda. Their identities would once again be exposed to that massive organization's notice.

Spirit Pagoda branch office, Awakening Hall.

The atmosphere inside was solemn. Lin Tao, the Soul Master presiding over the awakening, wore a practiced smile and spoke kindly, repeatedly emphasizing the Spirit Pagoda's principle of "serving Soul Masters and living in harmony." Yet as the children stepped forward one by one and awakened ordinary martial souls such as hoes and Blue Silver Grass, the indifference beneath his formulaic gentleness showed that he had seen it all before. Efficiency, and bringing every potential Soul Master into the management system, were what truly mattered.

It was Tang Wulin's turn. He took a deep breath and placed his little hand on the crystal ball. The initial stillness made his heart race, and when a blue halo rippled forth along with the phantom of a slender Blue Silver Grass, disappointment instantly drowned him.

"Martial soul, Blue Silver Grass." Lin Tao's voice remained amiable, carrying professional encouragement. "Not bad vitality, child. Your future has potential."

Just as those standard words of consolation were about to end, at the very moment Tang Wulin had nearly resigned himself to it—

An abnormal phenomenon erupted!

From the center of those frail blue blades, several sharp, needle-like, dazzling Dark Gold patterns suddenly burst forth without warning! They did not cover the grass blades, but expanded and stood out within them like living blood vessels, radiating an overwhelmingly domineering aura that lasted only an instant yet made hearts tremble. At the same time, the Snowflake Necklace on Tang Wulin's chest suddenly became scorching hot, while a piercing chill stabbed straight into his heart as though fiercely battling those golden patterns!

"Bzzzz—!"

The auxiliary Soul Tool beside him, used to stabilize and record Soul Power fluctuations, had its gauge needle suddenly jerk into a frantic tremble, letting out a shrill alarm! The light within the crystal ball twisted violently, as if a massive boulder had been thrown into a tranquil lake!

"What?!" The amiable smile on Lin Tao's face froze instantly, transforming into extreme shock and vigilance. He took a swift step forward, Soul Power surging from him as he quickly stabilized the nearly out-of-control instrument. His gaze shot toward Tang Wulin like lightning, especially at the little hand he had just withdrawn, which seemed to retain a faint, invisible tremor.

Blue Silver Grass? Dark Gold patterns? An abnormal resonance with a Soul Tool? This was completely beyond his knowledge and daily work manual! He immediately realized that this was no simple "useless martial soul," but a special mutated martial soul never before recorded, one capable of interfering with or even stirring Soul Tool energy! Its value might be far more than it appeared.

Tang Wulin was frightened by the sudden change and the Soul Master's abruptly sharp gaze. His little face turned pale as he stood at a loss. Below the stage, Tang Ziran's heart sank to the bottom, while Lang Yue tightly gripped her husband's arm.

Lin Tao swiftly regained his outward composure, but his eyes had completely changed. He first soothed Tang Wulin gently with Soul Power, though the gesture carried an undeniable hint of probing, then completed the remaining tests. "Innate Soul Power: Level Three." Compared to the earlier anomaly, that result seemed so ordinary that it only made things stranger.

He did not waste another word on meaningless encouragement. Instead, he rapidly operated the Soul Tool recording panel. Beneath Tang Wulin's basic information, he opened a red-bordered interface labeled "Special Notes" and quickly entered:

> "Subject: Tang Wulin (ID: AT-774-06)

> Observation: Martial soul awakening anomaly.

> Details:

> 1. Martial soul was Blue Silver Grass. During awakening, it displayed high-intensity, unknown-attribute Dark Gold internal pattern mutation, lasting approximately 0.3 seconds.

> 2. At the moment of mutation, it caused disorder in the core data flow of 'Soul Power Resonance Instrument—Type III' (Serial No.: SL-447). Intensity rating: Class C (capable of overloading low-level Soul Tool circuits).

> 3. Innate Soul Power Level Three, severely inconsistent with mutated energy intensity. Doubt remains.

> Preliminary assessment: Not a natural benign mutation. Suspected to be a carrier of latent powerful energy or to possess a special energy affinity constitution. Recommendation: Add to the 'Potential Special Sample' observation list, initiate Level Three silent monitoring, and periodically trace his family background information (associated individual: Tang Ziran, formerly an observer in Cold Pine Town, records questionable). Follow-up adaptability testing required to assess the martial soul's potential influence on Soul Tools and possible applications."

As he wrote the words "possible applications," Lin Tao's gaze flickered slightly. The Spirit Pagoda's attitude toward all unconventional powers was first "observation," then "assessment." Its ultimate aim was always "control" and "utilization."

He handed Tang Ziran the most ordinary Soul Master certificate, an impeccable faint smile returning to his face. "The procedures are complete. The child's martial soul has distinctive traits. He may have a unique path of development in the future. Please pay close attention to relevant Spirit Pagoda information."

Tang Ziran accepted the card, feeling as though the thin slip weighed a thousand jin. He had clearly seen Lin Tao's completely different serious expression while operating the device, as well as the complex interface that had flashed across the screen. He knew his son had already been marked with an invisible label.

The journey home felt especially long. Tang Wulin walked with his head lowered. The shock of those golden patterns was quickly replaced by the heavy disappointment brought by the words "Blue Silver Grass." His parents' comforting words still rang in his ears, yet they could not pierce through his dejection.

"Dad, Mom, I want to go for a walk by the sea alone," Tang Wulin said softly when they were almost at the alley entrance.

Tang Ziran and Lang Yue exchanged a look, seeing the worry in each other's eyes, but they ultimately nodded. "Come back early," Lang Yue said gently. She understood that the child needed some space to process his feelings alone.

Tang Wulin wandered aimlessly along the familiar coastline. The setting sun dyed the sea gold and crimson, yet its light could not reach his gloomy heart. Before he knew it, he had entered a secluded area behind the docks, where discarded fishing nets and broken wooden crates were piled up.

Whimpering and laughter reached his ears at the same time.

At the end of a dead-end alley, three homeless children a few years older than him were surrounding a small figure curled up in the corner. She was a silver-haired girl, her hair grimy and tangled, wrapped in an oversized tattered coat. Her bare ankles were thin and pale. She clutched half a piece of black bread tightly to her chest. Faced with the shoving and mockery, she only bit her lower lip, while beneath the fear in her purple eyes surged an almost tangible icy fury and humiliation. She was perfectly playing the part of someone weak, but the part of her soul belonging to the Silver Dragon King was boiling at this clumsy offense.

Just as one of the boys reached out to grab her hair—

"Stop! You're bullying her!"

Tang Wulin rushed over. Though he was still upset about his martial soul, though he was afraid too, his body had already stepped in front of the girl. He was not tall, but his back was straight.

"Heh, blue-haired brat, mind your own business!" The leading boy waved his fist.

Tang Wulin did not retreat. He took a deep breath and shouted, "I... I'm already a Soul Master! If you keep bullying people, I... I'll call the patrol!" He displayed the still-new Soul Master card, which was almost weightless in his hand. In this commoner district, that identity carried at least some intimidation.

The homeless children hesitated, curled their lips, cursed under their breaths, and dispersed. They only bullied the weak and feared the strong. They had no desire to provoke any trouble that might be connected to a "Soul Master."

Only after driving the ruffians away did Tang Wulin let out a breath of relief and turn around. The girl had already lifted her head and was quietly looking at him. Their gazes met.

Tang Wulin saw a pair of incredibly beautiful purple eyes unlike any he had ever seen. At that moment, however, they were filled with frightened tears, making his heart tighten. "A-Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He crouched down, and his voice unconsciously softened.

The girl—Na'er—gently shook her head, but her gaze never left Tang Wulin's face. In the instant he had stood before her, aside from that childish courage, she had sensed something even more clearly! That faint yet incomparably pure and noble dragon pressure from deep within the origin of his life, as well as the violent, destructive aura hidden beneath it that made souls shudder! Though weakened beneath layer upon layer of seals, its fundamental level... far surpassed any soul beast she had ever encountered. It even made her, an incarnation of the Silver Dragon King, feel a flicker of resonance and rejection from an equal existence!

A fragment of the Golden Dragon King's power? Inside a human child? Sealed by the Sea God's power and another blessing of extreme cold? A monstrous storm rose within Na'er's heart. This was no coincidence! This boy was a riddle, a key, perhaps even a... trap? Did Di Tian and the others know? No. If they did, given Di Tian's obsession with the Dragon God's power, his reaction would never have been like this. Then...

In that instant, countless thoughts collided, analyzed, and reached conclusions in her mind. The original plan had to be completely changed. This boy, Tang Wulin, had to become the core target of her observation, understanding, and perhaps... control. Drawing close to him was not only necessary for infiltrating the human world, but also the key to uncovering this earth-shattering secret.

"Th-Thank you..." she said, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, trembling just enough as tears rolled from her purple eyes. "I... I'm Na'er... I don't remember my home..."

Seeing how pitiful and bedraggled she looked, Tang Wulin's own troubles seemed to fade a little. He scratched his head. "My name is Tang Wulin... Where are the adults in your family? Why did they leave you here alone?"

Na'er only shook her head. More tears flowed as she reached out and gently grasped the corner of Tang Wulin's clothes. She raised her little face, and the dependence in her gaze made her impossible to refuse.

Tang Wulin looked at the setting sun, then at the homeless girl before him, remembering his mother's usual teachings. After hesitating for a moment, he extended his hand. "It'll be dark soon, and it isn't safe here... How about coming home with me first? My mom will definitely find a way to help you."

Na'er looked at his outstretched hand, and an extremely complicated glimmer flashed through her eyes—the plan worked. Slowly, she placed her dirty little hand into Tang Wulin's palm.

The little kitchen of the Tang household was brightly lit. Lang Yue looked at the silver-haired girl her son had brought home, listened to his stammering explanation, and after her initial surprise, her maternal tenderness immediately prevailed. She brought over hot water and gently helped Na'er wash herself. When the grime faded, revealing that excessively delicate little face and the silver hair flowing with moonlight-like radiance, even Tang Ziran was stunned for a moment.

Na'er changed into clean old clothes Lang Yue had found and quietly sat at the table, eating hot noodle soup in small bites. Her movements were somewhat clumsy, as though she was unaccustomed to human utensils, but her gaze was pure. To every question from Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, she only shook her head or gave brief answers, perfectly playing the role of an orphan girl who had been too frightened and whose memories were blurred.

Tang Wulin sat opposite her. At first, he was somewhat restrained, but he was soon softened by Na'er's curiosity—she carefully touched the ceramic bowl on the table and observed the dancing lamp flame—and by the trusting looks she occasionally gave him. He took the initiative to speak with her, gesturing as he explained the things around the house.

Late at night, a temporary little bed had been laid out beside Tang Wulin's room. Na'er lay with her eyes closed, her breathing steady. Yet her perception spread through the entire little house like invisible mercury, focused especially on the boy next door.

Tang Wulin slept deeply. The day's dejection seemed to have dissipated even in his dreams. The Snowflake Necklace and old cloth scarf quietly carried out their duty to guard him. Deep within his body, the shattered Divine Core seemed to have become slightly more "active" than usual due to the faint stimulation during his martial soul awakening. A nearly imperceptible Dark Gold aura swept through his veins like drifting smoke.

Na'er's consciousness was clear as ice. The Golden Dragon King's aura... the Sea God's seal... What exactly was this boy named Tang Wulin? She realized that she had inadvertently touched a vortex involving the ultimate secret of the Dragon God's origin, one that perhaps even Di Tian had never noticed. The differences in direction among the soul beasts, the stalemate between humans and soul beasts—before this secret, all of it seemed to require reassessment.

She made a decision: everything concerning this boy would remain her highest secret until she, as Gu Yuena, clarified the truth and weighed the most beneficial course. Even Di Tian could not be told. Under the identity of "Na'er," she would firmly root herself in this family, observing and investigating him from close by until she held every piece of the puzzle.

Just then, Tang Wulin murmured indistinctly in his sleep next door. "...It's not a useless martial soul..."

Na'er's long silver lashes trembled almost imperceptibly in the darkness. Her purple eyes quietly opened a sliver, containing none of a child's innocence, only the deep, boundless contemplation and resolve belonging to the Silver Dragon King.