First Arrival in Eastsea

Early morning, Aolai City, Tang residence.

Morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting long, narrow strips across the bedroom floor. Tang Wulin groggily turned over and habitually reached toward his chest—ever since he could remember, the cool, smooth Eternal Snowflake pendant had never left his skin. It seemed like a part of his body, bringing him an inexplicable sense of security.

But his fingertips touched rough edges and icy fragments.

He woke instantly and sat bolt upright, looking down. The crystalline snowflake pendant he had always worn close to his body had been reduced to a small piece at its center that barely retained its shape. The rest had shattered into seven or eight fragments of varying sizes, scattered across the front of his pajamas and the bedsheets, reflecting dim, scattered glimmers in the morning light.

"Ah! How did it break?" Tang Wulin cried out softly. He carefully picked up the largest fragment with his fingertips, his face filled with shock and heartache. This pendant had been extraordinarily sturdy. Even when he forged or accidentally bumped into things, it had never been damaged. How could it have silently shattered like this overnight?

"Brother, what happened?" Na'er, in the other bed, was awakened by the commotion. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked over with violet eyes. Even just after waking, her voice carried its usual cool clarity.

As the two children had gradually grown older and there was a distinction between boys and girls, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue had long suggested that they sleep in separate rooms. But Tang Wulin had insisted, "I won't feel at ease unless I see my sister first thing when I wake up," so they had compromised by having them share a room but sleep in separate beds. Na'er sat up now, her silver hair slightly mussed over her shoulders. When her gaze fell upon the fragments in Tang Wulin's hand, her pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

At that moment, the door was gently pushed open, and Tang Ziran poked his head in. "Wulin, Na'er, we're going out today. Stop sleeping in and get up to wash and pack... Hm?" His words abruptly stopped. His gaze locked onto the shining debris in his son's hand and the smaller fragments on the bed. "Is that... that necklace?" His voice suddenly turned grave as he strode inside.

He remembered it all too clearly. When they had found this child on the snowy plains, that strange snowflake pendant and the old cloth embroidered with the words "Tang Wulin" had seemed to possess some mysterious power, quietly protecting his young son all along. He had once tried taking the two items away temporarily, only for the still-swaddled Tang Wulin to immediately cry himself hoarse and develop a fever. He had calmed down only when the items were returned to his side. And now, the snowflake had shattered...

Tang Ziran's heart sank. He immediately looked toward the old cloth scarf around Tang Wulin's neck, which had never been removed. Sure enough, the gentle golden radiance that had occasionally flowed over it like water had completely vanished. The embroidered words "Tang Wulin" had become utterly ordinary, nothing more than neat stitching. In a single night, both protective objects had lost their spiritual nature.

This sudden change left Tang Ziran deeply unsettled. What did it mean? Had the protection disappeared? Was it a good thing—meaning the child no longer needed such protection—or a bad thing, meaning some lurking danger had lost its restraint?

"Good morning, little ones... What's wrong? What happened?" Lang Yue emerged from the kitchen carrying the breakfast she had just prepared. Hearing the gravity in her husband's voice, she hurried over. When she saw the fragments on the bed and her husband's solemn expression, she nearly lost her grip on the plate. "Wulin!" She practically threw herself to the bedside, set down breakfast, cupped her son's face in both hands, then anxiously checked his arms and back. "Do you feel unwell anywhere? Does your head hurt? Does anything hurt? Tell Mom!" Memories from those years surged into her mind. The child's dependence on those two objects filled her with panic.

"Mom, I'm fine, really." Tang Wulin laughed and dodged a little as his mother's hands tickled him. To prove that he was truly all right, he carefully placed the snowflake fragments by the bedside, took off the scarf, and set it beside them. Then he jumped several steps away from the bed, stretched his limbs hard, and even spun around twice on the spot. "See? I'm perfectly fine! It's just..." He paused and scratched his head. "I had a really scary nightmare last night."

"A nightmare?" The whole family's attention turned to him.

"Yeah." Tang Wulin tried hard to remember, a trace of lingering fear on his small face. "I dreamed of a huge, huge golden dragon. It was destroying the whole world. It was terrifying... It... it seemed to have grabbed Na'er too..." As he said this, he unconsciously clenched his fists. Na'er listened quietly, light and shadow shifting deep in her violet eyes.

"And then?" Tang Ziran pressed.

"Then that dragon charged at me. I was terrified and thought I was definitely done for." Tang Wulin gestured as he spoke. "Suddenly, it felt like an ocean appeared behind me. The seawater wrapped around me and protected me. Then there was an incredibly, incredibly cold force, like ice, that froze that fire-breathing golden dragon! Then I woke up in fright." His description was somewhat disordered, but he spoke clearly of the "icy force" and the "protection of water."

Ice? Water?

Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's gazes involuntarily fell upon the pile of snowflake fragments on the bed again. Ever since they had found Tang Wulin, the pendant had always emitted a faint chill. Could the "ice" in the dream have been the power contained within it? Then what was the "water"? Was it this scarf embroidered with his name?

Na'er sat on the bed with lowered eyes, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the sheets. The Golden Dragon King's power was beginning to stir... She understood inwardly. The golden dragon in the dream was undoubtedly the violent image projected by the Golden Dragon King's God Core sleeping within Tang Wulin. And "water"... she thought of the gentle divine power of the Sea God that had once flowed over the embroidered letters. But as for "ice"? Where had that chill capable of temporarily freezing the violent golden dragon come from? Did it originate from this shattered snowflake? Who had it belonged to? This question, together with her increasingly obvious concern for Tang Wulin, made her hesitate once again over whether she should contact her true body, Gu Yue. What the Golden Dragon King brought her was a complex stirring from deep within her bloodline, along with a faint sense of danger. As Tang Wulin grew older and this change occurred, that feeling became ever clearer.

Only after repeatedly confirming that Tang Wulin was lively and showed no discomfort whatsoever did the Tang family of four finish breakfast, each carrying different thoughts. In the end, Tang Wulin carefully wrapped the largest snowflake fragments in a handkerchief and solemnly placed them in his backpack together with the now-ordinary scarf. "I've worn them for so many years that I'm used to them. I just feel more at ease carrying them with me," he explained softly.

Aolai City Soul Train Station.

"Wow—!" When the streamlined silver-gray soul train glided into the platform like a silent giant beast, Tang Wulin could not help exclaiming in wonder. Na'er said nothing, but her violet eyes widened slightly as she curiously examined the massive machine she had never seen before. This was their first time riding a soul train.

The carriage was spacious and bright, with soft seats and enormous viewing windows. Everything felt new and novel. Their tickets happened to place four of them in two rows. Tang Wulin and Na'er sat in the row by the window, while Tang Ziran and Lang Yue sat behind them.

As it was the first train in the morning, there were few passengers and the carriage was quiet. When the train started, it was so steady that they could barely feel any vibration. The scenery outside the windows began to slowly recede, then gradually sped up.

"Na'er, look! That's our school! It's gotten so tiny!" Tang Wulin nearly pressed half his body against the window as he pointed at the rapidly shrinking rooftops of Red Mountain Academy in the distance, excitedly lowering his voice as he spoke to his sister.

"Mhm, it looks like a little box." Na'er nodded, her gaze following the familiar streets and buildings as they swept past from an entirely new perspective.

"Dad, Mom, look at the sea! It looks completely different from up here!" The train traveled onto an elevated stretch along the coast. The azure sea spread out beneath the morning light, shimmering with rippling waves. Tang Wulin turned to share his discovery with his parents in the row behind him.

"Yes, it's spectacular." Tang Ziran answered with a smile, exchanging a glance with Lang Yue. Seeing their son so excited, the lingering worries from that morning seemed to fade somewhat. Lang Yue carefully smoothed Na'er's silver hair, which had been stirred by the airflow near the window.

"Uncle Huo said Eastsea City is many times bigger than Aolai City, and the Spirit Pagoda is especially tall. There are so, so many Soul Spirits to choose from inside..." Tang Wulin's thoughts drifted once more to their approaching destination. He began quietly describing the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda as he imagined it to Na'er, his voice brimming with anticipation. Na'er listened attentively, responding softly now and then, but her gaze occasionally flickered toward the backpack resting on Tang Wulin's lap—where the shattered snowflake lay.

Perhaps they had risen too early, or perhaps the train's smooth motion had a hypnotic effect. Gradually, Na'er's head began to nod, until she finally rested gently against Tang Wulin's shoulder, her breathing becoming even and deep. Tang Wulin immediately lowered his voice, carefully adjusted his posture so his sister could lean more comfortably against him, and quieted down as well. He simply widened his eyes and greedily watched the ever-changing scenery beyond the window.

Afternoon, second floor of Rain Spirit Grilled Fish Shop, Eastsea City.

"Xiaoling, this one looks quite good. It suits you." Huo Yuhao leaned against the doorway, watching Demon Spirit turn around in front of the full-length mirror. She was trying on a gown personally designed and made by Bi Ji. The pale green silk resembled a lake in early spring, while layers of gauze were decorated with lifelike embroidered vines and petals. As she moved, it shimmered with flowing light, filled with the lively aura of a natural elf.

"Aunt Bi Ji's craftsmanship is obviously wonderful." Demon Spirit looked herself over in the mirror again and again. She clearly liked it as well, but her brows remained faintly furrowed. "But, Brother Yuhao, for today's occasion... doesn't it seem a little too youthful? After all, it's the annual championship finals for the fifth anniversary celebration of Demon Spirit Gameworks. I'm one of the founders and an award presenter."

Huo Yuhao understood her concern. Today's event was a high point in Demon Spirit's career in the human world, and she wanted to appear more mature and authoritative. "Then try the one Aunt Zi Ji prepared for you?" He pointed toward another gown hanging on the nearby rack.

It was a knee-length scarlet dress whose design incorporated elements of phoenix feathers. Its lines were simple and sharp, with subtle dark-golden scale patterns decorating the shoulders. The overall look was noble with a hint of edge, perfectly fitting the "game queen" image Demon Spirit wanted to convey.

Demon Spirit changed into the red dress, and the effect was entirely different. It made her seem less youthful and added a bright charm and an undeniable presence. She took a few steps before the mirror, turned around, and her skirt traced a crisp arc.

Huo Yuhao studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Mm, this one is better. It's dignified, yet it still has your distinctive energy. The color is eye-catching too. This is the one."

"Okay! I'll listen to you, Brother Yuhao!" Demon Spirit finally smiled brightly, having made her final choice. She carefully changed out of the dress and put it away, intending to wear it again before leaving later.

After lunch, Huo Yuhao drove the sleek black soul car, Realm Patrol, to take Demon Spirit to the event venue. As he drove steadily, he did not forget to remind her, "Even though everyone has their own Three-Word Battle Armor now, and it should be enough to protect yourselves in ordinary situations, there will be a lot of people today. Stay alert. If anything feels wrong, or if you get tired, contact me anytime. Don't force yourself. Safety comes first, having fun comes second."

"I know, Brother Yuhao. You're even more nagging than Uncle Di Tian." Demon Spirit fastened her seatbelt and hugged the box containing her dress. Though she said that, a sweet smile rested on her face. "I'll be careful. You should drive carefully on your way to pick up Wulin and the others too."

After safely delivering Demon Spirit and watching her enter the backstage area, Huo Yuhao checked the time, turned the car around, and headed for the soul train station.

Eastsea City Soul Train Station, exit.

Huo Yuhao had only just stopped at the designated pickup point when his soul communicator rang.

"Mr. Huo, we've arrived. We just got off the train and are heading toward the south exit... Yes, we have the two children with us." Tang Ziran's voice came through, with some noisy background chatter.

"Okay, I see the sign for the south exit. I'm outside by the roadside in a black Realm Patrol soul car. The license plate is East A-HYH001. No rush, take your time coming out and keep an eye on the children." Huo Yuhao gave them his location, leaned against the car, and searched the stream of departing passengers.

Before long, two familiar yet slightly changed small figures entered his view. Tang Wulin had grown quite a bit taller, and his blue hair stood out in the crowd. He was tightly holding Na'er's hand with one hand while excitedly pointing out the station's towering dome to her with the other. Na'er was as quiet as ever, silver-haired and violet-eyed, seeming to carry a soft glow of her own amid the crowd. Tang Ziran and Lang Yue followed closely behind with their simple luggage. Their faces showed the fatigue of travel, but even more anticipation and a trace of barely noticeable nervousness.

"Wulin! Over here!" Huo Yuhao raised an arm and called out.

"Uncle Huo!" Tang Wulin's eyes lit up. He immediately pulled Na'er along and jogged over, a brilliant smile blooming across his face. "Uncle Huo! Long time no see! Eastsea City is so big! The train station is huge too!"

"Mr. Huo, we're troubling you again." Tang Ziran and Lang Yue hurried forward as well. Tang Ziran extended his hand and shook Huo Yuhao's, his tone full of gratitude. "You even came all this way to pick us up. Thank you so much."

"Mr. Tang, Mrs. Tang, don't mention it. You must be tired from the journey." Huo Yuhao replied with a smile, his warm gaze sweeping over the two children. "Wulin has grown taller again, and Na'er too. She's becoming more and more beautiful. Come on, get in first. We can talk in the car."

He opened the rear door and gestured to the two children. "You two sit in the back with your mother and fasten your seatbelts. Mr. Tang, you sit in front."

Tang Wulin cheered. He first helped Na'er into the spacious backseat, then climbed in himself, curiously touching this and looking at that. Na'er sat quietly and looked out through the window with violet eyes, taking in Eastsea City for the first time—a city far more prosperous than Aolai City. The streets were broad, tall buildings stood everywhere, soul vehicles flowed continuously through the roads, and the air itself seemed filled with fast-paced energy.

Huo Yuhao sat in the driver's seat. Seeing Tang Wulin's excited expression and Na'er's calm profile through the rearview mirror, he smiled faintly and started the vehicle. Realm Patrol silently and smoothly merged into the traffic, carrying the family's hopes and an unknown future toward the depths of the city.