At the entrance to the Shrek Inner Court Secret Realm, a pale cyan curtain of light slowly rippled, and an ancient aura washed over them. Spiritual energy was abundant here. It was a sacred cultivation ground only core disciples could enter, and Tang Wulin's group of seven had become the first new students of the year to step inside, thanks to their perfect examination scores.
The moment the seven entered the secret realm, a tall figure was already waiting quietly beneath an ancient tree not far away.
It was Adult Tang Wulin.
He no longer concealed his aura. He simply stood in the sunlight, his golden eyes watching the young men and women before him with warmth. He still bore the appearance of the Dragon Emperor Douluo, his presence as steady as mountains and seas, yet there was not the slightest pressure in it—only unfathomable tenderness and protection.
Young Tang Wulin's group noticed him almost at the same time.
Xie Xie froze for a moment, then pointed at him in surprise. "It's... it's that person from last time!"
Ye Xinglan's gaze sharpened, and the Stargod Sword slid slightly from its sheath. However, after sensing that the other party bore no hostility, she gradually relaxed.
Yuanen Yehui, Yue Zhengyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Xu Lizhi all looked toward the mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared, feeling both familiarity and confusion.
Only Gu Yue's silver-starred eyes remained fixed on Adult Tang Wulin, while the elements at her fingertips stirred faintly.
She could clearly sense that this person's aura shared the same origin as Tang Wulin's to the utmost degree. It was even older, vaster, and more... heart-stirring than the Golden Dragon Power within Tang Wulin.
Young Tang Wulin also looked at his adult self, that inexplicable sense of familiarity flooding through him again.
He stepped forward and spoke politely. "Senior, we meet again."
Adult Tang Wulin nodded lightly, his voice deep and gentle, like warm sunlight passing through the years.
"I knew you would come here, so I waited for you."
"Waited for us?" Tang Wulin asked in confusion.
"Yes." Adult Tang Wulin slowly approached, his gaze sweeping across the seven before finally settling on Young Tang Wulin. "The spiritual energy in this secret realm is too strong. It is not friendly to the power within your body. I'll accompany you for a while and ensure you can cultivate safely."
He said it plainly and openly.
No one knew that behind those words lay the regret he had crossed time itself and exhausted everything to make up for.
Gu Yue frowned slightly, but she did not stop him.
Instinctively, she believed that this person would not hurt Tang Wulin, much less any of them.
Thus, the Seven Monsters entered the depths of the secret realm under Adult Tang Wulin's protection.
He walked along the outermost edge, like the most dependable guardian—silent, yet reassuring.
Xu Lizhi secretly studied him with curiosity. "Senior, are you cultivating here too?"
Adult Tang Wulin turned his head and smiled gently at him. "I am not cultivating. I am merely watching over you."
Xie Xie scratched his head. "Watching over us? Senior, who exactly are you? You look so much like Boss Wulin!"
Adult Tang Wulin did not answer directly. He merely looked at Young Tang Wulin and said softly,
"I am another him, and also the one who watches over him."
The instant those words fell, Young Tang Wulin's body jolted.
The spiritual energy in the secret realm, dense to the extreme, surged madly into his body and instantly provoked the Golden Dragon King's power into rampaging!
Golden light burst uncontrollably from his body. His meridians ached, his aura turned violent, and his entire body trembled faintly.
"Wulin!"
Gu Yue's expression changed. She immediately stepped forward, intending to suppress it with elemental power, but she knew clearly that with her current strength, she could not stop the Golden Dragon King's rampage at all.
Just as everyone panicked—
Adult Tang Wulin took a single step and arrived directly before Young Tang Wulin.
Without any hesitation, he reached out and gently pressed a hand against Young Tang Wulin's forehead.
In an instant, Dragon Emperor Origin Power poured forth.
It was not suppression. It was soothing, guidance—the power of the same origin completely enveloping the restless Golden Dragon King.
The violent golden light calmed at a visible speed. Young Tang Wulin's ragged breathing gradually steadied, and the churning power within him settled completely, becoming even purer and gentler than before.
"How do you feel?" Adult Tang Wulin asked softly.
Young Tang Wulin opened his eyes. His golden gaze was clear and bright, while his face was full of shock. "Senior... I'm fine now. And my power has become stronger."
Gu Yue stood to the side, watching the scene as her heart trembled lightly.
She finally understood.
The person before her possessed terrifying strength that allowed him to effortlessly control Golden Dragon Power. Moreover, he truly was protecting Tang Wulin with all his heart.
"Continue cultivating. With me here, there will be no danger in this place."
Adult Tang Wulin withdrew his hand and stepped back to one side, standing around the edge of the seven's cultivation circle like the most loyal guardian.
The Seven Monsters each sat down to meditate, spiritual energy pouring wildly into their bodies.
Yuanen Yehui tempered her body, Ye Xinglan honed her sword intent, Yue Zhengyu purified light, Xie Xie increased his speed, Xu Xiaoyan nurtured starlight, and Xu Lizhi made buns.
Young Tang Wulin sat side by side with Gu Yue. The auras of the Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon slowly intertwined, steady and warm.
Meanwhile, Adult Tang Wulin remained by their side the entire time.
Whenever anything approached, his gaze would turn faintly cold. The moment he released his aura, every low-level soul beast nearby would immediately flee in panic;
Whenever the spiritual energy became turbulent, he would lightly raise his fingertips and make a small motion, rendering it docile and gentle;
Whenever someone lacked Soul Power, he would discreetly release a trace of Dragon Emperor aura, allowing them to recover instantly.
Over the course of three hours, he hardly ever left their sight. His presence was overwhelming, yet he never disrupted their cultivation.
As Xie Xie cultivated, he secretly glanced at him, leaving only admiration in his heart.
This guy was way too strong... Just standing there made everyone feel completely safe!
As the sun set, the Seven Monsters opened their eyes at the same time, every one of their auras having risen greatly.
Tang Wulin had even directly broken through to the Peak Great Soul Master realm, only a single step away from becoming a Soul Elder.
"We should leave." Young Tang Wulin rose to his feet.
At that moment, the roar of a thousand-year soul beast came from deep within the secret realm, its vicious aura charging straight toward them!
Ye Xinglan instantly drew her sword, Yuanen Yehui activated Martial Soul Possession, and the Seven Monsters immediately assumed battle stances.
But in the next moment—
Adult Tang Wulin merely cast a calm glance into the depths of the secret realm.
He did not attack. There was no fluctuation of Soul Power—only a single look from the Dragon Emperor.
The roar stopped abruptly.
The vicious aura vanished in an instant, without even the slightest ripple remaining.
The entire secret realm returned to silence.
The Seven Monsters were all dumbfounded.
One glance... had frightened off a thousand-year soul beast?
Young Tang Wulin looked toward Adult Tang Wulin beside him, his heart filled with gratitude. "Senior, thank you for protecting us all this time."
Adult Tang Wulin shook his head slightly. His gentle gaze passed over seven young faces before finally resting on Tang Wulin and Gu Yue.
"No need to thank me."
"You only need to keep moving forward. I will block all the darkness and danger that remain."
He did not say who he was, nor did he say where he had come from.
Yet everyone understood.
This person would remain with them, protecting them, until they had truly grown up and shone brilliantly.
The seven headed toward the exit.
Adult Tang Wulin still walked along the outermost edge, like their most solid support.
The setting sun stretched the eight figures long, long into the distance—
Seven youths, and one guardian from the future.
From that day onward, the path ahead of the Shrek Seven Monsters would be free of all gloom.
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