Homeward Journey and Faint Light

Dusk had completely settled over Shrek. Streetlights flickered on one after another, their warm yellow halos spilling across the bluestone paths and stretching the Seven Monsters' shadows long and short.

Xie Xie could no longer contain his excitement. He dragged Xu Lizhi along at a jog, endlessly muttering about how many meat buns he would eat at the victory feast. Ye Xinglan walked in the middle, seeming carefree while constantly keeping watch over the auras of her companions on either side. From time to time, she reached out to steady Le Zhengyu when he nearly stumbled over a tree root. Yuanen Yehui brought up the rear, her steps steady as a secure wall, blocking out every trivial worry and unease.

Tang Wulin walked at the front of the group, with Gu Yue beside him and Xu Xiaoyan several steps behind.

That brief moment alone beneath intertwined starlight was like a feather landing on his heart—so light it seemed to leave no trace, yet it unconsciously slowed Tang Wulin's steps. Every so often, he tilted his head and glanced at the girl behind him from the corner of his eye. She was kicking little stones by the roadside with her head lowered, starlight soul power flowing idly around her fingertips before quietly withdrawing again, as if concealing a small thought she did not wish to reveal too easily.

Sensing his gaze, Xu Xiaoyan suddenly looked up and met his eyes.

The instant their gazes met, she looked away as if burned. The tips of her ears quietly flushed faint red, but she still asked softly, "Are you still feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Tang Wulin paused, then gently shook his head. His tone was open and calm. "No. I'm much better already. Thank you."

"Mm." Xu Xiaoyan answered softly and lowered her head again, though the corners of her lips quietly curved upward.

The moment was brief, like a wisp of fragrance carried through the evening breeze—not rich or intense, yet distinctly present.

Not far away, Adult Tang Wulin was walking slowly along the outer edge of the group. He took in everything, and there was no ripple in his golden eyes—only the faintest softness, as though he were looking upon his younger self.

He never interfered with the boy's growth, nor did he deliberately erase those small, perfectly appropriate concerns that belonged to the innocence of youth.

That concern was light and pure: a tenderness unique to companions, held close to the heart.

There was no crossing of boundaries, no probing, no entanglement.

It was only a young man's concern for his companion, and a young woman's quiet care for the partner who fought beside her.

Walking at Tang Wulin's side, Gu Yue naturally noticed that brief exchange of glances and the faint blush at Xu Xiaoyan's ears. She said nothing. She merely adjusted her pace, moving half a step closer to Tang Wulin and silently claiming her place through her actions.

Her gaze remained on Tang Wulin, gentle yet unwavering.

As for that tiny, almost imperceptible concern from Xu Xiaoyan, it was like a little flower quietly blooming by the roadside—blooming in silence, blooming openly—before the evening breeze gently scattered it away and returned everything to calm.

"We're almost at the dorms," Tang Wulin suddenly said in a gentle voice. "Tomorrow morning, we'll cultivate on schedule. In the evening, we'll review the finals tactics once more."

"Okay!"

Xie Xie was the first to respond. He ran back from ahead and waved at everyone. "I've already booked the victory feast. Once cultivation ends tomorrow, it's on me!"

"Who wants to eat your buns?" Ye Xinglan retorted stubbornly, though she still gave him a light kick. "Remember to bring more."

Xu Lizhi immediately patted his chest. "Don't worry! There'll be plenty!"

Their lively laughter spread through Shrek's night, like a string of crisp wind chimes.

Tang Wulin turned and looked at the companions behind him.

His golden eyes were filled with the determination and warmth unique to youth.

Gu Yue was by his side, Xu Xiaoyan behind him; there was Xie Xie's boisterousness, Ye Xinglan's sharp tongue, Yuanen Yehui's steadiness, Le Zhengyu's gentleness, and the fragrant buns of Xu Lizhi...

There were so many tiny lights along this road.

They were not dazzling or ostentatious, but bit by bit, they illuminated the road ahead of him.

Adult Tang Wulin stood at the very back, watching the eight figures slowly walk into the light of the dormitory building.

He gently raised a hand and brushed over the lingering Dragon Emperor aura from the future at his fingertips.

The tournament had come to an end, but the youths' story had only just turned to a new page.

These faint, pure, boundary-respecting little concerns would be quietly preserved by time, becoming the gentlest memories of the years to come.

And he would quietly keep watch from the other end of time.

He would watch these youths, step by step, make their way toward the light that belonged to them in their own way.