Adult Tang Wulin looked at Dai Yun'er's stubbornly proud demeanor. There was neither anger nor a flutter in his eyes, only the calm sigh of one who had weathered countless trials. He did not wish to expose the girl's little thoughts, nor did he wish to leave behind even the slightest lingering attachment. He merely nodded faintly, consigning that soft, fleeting touch and the girl's feelings to a passing fate.
"Take care, Princess."
As those four words fell, he gently withdrew the sleeve she had grasped. His movement was gentle, yet devoid of the slightest reluctance. A golden glow slowly circulated around him as Dragon Emperor Soul Power silently spread out—not with overwhelming force, but with absolute restraint. His plain robes fluttered lightly in the wind, and his figure gradually faded, vanishing like morning mist at the end of the corridor. From beginning to end, he never looked back.
Dai Yun'er stood frozen where she was, staring at the empty corridor. The proud facade she had summoned all her courage to maintain shattered in an instant. She slowly lowered her raised chin, her eyes finally reddening, yet she bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling. His sleeve's touch still lingered at her fingertips, and the warmth of that brief brush still seemed to remain on her cheek—but he had truly left.
She slowly raised a hand and lightly touched her lips, then her burning cheek. Yet a faint, relieved smile curved her lips. Proud as she was, this was the first time in her life that she had been so forward. Even without a response, even if it was only a fleeting affection that came to nothing, she did not regret it.
"Tang Wulin... whether now or in the future, I won't regret it."
She murmured softly, her voice scattered by the wind. Then she fiercely wiped the corners of her eyes and lifted her little face once more, returning to the spoiled, radiant Princess of Star Luo. This flutter of affection had come to an end. There was no entanglement, no regret—only a faint memory hidden in the winds of the imperial palace, never to be mentioned to another soul.
The Emperor of Star Luo approached slowly. Seeing his daughter forcing herself to be strong, he let out a quiet sigh but did not ask further. Some youthful feelings did not need to be laid bare; time would smooth everything over. And this interlude of the Star Luo journey finally settled into dust with Adult Tang Wulin's departure.
A thousand miles away, within Shrek Forest.
A flash of golden light flickered, and Adult Tang Wulin's figure slowly emerged. He was still dressed in those plain robes, though the serenity in his brows had deepened. He raised a hand to touch the Silver Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant Dai Yun'er had given him. It lay quietly in his palm, carrying a faint residual warmth. He neither discarded it nor treasured it, merely placing it casually into his storage Soul Tool and sealing away this Star Luo connection completely.
To him, romance had long become passing clouds. Protecting his younger self and his companions, preserving this pure bond, was the mission that had brought him across time. He lifted his gaze toward the distant Shrek Inner Court. His golden eyes were gentle and tranquil as he once more disappeared into the dense shade of the trees, returning to his silent watch.
At this moment, the sunlight in Shrek Inner Court was just right, and warmth filled the courtyard.
Na'er had fully adapted to life here. She was squatting on the grass, teasing the little soul beasts passing by, her smiling eyes filled with a child's innocent delight. None of the confusion and unease from when they had first been separated remained. Tang Wulin sat on a stone bench nearby, quietly watching his sister with a doting smile in his eyes. The guilt and worry he had carried through their long separation had finally vanished completely.
Xu Xiaoyan came over carrying two cups of water. She gently handed one to Tang Wulin, while offering a pastry to the running Na'er with her other hand. In a gentle voice, she said, "Na'er, don't play too fast. Eat something first to fill your stomach."
"Thank you, Sister Xiaoyan!" Na'er obediently accepted it, taking small bites of the pastry as she clung close to Xu Xiaoyan, especially affectionate.
After spending the past few days together, Xu Xiaoyan had long since let go of her scattered feelings from the past. Her heart was filled only with affection for Na'er, while her sibling-like bond with Tang Wulin was pure and steadfast. She sat beside Tang Wulin and calmly discussed the matters concerning tomorrow's exchange match. There was not the slightest awkwardness, and the atmosphere was steady and warm.
"Tomorrow's exchange match is against Star Luo Academy's representative team. I heard they're quite strong. Should we adjust our formation again?" Xu Xiaoyan asked softly, her gaze focused entirely on the team competition.
Tang Wulin accepted the cup of water and nodded. "We'll run through another team practice this afternoon, focusing on strengthening the transition between battlefield control and heavy offense. With you in the control position, I'm at ease." He paused, looking at Xu Xiaoyan with an older brother's certainty in his voice. "No matter who our opponents are, as long as the Seven Monsters stand united, we'll be fine."
Xu Xiaoyan smiled and nodded. Sunlight fell across her face, soft and clear. Na'er leaned against her, nibbling on her pastry and occasionally looking up at Tang Wulin. The scene resembled a family of three, so warm it moved the heart.
Not far away, Xie Xie, Li Zhi, and the others arrived together. Seeing the heartwarming scene in the courtyard, they all slowed their steps, gentle smiles on their faces. Gu Yue stood beside the group, quietly watching Tang Wulin. Her gaze was calm and tacit, without any superfluous emotion.
"Wulin, Xiaoyan, Na'er, we're here! Let's practice together this afternoon!" Xie Xie called out first, breaking the courtyard's silence.
Tang Wulin rose to his feet and looked at his companions, his eyes resolute and his spirits high. "All right. This afternoon, we'll give it everything we've got and prepare for the exchange match!"
The youths' laughter echoed through Shrek Inner Court. With sunlight, companions, and family by their side, all troubles were shut out. The Star Luo connection a thousand miles away, that faint trace of ambiguity and fluttering affection, had long dissipated into time, never disturbing the youths' pure days in the slightest.
The bond between siblings and the friendship between companions had all found their rightful place. The road ahead was long, and the youths would walk it side by side, charging toward the passion and glory that belonged to them.
Before you continue