Warmth After Victory, Hidden Bonds of the Heart

The cheers from the arena lingered for a long time. Sunlight poured over the center of the field, making the Shrek Seven Monsters standing shoulder to shoulder appear all the more dazzling.

The Gold Dragon soul power around Tang Wulin slowly withdrew, and the golden dragon patterns on his arms gradually faded. Sweat ran down his jaw and soaked his collar, yet the smile on his face was especially bright, filled with the frankness and high spirits of a young man after victory. He turned to look at his companions. Every one of them bore the fatigue of battle, but their eyes were full of excitement. The feeling of fighting side by side and claiming victory together was far more moving than winning alone.

"We won! We really won!" Xie Xie was the first to lose control of his excitement. He threw an arm around Xu Lizhi's shoulders and bounced up and down, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Our coordination was flawless! The Star Luo Team was no match for us!"

Xu Lizhi smiled honestly and rubbed his stomach, his voice soft. "Everyone was amazing. I didn't hold anyone back either."

Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword. A faint smile, rare for her, appeared on her face. Her tone remained cool, but her approval was impossible to hide. "Not bad. Keep it up."

Yuanen Yehui nodded, her gaze toward Tang Wulin filled with recognition. The captain's command and strength had undoubtedly been at the heart of this overwhelming victory.

The holy soul power around Le Zhengyu faded away. He smiled gently as he soothed the restless soul power within everyone. "You've all worked hard. Rest for a while, and you'll be fine."

Gu Yue stood at Tang Wulin's side, lightly brushing her fingertips through her hair. Looking at his sweat-covered profile, a trace of warmth passed through her eyes, unnoticed. Elemental power quietly spread out, brushing away the heat around him.

Holding the Starwheel Ice Staff, Xu Xiaoyan slowly walked over to Tang Wulin. Her eyes curved with a gentle, proud smile. "Brother, you were incredible just now. That Golden Dragon Claw completely intimidated their captain." A light post-battle flush colored her cheeks, and her eyes were clear, containing nothing but a younger sister's admiration for her brother. After this match, the understanding and bond between the siblings had deepened further.

"It wasn't my achievement alone. Everyone coordinated well, especially you. Your battlefield control precisely locked down their movements, letting our attacks go through without obstruction." Tang Wulin smiled and rubbed the top of her head, the gesture naturally affectionate and full of an elder brother's concern. "You did exceptionally well today. You exceeded my expectations."

At Tang Wulin's praise, Xu Xiaoyan's ears reddened slightly. She gently shook her head and said softly, "I only did what I was supposed to do."

As they spoke, a small figure darted down from the spectator stands and rushed straight toward Tang Wulin. It was Na'er. Her little legs moved quickly, and she clutched a small wildflower she had picked from somewhere. She threw herself into Tang Wulin's arms, tipped up her tiny face, and looked at him with sparkling eyes full of admiration. "Brother! You were so amazing! You won! Na'er knew Brother would definitely win!"

Tang Wulin quickly bent down and caught Na'er securely. The smile on his face became even gentler as he wiped the thin sweat from her forehead and asked softly, "Were you scared? Were you good while watching the match?"

"I wasn't scared. Na'er sat nicely the whole time and cheered for Brother!" Na'er held the wildflower out to Tang Wulin, her voice soft and sweet. "For Brother, to reward Brother!"

"Thank you, Na'er." Tang Wulin accepted the wildflower and carefully put it away, his heart filled with warmth.

Xu Xiaoyan stood nearby, watching the warm scene between the siblings. A gentle smile rose to her lips as she walked over to Na'er and helped smooth her mussed-up hair. "Na'er was wonderful too, waiting obediently for Brother the whole time."

"Big Sister Xiaoyan was amazing too! Your battlefield control was super impressive!" Na'er turned toward Xu Xiaoyan and said sweetly. After spending so much time together, she had already grown extremely close to Xu Xiaoyan. Standing together, the two girls—one quiet, one lively—looked especially adorable.

The crowd in the arena gradually dispersed. The referees and mentors from the various academies all cast approving looks toward the Shrek Seven Monsters. No one had expected this young Shrek Team to defeat the powerful Star Luo Academy Team in such a clean and decisive manner. Shrek's glory had once again bloomed upon the battlefield.

Carrying Na'er in his arms, Tang Wulin walked out of the arena shoulder to shoulder with his companions. Xu Xiaoyan followed at his side as everyone chatted and laughed, sharing details from the match. Their exhaustion gradually faded amid the laughter. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering dappled shadows over them. It was warm and peaceful, free of outside disputes and worries about the future. There was only the victory of the present, the companionship of friends, and the presence of family. Such moments were relaxing and precious.

When they reached the academy's tree-lined path, Tang Wulin suddenly stopped. He subconsciously raised a hand to his chest, an inexplicable feeling stirring in his heart. It was as though something he had long worried over had quietly been resolved, or as though family far away had sent news that they were safe. He frowned. The feeling had come abruptly, yet it was extraordinarily real. It made him think of his parents back in his hometown, and a faint longing rose within him.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Xu Xiaoyan noticed his pause and asked softly, her eyes full of concern.

Tang Wulin came back to himself, shook his head, and suppressed the strange feeling in his heart. Smiling, he said, "Nothing. I just suddenly missed Mom and Dad a little."

"After the exchange tournament ends, we'll go see Mom and Dad. Then the family can be together again," Na'er said softly, wrapping her arms around Tang Wulin's neck.

Tang Wulin nodded, his eyes filled with anticipation. "All right. Once the tournament is over, we'll go find Mom and Dad."

He did not know that the sudden peace and longing in his heart were not an illusion. His future self had already rescued his parents from danger and kept them safe. This hidden bond had crossed time itself, quietly reaching the young man's heart and becoming the steadiest source of confidence on his road forward.

Along the tree-lined path, the young man carried his sister, accompanied by his companions and the sister he had accepted. His steps were unhurried, and his smile was warm. They had won their first match of the exchange tournament, and many more challenges lay ahead, but with these people beside him, he feared nothing. The warmth and purity of those youthful days were also quietly watched over by distant eyes, waiting for him to grow step by step and claim all the glory and reunion that belonged to him.