The tension in the air lingered for a long time.
I stood several meters away, allowing the Golden Dragon King aura within Young Tang Wulin to resonate faintly with mine. Yet I deliberately restrained every bit of power belonging to the Dragon Emperor Douluo, retaining only the gentlest fluctuations of my origin to avoid startling these still-young companions before me.
Gu Yue remained in front of Young Tang Wulin, her star-silver eyes fixed unblinkingly on me. The elemental power flowing around her fingertips did not relax in the slightest. She could see through all illusions, yet she could not see the traces of time. She could only rely on instinct to protect the boy before her, to protect the only bond she had at this moment.
"Who exactly are you?"
She spoke again, and there was a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in her cool voice. "Your aura... is exactly the same as his."
I did not answer directly. My gaze swept lightly past her and settled on Young Tang Wulin's face behind her.
That face still bore the innocence of youth. His eyes were clear and steadfast, carrying the composure of Shrek's captain, as well as a hidden bewilderment toward the unknown. It was the version of myself I missed most—without burdens, without pain, with nothing in his eyes but his companions and the road ahead.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Xie Xie poked his head out from behind Ye Xinglan and muttered softly, "They really do look alike... He's practically a grown-up version of Boss Wulin!"
Ye Xinglan shot him a cold glance, signaling him to keep quiet. Her Stargod Sword remained taut, yet she did not attack. She could sense that I held no killing intent, but the weight that seemed to come from the depths of time left her unwilling to lower her guard in the slightest.
Yuanen Yehui stood silently at the front of the group. Her Titan Giant Ape bloodline rose and fell faintly, while the aura of her Twin Martial Souls remained steady and restrained. Like the sturdiest shield, she guarded the companions behind her. Yue Zhengyu, meanwhile, put away some of his arrogance. The power of his Divine Angel softened as his gaze moved back and forth between me and Young Tang Wulin. Clearly, he too had sensed the connection between us.
Xu Lizhi held a meat bun in his arms, his chubby face full of confusion. Looking at me, then at Young Tang Wulin, he quietly asked Xu Xiaoyan, "Xiaoyan, why are there two Boss Wulins?"
Xu Xiaoyan shook her head gently. Her starlight Soul Power continued to softly envelop everyone, though her eyes were filled with worry and curiosity.
Young Tang Wulin gently tugged on Gu Yue's sleeve, signaling for her to calm down.
He took a small step forward and stood before everyone with the bearing of a captain. Raising his head, he looked at me with clear eyes. His voice carried the bright clarity unique to a youth, yet remained steady. "You know me?"
I bent down slightly, bringing my gaze level with his. My movement was so gentle it was almost cautious.
"I know you, and I know every one of them."
My gaze slowly passed over Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Yue Zhengyu before finally returning to Gu Yue. My voice was low and soft. "I know the agility attack Soul Master who is always restless and impulsive. I know the gentle girl who commands starlight. I know the food-type Soul Master who can never leave his meat buns. I know the proud girl devoted to the sword. I know the defense-type Soul Master who bears Twin Martial Souls yet has a gentle heart. I know the angel Soul Master who carries light in his heart..."
"And I know her, the one standing before you, never leaving your side."
Gu Yue's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Those words were too familiar, too profound. It was as though they had crossed countless years and struck directly into the depths of her soul.
Young Tang Wulin paused slightly, and the wariness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
The Golden Dragon King Seal within his body no longer stirred restlessly. Instead, it became exceptionally calm, as though responding to a call from the same origin.
"Who... exactly are you?" he asked again. There was less vigilance in his tone now, and more anticipation.
I straightened and gently shook my head, not revealing the whole truth.
The Time Law could not be violated. I could not tell him of the suffering that awaited him, could not tell him of separation and pain, much less disrupt the path he was meant to walk.
"I'm only a passerby."
I spoke softly. "I came from a distant place. I merely returned to take a look—to see you all, whose original hearts have not changed, and to see the Shrek Seven Monsters still walking side by side."
"I won't hurt you, nor will I change anything."
As my words fell, I slowly stepped back. Faint ripples appeared in the space around me once more.
The time I could remain had reached its limit. The power of time was already pulling at me, drawing me back into the river that belonged to me.
For the last time, I looked deeply at Young Tang Wulin, at Gu Yue beside him, and at the Shrek Seven Monsters, all gathered together.
The sunlight was perfect, the breeze was gentle, and every companion was present. Their original hearts remained unchanged.
This was the fulfillment I had spent my entire life seeking, yet could never obtain.
"Keep going."
I left behind my final words, my voice as light as the wind. "Protect those by your side, and hold fast to your own heart."
"Your future will shine brilliantly."
My figure gradually turned transparent, and the gentle aura of the Golden Dragon King slowly faded away.
In the instant before I vanished completely, I seemed to see Young Tang Wulin nod firmly. I saw the vigilance in Gu Yue's eyes turn into a trace of confusion, and I saw the Seven Monsters all gaze into the empty air, their eyes filled with incomprehension, yet also with the high spirits unique to youth.
The next second, the light shattered.
I disappeared completely from this stretch of time, as though I had never appeared at all.
Inside the power training ground, all was quiet.
Young Tang Wulin slowly clenched his fists. The Golden Dragon King's power flowed steadily within him, while the warmth and weight brought by that figure still lingered in the air.
Gu Yue withdrew her elemental power and silently returned to stand beside him. In her star-silver eyes was a trace of melancholy that even she herself had not noticed.
Xie Xie finally let out a breath of relief and patted his chest. "That person just now... who exactly was he? He felt so familiar."
Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword and said indifferently, "He was strong, but he bore no ill intent."
Young Tang Wulin lifted his head and looked toward the distant horizon, his gaze growing even more resolute.
The words of that figure from before fell into his heart like seeds.
He did not know who that person was, but for some reason, he believed that person was blessing them.
"No matter who he was."
Young Tang Wulin turned toward the six companions beside him. His voice was bright and powerful. "We are the Shrek Seven Monsters."
"We'll walk the road ahead together."
Gu Yue gently raised her eyes and looked into his. The aura of the Silver Dragon accompanied her soundlessly.
Xie Xie cheered. Xu Xiaoyan smiled softly, Xu Lizhi nodded firmly, and Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Yue Zhengyu all nodded in unison.
The seven figures stood side by side once more.
Sunlight spilled down, stretching their shadows long and longer still.
That time once watched over by a passerby from the river of time was slowly moving toward its most brilliant future.
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