Time Gazing Across the Years, Hearts Unchanged

The tension in the air lingered for a long time.

I stood several meters away, allowing the Golden Dragon King aura within the young Tang Wulin to resonate faintly with mine. Yet I deliberately restrained all the power belonging to the Dragon Emperor Douluo, leaving only the gentlest fluctuations of my origin so as not to alarm these still-young companions before me.

Gu Yue remained in front of the 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 through the traces of time. She could only rely on instinct to protect the boy before her, protecting the only bond she had at this moment.

"Who exactly are you?"

She spoke again, and there was a barely perceptible tremor in her cool voice. "Your aura... is exactly the same as his."

I did not answer directly. My gaze brushed lightly past her and settled on the young Tang Wulin's face behind her.

That face still carried the remnants of childhood. His eyes were clear and resolute, bearing the steadiness of a Shrek captain, but also concealing confusion toward the unknown. That was the version of him I missed most—the one without burdens or pain, with nothing in his eyes but his companions and the road ahead.

Unable to contain 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 be quiet. Her Star God Sword remained taut, but she did not take the initiative to attack. She could sense that I had no killing intent, but the weight that seemed to rise from the depths of time left her unwilling to lower her guard in the slightest.

Yuanen Yehui stood silently at the very front of the group. Her Titan Giant Ape bloodline stirred faintly, while the aura of her twin martial souls remained steady and restrained. Like the strongest shield, she guarded the companions behind her. Le Zhengyu, meanwhile, had set aside some of his arrogance. The power of the Divine Angel softened as his gaze shifted back and forth between me and the 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 from me to the young Tang Wulin, he quietly asked Xu Xiaoyan, "Xiaoyan, why are there two Boss Wulins?"

Xu Xiaoyan gently shook her head. Her starlight soul power still softly enveloped everyone, though her eyes were filled with worry and curiosity.

The 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 held the bright clarity unique to youth, yet remained steady. "Do you know me?"

I bent slightly, bringing my gaze level with his. My movements were so gentle that they were 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 Le 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 be without meat buns. I know the proud girl devoted to the sword. I know the defense soul master who bears twin martial souls yet possesses a gentle heart. I know the angel soul master who carries light in his heart..."

"And I know her, the one standing before you and never leaving your side."

Gu Yue's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Those words were far too familiar, far too deeply etched, as though they had crossed countless years and struck directly into the depths of her soul.

The young Tang Wulin was slightly startled. The wariness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

The Golden Dragon King Seal within him no longer stirred restlessly. Instead, it became exceptionally calm, as though answering 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 full 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, and certainly could not disrupt the path he was meant to walk.

"I am merely a passerby."

I spoke softly. "I come from a very distant place. I merely returned to take a look—to see all of you whose original hearts remain unchanged, to see the Shrek Seven Monsters who still walk side by side."

"I will not harm you, nor will I change anything."

As my words fell, I slowly took a step back. Faint ripples once again spread through the space around me.

My time of staying had reached its limit. The power of time was pulling at me, drawing me back into the river that belonged to me.

I gave the young Tang Wulin one final deep look. I looked at Gu Yue beside him, and at the complete Shrek Seven Monsters gathered together.

The sunlight was perfect, the breeze gentle, every companion present, their original hearts unchanged.

This was the fulfillment I had spent my entire life seeking, yet could never attain.

"Keep walking forward."

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 became transparent, and the gentle aura of the Golden Dragon King slowly dispersed.

In the instant before I vanished completely, I seemed to see the young Tang Wulin nod firmly. I saw the vigilance in Gu Yue's eyes turn into a trace of confusion. I saw the Seven Monsters all gaze into the empty air, their eyes filled with incomprehension, but also with the high spirits unique to youth.

The next second, light and shadow shattered.

I disappeared completely into this stretch of time, as though I had never appeared at all.

The power training ground fell silent.

The young Tang Wulin slowly clenched his fists. The Golden Dragon King's power flowed steadily within him, while the warmth and weight left behind by that figure still lingered in the air.

Gu Yue withdrew her elemental power and silently returned to his side. 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. "Who... exactly was that person just now? He felt so familiar."

Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword and spoke calmly. "He was very strong, but he meant no harm."

The young Tang Wulin raised his head and looked toward the distant horizon, his gaze becoming even more resolute.

The words spoken by that figure had fallen into his heart like seeds.

He did not know who that person was, but for some reason, he believed that person had been blessing them.

"No matter who he was."

The young Tang Wulin turned toward his six companions. His voice was clear and powerful. "We are the Shrek Seven Monsters."

"We will walk the road ahead together."

Gu Yue gently lifted her eyes and looked into his. The aura of the Silver Dragon accompanied them soundlessly.

Xie Xie cheered. Xu Xiaoyan smiled gently. Xu Lizhi nodded firmly, while Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Le Zhengyu all nodded in unison.

The seven figures stood side by side once more.

Sunlight poured down, stretching their shadows long and longer still.

That time, once watched over by a passerby from beyond the years, was slowly moving toward its most radiant future.