The Shadow from Tang San

"Wulin, do you know?"

Tang San did not answer directly, instead looking at Tang Wulin with a solemn expression and speaking in a deep, earnest tone.

"It is actually very difficult for deities to conceive children."

"Ah?"

Tang Wulin was puzzled as to why the conversation had turned to deities having children, but he was still very interested in matters regarding deities, so he simply listened obediently.

"There is a couple in the Divine Realm, the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life. They have been together for countless years and have yet to give birth to a single child. Before your older sister was born, the last child born in the Divine Realm was several millennia ago. This information is enough to show how difficult it is to conceive in the Divine Realm."

Tang San continued to explain to Tang Wulin just how difficult it was for deities to have children.

"Even your arrival was treated by us as a miraculous gift from the heavens. None of us expected your mother to be able to give birth to a second child, but her body sustained lingering injuries because of it, and perhaps she will never be able to conceive again."

Tang San sighed heavily, and Tang Wulin's eyes instantly turned red.

"Father, is Mother... doing all right?"

Although he had never met his mother, the pampering from Tang Ziran and his wife allowed Tang Wulin to know what familial love was, which made him hold even more fantastical images of Xiao Wu.

"Her body is still in recovery, Wulin, don't worry. There will eventually come a day when mother and son meet. Don't forget, in this era she hasn't given birth to you yet."

Tang San was also getting anxious. Although he was a scoundrel, he was doing it for Tang Wulin's own good; he had just slightly exaggerated the issues with Xiao Wu's condition, so he quickly set about comforting the other.

Tang Wulin finally let out a sigh of relief. As long as she was fine, that was all that mattered. Immediately afterward, a look of determination appeared on his face-he had to grow strong quickly, not just for his mom and dad, but also for his mother and father.

"Generally speaking, deities find it difficult to reproduce. Because you possess the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, Wulin, you will have an even stronger yearning for that sort of thing. However, due to the tyrannical and destructive nature of the Golden Dragon King's power, it is even harder for you to have children than ordinary deities. If you don't take on a few more concubines, I'm afraid that in the future the Tang family bloodline..."

"Is going to be cut off!"

Tang San's face appropriately displayed anxiety, though in reality his heart truly was anxious. He couldn't contact the Tang San of the Divine Realm, so he would just have to witness a house full of children and grandchildren himself; he wanted to hold his grandchildren!

"Ah?"

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment, failing to figure out what "that sort of thing" Tang San was talking about. Tang Ziran and his wife had never taught him about that; they had only told him not to casually cuddle with little girls.

It wasn't until he heard that the bloodline was going to be cut off that he finally understood he was being asked to have children. His face instantly turned as red as blood, burning so hot that he felt almost too ashamed to face anyone.

"Father..."

"I'm only six years old."

Tang Wulin's voice was practically on the verge of crying. How did the conversation end up turning to this?

"Wulin."

"Your father here is truly worried. If I cannot see my grandchildren in the future, I'm afraid I won't even be able to sleep peacefully in my slumber."

Tang San sighed, a look of grievance welling up in his eyes.

"But Father, I cannot trade benefits for a concubine, nor can I treat Xiao Xiao as a concubine. In the future, I will only have a wife!"

Tang Wulin thought about it, the determination on his face growing even firmer as he spoke to Tang San with a flushed face.

"Wulin, I certainly didn't misjudge you. Affection bought with benefits does not last; true affection is something that builds over time as people spend time together."

Tang San's expression shifted abruptly, instantly turning righteous and upright, as if everything just now had merely been a test for Tang Wulin.

(Tang San: Since you have no danger on the mainland, Wulin, it's completely normal for me to urge you to get married, right?)

"Ah?"

Tang San's sudden change of face completely bewildered Tang Wulin. Was that just a test for him earlier? No wonder. How could his deity father ever be such an unreasonable person?

"Thank you for the praise, Dad."

Tang Wulin scratched his head and smiled with a bit of embarrassment.

"However, Wulin, tell your father-do you really have no fondness for Xiao Xiao?"

Tang San leaned forward, those boundless eyes gazing straight into Tang Wulin's.

"This..."

Tang Wulin fell silent. Of course there was fondness.

Ever since he came to this world-leaving aside his older sister who disguised herself as a man, and leaving aside Huo Yuhao who also disguised himself as a man-the prettiest girls he had seen were probably Xiao Xiao and Tang Ya. But even he could sense that something was off with the relationship between Sister Tang Ya and Big Brother Bei Bei, leaving only Xiao Xiao, the lively and adorable girl, as the best-looking one.

Youthful hearts naturally yearned for romance.

The original Tang Wulin in the novel already had a fondness for older sister figures like Ouyang Zixin. Although their circumstances were different, and though Tang Wulin didn't currently have that kind of thought toward Xiao Xiao, seeing a pretty older girl still evoked a hazy fondness in him. Whether it could develop into a proper romance later on would still require time and the catalysis of events.

Yet his second brother was also a girl, and the two of them possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, making it very likely she could become his wife in the future. But looking at Huo Yuhao's face disguised as a man, he simply couldn't bring his mind to think in that direction. If his father hadn't told him, he absolutely never would have guessed that Huo Yuhao was disguised as a man.

Inexperienced as he was, Tang Wulin's brain was already running a bit too hot, and he felt like all his paths were blocked.

If Tang San knew Tang Wulin's inner thoughts, he would definitely clap his hands together: bring them both home and nothing would be blocked anymore.

"Fine, since it's like this, Father promises you. You can let Xiao Xiao go in and pick one; after all, how could any Immortal Herb compare to my son's happiness?"

Tang San straightened up, smiling as he gently stroked Tang Wulin's head.

"Father, actually we don't have to bring Xiao Xiao along."

Tang Wulin shook his head gently. He also knew his own thoughts were asking for too much; the Immortal Herbs of the past had created seven deities, and countless people had searched for Immortal Herbs over the past ten thousand years, which was enough to show just how precious they were. His hazy fondness wasn't worth having his father do this.

"It's fine, take her along. If you're willing, Wulin, you can also take the time to foster your feelings a bit more. There's no rush; I have plenty of time."

Tang Wulin was silent for a long while before finally nodding gently in agreement.

"Xiao Xiao, I thought about it, and I can take you with me."

With his consciousness returning to the outside world, a brilliant smile appeared on Tang Wulin's face, all those shadows pushed deep down into his heart.

"Eh, really, Wulin?"

Xiao Xiao was suddenly overjoyed. She had only just met a few friends she got along with, and geniuses at that; she certainly didn't want to be casually left behind.

"Really, we'll come pick you up when the time comes."

Tang Wulin nodded heavily. The kindness his father showed him was something he would never forget.

"Yay."

Xiao Xiao replied with a delighted nod, and then her vision suddenly went black.

"Xiao Xiao, I am Wulin's father."

A majestic and noble voice rang in Xiao Xiao's ear, and before her eyes stood a golden figure.

Tang Wulin's father was actually such a mighty being? Why would he seek her out?

Unease welled up in Xiao Xiao's heart. She felt like she shouldn't have been meddlesome and asked that question back then; now look at this, the kid's parent had come looking for her.

"The place Wulin is going next is the Tang family's treasured land, which holds several Immortal Herbs. Because Wulin has a fondness for you, I agreed to let him bring you along, but you should also know that a bit of fondness like that probably isn't worth an Immortal Herb."

The golden figure's words left Xiao Xiao struck dumb with astonishment.

An Immortal Herb! It was actually an Immortal Herb!

Then Tang Wulin's identity...

"So what is your choice, Xiao Xiao? An Immortal Herb or..."

Upon hearing the golden figure's words, Xiao Xiao fell silent. Her fists clenched slightly, yet a brilliant smile, the exact replica of Tang Wulin's, bloomed on her face.

"Of course it's the Immortal Herb."

"Dad, can I address you like this?"

Tang San fell silent, as if he hadn't expected to receive such an answer.

"Remember your choice, and don't tell Wulin. I gave him a choice too, asking him directly if he was willing to take you as his concubine in exchange for an Immortal Herb, but he refused. He is unwilling to trade affection for benefits."

"I am merely a father who hopes for a house full of children and grandchildren. Wang Dong is a girl, so you don't need to dwell on that; you are not getting the short end of the stick in this matter."

The golden figure's voice gradually grew ethereal, and then the golden figure slowly dissipated.

(Tang San: Wulin, there will come a day when you understand your father.)

Xiao Xiao gazed at the brightly smiling Tang Wulin before her, a smile even more brilliant than his own blooming across her face.