Tang San Appears

Tang San!

Sea God Tang San!

Feeling the vast divine power radiating from the figure before him, Mu En had no doubt that this was Tang San. He was exactly as the records described.

No wonder. No wonder.

Mu En thought of the strange signs Tang Wulin had shown earlier. He had assumed the boy was merely someone from the Divine Realm. He had never imagined he was the Sea God's son.

"I am Mu En, the forty-third master of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion. I pay my respects to Ancestor Tang San."

Mu En bowed deeply, burying his private schemes concerning Shrek deep in his heart. He feared Tang San might notice something amiss. After all, he had once...

"Rise."

Tang San raised a hand slightly, a gentle smile on his face. It was rare for him to return to the Douluo Continent, and he was in a rather good mood.

"This is my son, Tang Wulin. Because of certain circumstances, I sent him to the Douluo Continent to be raised."

As Tang San spoke, he gently swept a hand over Tang Wulin's head. He could not actually touch him, and a trace of regret flashed through his eyes.

"There are dangers within him. But if he overcomes them, his future strength will be enough to rival mine. In other words, he is certain to become a god—and a king among gods."

Mu En's eyes burned at those words. Becoming a god was a goal countless Soul Masters spent their entire lives chasing without ever reaching. Even he could not keep a flicker of envy from rising in his heart.

Tang Wulin simply stood there grinning foolishly. He had already resolved to find the parents who had raised him, and Tang San's introduction as his birth father did not trouble him. Instead, it made him feel even more hopeful that he could find them.

"Just now, for reasons I don't know, Wulin drew Life Divine Power into his body and was washed in it. But that also loosened the seal on him. You seem to have benefited quite a bit yourself."

Tang San continued explaining, his glance at the now-younger Mu En carrying a pointed meaning.

"I hardly deserve it. I have gained an immense benefit thanks to your son, and I am deeply grateful."

Mu En bowed again in thanks. He truly had gained a great deal: the dozen or so years he had left clinging to life had become two hundred years in a healthy body. He even had a sliver of hope of reaching a higher realm. Mu En had long since resolved to repay the favor with his life.

"Hehe, it's all right, Mu En."

Tang Wulin could not help rubbing his nose. He was happy for Mu En.

"Gods cannot lightly interfere with the lower realm. But Wulin's circumstances are special. He is my child, and a trace of my Divine Soul resides within him. If he encounters danger, it can unleash the power of a god, and the other gods will have no grounds to object. Still, I will only intervene at critical moments. At other times, Shrek must protect him and help him grow."

Tang San continued speaking.

"Of course. Of course."

Mu En nodded repeatedly.

"Now that the seal on Wulin has loosened, I need some Spirit Treasures to help him absorb the power it holds back. A crowd has already gathered outside the Golden Tree. Go and have them collect these things for me."

Tang San pointed a finger, and a stream of information entered Mu En's mind directly.

"As you command."

Mu En bent slightly at the waist and accepted the task.

"Good. Go gather them quickly. Time is short."

Tang San's figure waved a hand and slowly faded as he gazed at Tang Wulin with loving eyes. His son would surely be unrivaled beneath the heavens one day.

Though Tang San had vanished, Mu En did not relax in the slightest. He did not know what methods a god possessed. Perhaps Tang San was still watching his every move from somewhere.

"Divine son—"

"Sir."

Mu En faltered before finally getting the word out. His expression was complicated, as though a thick wall had risen between them.

A moment ago, Tang Wulin had been a little rascal he had taken in out of kindness. Now he was the son of a god descended from the Divine Realm. The gulf between the two made Mu En feel that the ways of the world were impossible to predict.

"Mu En, please just call me Wulin. That's what all the aunties and uncles call me too."

Tang Wulin froze at the form of address, then hurriedly waved his hands to stop him. A faint pink filled his fair little cheeks, making him look unbearably adorable.

No message from Tang San sounded in Mu En's ear. He let out a heavy breath.

I'm getting old. A child sees things more clearly than I do.

"Then, Wulin, I'll go gather some Spirit Treasures for you. Stay here and get some rest. I'll be right back."

"Mm-hmm. Sorry for the trouble, Mu En."

Tang Wulin's obedient manner softened Mu En's heart. The little fellow was too adorable—handsome and polite. Even toward a mortal like him, someone who could almost be called a subordinate, Tang Wulin remained so kind. How had Ancestor Tang San and Ancestor Xiao Wu raised a child like this?

Tang San, Xiao Wu: They hadn't raised him at all.

Mu En smiled softly and vanished from Tang Wulin's sight. Ancestor Tang San had caused quite a commotion just now; Mu En needed to deal with that while he was out.

"Wow, Mu En disappeared! What kind of Soul Skill was that?"

Tang Wulin exclaimed in amazement and reached toward the spot where Mu En had stood. He touched nothing. Only air remained, and envy immediately showed on his face.

He had always longed to see the legendary Soul Skills. The parents who had raised him were ordinary people, and he had only ever seen such skills on television. Now that he had witnessed one with his own eyes, excitement surged through him.

"A petty trick."

Tang San could not bear to see Tang Wulin admire someone else and immediately spoke up to object.

Before Tang Wulin could argue, Tang San steered the conversation toward how he should absorb the power behind the seal.

Tang Wulin obediently listened. His own life mattered most, after all.

Mu En appeared outside Sea God Island. More than a dozen figures stood suspended in midair, gazing anxiously at the island, which was sealed beneath a pale golden barrier. They were all Titled Douluo currently serving at Shrek Academy. Moments ago, the Golden Ancient Tree had erupted with golden light that filled the sky, forming a barrier around the entire island. None of them knew what had happened.

"Shaozhe, how did you get hurt?"

Mu En's brows drew tight as he looked worriedly at Yan Shaozhe, who was clutching his right arm.

"Teacher!"

"How did you become young again?"

Yan Shaozhe turned toward Mu En at the sound of his voice. At first he did not recognize him. After blinking several times, he finally came to his senses and asked in open-mouthed shock, forgetting to answer Mu En's question.

The Elders beside him also had a gleam in their eyes. Yesterday Mu En had been bent and frail with age; today he looked as he had in his youth. What sort of boon had appeared on Sea God Island? Could they get a share of it?

Quite a few Elders had already begun making plans.

"An unexpected boon restored my body. I should have another two hundred years to live."

Mu En clasped his hands behind his back and smiled with satisfaction. He truly had received a tremendous gift today.

"But Shaozhe, what happened to you?"

When Mu En asked again, Yan Shaozhe's aged face flushed. He haltingly explained how he had been injured.