Elsewhere, Tang Wulin had already left the Spirit Pagoda and set off for Heaven Dou City.
He had originally planned to visit his two teachers, Zhen Hua and Mu Ye, at the Blacksmith Association headquarters. Before leaving, however, he received word that they were not in Heaven Dou City. They had gone to Eastsea City, apparently to see an old friend.
Tang Wulin had no choice but to change course and head for Eastsea City.
This time, he had learned his lesson. Instead of taking a Soul Guidance Train, he rented a car.
The last Soul Guidance Train accident was still vivid in his mind, and he had no desire to go through another one. Renting a car was expensive, but it was better than becoming the "Soul Guidance Train killer" again.
The journey went smoothly. Sitting in the car, Tang Wulin watched the scenery rush past the window, a little wistful.
"Eastsea City, huh?"
The name was no stranger to him. If events had followed the original story, he should have grown there, met Wu Changkong, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan... and then soared to new heights alongside them. But now, his path was clearly different.
He had met Wu Changkong early, joined Shrek Academy early, and entered the Spirit Pagoda early. His fate had already diverged completely from the original story.
"I wonder what Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan are doing now," Tang Wulin murmured. "They should still be in Eastsea City."
As he pondered this, he suddenly noticed someone up ahead who seemed to be flagging down cars for help.
A middle-aged man stood by the road, holding a little girl in his arms. They looked pitiful. The little girl was unconscious, her face pale, and seemed to be ill.
Upon seeing Tang Wulin's car, the middle-aged