Yun Ming, Ya Li, and Na'er

While Zhuo Shi was still wrestling with his dilemma, a clear voice suddenly rang out from afar.

"Zhuo Shi, your Sea God Island is quite lively today."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw three figures walking slowly toward them.

Leading them was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. He had handsome features and a refined bearing, with long black hair draped loosely over his shoulders. Dressed in plain white robes, he exuded an air of detachment from worldly affairs.

Beside him stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her long silver hair fell to her waist, her skin was fairer than snow, and her features looked as though they had been painted. Gentle and dignified, she was a peerless beauty.

Behind the two of them followed an exquisite little girl, as delicate as carved jade.

The girl looked no more than seven or eight. Her long silver-white hair was tied into twin ponytails, and her large, pale purple eyes were lively and clear. Wearing a little light blue dress, she looked as though she had stepped out of a painting, so exquisite it hardly seemed possible.

Everyone's expression changed at the sight of the newcomers.

Zhuo Shi was the first to react. He hurriedly rose and greeted them respectfully. "Boss, Ya Li!"

Leng Yaozhu's expression grew somewhat complicated. She looked at the silver-haired woman, then at Yun Ming beside her. Her lips pressed together slightly, but she said nothing.

Indeed, the newcomers were Yun Ming, the Sea God Pavilion Master, and his wife, Ya Li.

Yun Ming was universally acknowledged as the strongest man alive, the Sea God Pavilion Master and a Limit Douluo, only one step away from godhood.

Ya Li, meanwhile, was hailed as the continent's greatest beauty and was likewise a top-tier powerhouse. This couple could be called the most dazzling pair on the entire Douluo Continent.

Looking at Yun Ming's familiar face, Leng Yaozhu felt a wave of bitterness rise within her. In her youth, she too had fallen for him. Unfortunately, the falling blossom yearned for the flowing water, but the water felt nothing in return. In the end, Yun Ming had chosen Ya Li.

After so many years, she had thought she had let go. Yet seeing him again still stirred something in her heart.

Still, she was the Spirit Pagoda's Vice Pagoda Master, after all. She quickly composed herself and smiled faintly. "Pavilion Master Yun Ming, it's been a long time."

Yun Ming smiled as well. "Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix, I trust you've been well."

His gaze fell on Tang Wulin, and a flicker of curiosity crossed his eyes. "And this is...?"

"My disciple, Tang Wulin," Leng Yaozhu introduced him.

Yun Ming raised an eyebrow slightly and gave Tang Wulin another look. He knew just how exacting this proud, prickly woman's standards were. For her to accept Tang Wulin as a disciple, his talent had to be remarkable.

But at the mention of talent, Yun Ming could not suppress a smile. No one's talent could compare to that of the disciple he had just accepted.

Just thinking about it made him happy!

"What brings you here, Pavilion Master?" Zhuo Shi asked.

Yun Ming smiled. "I heard Changkong was back, so I came to see him. And while I was at it..." He glanced at the silver-haired little girl beside him.

"I thought I'd show the child around Sea God Island."

Only then did everyone notice the silver-haired little girl. She had been standing quietly behind Yun Ming without a word, merely surveying her surroundings curiously with those large, pale purple eyes.

When she saw Tang Wulin, her gaze sharpened slightly. She seemed a little surprised, though there appeared to be something else in her eyes as well.

"What a beautiful little girl," Leng Yaozhu praised sincerely. "Pavilion Master Yun Ming, is this your new disciple?"

Yun Ming nodded. "Her name is Na'er, and she's extraordinarily talented. The moment I first saw her, I knew this child was exceptional, so I took her as my disciple."

Na'er? Tang Wulin's heart stirred. Of course he knew Na'er—or rather, he knew the name "Na'er."

In the original story, Na'er was another identity of Gu Yue's, as well as one of the Silver Dragon King's avatars.

After leaving Aolai City for Shrek City, he had lost the contact he should originally have maintained with Na'er. He had never expected to meet her here today. Was this fate?

Tang Wulin could not help stealing a few more looks at Na'er. The little girl seemed to notice his gaze as well. She turned her head and stared straight at him with her large, pale purple eyes.

There was a trace of resentment in that gaze, as if she were saying, You actually left me behind and ran off on your own?

Indeed, Na'er was a little resentful.

As an avatar of the Silver Dragon King, she naturally shared memories with Gu Yue and knew that her target had come to Shrek City early and met Gu Yue here.

So she had no choice but to relocate here too. Her competitive streak had even driven her... to make no attempt to conceal her talent, prompting Yun Ming to accept her as his disciple.

Yun Ming did not notice the subtle exchange between the two children. Looking at Leng Yaozhu, he asked, "Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix, may I ask what brings you to Sea God Island today?"

Leng Yaozhu made no attempt to hide it. "I'd like Zhuo Shi to teach my disciple the Nine Scarlet Dragon Forms."

Yun Ming was briefly taken aback, then smiled. "The Red Dragon Nine Forms? Old Scarlet Dragon's treasured trump card. Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix certainly knows how to choose."

Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly. "Then what do you think, Pavilion Master Yun Ming?"

Yun Ming pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix should know that Shrek Academy has always given geniuses preferential treatment. But first, he must prove that he truly is a genius."

Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow. "How should he prove it?"

Yun Ming glanced at Na'er behind him, then at Tang Wulin, and a meaningful smile curved his lips.

"How about this? Let Na'er fight your disciple. If he wins, Shrek Academy will offer the Nine Scarlet Dragon Forms with both hands."

Naturally, Yun Ming had to safeguard Shrek Academy's interests. He felt this would make Tang Wulin and the others recognize the difficulty and retreat, while remaining perfectly reasonable.

Everyone present looked surprised at his words. Zhuo Shi even frowned slightly. He had not expected Yun Ming to make such a demand.

Though Na'er was young, her talent was obviously extraordinary for Yun Ming to have personally accepted her as his disciple. What kind of arrangement was this, making two seven- or eight-year-old children fight?

Leng Yaozhu, however, smiled.

She glanced at the silver-haired little girl, then at Tang Wulin, and her lips curved confidently. "All right. I agree."

She was secretly amused. Did Yun Ming think bringing a gifted disciple would be enough to suppress Tang Wulin? My Wulin is a monster who killed a Six-Ring Soul Emperor single-handedly on a Soul Guidance Train. No matter how strong a seven- or eight-year-old girl is, could she possibly be stronger than a Soul Emperor?

Standing beside Yun Ming, Na'er's large, pale purple eyes brightened slightly when she heard that she would be fighting Tang Wulin.

She looked at Tang Wulin with a hint of eagerness in her eyes, along with an emotion that was impossible to put into words.

You... I finally get to see you.

She thought this silently, the corners of her lips lifting without her noticing.

Her gaze made Tang Wulin feel a little uneasy, and he instinctively took half a step back. "Um... what's your name?"

"Na'er." The little girl's voice was clear and sweet, as lovely as silver bells. "And yours?"

"Tang Wulin."

"Tang Wulin." Na'er repeated the name once, then suddenly smiled. "I'll remember you."

Looking at this "little sister," Tang Wulin offered a warm smile as well.