Three-year-old Tang Wulin

Several days slipped quietly by amid the laughter and merriment of Shrek Academy.

Although Tang Wulin's martial soul had yet to awaken, no one felt anxious about it. Instead, he became the darling of the entire Sea God Pavilion and the little circle of the Shrek Seven Devils. Surrounded by love and care, little Wulin was tended to in every possible way, his days as sweet as a lump of honey that would never melt away.

Morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, and Jiang Nannan was always the first to stand beside his crib. She would carefully lift Tang Wulin into her arms, gently patting his back and soothing him in a soft voice. Little Wulin seemed especially fond of this gentle "Big Sister Nannan." Whenever he saw her, he would stretch out his chubby little hands and babble with endless laughter, his large eyes sparkling as though filled with stars.

"Oh my, our little Lin is even prettier today!" Holding Tang Wulin, Jiang Nannan could hardly bear to put him down. She kissed his rosy cheek, her face radiant with maternal affection.

Watching from beside her, Xu Sanshi rubbed his nose and sighed with feigned hurt. "Nannan, haven't you been a little too devoted to little Lin these past few days? I'm getting jealous. You were never this gentle with me. Now that you have little Lin, have you forgotten your dear Brother Stone?"

Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes at him, though she could not hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Shoo, shoo. Go away. Little Lin is so adorable—who wouldn't love him? Besides, he's our little junior brother. Of course I should cherish him."

Just then, Tang Ya approached in an elegant, understated gown. Her bearing was ethereal, though a mother's tenderness now softened her features. As though he had found an ally, Xu Sanshi immediately went over to complain. "Xiao Ya, do something about Nannan! And little Lin, too. Look at him—he's stolen all her attention. I've been standing here forever, and she hasn't even given me a proper glance!"

Tang Ya—whom everyone now preferred to call "Yaya" or "Xiao Ya"—burst out laughing. She lightly patted Xu Sanshi's shoulder and teased, "Come on, Xu Sanshi. Count your blessings. Aren't you happy that so many people love little Lin? Besides, he's Wutong's little brother, which makes him everyone's little brother. If we older brothers and sisters don't shower him with affection, who will?"

As she spoke, Tang Ya took Tang Wulin from Jiang Nannan's arms and held him with practiced ease, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Little Lin, look at what tasty treats your martial aunt brought you!"

Nearby, Bei Bei, He Caitou, and Xiao Xiao also gathered around. Looking at the circle of "older brothers and sisters" fussing over him, Tang Wulin giggled, his little hands grabbing at the air, his face brimming with happiness and contentment.

Tang Wutong stood beneath a nearby covered walkway, warmth filling her heart as she watched the tender scene. Seeing her little brother cherished like a treasure in everyone's palms, and seeing the senior brothers and sisters who had once fought shoulder to shoulder still so close, the stone that had weighed on her heart finally settled to the ground.

Here, there were no conflicts from the Divine Realm, no threat from the Golden Dragon King—only the warmth and sweetness of family. She knew she had made the right choice. This was the best home for her little brother, Tang Wulin.

"Big sister!" As though sensing her gaze, Tang Wulin turned his head and stretched both hands toward Tang Wutong, calling to her in his milky little voice.

Tang Wutong smiled and stepped forward, taking her brother from Yaya's arms. She gently pinched his plump little cheek and said softly, "Little Lin, you have to behave from now on, all right? So many older brothers and sisters love you. You mustn't make mischief."

Tang Wulin nodded with only a vague understanding, then buried his little head in the crook of his sister's neck and hummed contentedly.

Sunlight bathed the family, warm and peaceful. Tang Wutong looked at her brother sleeping soundly in her arms, then at the affectionate elders around her, and silently vowed, Whatever happens in the future, I'll give everything I have to protect this hard-won happiness and sweetness. Three years slipped quietly by like sand flowing between fingers. The infant who had once lain swaddled in blankets had grown into a three-year-old child.

Perhaps fate had favored him: Tang Wulin had inherited little of his father's stern appearance and instead bore an astonishing resemblance to his mother, Xiao Wu. His features were as lovely as a painting, his skin fair, and his large, watery eyes shone with lively, innocent charm. When he smiled, they curved into crescents, making him the very image of a rosy, exquisitely crafted porcelain doll. His delicate, almost girlish beauty made him even more endearing than girls his age. Little wonder that wherever he went, he seemed like a glowing little bundle, leaving everyone itching to pinch his cheeks.

In this unfamiliar yet warm world, his only anchor was his sister, Tang Wutong. The bond rooted deep in their shared blood made his dependence on her almost instinctive, as though having his sister beside him meant having the whole world.

Morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patches over the garden behind the Sea God Pavilion. A pink-and-blue figure strolled along the cobblestone path: Tang Wutong. She wore a long pink-and-blue dress, its hem swaying gently in the breeze like a patch of clear sky amid the dawn, soft and serene.

"Big sister! Wait for little Lin!"

The childish call came from behind her, urgent and babyish. Tang Wutong stopped helplessly and turned to crouch down. The tiny figure stumbled toward her on his two short legs and plunged straight into the pink-and-blue folds of her skirt.

"Big sister, hold me..." Tang Wulin tilted up his little face. His large eyes, so like Xiao Wu's, glistened with moisture, and a few dewdrops clung to his long lashes. He looked utterly pitiful, like a little flower that would wilt if it strayed even half a step from his sister.

Looking at the brother who so closely resembled their mother, Tang Wutong felt the softest part of her heart gently stirred. She reached out and lifted him from the ground, holding him securely in her arms. Her pink-and-blue sleeves curled lightly around him, wrapping his tiny body snugly.

"Why are you so careless? You've run yourself all sweaty again." As Tang Wutong gently scolded him, she drew a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and tenderly wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.

Tang Wulin nuzzled against his sister, found the most comfortable position, and tightly clutched the pink-and-blue fabric at her chest. His eyes narrowed in contentment. "Big sister smells nice... little Lin likes being held by big sister."

Jiang Nannan approached from nearby carrying a food box. Seeing them, she could not help laughing. "Wutong, your little brother really is joined to you at the hip. Look at him hiding in your pink-and-blue skirt, like a little white rabbit that's found its nest."

Tang Ya came over as well. Gazing fondly at Tang Wulin's sleeping face, so like Xiao Wu's, she could not resist reaching out to gently pinch his cheek. "This child really is beautiful. Those eyes and brows, that nose—his features are simply exquisite. In all my years, this is the first time I've seen such a delicate-looking boy. He's just like... like a little celestial child who stepped out of a painting."

Although Tang Ya had heard of Xiao Wu's deeds, she had never been fortunate enough to meet that legendary God King's consort in person. She merely thought little Lin was too beautiful to be mortal, unaware that the charm flowing through his features belonged to that lively rabbit who had taken human form ten thousand years ago.

Tang Wutong lowered her gaze to her brother sleeping soundly in her arms, then looked at the familiar pink and blue she wore. Her lips curved into a tender smile. She gently stroked his soft hair and murmured, "Let him be. Until he awakens his martial soul at six, I'll stay by his side."

No one disturbed the peace of those tender moments. They all knew that children could only awaken their martial souls at six years old; that was a rule of the Douluo Continent. Until then, they would let this adorable little brother who resembled Xiao Wu grow up without a care beneath his sister's pink-and-blue shelter.

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, beside the Lake of Life.

The lake shimmered, reflecting the cool silver moon overhead. Gu Yue stood at its edge, her long silver hair drifting gently in the night breeze. Her purple eyes, deep as an abyss, gazed at her reflection in the water. Beside her stood another girl with the same appearance—Na'er, who nervously twisted her fingers. Her eyes were identical to Gu Yue's, yet filled with distinctly human timidity and worry.

"B-big sister," Na'er began quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "Is there... really no way to separate completely? I don't want to disappear, and I don't want to merge with you. I want to find my big brother..."

Gu Yue slowly turned, her calm gaze settling on Na'er. Her tone was cool, yet carried a trace of almost imperceptible resignation. "No. How could the power of the laws that split the Dragon God be so easily unraveled? Either we merge once every few years and separate again, or... given enough time, we'll both fade away from an imbalance in our power."

Na'er's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling in them. "Then... what do we do? If we merge, I won't be able to see my big brother anymore. I'll become you..."

Seeing Na'er like this, Gu Yue sighed inwardly. Was she not taking a gamble herself? Gambling that this divided personality could survive independently, gambling that a way to completely separate the Dragon God's power could be found on the Douluo Continent. But she knew even better that, for now, neither of them could do without the Star Dou Great Forest's protection.

"We won't merge for now," Gu Yue said coldly. "Before that happens, I'll find a way. But until then, you must listen to me."

Just then, an enormous figure slowly emerged from the depths of the forest. It was a giant bear, crimson from head to toe, and the earth trembled with each step it took. The Scarlet King, one of the sovereigns of the Star Dou Great Forest, now stood respectfully before the two "supreme rulers."

"Your Majesty," the Scarlet King said, his deep voice rumbling like muffled thunder. "Word has come from the outside world. Human soul masters have been unusually active lately. They seem to be searching for something. Would you like me to..."

Gu Yue waved a hand, a sharp gleam flashing through her purple eyes. "No need. As you are now, unless human Titled Douluos surround you with top-grade soul tools, very few on this Douluo Continent can hurt you."

As Gu Yuena's injuries gradually healed within the Lake of Life, she had begun reshaping the balance of power in the Star Dou Great Forest. Using her own Silver Dragon King bloodline, she had awakened the traces of ancient divine beast blood within Da Ming, Er Ming, and the other great ferocious beasts. Da Ming and Er Ming were no longer the Titan Giant Apes and Sky Azure Bull Pythons who could evolve only by devouring metal. Their bloodlines had undergone a qualitative leap, and their strength could no longer be spoken of in the same breath as before.

Feeling the power surging within, the Scarlet King respectfully bowed that proud head. "Thank you for your blessing, Your Majesty. Your subordinate swears to protect both Your Majesties unto death."

Looking at the enormous creature, Na'er instinctively shrank behind Gu Yue. She was still the same timid Na'er, with an instinctive fear of power.

"I want to go to a human city." Na'er suddenly raised her head and looked stubbornly at Gu Yue. "I want to find my big brother. What if... what if we merge later, and I never get to see him again?"

Gu Yue frowned. Faced with Na'er's resolute gaze, she fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Fine. But I won't let you go off alone to your death. Scarlet King, accompany her. Though your strength has greatly increased, the human world is treacherous and ever-changing. You must remain vigilant at all times."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Scarlet King accepted the order.

Delight flashed in Na'er's eyes, and she hurriedly tugged at Gu Yue's sleeve. "Big sister, what about you?"

"Me?" Gu Yue's gaze turned once more toward the distance, a note of steely resolve entering her voice. "I'm going to seek out more sources of strength. If soul beasts are to rise again, the power we have now won't be enough. I need to find Da Ming and Er Ming and fully awaken their ancient divine beast bloodlines. Only then can we truly claim a place on this Douluo Continent. Only then... will we no longer have to fear our fate of merging."

The night breeze swept past, scattering the ripples on the lake. Gu Yue knew they had little time left. Either they separated completely, or... they would march toward an unknown end within this cycle of merging and separating. And she would never allow herself to fade away.