The first faint light of dawn had barely filtered through the curtains when Tang Wulin jolted awake. He clutched his chest, his heart pounding violently as an unprecedentedly powerful premonition coursed through him like an electric current—he had to go to the Far North!
The thought came without warning, yet it was utterly clear and unwavering, as though something deep within the ice and snow of the Far North was calling to him from beyond the unseen. It was a stirring from the very depths of his bloodline.
Tang Wulin glanced at Gu Yue, still sleeping soundly beside him, and reluctance and indecision welled up in his heart. He knew her all too well. If he told her now, she would follow him regardless of the consequences, and might even forcibly stop him out of worry. But he knew he had to make this journey. That sense of being summoned was too strong to ignore.
I'm sorry, Gu Yue. I'll be back soon, Tang Wulin said silently to himself. He slipped out of bed, found paper and a pen, and left a short letter on the table: "Gu Yue, I have a strong premonition that I have to go to the Far North. Don't worry. I'll be back soon. Wait for me.—Wulin"
After finishing the letter, he tucked it beneath the teacup by Gu Yue's bedside and took one last, lingering look at her. Then he gritted his teeth, turned, and quietly slipped out of the room.
To avoid drawing anyone's attention, Tang Wulin deliberately put on an inconspicuous dark cloak, hiding his striking blue-gold hair completely beneath it. Though his body had grown smaller, traveling was no problem with the Golden Dragon King's terrifying physical strength and speed. Like a nimble little cat, he silently evaded every patrol at