Shrek City, Sea God Island.
An ancient tree towered into the clouds, its enormous roots sunk deep into the earth. Every leaf and branch was translucent as jade, as though carved from emerald rather than naturally grown. Life energy so dense it was almost tangible kept the lake beneath it perpetually shrouded in pale green mist. A shaft of sunlight pierced the foliage and fell on the water, refracting into golden radiance.
This was Shrek Academy's lifeline, the Tree of Life.
Ordinarily, apart from receiving Pavilion Master Yun Ming's nurturing, the tree spent most of its time protecting Shrek in a half-slumber.
But now, this tranquil behemoth had awakened.
Without warning, the leaves of the entire sky-piercing ancient tree erupted with tangible golden-green brilliance. Deep underground, its vast, dormant roots seemed to sense some higher order of vitality and frantically stretched and spread through the soil toward the outskirts of the city.
It was a yearning from some unseen source, and more than that, an instinctive pilgrimage toward a chief god.
"Ming..."
Beside the lake, Ya Li, with her long dark green hair and simple, elegant dress, suddenly stiffened.
"This aura..."
She was the Wishing Angel, an embodiment of life energy. Under the absolutely superior attraction of the Taiyi Azure Wood Mark, her pure divinity was stirred without warning.
It was not pain, but a trembling, tingling sensation seeping from the depths of her soul. The ultimate resonance and attraction of life threw her breathing into disarray in an instant.
Ya Li's ears flushed scarlet. An uncontrollable, dazed blush spread over her delicate, elegant face. Every part of her seemed to tremble, and weakness swept through her entire body.
"I want..."
Her slender, jade-like fingers clutched her pale green skirt so tightly that her nails nearly dug into her flesh. Her whole body was so weak and limp that she could barely stand.
"Ya Li!"
Noticing something wrong, Yun Ming's expression darkened. He stepped over and caught Yali's limp body, damp with fragrant sweat.
He felt the life energy within Ya Li growing uncontrollably excited, and saw the Golden Tree behind her, which had guarded Shrek for countless years, radiating unprecedented waves of excitement.
"I... I'm fine."
Ya Li bit her lower lip tightly, her voice carrying undisguisable bashfulness and trembling. Her beautiful eyes gazed vacantly beyond the city. "The Golden Tree has awakened... it seems to be calling someone. Ming, that aura... my Martial Soul can't resist it at all..."
Yun Ming abruptly raised his head, looking at the enormous crown as it swayed wildly and blazed with extraordinary colors, his gaze utterly grave.
A quarter of an hour later, the melodious, solemn tolling of the Sea God Bell rang throughout the city.
Inside a treehouse in the Tree of Life, an emergency meeting of the Sea God Pavilion elders convened in an oppressive atmosphere.
More than a dozen people sat on either side of the conference table, each exuding a terrifying aura.
Yun Ming sat at the head with a solemn expression. Below him, the white-haired, wrinkled Runaway Douluo Long Yeyue, dressed in plain cloth with a simple hairpin, the legendary outer court dean Cai Yue'er, and the other venerable Shrek elders all wore deep frowns.
There was no enemy invasion, nor any unusual activity in the Abyss. Yet this Life Core, which had lived for countless years, had just awakened with a stirring almost akin to a "pilgrimage" toward the Spirit Pagoda.
Yun Ming and the elders exchanged looks. For all their heaven-reaching strength, none could fathom what was happening.
"The Spirit Pagoda..."
Meanwhile, the one responsible was enjoying himself inside the Heavenly Phoenix Mecha.
Leng Yaozhu pulled the main control lever with one hand while the other remained leisurely clasped around Tang Qingye's waist, knowing no fatigue.
The enormous soul-powered screen ahead had begun to show a bird's-eye view of the magnificent city below.
"See that city down there?"
Leng Yaozhu lowered her head slightly, resting her chin on Tang Qingye's shoulder, her warm breath washing over his ear. "That's Shrek, the place Soul Masters all across the continent would sharpen their heads to squeeze into. But remember, you're my disciple. From now on, you can walk sideways through this place. You don't have to show anyone deference."
Tang Qingye let her hold him. Suddenly!
His heart gave an abrupt thump, and the seven-colored mark within him grew faintly warm.
He seemed to hear a murmur, both faint and immense, like an old man playing a game in his sleep, calling to him across countless stretches of space.
Tang Qingye lowered his eyelids slightly, his fingers unconsciously tightening on his knees.
The sensation was profoundly mysterious.
And even if he racked his brains, he could think of no second explanation for such mighty power.
The Golden Tree?
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
Seeing the little fellow in her arms so uncharacteristically quiet, Leng Yaozhu found it rather amusing. She reached out to pinch his collagen-plump cheek, then took it straight into her mouth in one go.
Tang Qingye came back to himself and leaned farther into her embrace. His long lashes fluttered, his tone casual. "I was thinking, you're usually so busy, Teacher. Once we get to Shrek City, what if you leave me all alone in the Spirit Pagoda's courtyard? I don't know the place or anyone there. What if someone bullies me?"
"Pfft, you little rascal. It'll be a blessing if you don't bully anyone else."
Leng Yaozhu giggled at his words, tightening her arm around his waist before saying casually, "Still, you do have a point. I do normally have all sorts of mundane affairs at Spirit Pagoda Headquarters to deal with. I can't watch over you every day."
As she spoke, the Mecha began descending slowly toward the Spirit Pagoda's exclusive residential core area for family members.
"But I picked out a girl for you long ago. She's a few years older than you-yes, just a few years. Her talent and temperament are both first-rate, and she's spent quite a few years being trained at my side. Once we get there, I'll have her come over."
"Your family should already have reached the home I arranged. Whenever you miss them, you can go over."
Leng Yaozhu tilted her head, her red lips brushing Tang Qingye's ear tip with a hint of teasing amusement.
"From now on, here in Shrek City, she'll handle your daily needs and all those little troubles outside, whether they can stand the light of day or not. In short, she'll be your shadow. Even if she has to die for you, she won't so much as blink. Understand?"
Tang Qingye raised his eyebrows. Looking at the Spirit Pagoda emblem growing steadily larger on the screen, he said nothing more, but was already turning over who this "bodyguard" trained by Leng Yaozhu could be.
Elsewhere.
"Wow... what a huge house!! Mom, is this our new home?"
The heavy door slid open, and Tang Wulin immediately let go of Lang Yue's hand.
He took off his shoes and stepped barefoot onto the pleasantly warm wooden floor, his eyes shining with excitement.
This apartment, on an upper floor on Phoenix Street, was larger than anything an ordinary person from Aolai City could imagine a "home" could be.
Sunlight poured unreservedly through an entire wall of enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the airy living room with light.
A pale beige fabric sofa nestled into a soft, plush rug. Several fragrant green plants stood in the corner, and the air smelled clean and warm.
In one corner of the living room, several soul-powered temperature-control and purification systems operated silently.
"Slow down. Don't fall."
Lang Yue set the suitcase down in the entryway. Watching her son's exuberant figure from behind, she felt her eyes grow warm.
From that little single-story house in Aolai City to this spacious, bright, high-end apartment, the change felt somewhat unreal to her.
Tang Ziran stood beside the door, gently stroking the finely textured alloy wall panel.
As a Mecha Manufacturer, he understood Phoenix Street's worth very well. The security here ranked among the best on the entire continent.
"Dad, Mom, where's my brother? Why didn't he come with us?"
After lying on the sofa for a while, Tang Wulin suddenly turned to his parents with a puzzled look.
Lang Yue walked over and gently straightened the slightly rumpled hem of her son's clothes, saying softly, "Your brother is Her Excellency Leng's personal disciple now. As soon as he reaches Shrek City, he has to go take care of important business with his teacher first. Once he's finished, he'll come home to spend time with you."
"Oh..." Tang Wulin nodded thoughtfully, his eyes full of admiration. "My brother will definitely become an incredibly powerful Soul Master."
"Excuse me, are you Young Master Tang Qingye's family?"
Just as the family of three were talking, a pleasant female voice suddenly came from outside the entryway.
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