The Soul Guidance Train raced through banks of clouds and open countryside, speeding toward Eastsea like the wind and lightning.
The scenery outside gradually shifted from vast plains to the bustling sights of a coastal metropolis. Tall buildings stood in rows, and the sea breeze brushed their faces as it blew through the train windows, carrying a faint salty dampness.
Na'er's little head rested securely against Xiao Chen's shoulder, her silver hair hanging down, her profile delicate and soft.
Xiao Chen's gaze rested gently on her face, and his resolve firmed.
Gu Yue, the Silver Dragon King, Tang San...
Without a powerful Martial Soul and talent, he would, at the absolute most, become a Titled Douluo in this lifetime, but Titled Douluos in Douluo Dalu III: The Legend of the Dragon King were already as common as cabbages.
In the end, he might only be able to watch Na'er get merged, then sit by as the years killed him.
But he had the confidence to stand his ground. The moment Na'er disappeared, he would have let down the Martial Soul he possessed.
And Xiao Chen also understood that even if he cleared the hurdle of Douluo Dalu III: The Legend of the Dragon King and withstood time, Tang San's return with the Great God Realm in Douluo IV would be another hurdle.
He certainly did not believe that Tang San would have no designs on the Silver Dragon King when he returned with the Great God Realm.
After an unknown amount of time, the Soul Guidance Train slowly decelerated and finally came to a steady stop at Eastsea City's platform.
The slight jolt woke the soundly sleeping Na'er. She rubbed her eyes and lifted her head groggily, her hair slightly tousled, still languid from sleep. "Brother... are we there?"
"Yes, we're in Eastsea City." Xiao Chen gently rose as he answered.
The two gathered their belongings, stepped off the train side by side, and entered the bustling coastal metropolis.
Eastsea City bordered the sea, with gentle sea breezes, broad, clean streets, and an endless stream of people. Compared with Shrek City, where the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters stood, it had a little more everyday bustle and a character unique to the seaside.
Following the itinerary they had reported in advance, the two did not wander around but headed straight for the Spirit Transferring Pagoda's Eastsea City branch.
The Spirit Transferring Pagoda branch stood in the heart of Eastsea City. Its building was grand and imposing, snow-white throughout, and engraved with orderly Soul Power patterns, solemn and dignified.
When the two had set out, Leng Yaoyu had already notified the East Sea Spirit Pagoda branch in advance, informing them of Na'er and Xiao Chen's identities, their purpose, and this field assignment.
Thus, the moment the two reached the Spirit Transferring Pagoda's entrance, a capable-looking middle-aged man in formal attire hurried over with several staff members, his expression respectful.
The man was Li Qi, the head of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda branch.
Li Qi had been waiting for some time and did not dare show the slightest neglect.
He knew who these two young people were: one was a talented disciple personally trained by Deputy Pagoda Master Leng Yaoyu, and the other was the deputy pagoda master's "younger brother," whose talent was unparalleled. Their standing far exceeded his own as a branch head, and he absolutely could not afford to offend them.
He hurried up to the two, his bearing respectful and his smile humble:
"I am Li Qi, head of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda. I received word from the main pagoda some time ago and have been awaiting you both. Thank you for making the long journey!"
Seeing Li Qi's impeccable courtesy, Xiao Chen gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Na'er, however, was straightforward by nature. Dispensing with pleasantries, she went straight to the point, taking the initiative to ask with a hint of anticipation and eagerness in her eyes.
"You're the person in charge, right? We're here to verify a newcomer's talent and aptitude. I wanted to ask whether your East Sea Spirit Pagoda has any information on someone named Gu Yue?"
At the name "Gu Yue," Li Qi frowned slightly and instinctively searched his memory.
As head of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda branch, he handled an enormous volume of official business every day, dealt with countless Soul Masters, and reviewed all kinds of applications. His duties were complicated, and he encountered innumerable new students each day. There was simply no way he could remember everyone's name and information.
He thought for a moment but recalled nothing, then hurriedly instructed the staff beside him:
"Immediately pull up all recent Soul Master registration information and Spirit Ascension Platform reservation lists. Check whether there is a Soul Master named Gu Yue."
The staff did not dare delay and immediately took out a soul guidance terminal to search the information.
Within moments, the search results were ready.
A staff member hurriedly reported:
"Found her! A class from Eastsea Academy has reserved slots for a group training session in the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform tomorrow. There is indeed a student named Gu Yue on the class roster."
"That's right. That's her."
Beside him, Na'er's eyes instantly lit up. Fighting spirit immediately filled her little face as she secretly rubbed her fists and palms.
She had long been nursing the urge to settle who was the older sister and who was the younger.
Now that she had confirmed her target, she was brimming with confidence and itching to give it a try.
Hehe! Gu Yue! Your big sister Na'er is coming to put you in your place!
Na'er murmured inwardly, her little face full of proud, defiant fighting spirit.
Standing beside her, Xiao Chen was inwardly speechless at the sight.
By rights, Gu Yue possessed seventy percent of the original essence and was the Silver Dragon King's main body.
This little girl of his paid no attention whatsoever to how the original essence was divided. She simply decided that she was the older sister and even planned to go straight to Gu Yue's door to put her in her place.
But seeing Na'er so full of joy and fighting spirit, Xiao Chen did not burst her bubble and let her have her fun.
Gathering his thoughts, Xiao Chen turned to Li Qi and instructed him:
"Pagoda Master Li, sorry for the trouble, but please arrange Spirit Ascension Platform slots for both of us tomorrow as well. We need to enter the site to complete this newcomer verification assignment."
"Of course, of course! No problem!"
Li Qi hastily nodded in agreement, not daring to hesitate in the slightest. He immediately issued another order to the staff, requiring them to arrange slots for the two and cooperate fully with their verification assignment, without the slightest oversight.
After settling the official arrangements, Li Qi exchanged a few more courtesies. Only after confirming that the two needed nothing else did he respectfully take his leave to continue handling the branch's business.
Only Xiao Chen and Na'er remained in the spacious Spirit Transferring Pagoda lounge.
Once their surroundings quieted down, Xiao Chen pondered for a moment, then turned toward Na'er beside him and softly voiced the question on his mind.
"Na'er, when Aunt Leng assigned the task, did she tell you anything about this Gu Yue's strength and talent?"
This was something that had been weighing on his mind all along.
The timeline had already shifted. Na'er's Soul Power had now reached rank twenty-nine, leaving her only one step away from becoming a Soul Elder.
He did not know whether, with the changes to the worldline, Gu Yue would still deliberately play the pig to devour the tiger and conceal her strength as she had in the original story. He had to get a clear picture beforehand to prepare for every eventuality.
Hearing Xiao Chen's question, Na'er froze slightly, blinking her clear silver eyes in confusion. She tilted her head, looking utterly bewildered and innocent. "Huh? I don't know. Teacher never told me!"
Seeing her so clear-eyed and innocent, Xiao Chen felt helpless.
He had thought Na'er would pay particular attention to Gu Yue's strength. Yet Aunt Leng had not said anything, and Na'er had not asked.
It seemed that although Na'er and Gu Yue shared the same roots and origin, both being avatars of the Silver Dragon King's original essence, after splitting apart, neither could sense specific information about the other.
Xiao Chen shook his head helplessly and gently advised her, "Na'er, in the future, when you encounter an assignment you don't understand or an opponent you don't know enough about, ask your teacher more questions, learn more, and prepare in advance. There's nothing embarrassing about that."
But Na'er did not care in the slightest. She affectionately linked her arm through Xiao Chen's and leaned against his side with a beaming smile, her tone matter-of-fact:
"But I have you here, Brother! With you helping me, why would I ask Teacher?"
Looking at the little girl who depended on him completely, Xiao Chen could only concede defeat to Na'er and sigh softly.
...Just take things as they come.
Before you continue