Her appearance hasn't changed much compared to many years ago; time doesn't seem to have left many marks on her face.
But those eyes, which once burned with fiery passion, were now empty and lifeless, as if all the light had been sucked out.
She just sat there quietly, like a soulless sculpture, her breathing so light it was almost imperceptible.
Xuan Ming could clearly sense that what she exuded was not just exhaustion and sorrow, but also a deep-seated despair, and even... a faint hint of a desire to die.
If no one intervenes, this woman, who was once as fiery as a flame, will likely quietly exhaust her last bit of life in this cabin in the woods.
He made no attempt to conceal his footsteps as he arrived.
Liu Erlong seemed to sense something and slowly raised her head. When her gaze fell on Xuan Ming's figure, her lifeless eyes trembled violently, and a complex and indescribable emotion surged up like a tide—a moment of astonishment, an instinctive anger, an unspeakable bitterness, and perhaps even a trace of... a faint stirring of emotion upon seeing a familiar person that she herself had not even noticed.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something—a question? A complaint? Or simply call out his name?
But in the end, all the words stuck in his throat, turning into silence.
She just looked at him, her gaze so complex it was heartbreaking.
Xuan Ming walked up to her and stopped. He didn't speak immediately, but simply looked at her quietly for a moment before sitting down on the stone steps beside her, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too distant, neither too intimate to be oppressive nor too aloof.
After a long silence, Liu Erlong spoke first, "You... is there something you need?"
"I've come to see you." Xuan Ming said calmly.
"But judging from your appearance, you probably won't live much longer."
"If you want to die... then die. I'll be waiting to collect your corpse."
Liu Erlong's expression froze, a sudden surge of anger rising within him. "Can't you speak properly?!"
Xuan Ming simply looked back at her calmly, his eyes even carrying a hint of obvious doubt. "You know perfectly well what I'm asking."
"..."
Liu Erlong was speechless, her chest heaving violently, when he heard his attitude.
These days, everyone is careful around her; even Flender only dares to watch from afar.
Only Xuan Ming, that brat is still the same!
Liu Erlong clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. "You came here to laugh at me?"
"Hmm... that was originally true, but now, as the dying man speaks, his words become kind," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"To be honest, I don't understand why some people, even when they see the truth clearly, still punish themselves for other people's mistakes."
" Yu Xiaogang chose to live in the past, so you insist on being buried with him?"
Liu Erlong trembled, all her anger dissipating instantly like a punctured balloon. She staggered back a step, leaning against the doorframe, her voice hoarse. "You... you know nothing..."
"I know." Xuan Ming took a step forward, an invisible pressure descending upon him. "I know you're tired, I know you see things clearly but can't let go, I know you feel life is meaningless."
"In that case, go in peace. You have nothing left to hold you back in this world anyway."
"I will collect your body."
"..."
Who told you I was going to die!
Liu Erlong suddenly stood up straight, a familiar flame rekindling in his eyes. Although this flame still carried the pain of his injuries, it was no longer lifeless.
Xuan Ming raised an eyebrow slightly. "Didn't you just act like you were about to die?"
"I..." Liu Erlong was speechless for a moment, then became angry and embarrassed, "I was... contemplating life!"
"Thinking about death?" Xuan Ming asked calmly. "What's the difference between that and actually wanting to die?"
Liu Erlong stomped her feet in anger. " Xuan Ming! It's been years, and your mouth has become even more venomous!"
"Just telling the truth." Xuan Ming looked around the dilapidated courtyard. "Look at this place, then look at you. Rather than lingering like this, half-dead, it's better to make a decision sooner rather than later."
He suddenly turned around and looked directly into Liu Erlong's eyes. "If you're going to die, then die quickly. I can help you; it won't hurt at all. If you're going to live, then live well. I'll take you away."
Liu Erlong was stunned. Looking into Xuan Ming's icy blue eyes, she clearly felt the power contained within them for the first time. He was no longer the pitiful little brother she knew, but a true powerhouse who could protect her.
"You..." She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Xuan Ming stretched out his hand, palm up. "Choose one."
Liu Erlong looked at the hand, then at Xuan Ming's serious expression, and suddenly smiled. This was the first time in days that she had smiled genuinely.
"You brat..." she muttered under her breath, but didn't touch the hand. "Who needs your help to choose?"
She turned and went into the small house, her voice coming from inside. "If you're going to come in, hurry up. What kind of behavior is this, standing outside like this?"
"..."
In the grove, Xiao Wu and the others stared in disbelief at Xuan Ming Ming's "refreshing and unconventional" advice.
"As expected of him." Ning Rongrong didn't know how to comment.
Because of the rigorous training over the past few years, she had completely forgotten about Xuan Ming's mouth!
That's the kind of thing that can drive a living person to their death, and even bring a suicidal person back to life!
Chapter 434 Stance Takes Precedence Over Right and Wrong
Liu Erlong was so angry at Xuan Ming's "refreshing and unconventional" advice that she was furious, but it also miraculously dispelled the deathly aura that had been lingering in her heart for many days.
That familiar urge to grab Xuan Ming's ear and call him a "little rascal" made her feel real again that she was "alive".
Following Xuan Ming's suggestion, she decided to leave this place that held too many painful memories.
She first had a simple meal with Xuan Ming, as a farewell to the past. Afterwards, she found Flender.
Flender was looking at a pile of college documents with a headache when he saw Liu Erlong come in, especially when he saw the complex yet no longer empty look in her eyes. He was stunned for a moment, and then a trace of relief and... a deeper loneliness flashed in his eyes.
" Erlong, you..." Flender stood up, somewhat at a loss.
Looking at the man who had loved her for most of his life but never received a response, Liu Erlong was filled with mixed emotions. She calmly said, " Flender, I'm leaving."
Flender stiffened slightly, a bitter smile forcing across his face, "Go? Where to?... With him?"
Although he didn't say it explicitly, they both understood.
Xiao Wu and the others just arrived and couldn't affect Liu Erlong. So, who else in this world could cause such a change in Liu Erlong?
Liu Erlong neither denied nor confirmed, but simply said, "Go out for a walk, leave this suffocating place. Perhaps... I won't come back."
Flender fell silent. He had known this day would come, but he hadn't expected it to arrive so soon. He looked at Liu Erlong, a thousand words stuck in his throat, finally turning into a long sigh, "... Take care."
Liu Erlong nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of apology and gratitude. " Flender, thank you... all these years. You've been my best friend, my best brother."
This statement completely severed the boundary.
Flender felt a pang of pain in his heart, but he could only accept it. He forced a smile, "Take care of yourself too. If... if you're unhappy out there, you can always come back. Shrek Academy will always be your home."
Liu Erlong smiled, didn't reply, and turned to leave the office.
Some paths, once decided upon, offer no turning back.
The news that Liu Erlong planned to leave quickly reached Yu Xiaogang's ears.
Now that he is the Imperial Preceptor, he doesn't care about this at all.
In his heart, ever since Liu Erlong chose to "betray" him and even exonerate her "enemy" after returning from Spirit City, they had become strangers.
Now he holds a high position in the court, enjoys the emperor's trust, and has a genius disciple like Tang San. He has finally achieved the status and respect he once dreamed of.
That past relationship, which violated human ethics and was too painful to recall, had long been buried deep in his heart, regarded as a stain that must be severed.
What does Liu Erlong's departure or stay have to do with him?
However, upon learning the news, Tang San immediately sought out Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher," Tang San frowned, "Teacher Liu Erlong is leaving Heaven Dou City. Aren't you going to try to persuade her? She's waited for you half her life, and in the end..."
In Tang San's view, regardless of right or wrong, his teacher still owed Liu Erlong something.
The situation on the mainland is currently volatile and unpredictable, and Liu Erlong's safety is uncertain as he leaves alone.
Yu Xiaogang put down his pen, raised his head, and looked calmly at Tang San, his tone carrying an undeniable coldness. " Xiao San, I have nothing more to say to her. We are on different paths, so we cannot work together. Since she has made her choice, whether she stays or leaves is her own business. My intervention would only create awkwardness and damage the reputation of the Imperial Preceptor."
He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Tang San: "But you, Xiao San. I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with that Imperial Preceptor Xu of the Sun Moon Empire these past few days? Could it be... that you've begun to waver on his words?"
Tang San was taken aback by the question and fell silent.
The world of Soul Tool described by Xu Hong, and the ideas that the Spirit Hall Empire was promoting in an attempt to break down the privileged class of Soul Master and establish a fairer order, indeed stirred up huge waves in his heart.
How similar this is to his experience in the Tang Sect in his previous life! Back then, he had extraordinary talent, but because he was born into an outer sect, he was forever excluded from the core and never had the chance to show it.
He eventually stole the inner sect's ultimate technique and created the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, but he still couldn't gain recognition; all he got in return was a bottomless abyss.
Before he learned that he possessed the bloodline of the Clear Sky Sect, he had suffered discrimination because of his Trash Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass. He felt injustice and anger at the situation where noble Soul Master monopolized resources and common Soul Master had no chance of advancement.
"There are no useless Martial Soul, only useless Soul Master "—this statement, to some extent, is his resistance against this injustice.
The actions of the Spirit Hall Empire now seem to be an attempt to break this injustice.
He agrees with the idea.
but...
Tang San raised his head, meeting Yu Xiaogang's scrutinizing gaze, his voice low but firm. "Teacher, I understand my position."
Yes, stance.
He is now the King Blue Clear Sky of the Heaven Dou Empire, a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, and a student of Yu Xiaogang.
He carried too many responsibilities and burdens on his shoulders.
Often, personal beliefs and preferences seem so insignificant in the face of grander objectives and interests, and may even have to be suppressed and sacrificed.
When it comes to fairness and right and wrong, compromise is often necessary when faced with a matter of perspective.
Yu Xiaogang watched as the struggle in Tang San's eyes was finally replaced by determination, and nodded with satisfaction. "It's good that you understand. Remember, our conflict with the Spirit Hall Empire is a battle of principles, a battle for life and death, and there is no room for compromise."
He paused, then changed the subject, his tone becoming serious and profound. "However, Xiao San, regarding that Imperial Preceptor Xu... I heard that he seems to be interested in taking you as his disciple?"
Tang San's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected his teacher to know about this. He immediately replied respectfully, "Yes, Master. Senior Xu has indeed mentioned this matter several times, but I have clearly declined. I already have a master and would never dare to seek refuge with another."
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang slowly shook his head, a profound and unfathomable expression on his face. " Xiao San, you're wrong. At this critical juncture concerning the survival of the empire, personal status and principles sometimes need to give way to the greater good."
Tang San was stunned, looking at Yu Xiaogang in disbelief. "Teacher, you mean...?"
Yu Xiaogang stood up, put his hands behind his back, walked to the window, looked at the scene of Heaven Dou City outside the window, and said in a deep voice, "It's not that I don't mind if you take someone else as your master. But times have changed."
The Spirit Hall Empire is now very powerful, and its Soul Tool technology far surpasses our imagination. If the Heaven Dou Empire wants to contend with it, it must acquire equal or even stronger power.
This Imperial Preceptor Xu, from the overseas Sun Moon Empire, is not only Level 99 Peerless Douluo, but also a leading figure in the Soul Tool system.
He turned around and looked intently at Tang San: "If you can become his disciple, you will not only learn advanced Soul Tool techniques, but also establish a connection with the Sun Moon Empire."
If they could secure the support of the Sun Moon Empire, even limited cooperation, it would be a glimmer of hope for the already precarious Heaven Dou Empire!
Tang San was completely stunned. He never expected that his teacher, who always valued the dignity of teachers and was even somewhat stubborn, would actually take the initiative to persuade him to switch to another master!
"Teacher, this... how can this be!" Tang San hurriedly said, "I have achieved what I have today thanks to your teachings. A teacher for a day is a father for life. How can I..."
"Nonsense!" Yu Xiaogang interrupted him, his tone stern with a hint of disappointment. " Xiao San! What time is it now? Is this the time to be so concerned with these empty formalities? Is the survival of the empire, the safety of hundreds of millions of people, less important than our master-disciple relationship?"
Chapter 435 Liu Erlong's Choice
Yu Xiaogang walked up to Tang San and said earnestly, "I, Yu Xiaogang, have dedicated my life to the research of Martial Soul Theory. My greatest wish is to prove my theory and cultivate disciples who are capable of changing the world."
You have proven your talent and potential. But now, you've hit a bottleneck! Your Hidden Weapon are exquisite, but against the organized Soul Tool Legion of the Spirit Hall Empire, the power of an individual is ultimately limited! You need greater knowledge, you need a broader platform!
" Xu Hong's appearance is a godsend!" Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with almost fanatical excitement. "His knowledge of Soul Tool is the gateway to a new world! If you can master it and combine it with your Tang Sect Secret Arts and the Clear Sky Sect's heritage, you will surely create an unprecedented path!"
At that time, you will not only become the savior of the Heaven Dou Empire, but may even become a great figure who leads the entire Soul Master World to change!
Seeing Tang San's still hesitant expression, he softened his tone, with a hint of barely perceptible melancholy. "As for our master-disciple relationship... it won't change because of this. I will still be your teacher, your theoretical guide. And Xu Hong can become your mentor in the field of Soul Tool."
This is not betrayal, but rather... a necessary sacrifice and choice made for a greater purpose.
Tang San was deeply shocked by Yu Xiaogang's impassioned yet calculating words.