"The serenity here is breathtaking," Fang Yang murmured, eyes drinking in the vibrant life.
Yun Ming said nothing, sleeve flicking—silver light flashed.
They vanished—reappearing on an island.
Sea God Island!
Shrek's heart—geographically and symbolically.
Here, vegetation grew wilder, ancient trees blotting out the sun, a primordial forest untouched by time.
Soul power saturated the air—each breath invigorating.
"Follow," Yun Ming called, leading him to a colossal golden tree.
Its trunk towered beyond sight, crown piercing clouds, golden light shimmering on bark—ancient, sacred.
The Golden Ancient Tree!
Shrek's treasure—imbued with millennia of Sea God Pavilion Masters' soul power.
Nestled in its branches—a grand treehouse, masterfully crafted.
Above its entrance—an antique plaque:
"SEA GOD PAVILION"
Shrek's ultimate seat of power—where decisions shook the continent.
Only Shrek's mightiest elders dwelled here.
Even Zhuo Shi—Wu Zhangkong's master—resided in outer treehouses.
Yun Ming guided Fang Yang up spiraling wooden stairs, into a chamber within the pavilion.
On a sofa sat a woman of ethereal beauty.
Tall, ageless (thirty-ish), face serene, aura pure yet brimming with vitality.
Emerald hair cascaded like silk, smile warm as spring sun—instantly endearing.
Holy Spirit Douluo Douluo Ya Li—Level 98 Healing Super Douluo, Continent's #1 Healer.
Legend claimed she could resurrect the near-dead—regrow limbs, mend shattered souls.
"Brother Ming—you're back," Ya Li greeted softly, gaze drifting from Yun Ming to Fang Yang.
Her voice soothed like mountain streams.
"Mm," Yun Ming's tone softened, eyes tender—the continent's apex warrior now just a husband home at last.
"Your Grace," Fang Yang bowed respectfully.
Ya Li smiled: "You're the 'Big Brother Fang Yang' Na'er chatters about daily?"
"Yes," he nodded.
Yun Ming stood silent—disapproving yet grudgingly impressed.
Ya Li's eyes twinkled, calling into the room:
"Na'er—come see who's here!"
"Master—I'm coming!"
A crystal-clear voice chimed.
At the doorway—a silver-haired girl froze, amethyst eyes wide with disbelief.
"Big Brother Fang Yang!"
She launched into his arms, voice sweet yet trembling.
"Na'er…"
Fang Yang caught her gently, stroking her silken hair.
Na'er clung fiercely, body shaking with pent-up longing, years of separation poured into one embrace.
Yun Ming's expression darkened, complexity in his gaze.
This boy—surrounded by admirers—now claimed his beloved disciple's heart too…
"Ahem."
Yun Ming cleared his throat—authority sharp.
"Master…"
Na'er reluctantly lifted her head, but fingers still gripped Fang Yang's sleeve.
Ya Li smiled knowingly: "Fang Yang—Na'er truly missed you."
Fang Yang ruffled Na'er's hair: "I missed you too, Na'er."
Yun Ming sighed inwardly—powerless against this bond.
"Fang Yang—let's begin your trial," he declared firmly.
"Understood, Pavilion Master," Fang Yang bowed.
As they left, Ya Li whispered to Na'er: "Shall we watch?"
"Mm!" Na'er beamed, amethyst eyes sparkling with anticipation.
---
Sea God Island – Open Training Ground
Ancient trees ringed the clearing, soul power thick in the air.
Sunlight dappled through leaves, painting gold on mossy earth.
Yun Ming stood center-stage, black hair stirring in the breeze.
He merged with heaven and earth—pressure crushing reality itself.
His eyes—seeing through all illusions.
"Know why I brought you here?" His voice rumbled low.
Fang Yang smirked: "To test my true strength, Pavilion Master?"
"Clever," Yun Ming nodded, gaze piercing. "Na'er speaks highly of you. Now—show me your worth."
Fang Yang's eyes blazed, flame aura surging—heat scorching the air.
"I won't disappoint you."
Yun Ming raised a hand—an invisible barrier sealed the arena, a Limit Douluo's domain—immune to cataclysmic force.
"Begin," Yun Ming commanded—calm, absolute.
The continent's strongest—Qingtian Douluo Yun Ming, Level 99 Limit Douluo, quasi-God—would duel Fang Yang in secret.
Nine soul rings ascended:
Black, Black, Red, Red, Red, Red, Orange-Gold, Orange-Gold, Orange-Gold.
The orange-gold rings radiated divine terror—godhood incarnate.
Fang Yang inhaled deeply—battle-lust igniting.
This was the ultimate test—the strongest foe he'd ever faced.
"Pavilion Master—please guide me," he bowed, then unleashed his flame aura, matching Yun Ming's pressure blow for blow.
Yun Ming's eyes gleamed with approval, right hand rising:
"Come. Show me your limits."
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