"Grandpa Zhuo Shi—I'll take Brother now!"
Na'er beamed, silver hair dancing with her joyful bounce.
Zhuo Shi nodded warmly, eyes brimming with affection: "Go, my dear Na'er."
In Shrek Academy, Na'er's status was unparalleled.
Yun Ming and Ya Li—childless—had raised her as their own since taking her as Yun Ming's direct disciple.
Her peerless talent and innocent charm had won the hearts of every Sea God Pavilion elder.
On Sea God Island, she moved freely—cherished, untouchable.
Thus, Na'er linked arms with Fang Yang, skipping away from the cabin.
Shen Yi watched them go, words caught in her throat: "Master… Na'er and…"
She couldn't fathom this scene.
Zhuo Shi waved it off, smile knowing: "Let youth handle youth."
The others remained baffled.
Xie Xie scratched his head, muttering: "Wulin—do you know Fang Yang's sister?"
All eyes swung to Tang Wulin—except Gu Yue, silent as ever.
Xu Xiaoyan blinked wide-eyed; Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi leaned in, curious.
"If I recall… I've met her," Tang Wulin mused.
"You have?!" Xie Xie gaped.
The others stared, stunned.
"Yes," Tang Wulin nodded, memory stirring.
"At Red Mountain Academy—when we were six…"
He recounted vividly:
- Fang Yang's legendary Martial Soul awakening in Aolai City,
- His rise to fame at Red Mountain Academy,
- Tales of his prodigious feats—
captivating his audience.
"Haha! Fang Yang—the legend!" Xie Xie roared with laughter.
Xu Xiaoyan glowed with admiration; Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi gaped in awe.
Only Gu Yue remained still, black eyes swirling with complexity.
She gazed toward Fang Yang's path, mind churning:
The Golden Dragon King fell long ago… Fang Yang…
As Silver Dragon King, she and the Golden Dragon King were once the Dragon God—shattered by the First Generation God of War.
In the Divine Realm's war, five God-Kings ambushed them. She escaped through spatial arts, fleeing to Douluo Continent to heal.
The Golden Dragon King was imprisoned in the Divine Realm—until she felt his death… and the realm's collapse.
Awakened, she sought him—only to find Fang Yang, bearing the Golden Dragon King's divine core.
She'd planned to kill him, reclaim the core, and ascend as the new Dragon God…
But Fang Yang wasn't the Golden Dragon King reborn.
And his kindness to her and the spirit beasts… had moved her deeply.
---
"Na'er—where to next?" Fang Yang asked.
Na'er tilted her head, silver hair fluttering: "Back to Sea God Pavilion!"
Her voice rang like bells, her joy uncontainable.
"Is that… alright?" Fang Yang hesitated, brow furrowed.
He'd just refused Yun Ming's discipleship—now returning to the Pavilion?
"It's fine, Brother!" Na'er insisted, eyes pleading.
"Alright," Fang Yang sighed, unable to deny her.
Soon, they stood before the Golden Ancient Tree—towering beyond sight, crown piercing heavens, golden light shimmering on its bark—ancient, sacred.
Nestled in its branches—the Sea God Pavilion, masterfully crafted.
Above its entrance—an antique plaque: "SEA GOD PAVILION!"
Inside, Ya Li whispered: "Brother Ming—Na'er's back."
Her voice soft as silk, laced with amusement.
"I know—and she brought that boy," Yun Ming grumbled, displeasure sharp.
Ya Li teased gently: "Still angry, Brother Ming?"
Her eyes danced with mirth.
"Hmph! That brat isn't worth my anger," Yun Ming snorted.
Ya Li squeezed his hand, tenderness radiating: "They're here—brought by Na'er."
"Fine—I'll honor you and Na'er," Yun Ming relented, though complexity shadowed his eyes.
That boy rejected me… yet stole my precious disciple…
"You've sealed your fate!" Tang San's voice echoed distantly.
---
Suddenly—
As Na'er led Fang Yang beneath the Golden Ancient Tree—BLINDING GOLDEN LIGHT ERUPTED!
Fang Yang collapsed, consciousness swallowed by darkness.
"Brother!" Na'er screamed, panic shredding her voice.
The tree's radiance intensified, engulfing Sea God Island in divine gold.
"What's happening to the Golden Ancient Tree?!"
Sea God Elders materialized, faces etched with terror.
This was Shrek's foundation—its soul!
They unleashed their power—a barrier of soul force sealing the island, hiding it from Sun-Moon Federation, Spirit Pagoda, War God Hall, Holy Spirit Cult.
Yun Ming and Ya Li joined the weave, their combined might fortifying the shield.
The Golden Ancient Tree must not fall!
Golden light pulsed stronger, Fang Yang's body flickering within it—resonating with the tree.
Sacred, primordial energy flooded the island—awe and reverence crushing all who witnessed it.
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