On Sea God Island, ancient trees blotted out the sun, a primordial forest untouched by time.
Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi led Fang Yang's group over two gentle hills, stopping before a modest two-story wooden cabin.
Before they could knock—a deep, resonant voice boomed from within:
"Enter."
They pushed the door open, revealing a simple room.
Wooden furniture filled the space, pine scent lingering in the air.
An elder with snow-white hair sat upright on a chair—spine straight as a pine, eyes sharp as blades, aura commanding without effort.
This was Zhuo Shi—Sea God Pavilion Elder, Master of Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi, Three-Word Battle Armor Master, Scarlet Dragon Douluo.
Shen Yi stepped forward, bowing respectfully:
"Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi—this is Elder Zhuo Shi."
She turned to Tang Wulin and Xie Xie: "Wulin, Xie Xie—this is your grandmaster."
"Disciple pays respects, Elder! Grandmaster!" they chorused, bowing deeply.
Zhuo Shi nodded, gaze sweeping over them—lingering on Fang Yang.
"Sit."
He gestured to wooden stools, voice aged yet thunderous.
They sat in silence, only birdsong piercing the calm.
"Fang Yang," Zhuo Shi broke the quiet, eyes gleaming.
"Heard you refused the Pavilion Master's discipleship?"
"Yes, Elder," Fang Yang replied calmly, unflinching.
"HAHAHA!"
Zhuo Shi laughed heartily, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"The Pavilion Master—rejected! A rare sight indeed!"
The room relaxed under his mirth.
Shen Yi stared, astonished—her master rarely laughed so freely!
Wu Zhangkong smirked, finding the scene delightful.
Zhuo Shi's laughter faded, curiosity sharpening:
"Why refuse? Being chosen by him is every soul master's dream."
"I didn't want to," Fang Yang said simply—three words, unshaken.
Silence fell again.
But Zhuo Shi roared with approval: "HAHA! Good lad—god spirit!"
He nodded, impressed: "But plan your path wisely."
"Thank you for the advice, Elder," Fang Yang bowed.
Zhuo Shi's gaze turned stern, sweeping the group:
"You all—train hard. Obey Shrek's rules."
"Yes!" they vowed, earnest.
Then—Zhuo Shi shared wisdom:
- Soul power cultivation
- Battle Armor crafting
- Combat tactics
- Team synergy—
each gem tailored to their needs.
Time slipped away—noon arrived.
Zhuo Shi insisted they stay for lunch, personally serving a plate of black buns.
"Try these," he urged, eyes twinkling.
Fang Yang took one, biting gently.
Plain, faintly fishy—not delicious.
But—warmth surged down his throat, blood igniting, hunger vanishing, spirit sharpening.
"Black Buns," Zhuo Shi explained, proud.
"Made from deep-sea fish—packed with nutrients."
"Thank you, Elder/Grandmaster!" they thanked, devouring the buns.
As the meal ended—knock knock!
"Grandpa Zhuo Shi—are you there?"
A crystal-clear voice chimed outside.
"Come in, child!" Zhuo Shi beamed.
Gu Yue glanced at Fang Yang—silent.
The others exchanged confused looks.
The door opened—a silver-haired girl stepped in.
Her eyes locked onto Fang Yang—she lunged into his arms, breathing in his familiar scent.
"Brother—I missed you so much!"
Fang Yang ruffled her silver hair, voice tender: "Na'er."
Time froze.
- Xie Xie gaped, jaw slack.
- Tang Wulin pondered, eyes narrowed in thought.
- Gu Yue watched silently, complexity flickering in her gaze.
- Xu Xiaoyan stared, bewildered.
- Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged baffled glances.
"Fang Yang has a SISTER?!" Shen Yi gasped.
This girl—Na'er—was Yun Ming's disciple, Shrek's strongest genius, the legendary "Silver Spear Goddess"!
And she clung to Fang Yang like a lovesick kitten?!
"Junior Sister—what's happening?" Wu Zhangkong asked, amused.
He recalled Ye Xinglan, then Xu Xiaoyan—Fang Yang's magnetism was uncanny.
"She's the Pavilion Master's disciple…" Shen Yi whispered, still stunned.
Wu Zhangkong nodded: "Ah—then it's fine."
(Shen Yi wondered what he'd understood…)
Zhuo Shi chuckled warmly, eyes fond:
"Na'er—know Fang Yang?"
Na'er lifted her head, silver hair cascading:
"Grandpa Zhuo Shi—Brother is my most important person."
Shen Yi froze—the aloof Silver Spear Goddess, reduced to a doting child?!
"I see…" Zhuo Shi studied Fang Yang, smirk widening.
"You're quite the charmer, boy!"
Fang Yang smiled faintly—no explanation given.
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