Beneath the Golden Ancient Tree, Fang Yang slowly opened his eyes.
The golden light enveloping him gradually faded, leaving everyone stunned into silence.
"Brother!"
Na'er lunged forward first, clinging tightly to Fang Yang.
Her small frame trembled, silver hair cascading like a waterfall—terrified by the ordeal she'd just witnessed.
Fang Yang gently patted her back: "Na'er, I'm fine."
Yun Ming, Ya Li, and the Sea God Elders exchanged baffled glances—none understood what had transpired.
"Explain," Yun Ming demanded, eyes sharp as blades, voice calm yet laced with unyielding authority.
Fang Yang blinked, feigning confusion: "I… don't know what happened."
Yun Ming's jaw twitched. "You don't know?"
Disbelief dripped from his tone.
"I don't know what Elder Jin did to you," Yun Ming continued, gaze sweeping the tree, "but I sense the Golden Ancient Tree's life energy has dropped by fifty percent."
"Fifty percent?!" Fang Yang gaped inwardly—he hadn't realized the scale of the gift.
Yun Ming's voice turned grave:
"Do you comprehend how long it takes to accumulate that energy? Five thousand years.
Enough to shield Shrek Academy from two continent-shattering calamities.
This loss… is catastrophic."
The Elders fell silent, faces grim.
Zhuo Shi frowned deeply; Long Yeyue studied Fang Yang, thoughtful.
Suddenly—
Yun Ming stiffened, as if receiving a message.
"Na'er—escort Fang Yang back," he ordered.
"Yes, Master," Na'er obeyed instantly.
"Wait."
Long Yeyue cut in, eyes piercing Fang Yang:
"Fang Yang—will you become my direct disciple?"
Gasps rippled through the Elders.
This boy had just rejected Yun Ming—the Pavilion Master himself!
"And you are…?" Fang Yang asked, puzzled.
"Fang Yang," Zhuo Shi hurried to explain, "This is Deputy Pavilion Master Long Yeyue."
Fang Yang instantly recognized her:
The cowardly old woman who clung to life—and kept War God Hall's Chen Xinjie as her secret lover.
"Apologies—I refuse," Fang Yang declared flatly, no hesitation.
Long Yeyue's brow furrowed, displeasure flashing:
"I am a Level 99 Limit Douluo, Deputy Pavilion Master! Do you grasp what that means?"
"Oh? And how does that concern me?" Fang Yang retorted, disdain flickering in his eyes.
"INSOLENT!"
Long Yeyue exploded, divine pressure crushing the air.
"Elder Long—stand down," Yun Ming commanded coolly, authority absolute.
Long Yeyue snorted, withdrawing her aura—but fury still burned in her eyes.
Yun Ming waved them off: "Fang Yang, Na'er—return."
"Yes," Fang Yang bowed, taking Na'er's hand and departing.
---
After they left, Ya Li whispered: "Brother Ming—what did Elder Jin say?"
Yun Ming sighed: "'It was his choice. Do not interfere.'"
"What?!" Long Yeyue gaped, shocked.
She'd expected punishment for Fang Yang's "theft"!
Yun Ming nodded: "He also said… 'Fang Yang is special.'"
The Elders exchanged bewildered looks—why would the tree bless this outsider?
But Elder Jin's word was law—they accepted the verdict.
"Today's matter is closed. Dismissed," Yun Ming announced.
"Understood, Pavilion Master," the Elders bowed, vanishing one by one.
Only Long Yeyue remained, face stormy.
"Elder Long—something else?" Yun Ming asked.
"Why stop me?" she snapped, voice icy.
"Fang Yang is Spirit Pagoda's agent! With his talent and the tree's blessing—he's a threat to Shrek!"
"Should we not detain him?!"
Yun Ming's eyes darkened, soul power surging like an ocean:
"Elder Long—remember: I am the Pavilion Master."
Long Yeyue staggered back, shock and fury warring in her eyes.
She'd never seen Yun Ming so resolute.
Finally, she whirled away, robes flaring:
"You'll regret this, Yun Ming!"
"Sigh…" Yun Ming murmured, lost in thought.
"Brother Ming—are you alright?" Ya Li asked, concern softening her voice.
"I'm fine," he replied, pulling himself together.
---
On the path back, Na'er whispered:
"Brother… what happened beneath the tree? Why did it give you so much life energy?"
"Nothing much—I just helped it solve a small problem," Fang Yang brushed it off.
Na'er tilted her head, silver hair dancing in the breeze.
Her amethyst eyes locked onto his:
"Brother… is there nothing… you wish to tell me?"
Fang Yang halted, studying her face.
"Na'er, you…"
"Yes," she nodded softly, anticipating his question.
A flicker of sorrow crossed her eyes:
"I am the Silver Dragon King—part of Gu Yue."
"I know," Fang Yang said gently—yet his words carried unshakable resolve.
"Then… will Brother miss me?" Her voice trembled, eyes glistening.
Fang Yang cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her silver hair:
"Na'er—don't worry. I won't let you vanish."
"Mm," she nodded fiercely, trust shining in her tears.
"I believe you, Brother."
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