"Teacher Neuvillette, are you alright?!"
Two worried voices rang out at once, just as Neuvillette coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The young girl hurried to support his arm, her slender frame straining to steady his towering figure.
Even deep within his Sea of Spirit, the Ice Empress was startled awake by the terrifying divine power that had flared, her voice edged with concern.
After all, Neuvillette was the wager she had staked everything on. If something happened to him, she would have no tears to shed.
"I'm fine…"
Neuvillette waved it off with a weak cough, pretending not to care.
Ordinarily, with his current strength, it would be nearly impossible for him to break through Tang Shenwang's divine restriction. But he had a cheat.
By drawing upon the Authority of the Ancient Dragon—even in its incomplete state—its rank was still equal to, if not surpassing, divine in nature. That was his confidence.
And if not for Tang Shenwang's unexpected silence afterward, he never would have succeeded.
Perhaps… Tang Shenwang himself had run into trouble.
Neuvillette's eyes flickered thoughtfully. It seemed Tang Shenwang had yet to reach the point where he ruled the God Realm with one hand covering the sky. Otherwise, with his notorious pettiness, there was no way he would have allowed this restriction to be undone.
"Please, sit down and rest."
The girl's eyes were brimming with tears, her face full of guilt and unease.
That so-called "restriction" in her spirit had made her despise soul tools for no reason, and now, because of it, Teacher Neuvillette had been hurt.
He had only been trying to help her, and this was the result…
"Haa…"
Exhaling slowly, Neuvillette let her guide him to the sofa. After a brief hesitation, he chose honesty.
"Wang Dong… Dong'er, the good news is that the restriction has been lifted. From now on, it will no longer influence your thoughts. You won't be forced away from soul tools, nor compelled toward hidden weapons."
"I see…"
But instead of relief, Wang Dong'er's gaze lingered on his pale face, full of heartache.
Even her own fathers had pressured her relentlessly, forcing her toward things she hated. Yet Teacher Neuvillette—whom she had known for barely half a year—had risked everything for her, purely out of his responsibility as a teacher.
He had stood in the academy's doorway, barring her two fathers from taking her away. And now, to free her from this restriction, he had endured a grievous injury.
The girl was overwhelmed, tears streaming as she choked out:
"Teacher, it's my fault… You got hurt because of me… I don't care about any restrictions; I just want you to be safe…
With that, she threw herself into his arms, weeping like a delicate flower battered by rain.
"Uh…"
Neuvillette froze for a moment.
But as he recovered, he realized—the girl had long felt abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect, powerless against her fate. Now, at her weakest and most helpless, he had stepped in.
To her, was he not like a hero descending on seven-colored clouds?
Right now, he was the only one she could rely on.
Neuvillette allowed a faint smile.
Not that he intended to drag Tang Shenwang out just to beat his corpse again, but when he compared Wang Dong'er's situation to Xiaoxiao's… the contrast was like heaven and earth.
One had a father who cared only for her happiness, interfering little beyond providing the best environment to grow freely.
The other… had been treated purely as a pawn, a tool to snare the Son of Fortune.
Enough said.
Looking down at the girl sobbing in his arms, Neuvillette felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
After all… she was the daughter of that man.
But in this life, with him stirring the winds and waves, she would never again be shackled by Tang Shenwang's control.
"There, there… It's alright now."
He gently patted her back, letting her release all the pent-up frustration she had endured these past days.
The truth—that it was a divine restriction, laid down by a God—he chose not to reveal just yet. Now wasn't the time.
After a while, when Neuvillette looked down again, soft snores rose from her.
Seriously? Didn't she just wake up?
"This is normal," the Ice Empress sighed. "When you unraveled the restriction, her soul was shaken. Your godly power shielded her from harm, but the exhaustion is real. Let her rest. She's only twelve or thirteen, after all…"
Hearing this, Neuvillette nodded.
Having an "old fellow" in his body to answer questions really was convenient—like those protagonists with a grandmaster cheat inside them. Not only a walking encyclopedia, but one who could even step in and fight on their behalf. It was almost unfair.
"Speaking of which…" the Ice Empress hesitated. "That divine power just now… it felt familiar."
Neuvillette nodded. "It should. It came from that human who ascended ten thousand years ago—who inherited both the Sea God and Shura God's thrones."
"Ah… no wonder it felt so familiar."
The Ice Empress turned her gaze toward the girl sleeping peacefully in his arms, her tone softening with pity.
"So… this child is tied to a God directly enough that he personally laid a restriction on her… Could she be an enemy's daughter?"
Neuvillette stayed silent.
Surely Tang Shenwang wouldn't come after him for that, right? …Well, maybe he would.
Shrugging, Neuvillette muttered, "Perhaps."
By now, he had already offended Tang Shenwang beyond repair. No doubt he was on that man's must-kill list… or perhaps even on his "to-keep-as-a-dog" list.
Either way, as long as Tang Shenwang was trapped in the God Realm, it didn't matter.
Neuvillette looked down at the girl's sleeping face. Her long lashes trembled faintly, and a tear still clung to the corner of her eye. Her delicate nose rose and fell with her breathing, lips soft and rosy, her porcelain-white skin luminous under the light.
A little beauty, no doubt.
Though still young, the outlines of devastating beauty were already there. In a few years, how many would lose their reason over her?
Carefully, he lifted her long, slender legs into his arms, carried her to the bedroom, and laid her gently on the bed. He tucked the blanket around her.
"Sleep well. You'll feel better when you wake."
Satisfied, Neuvillette turned and stepped out of the room—only for his body to stiffen.
In the hall outside, a tall, fiery figure leaned lazily against the railing, twirling a staff between her fingers. Her bright eyes gleamed with teasing amusement as they fixed on him.
(End of Chapter)