"We're back."
That lazy afternoon sunlight spilled into the Tang household as Tang Luochuan and his younger brother returned home from school. To their surprise, a delicate, silver-haired girl was already seated in the living room. It was Na'er.
"Brother Luochuan."
The moment she saw him, Na'er's eyes brightened. Her small face blossomed with a smile, her voice brimming with warmth.
"Na'er."
Tang Luochuan responded with a smile of his own, his tone as gentle as the breeze.
"My son is back."
From the kitchen, Lang Yue stepped out carrying two dishes, placing them onto the table with practiced grace. Her gaze softened when it fell on Na'er.
"Luochuan, Wulin," she said, "we still haven't found any information about Na'er's family in the city records. Until they can be located, she will be part of our family."
She glanced again at this sweet, obedient little girl and couldn't suppress a sigh. How could anyone lose such a precious child?
"Such irresponsibility," Lang Yue muttered bitterly under her breath.
"Alright then."
Tang Luochuan flashed Na'er an easy smile. "From today on, we'll be your family."
"Mm!"
Na'er nodded quickly, her face breaking into a sincere, relieved smile.
At the doorway, someone else was watching.
A tall figure clad in black lingered outside the Tang residence, his golden eyes narrowed as they pierced into the warm scene inside.
"An illusion…? Why do I sense it here of all places?" His low voice carried a mix of confusion and awe.
He did not care much for the Master's repeated attempts at contact with humans, yet his keen senses—finely honed over centuries—picked up something impossible.
That boy in the room… Tang Luochuan.
The aura he exuded was unlike anything he expected. It was not the Silver Dragon King's aura, the familiar lingering scent of wisdom and tranquility. No…
It was something far more domineering.
"The Golden Dragon King…!"
The man in black clenched his jaw. His expression flickered between disbelief and recognition.
His name was Di Tian—ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, the one Beast God, bearer of the last flame of the soul beasts. For countless years he had served as the guardian of the Dragon God.
He knew without a doubt what he sensed. Though the Dragon God had split into two halves—the Silver Dragon King representing wisdom and the Golden Dragon King representing raw destruction—Di Tian's perception of the Golden Dragon's aura was unmatched.
And now, that primal aura was resonating from a very human boy.
"Perhaps…" Di Tian breathed deeply. His sharp gaze softened, eventually transforming into something reverent. "Perhaps this is part of the Master's great plan all along."
He whispered again, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
The Master's wisdom truly knows no bounds.
Three years slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Inside the grounds of Hongshan Academy, a tall silhouette stood in a familiar classroom.
"Tang Luochuan."
The middle-aged dean, Ying Luohong, smiled kindly at the handsome youth before her. She held out a letter sealed with the academy's emblem.
"You are the most outstanding student in the history of this school. I hope that when you reach the Intermediate Academy, you continue to grow stronger and stronger."
"Thank you, Dean."
Tang Luochuan accepted the handwritten letter of recommendation with practiced composure. His voice, however, still carried the warmth of gratitude.
Three years had changed him.
The boyish charm he once had had sharpened into striking handsomeness. His figure had grown taller and leaner, his features refined until he was the sort of youth destined to make waves in the future. In just a few more years, he would be hailed as a school idol—perhaps even a "male god" in the hearts of many.
But appearance was only the surface. His cultivation had never once faltered.
By the age of nine, Tang Luochuan had already stepped into the realm of a Level 28 Soul Master specialized in strong attacks. That rapid progression was unheard of, defying all expectations.
And as if that weren't enough, his auxiliary skills—his secondary profession—had advanced to a level most adults couldn't dream of reaching.
Ying Luohong's admiration for him was deeply genuine. As she watched her star pupil take one last look at the classroom that had nurtured him for three years, a small sigh escaped her lips.
"What a remarkable child," she whispered.
If only she had a daughter… she might have schemed to make him her son-in-law immediately. But alas, reality seldom catered to selfish wishes. Instead, she could only let him walk out of the academy gates with her blessing.
Outside, Tang Luochuan paused by a teaching building, his eyes scanning the distance.
"Na'er."
Not long after, two girls emerged together. One of them spotted him instantly and nudged her friend with a teasing grin.
"Your boyfriend's here to pick you up again."
The porcelain-doll-like girl next to her froze. Her cheeks instantly turned pink, her silver hair fluttering as she flustered.
"I already told you, it's not like that…" Na'er pouted softly, though her voice lacked conviction. Titles like child bride or little girlfriend embarrassed her deeply.
The other girl giggled before patting her on the shoulder. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. Go to your brother before I turn into a third wheel."
And with that, she left swiftly, leaving the two alone.
Na'er inhaled slightly, gathered her courage, and walked toward Tang Luochuan. Her face was still rosy, yet her movements were natural as she reached out and slipped her small hand into his.
"Brother—" she called sweetly.
Tang Luochuan's heart softened at the sound. He smiled down at her and said warmly, "Let's go. Time to head home."
"Brother, Na'er, you're back!"
The moment they returned, Tang Wulin came running, his face glowing with excitement. His eyes practically sparkled.
"I did it! I broke through level ten!"
His grin stretched wide, filling the room with infectious joy.
After three years of relentless practice, he had finally reached the bottleneck's end. He was nine years old now, and finally qualified to obtain his very first soul ring.
Tang Luochuan's lips curved upwards, genuine pride shining in his eyes. "That's amazing, Wulin."
Even though his little brother's innate talent wasn't overwhelming, today's achievement meant he had never once given up.
"Yes," another voice chimed in. Tang Ziran walked over, a smile softening his weathered face. "It's too late today, but tomorrow we'll go to the Spirit Pagoda and choose a soul for you."
Times had changed for the Tang family. Gone were the days of financial struggle. By steadily producing and designing mid-level mecha parts over the past three years, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue had amassed a comfortable savings of three million.
For Wulin, getting a hundred-year soul ring would be no issue at all.
"Yeah! Long live Dad!" Wulin whooped cheerfully, raising his arms like a child celebrating victory.
On the side, Na'er clapped her small hands together, her smile polite and elegant. "Brother Wulin, that's really impressive."
The room filled with laughter, warmth glowing from every corner.
Yet Tang Luochuan's smile carried a touch of something else.
As his eyes subconsciously turned toward Na'er, a faint heaviness pressed into his chest.
He already had his recommendation letter for the Intermediate Academy. Soon, he would have to leave.
It would feel like saying goodbye to someone he had spent day and night with for three long years.
"Brother, why are you staring at me like that?" Na'er blinked her wide violet eyes and tilted her head slightly. A playful smile lifted her lips. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No."
Tang Luochuan shook his head gently, suppressing the emotions churning inside. His gaze softened, and his words flowed with quiet resolve.
"I was just… thinking about something."
"Mm?" Na'er tilted her head, curiosity brimming.
He didn't explain. Instead, he gave her one last reassuring smile.
Separation is not an end, but the beginning of a stronger reunion.
As long as both of them kept moving forward, getting better and better…
That would be enough.