Chapter 197: Earth Dragon Gate

Seeing their eyes full of vigilance, Gong Changlong stepped forward, speaking imposingly without anger.

"Don't worry, we mean no harm; we just happened to be passing by."

As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shilake Academy, his status on the continent was even not lower than a king's; he didn't show it when speaking to his own precious students usually, but when facing outsiders now, his aura changed instantly.

The leading woman immediately saw that Gong Changlong's status was not low, guessing he must come from some major power; she hastily rose and clasped her hands, saying, "Senior, greetings. We are from Earth Dragon Gate of Dragon City; I am Nan ShuiShui, the Sect Master of Earth Dragon Gate. May I ask which power you come from?"

Gong Changlong said calmly.

"We come from Shilake Academy."

He did not directly state his name and identity, because the name of Shilake Academy alone was enough.

As expected, upon hearing the name Shilake, Nan ShuiShui's eyes changed instantly; she hurriedly smiled and asked:

"Senior, meeting like this is fate; how about we travel together?"

As the Sect Master who had run Earth Dragon Gate for many years, Nan ShuiShui had long become a shrewd person; at a glance she saw that Tang Wulin and Gong Changlong were extraordinary.

Earth Dragon Gate excels at reading people; while able to see a person's general character from their visage, it can also discern their age.

Not to mention that Gong Changlong is obviously already an Honored Douluo, the fact that Tang Wulin, a boy who looks far from small, is only ten years old truly shocked Nan ShuiShui.

This shock has multiple causes.

First, the enrollment age at Shilake Academy is eleven, yet Tang Wulin, at only ten, is allowed by the academy's elders to go out and obtain a soul ring, showing he is highly valued by Shilake Academy.

Second, unlike other powers, Shilake Academy students usually obtain soul rings during vacations, but now is not vacation time; that means the academy specially sent someone to bring him out during class to get a soul ring.

Either of these two factors shows Shilake Academy's extraordinary regard for Tang Wulin; the only thing Nan ShuiShui couldn't figure out was why they would bring such a young child to the core region; her quick explanation was that there must be reinforcements behind, just temporarily dispersed.

As for the possibility that Gong Changlong was lying, she never considered it at first; not to mention that Gong Changlong obviously surpasses her Soul Douluo level, ordinary forces couldn't dispatch someone like him, and the superior aura he exudes alone means he would never deign to lie to them.

Even if, by some stretch, Gong Changlong really had lied, what could she do about it?

In any case, having a powerhouse of Gong Changlong's level accompany them would surely make their journey into the Star Dou Great Forest much smoother.

Gong Changlong glanced at Nan ShuiShui for a moment, then nodded lightly.

"Very well, my name is Gong Changlong, and this is my disciple, named Tang Wulin."

Tang Wulin is not actually his disciple, but he said that so Nan ShuiShui and the others would know how important Tang Wulin is to him.

Nan ShuiShui frowned slightly; she felt the name was somewhat familiar, but couldn't recall where she had heard it.

Instead, a disciple of Earth Dragon Gate beside her instinctively let out a cry of surprise.

"Are you the newly appointed Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shilake, Gong Changlong?"

Upon hearing that, Nan ShuiShui suddenly realized Gong Changlong's identity.

It's not her fault; Gong Changlong's appointment was only last year, and besides, he doesn't like to manage affairs, leaving most matters to Cai Mei'er, so many people don't even know the name of Shilake's newly appointed Dean of the Martial Soul Department.

Seeing Gong Changlong nod lightly, Nan ShuiShui's eyes blazed. As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shilake Academy, even setting aside the safety of this soul ring hunt, just the chance to get close to him meant she could not miss this opportunity.

She hurriedly told the attendants behind her, "Make room quickly for these two to sit."

Hearing her order, the Earth Dragon Gate disciples hurriedly acted, clearing seats for Tang Wulin and Gong Changlong.

After the two sat down, Nan ShuiShui sat beside Gong Changlong and began discussing their respective purposes for this trip.

Meanwhile, Tang Wulin was surrounded by the Earth Dragon Gate disciples.

They were all very curious about what Shilake students are like.

The girl who looked very much like Nan ShuiShui came over and said:

"Hello, I'm Nan Qiuqiu, the Young Sect Master of Earth Dragon Gate; I've already obtained my third soul ring, how about you?"

Tang Wulin smiled gently.

"That's impressive; I haven't obtained my third soul ring yet."

"Hehe."

Although Nan Qiuqiu had initially been wary of Tang Wulin's Shilake student identity, upon hearing his praise she instantly grew proud, her little tail practically wagging to the sky, and she said proudly, "Of course; my talent is even greater than my mother's, and I will surely become a very powerful soul master in the future!"

Not far away, Nan ShuiShui heard her smug voice, her expression stiffened, and she barely managed to suppress the urge to turn and scold her.

Silly girl, didn't you realize he was just being polite? Tang Wulin is only ten, four or five years younger than Nan Qiuqiu, yet his cultivation is on par with hers; saying that would be laughable.

Moreover, can a great soul master cultivated by Shilake be the same as an ordinary great soul master? Nan ShuiShui seriously doubts that Tang Wulin's strength is no worse than an ordinary Soul Elder, and he might even be stronger than Nan Qiuqiu.

Thinking this, Nan ShuiShui inwardly sighed at her daughter's inadequacy, yet couldn't help secretly admiring Tang Wulin's excellence.

Tang Wulin's coming to the Star Dou Great Forest this time is clearly to obtain his third soul ring; if successful, he will become a Soul Elder.

A ten-year-old Soul Elder—such talent is astonishing; by the time he is about Nan Qiuqiu's age, he will likely already be a Soul King.

Moreover, not only is his strength astonishing, his mental maturity also shocks Nan ShuiShui.

His courteous speech and effortless handling of the Earth Dragon Gate members' questions—let alone Nan Qiuqiu, even Nan ShuiShui at his age could not reach his level.

Besides, his appearance is nothing short of exquisite; although not fully grown yet, one can already see that he will surely become a rare, peerless handsome man.

Strength, mindset, identity, appearance—Tang Wulin can be called the most perfect child Nan ShuiShui has ever seen.

And how does that compare to her own useless daughter?

Hearing the continual proud voice from behind, Nan ShuiShui's face grew somewhat stiff, and she restrained the urge to sigh.

By the way, the Earth Dragon Gate side story opens.

(End of chapter)