Chapter 506

Tang Wulin chatted briefly with Mang Tian a couple of sentences, then went back, and as a result happened to run into Huo Yutong who had just returned to her room.

Tang Wulin told Huo Yutong, who had just returned from buying groceries, about his recent breakthrough, and Huo Yutong's face immediately lit up with surprise and joy.

"In other words, we just need to go to the western part of the continent from now on, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

As long as we reach the western part of the continent, Huo Yutong can activate Mental Detection Sharing to locate Tang Ziran and his wife.

Tang Wulin smiled and said:

"According to my father, they still have about a week before they set off for the Dou Ling Continent, Huo Yutong, you're not interested in soul‑guidance trains, are you? Why don't we take a soul‑guidance train?"

With current soul‑guidance train technology, even crossing the continent takes only a few days.

At the very least, we'll have plenty of time to catch up with Tang Ziran and his party.

"Hmm!"

Huo Yutong naturally had no objection; she had been craving that peculiar soul‑guidance train for a while already.

If Tang Wulin hadn't been in a bad mood all this time, she might have pestered him to go on a soul‑guidance train together the day she got her ID.

Tang Wulin rubbed his chin, as if suddenly remembering something, and asked:

"Huo Yutong, you bought the vegetables according to my appetite, right?"

"Huh? Yes."

Huo Yutong instinctively echoed the question, then lightly nodded.

Since Tang Wulin's cultivation increased, he actually no longer needs to replenish energy consumption through eating.

But after all, he's still a foodie who loves delicious food, so these past two days Huo Yutong has been cooking meals according to his former appetite to soothe his anxious mood.

But why is he asking this? Tang Wulin smiled and said:

"Huo Yutong, can we have two more people at the dinner table tonight?"

I see.

Huo Yutong suddenly understood.

Given Tang Wulin's appetite, adding two more people to the table wouldn't make any difference.

"Anyway, most of it will go into his stomach," she asked curiously.

"Of course no problem, but who?"

Tang Wulin showed a friendly smile, with a hint of nostalgia in it.

"My two best friends from before."

……

"Damn it!"

On the evening training field, Xie Xie kicked the stone beside his foot into the air and said indignantly, "Those people are really blind!"

Gu Yue snorted from the side.

"If you can't even eliminate irrelevant noises, you'll never become a true powerhouse."

"You… sigh, never mind."

Xie Xie flashed a moment of anger, but in the end he didn't really get angry with Gu Yue.

He muttered in a somewhat dejected tone, "Where on earth did Tang Wulin go?"

After the match was canceled a few days earlier, the school quickly issued a notice: the promotion match was canceled, and Freshman Class 1's three members together with two from Class 5 were combined to form a brand‑new Zero Class, studying together.

This sudden news instantly dissatisfied many people, especially the three members of Freshman Class 1, who in their view thought the two from Class 5 had no qualifications to be compared with them, and on what basis should they be grouped together? Besides, those defeated by Xie Xie and his group were also unhappy; they originally wanted to see Xie Xie and Gu Yue get beaten up by the trio from Freshman Class 1, but who would have thought they not only weren't beaten up, but actually ended up in the Zero Class.

In this situation where everyone looked down on them, rumors spread all over the school; in short, the claim was that Xie Xie and Gu Yue achieved this result only by using underhanded means to bribe the principal, otherwise they could never have won.

During this period, Xie Xie was made somewhat nervous by these rumors, but he couldn't come up with any strong rebuttal.

Because after the Zero Class was formed, they had a few skirmishes with the senior soul masters of Freshman Class 1; even he had to admit that his and Gu Yue's chances of beating Freshman Class 1 were truly low.

At this point, he began to miss the days of fighting side by side with Tang Wulin; although that kid's combat power was the lowest among the three, at least he had a good temper, far more agreeable than Gu Yue, who constantly snapped at him.

At that moment, he heard a somewhat teasing voice.

"How come, you miss me that much?"

He jerked his head up to see a youth standing before him and Gu Yue out of nowhere.

The youth's face seemed extremely familiar to him.

"Um… are you Tang Wulin's brother?"

The youth's face twitched, and he threw a punch that landed on his head.

"No way! I'm Tang Wulin himself!"

The force of that punch was controlled quite well—just enough to make Xie Xie feel a little pain, but not enough to truly hurt him.

Tang Wulin sighed, stopped paying attention to Xie Xie, turned and waved at the dazed Gu Yue, saying, "Hello, long time no see, Gu Yue."

Gu Yue seemed to just come to her senses, she frowned tightly and looked at Tang Wulin skeptically.

"You say you're Tang Wulin?"

"Yeah."

"Where's the evidence?"

"Evidence…"

Tang Wulin immediately felt a headache.

He seemed to indeed have no proof that he was that boy from back then.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of a good idea.

"Ah, I've got it!"

Then he turned to face Xie Xie.

"Xie Hai."

"What, what are you doing?"

Xie Hai had just recovered from the pain, and seeing Tang Wulin's expectant gaze, he suddenly felt a little afraid.

Tang Wulin smiled and said:

"Don't be afraid, what happens next will only be good for you, with no downsides."

"But all I have is a bad feeling!"

Xie Hai instinctively tried to flee, but Tang Wulin grabbed him in one swift motion, his iron‑clamp‑like hand leaving him unable to move.

"All right, I said it's a good thing, don't panic."

Saying this, a small stream of nine‑colored energy surged into Xie Hai's body.

In an instant, Gu Yue's expression shifted dramatically, as if she had seen something that made her doubt life.

Xie Hai still wanted to resist, but just then, as the nine‑colored energy flowed in, his whole body involuntarily shuddered violently, and he almost cried out from the intense pleasure.

He only felt that his whole body was instantly filled with power, making him seem capable of anything.

Tang Wulin knew it was enough, he released his grip, smiled, and looked at Xie Hai.

"How is it? Doesn't it feel a lot like the boost you got when we fought the Light Dragon together?"

"Indeed, it's somewhat similar."

Although the magnitude of the boost is worlds apart.

Back then, Xie Hai still thought Tang Wulin had a second martial soul, or that they shared a Soul Fusion Technique.

He had only ever felt something similar on Tang Wulin in his whole life—could this young man really be Tang Wulin?

Tang Wulin lightly patted his shoulder.

"All right, let's go. Come to my room for a bit, and I'll explain the situation to you."

Having said that, he led the way toward the dormitory building.

Xie Hai and Gu Yue exchanged a glance; Xie Hai still hesitated a little, while Gu Yue was as expressionless as an inanimate object.

Xie Hai asked anxiously, "What should we do, follow him?"

Gu Yue said flatly, "Aren't you eager to hear news of Tang Wulin? Whether or not this person really is Tang Wulin, he surely has clues about him in his hands—how could you just give up? You're being pretty stupid."

"Yeah! That makes sense!"

Rarely unaffected by Gu Yue's words, Xie Hai's eyes lit up and he hurriedly quickened his pace to catch up with Tang Wulin.

Watching the two's backs, Gu Yue stood expressionless in place for a moment, then let out a soft hum and followed after them.

Under Tang Wulin's guidance, they arrived at the door of his room.

As soon as the door opened, a rich aroma of food rushed out.

Xie Hai and Gu Yue both instinctively inhaled, their eyes widening in shock.

"It smells so good!"

Although Xie Hai comes from a wealthy family and has eaten many high‑society delicacies since childhood, just smelling this aroma made him willing to bet that none of the dishes he has ever eaten could compare.

He wondered which top‑tier chef this youth had hired for them; at that moment he felt it was worthwhile to follow Tang Wulin, for such delicious food isn't something you can just eat whenever you want.

Noticing their reaction, Tang Wulin wore a smug expression.

"How is it? Smells good, right? This is my wife's cooking."

Huo Yutong's culinary skills have become ever more superb; even if you looked across the world, few could surpass her.

However, the two youngsters' attention was elsewhere.

"Wife?!"

Xie Hai and Gu Yue exclaimed in unison.

Especially Gu Yue's reaction was particularly intense; she lunged toward Tang Wulin and demanded in an unyielding tone:

"Are you married?"

"Haha, actually not yet."

Tang Wulin smiled gently.

"But it's pretty much just a matter of time."

……

In an instant, Gu Yue's eyes seemed to flash with a terrifying light.

But the next moment, her expression returned to calm, she stepped back two paces, and put distance between herself and Tang Wulin.

"I understand."

At that moment, the kitchen door opened, and Huo Yutong, wearing an apron, poked her head out.

"Wulin, are these Xie Hai and Gu Yue?"

"Mm."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Huo Yutong instantly broke into a warm smile and said to the two:

"You two wait a moment; the meal will be ready soon."

Having said that, she dove back into the kitchen.

Xie Hai leaned his mouth close to Tang Wulin's ear.

"Wulin, is this beautiful girl your significant other?"

"Regardless of whether this youth is really Tang Wulin, since he insists on calling himself that, let's just go along with it."

Tang Wulin nodded candidly. "Mm, yes, she is my beloved fiancée."

"It's actually her..."

Xie Hai wore an expression of disbelief.

His attitude actually sparked Tang Wulin's curiosity.

"What's up, do you know her?"

"Well, she's practically a celebrity in our academy."

Xie Xie hesitated, then said:

"You think she's been going to the school kitchen to cook lately? She's so cute, she's bound to attract a lot of attention."

Although their room has a small kitchen, it can't compare to the school's public one, so for the past two days Huo Yutong has been cooking there to calm Tang Wulin.

Although Huo Yutong is actually twenty-one, she looks no older than fifteen or sixteen—prime youth—and her exceedingly cute looks have drawn crowds of upperclassmen.

Who wouldn't like a cute little cook who cooks well and is polite?

In just a few days, Huo Yutong became popular in the academy, climbing the "most wanted to pursue" girls ranking into the top three.

Rumor has it that some confident upperclassmen have started to stir, wanting to pursue her.

If it weren't for Huo Yutong's mysterious background—she doesn't seem like a regular student here, since people rarely see her outside the kitchen—her popularity could be even higher, challenging for the top of the "most wanted to pursue" girls list.

After hearing Xie Xie's explanation, Tang Wulin was both amused and exasperated.

"So this kind of thing also happened."

Seeing his indifferent look, Xie Xie felt doubtful.

"Aren't you worried? So many people have feelings for her."

Tang Wulin shrugged, his face indifferent.

"Why should I worry? I like her, she likes me— isn't that enough?"

He's confident in Huo Yutong and in himself.

A bunch of kids who aren't even Soul Ancestors still want to compete with him for Huo Yutong.

Heh.

At that moment, the kitchen door opened again, and Huo Yutong came out pushing a food cart.

That's right, it's a food cart.

Seeing the food piled high on the cart, Xie Xie couldn't help but fall into a daze.

"This much?"

Tang Wulin chuckled.

"No problem, just eat— I'll handle whatever you can't finish."

Xie Xie's mouth twitched.

"I really now believe you're Tang Wulin..."

Besides Tang Wulin, he really hasn't seen another eater of this level.

Tang Wulin then noticed that after Huo Yutong showed her face, Gu Yue seemed to have stopped speaking; he looked at her and asked:

"Gu Yue, what's wrong?"

Gu Yue kept a cold face, her eyes numb as she shook her head.

"No, nothing."

She looked at Huo Yutong's face, dead serious: "I think you should explain what exactly happened to you before we eat."

For some reason, Tang Wulin sensed a feeling of doubting life in her tone.

Overall, it feels like his girlfriend being Huo Yutong has given her a huge shock.

Could it be that she also knows Huo Yutong?

This is also normal, according to Xie Xie—Huo Yutong is now considered famous in the academy; even someone like Gu Yue, a weirdo, hearing things about her isn't strange.

Tang Wulin suppressed his doubts, nodded and smiled.

"Hmm, let's talk while we eat."

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong helped serve the rice and passed the utensils to the two.

Then, taking advantage of the meal, Tang Wulin told them his story after some edits.

The time to explain to them would obviously be much shorter.

After all, they still don't understand anything, and Tang Wulin didn't intend to let them know too much; just letting them know the general outline would suffice.

However, even so, Xie Xie was still shocked speechless.

"You mean you're already a Honored Douluo?"

Honored Douluo—this is the highest rank of soul masters; wherever you are, their status is absolutely supreme.

"Well, I've only just broken through to Honored Douluo; as for this, Yu Tong is much stronger than me."

Tang Wulin, while gobbling down the food on the table, said:

Gu Yue asked in a low voice:

"So you're leaving next, right? Are you here to say goodbye to us?"

Upon hearing her words, Xie Xie startled, and Tang Wulin lightly nodded.

"Hmm, you're quite perceptive."

"This is nothing."

Gu Yue said lightly: "Your situation also makes it impossible to continue studying in this academy, and you probably won't even stay in our small town; reaching this conclusion is only natural."

"That's true, but as a nine-year-old girl, being able to think this clearly isn't easy—Gu Yue, you're indeed very smart."

The speaker meant nothing, but the listener took it to heart; when Tang Wulin said that, Gu Yue immediately tensed and gripped her hand.

Fortunately, Tang Wulin appeared not to have noticed anything wrong; she continued with a calm face and asked:

"Where are you planning to go next?"

"Hmm... I want to go find my parents; they're probably over in West Sea now."

How are we going to get there?

Let's take the soul-powered train; Yutong wants to try it.

Which train should we take?

Faced with Gu Yue's relentless pursuit, Tang Wulin furrowed his brows.

Why are you asking so detailed?

Nothing, just curious; if you don't want to say, you don't have to.

Gu Yue said without changing expression.

Tang Wulin shrugged.

Let me tell you, it's actually nothing; we'll depart tomorrow morning, take the 8 a. m. train, heading to Baiyun City.

Understood.

Gu Yue seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted, lightly nodded, and then fell silent.

Xie Xie asked somewhat reluctantly: "Wulin, will we still be able to meet later?"

It's hard to say about meeting, but if you work hard to get into Shilake Academy, there's still a chance.

Are you preparing to go to Shilake Academy?

Well, after all, we have some connection from the era ten thousand years ago.

Xie Xie said somewhat dejectedly: "Then it's over; I estimate I won't be able to see you in this lifetime."

Tang Wulin said helplessly:

Don't lack confidence in yourself; after all, you are an innate full soul power holder of a Twin Soul, and you also have resources tilted toward the Zero Class; work hard, entering Shilake Academy I think is still no problem.

Do you know about the Zero Class?

Of course.

Tang Wulin laughed proudly:

After all, this class was set up by me asking the principal; we're friends, so before leaving I should give you some benefits, right?

Xie Xie suddenly realized.

So that's how it is...

Now everything is finally clear.

He then said why the principal suddenly called off the match between Class One and Class Five that was about to start, and instead merged the participants from both sides to form a new class.

After all this, it turns out he and Gu Yue really got their positions because someone behind the scenes pulled strings for them.

In that case, the rumors discussed in private really weren't wrong? He instantly felt like crying but had no tears.

Seeing Xie Xie looking extremely downcast, Tang Wulin sighed, straightened his expression, and said: "Xie Xie."

What, what's wrong?

Xie Xie's body involuntarily trembled.

Just now, when Tang Wulin was playing around with him, it was fine, but now that Tang Wulin gets serious, he immediately feels the surrounding space solidify, pressing so he can't breathe, making him also involuntarily tense up.

Tang Wulin has been the Sea God Pavilion Master for several years; although he himself isn't aware, he actually already has some aura of a superior, and once he gets serious, he gives people a strong sense of oppression.

Combined with his bloodline already beginning to evolve toward the dragon god level, Xie Xie only felt that the person sitting before him was no longer Tang Wulin at some point, but a towering emperor.

Tang Wulin said earnestly:

I know you're currently in a period of very strong self-esteem; no matter when, having self-esteem is good, but you can't therefore miss what's truly important.

What if others mock you? Let them talk; they're just jealous of you. If you let their words delay your future, that's truly falling into their trap.

If you truly dislike them, you should make good use of the Zero Class resources while you have them, train hard, achieve stunning success, become someone they cannot look up to, needing to look up to; that would be the best revenge against them.

Besides, in this world, only strength is most important; I'm not asking you to do evil to boost your strength, but if you lack strength, once you encounter an accident, you won't be able to protect those you cherish; that feeling is truly painful, and I don't want you to experience it.

……

Xie Xie couldn't speak for a moment.

What Tang Wulin said actually wasn't much different from what Gu Yue said earlier; both meant he shouldn't care about those rumors and focus on improving himself.

But unlike Gu Yue, Tang Wulin's words were not only more detailed, but also more sincere, making it impossible for him to rebut.

Finally he could only weakly say: "I understand..."

Seeing him thinking, Tang Wulin helplessly smiled and also returned to his usual expression.

No matter what, he's already said what needed to be said; as for whether Xie Xie can actually take it in, that's up to Xie Xie.

He and Xie Xie are ultimately just childhood playmates; if Xie Xie still can't figure it out this way, then he can't do anything about it.

Afterwards, the few of them spent several more hours together talking and laughing before dispersing; because the dormitory building was locked, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong each escorted them inside.

Late at night, a figure flew out from the window of Gu Yue's dormitory.

Soon, she landed on an empty clearing, took out a soul-powered communicator, and dialed the number on it.

Hey, is that Di Tian? I have a task for you...

The night was deep and dark, the moon also hidden behind the dark clouds.

The girl's clear, cold voice seemed to be narrating the earth-shaking changes about to happen on the Douluo Continent.

(End of chapter)