Chapter 515: Acceptance and Tolerance (6k)

After entering the room, everyone sat on the living-room sofa; although it was clearly a gathering, the atmosphere was oddly somewhat awkward.

No wonder; from Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's perspective, they hadn't seen their son for just a few months, yet he suddenly grew ten years older—from a nine-year-old innocent child to a nineteen-year-old handsome youth—such a change is enormous, and being able to accept it instantly would be strange.

Besides, the person whose hand he was holding is none other than the legendary Spirit Ice Douluo; over the past few days, every TV channel has been flooded with that name, and anyone familiar with the Douluo Continent—even a three-year-old—has probably heard of this legendary figure.

The change was too great and came too suddenly, leaving Tang Ziran and Lang Yue momentarily at a loss for words.

It was Tang Wulin who first broke this strange atmosphere.

He had by now adjusted his state, and with a serious expression he said:

"Dad, Mom, I know you're baffled by the sudden change—could you hear me out on what happened?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Naturally, Tang Ziran and his wife welcomed this; Tang Ziran made a gesture inviting him to speak, ready to listen.

In any case, let's first hear Tang Wulin's explanation.

"Okay."

Thus, Tang Wulin began another round of narration—he had lost count of how many times he had done it during this period.

But this time his narration was more detailed than ever before.

Facing his parents, Tang Wulin wanted no secrets; he told them everything he knew.

Thus, this narration was especially lengthy.

When Tang Wulin arrived it was still morning; by the time he finished his narration, outside it had turned completely dark.

Throughout the process, aside from Tang Ziran and Lang Yue each going to the bathroom twice, Tang Wulin never interrupted his narration.

As the story ended, the whole living room fell into an eerie silence.

This story is truly fantastical, hard to believe, yet it contains a coherent internal logic; indeed, only this story can explain the current bizarre change.

Tang Wulin earnestly gazed at his parents, waiting for their reaction.

As the protagonist of the incident, he knows better than anyone how hard his story is to believe; therefore, no matter how Tang Ziran and Lang Yue react to his story, he has already prepared himself mentally to accept it.

Finally, after several minutes, Tang Ziran finally digested the story.

He let out a long sigh.

"Wulin."

"Here."

"I'm here."

Tang Wulin straightened his back, preparing to face Tang Ziran's questioning.

"These years have really been hard on you."

"Yes… uh?"

Only then did Tang Wulin suddenly realize that Tang Ziran's expression was not quite what he had imagined.

Rather than shock or rejection, what appeared more on Tang Ziran's face was guilt.

Tang Ziran gave a bitter smile and said:

"It's Dad's fault; if I had been by your side, you might not have encountered this, and even if you did, maybe I could have accompanied you back to the era ten thousand years ago to help you. I know it's too late to say anything now, but looking back, I really didn't provide any decent help during your growth."

"The money for buying the spirit soul was earned by the son through hard forging; it was because he hesitated when pulling out the money that the son's first fused spirit soul turned out to be such a defective one."

"The son was not by his side when he traveled to the past, thus he completely missed these ten years of growth."

"Although Tang Wulin tried to describe his days after traveling to the past as easy, Tang Ziran isn't stupid; how could he not hear the hardship in that?"

"Besides, Tang Ziran doesn't believe that breaking the Golden Dragon King seal could be as easy as Tang Wulin says; the process must have been filled with pain."

"Just thinking that his nine-year-old son would have to endure that pain alone filled Tang Ziran's heart with guilt."

"I…"

Tang Wulin couldn't help but be speechless.

He never imagined his father would react like this.

For a moment, strong emotions surged in his heart, and he felt his vision blur.

Huo Yutong quietly tightened her grip on Tang Wulin's hand, the corner of her mouth forming a lovely arc.

"Congratulations, Wulin."

Tang Wulin's father really resembles him; they are both equally gentle.

Compared to the azure-gold figure that slaughtered her countless times in the Qiankun Asking Love Valley, Huo Yutong still thinks he resembles Tang Wulin more.

That Tang Wulin can return to his side and reunite with his family is truly wonderful.

Huo Yutong smiled with relief, yet there was a hint of loneliness in the corner of her eyes.

Tang Wulin wiped his eyes, forced a smile, and said:

"It's nothing, Dad you're overthinking; I really had a good time ten thousand years ago—look, I even brought back such a beautiful wife."

As soon as he said that, the living room's atmosphere shifted again.

The loneliness in Huo Yutong's eye corner vanished instantly, turning into shyness; her pretty face flushed slightly, yet she still struggled to keep her gaze fixed on Tang Ziran and his wife.

Tang Ziran and his wife were filled with curiosity, sizing up this utterly adorable daughter-in-law from head to toe.

From the news, they already understood that this harmless-looking lovely girl was none other than the Spirit Ice Douluo who once dominated the world ten thousand years ago.

Originally they couldn't fathom why the Spirit Ice Douluo would take a liking to their son, but now that they understand Tang Wulin's entire experience after returning to ten thousand years ago, they have grasped the cause and effect.

However, their knowledge of Huo Yutong comes only from TV and Tang Wulin; their personal understanding of her is limited, so they remain curious about her.

The first to speak was Lang Yue.

"Yutong, may I call you that?"

"Sure."

Huo Yutong nodded somewhat nervously.

Lang Yue asked concernedly: "Huo Yutong, when did you start liking Tang Wulin?"

Huo Yutong's cheeks flushed even redder; after a brief recollection, she replied: "I felt a liking for him from the moment we met, but true feelings beyond friendship likely developed a few days after school started."

"That fast?"

Now Lang Yue was somewhat surprised.

According to Tang Wulin's account, not long after they met, he and Huo Yutong entered Shilake Academy under Bei Bei's guidance.

In other words, Huo Yutong fell for Tang Wulin in less than half a month.

In Lang Yue's view, this is truly unbelievable—such an outstanding girl actually fell deeply in love with someone in such a short time, and this relationship lasted a full ten years straight, which is genuinely rare.

She couldn't help but ask curiously:

"What did you like about him back then? Tang Wulin's conditions weren't particularly special, were they?"

Despite having just listened to such a long story, Lang Yue's impression of Tang Wulin still couldn't shake off the image from back then.

In her mind, when Tang Wulin first crossed over, he was only at about level ten; his martial soul was the useless Blue Silver Grass, his first soul ring was a ten-year soul ring granted by a defective spirit; although the Golden Dragon King's power might have strengthened him somewhat, compared to the geniuses of Shilake Academy, his strength was still limited, and most importantly, his family background back then was vastly inferior to that of other Shilake Academy students.

Under these circumstances, she really wondered why Huo Yutong would fall for her own son.

Huo Yutong glanced quickly at Tang Wulin beside her, lightly bit her lip, and said shyly:

"Because, because Tang Wulin he is really gentle to me, he is the first person from childhood to now who has been this good to me, he is my first friend, the first person who chose me between me and Dai Huabin, the first peer who would think for me, the first..."

As she spoke, her thoughts drifted back ten years.

Back then, she was merely a silly little girl who knew nothing but revenge.

She had no concrete plan of action, nor any confidence of success; all she could rely on was that burning hatred.

In fact, deep down she also knew that her revenge was unlikely to succeed; she was merely a lowly illegitimate daughter—how could she possibly overcome the White Tiger lineage that has been passed down for over ten thousand years?

Therefore, at that time, all her actions were, to some extent, self-destructive; if someone had told her then that if she died they would help her kill Dai Huabin, she would certainly have committed suicide without hesitation.

But just then, she met a boy who was almost as cute as a girl.

Although he was two years younger than her, he was far braver and stronger; when faced with oppression, he would boldly say no, and not only that, he would use his small body to shield her, protecting her from others' harm.

He told her, who had received almost only maternal love since birth, that he would never abandon her, would never let her harm herself again, and supported her revenge plan, saying he would stay with her to the end and help her oppose Dai Huabin.

Looking back now, from that moment on she could never leave him; he was the first light in her dark life, the one who told her what warmth meant in her most difficult times, so for him she naturally wished to give everything in return.

He was her first opposite-sex friend, the first person she could open her heart to, the first person willing to stand by her side and protect her when facing the oppression of the Duke's Mansion, the first person who told her he would never abandon her, the first person who told her they would be together forever; he has already occupied an overly important position in her life.

Moreover, with his first hug, first kiss, first relationship, first intimacy, and even his first proposal, he has taken away so many of her firsts—how could she not like him? "That's how it is..."

Listening to Huo Yutong's account, Lang Yue's gaze grew ever gentler.

No mother dislikes hearing others praise her son, let alone when the praiser is her future daughter-in-law.

The lingering reverence she had felt toward Huo Yutong in her heart gradually dissipated during Huo Yutong's monologue.

She couldn't help but laugh: "I understand now—it seems my son truly has a gift for winning girls' hearts."

"Ah!"

Upon hearing Lang Yue's words, Huo Yutong only then realized how embarrassing what she had said was.

But she couldn't take back those words, so she stammered: "Um, um, Auntie, could you..."

"Don't call me Auntie."

She hadn't even finished speaking when Lang Yue interrupted her.

She rose and sat beside Huo Yutong, taking her hand.

"You're almost getting married and still being so formal—just call me Mom. hearing Tang Wulin just now say you're an orphan, although I certainly can't replace your real mother, I truly regard you as family; you can totally treat me as your second mother."

"Mom...?"

Huo Yutong called out softly, her voice trembling: "Mm."

Lang Yue smiled and nodded.

Huo Yutong's tears burst forth and poured into Lang Yue's embrace.

"Mom!"

When Tang Wulin reunited with his relatives, she genuinely felt happy for him from the bottom of her heart, but she also inevitably felt lonely, because her mother had not yet returned.

As a girl who grew up hard-pressed by her mother, Huo Yutong's longing for family is actually much stronger than Tang Wulin's.

Therefore, Lang Yue's offer to accept her as family truly had a great impact on her.

Lang Yue gently patted Huo Yutong's back with a kind smile, while giving Tang Wulin and Tang Ziran, father and son, a meaningful glance.

The two grown men looked at each other helplessly, then rose together and left the living room for the bedroom.

Tang Ziran sat on the bedside and asked, "When are you planning to get married?"

Tang Wulin said seriously:

"I've already spoken with the representatives of those major powers; in half a year, during this six months, I will find Na'er and let our family truly reunite."

"Is that so?"

Tang Ziran smiled.

"You've really made all your decisions on your own; you're no longer the little kid who needed me to look after him. Kids grow up too fast, and I'm really not used to it."

Tang Wulin said embarrassedly:

"It's fine, actually I still have many questions I want to ask you, Dad."

"Oh? You still have questions? What?"

Tang Ziran was somewhat surprised.

In his view, Tang Wulin has already completely surpassed him as a father; logically, things he doesn't understand, I should understand even less.

Tang Wulin showed a slight blush.

"'Um... what are the things to pay attention to when getting married? I really don't know much about this.'"

Although Tang Wulin is a top student of Shilake Academy and the Sea God Pavilion Master from ten thousand years ago, he has no one around him who has been married, and he hasn't had the time to learn about marriage-related knowledge.

The result was that, although he had already decided to marry Huo Yutong in half a year, he knew nothing about wedding-related knowledge; he was completely clueless.

This won't do; they're already preparing to hold the wedding, and continuing like this would be embarrassing.

So the first person he thought to ask was Tang Ziran.

In Tang Wulin's memory, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's relationship had always been good; they were a model couple, so asking him would surely be right.

Tang Ziran blinked in surprise, then couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha, that's true; after all, you're only doing this for the first time, so you indeed don't know as much as I do in this regard."

He put an arm around Tang Wulin's shoulder and winked at him.

"Alright then, I'll leave this to me as your dad; I'll definitely pass on all the knowledge I have."

"Mm."

Tang Wulin smiled happily and began listening to Tang Ziran's little lecture on marriage.

Indeed, the subject of marriage involves many subtleties; Tang Ziran lectured Tang Wulin for two full hours before giving him a general overview.

It wasn't that the basic wedding procedure really needed two hours; rather, there were many intricate details behind it, and Tang Ziran explained them in great detail, naturally taking a long time.

He stretched widely, glanced at the clock on the wall, and told Tang Wulin, "It's getting late; I'm going to sleep first—you should rest early too."

"Mm."

Originally, Tang Wulin's recounting of his experiences from ten thousand years ago had already taken a lot of time; now another two hours had passed, and it was already late at night.

Tang Wulin watched Tang Ziran leave the room, then collapsed onto the bed, his eyes filled with emotion.

At last he had settled his parents' affairs, and also wrapped up the most important matter on his mind.

For Tang Wulin, the most important thing about returning to this era is finding his family, then completing the Dragon God's divine trial; other matters can be left to fate.

Thus, for him now, the truly important things left are finding his sister Na'er and completing the Dragon God's divine trial.

As for marriage, to him it makes no difference whether it's held in this era or ten thousand years ago.

Thinking of this, Tang Wulin's gaze grew deep.

He is no longer the clueless ignorant youth he once was; he actually has some guesses about Na'er's whereabouts.

His sister Na'er seems unremarkable at first glance, but in fact she raises many doubts.

Why does she have that hair and eye color? Why did she lose her memory? And why did he just happen to pick her up?

Moreover, why can't she awaken her martial soul normally? Why does she have the same astonishing appetite as him? And what is her background? These are profound mysteries, though he previously deliberately ignored them.

But now he has some clues.

The reason his appetite has been huge since childhood is that he has the blood of the Golden Dragon King, making him essentially a human-shaped dragon.

Na'er has the same enormous appetite as him; does that mean she, too, is a human-shaped dragon like him?

And if she truly is a dragon, what kind of dragon would she be?

Her hair and eye color seem to have already given the answer.

Tang Wulin recalled again the Silver Dragon King mentioned by the Light Dragon King.

Of course, all this is merely speculation; given the current situation, Tang Wulin thinks Gu Yue resembles the Silver Dragon King more than Na'er does.

The ferocious beasts led by Di Tian were clearly driven by Gu Yue, and the sound of the silver dragon claws that finally rescued those beasts was indistinguishable from Gu Yue's.

Possessing the power to break his spatial seal and the authority to command Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts, Gu Yue is undoubtedly the Silver Dragon King, no matter how you look at it.

As for the true situation, it will only be known after he finds Gu Yue and Na'er.

Anyway, no matter what, Na'er will always be his sister.

I believe that when she learns her brother is getting married, she will surely feel happy just like their parents.

When the wedding comes, let her be the bridesmaid.

Imagining Na'er's small figure in bridesmaid attire appearing at the wedding, Tang Wulin couldn't help but show a warm smile.

Just then, he felt his soul communication device vibrate slightly.

He opened it to see a message from Zang Xin.

"Do you have time tomorrow?"

"?"

Tang Wulin tilted his head in confusion and replied, "Sure, what's up?"

Anyway, he's basically unemployed now, so he has plenty of time.

Zang Xin's next message came quickly.

"Come to the Blacksmith Association in Heaven Dou City tomorrow to meet someone."

Tang Wulin's heart stirred, and he hurriedly asked:

"Divine Craftsman Zhenhua?"

He recalled that Zang Xin had mentioned this name at the meeting.

Zang Xin replied, "Mm, he's the sole Divine Craftsman on the continent, the strongest blacksmith in terms of forging technique; since we're asking him for a favor, you should show respect."

"Understood."

After Tang Wulin gave an affirmative reply, Zang Xin sent no more messages.

Tang Wulin placed his soul communication device on the bed, looked up at the ceiling, and smiled.

He still has full confidence in his talent for forging, and with the guidance of the greatest blacksmith as a teacher, he believes he can reach at least the eighth-rank sage artisan level within ten years.

Although it's uncertain whether he can become a Divine Craftsman, the metal forged by an eighth-rank blacksmith is already enough to change the era of ten thousand years ago.

Xuan Ziwen's expression when he first encountered the spirit metal Tang Wulin forged is still vivid; even a fifth-rank blacksmith's spirit metal can excite Xuan Ziwen that much, and he can't imagine how great an effect an eighth-rank blacksmith's metal would have.

It's not impossible for Xuan Ziwen to become so excited he passes out.

Moreover, Zang Xin has already arranged lessons in the soul device field; if Huo Yutong wants to study, she should quickly acquire sufficient knowledge.

If the two of them were to bring this future knowledge back to ten thousand years ago, they might directly trigger a massive upheaval affecting the whole world.

By then, everyone in the world will be able to improve their lives.

His parents were found, he had a path to study, everything seemed to be developing toward a good direction, and this unprecedented smooth development made Tang Wulin instinctively relax.

He yawned, slowly closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

In his sleep, he faintly heard the sound of the door opening; someone tiptoed into the room, climbed onto the bed, lay beside him, and leaned against his chest.

He judged from the figure alone that it was his beloved fiancée.

He then reached out, pulled the person into his arms, and drifted into dreamland.

By the way, someone asked where the Ice Emperor gets his ultimate combat power; setting aside the fact that the Top Three Ferocious Beasts basically all instantly upgraded to the limit, in fact, near the end of Douluo II, there were also related descriptions.

The following content is from chapter 605 of the original work.

Among the five great soul spirits, two are at the Limit Douluo level and three are Super Douluo. Although they cannot endlessly rely on Huo Yuhao's power, they are enough to deal with these Evil Soul Masters.

As for the few soul spirits of Lao Huo, aside from the Snow Emperor's absolute limit combat power, pick one limit from the Ice Emperor, Xiaobai, the Eight-Horned, and Li Ya.

Anyway, I'm on the Ice Emperor's side; what about you?

Then there's an exam the day after tomorrow; I might not update tomorrow, but I'll make it up later.

That means I owe eighteen thousand characters.

(End of chapter)