"Second Uncle."
"Nan, Xiaotao, why are you here?"
Wang Nan and Ma Xiaotao had only walked a few steps along Sea God Lake when they spotted a familiar figure.
Wang Yan had uncharacteristically tidied himself up, no longer looking like he had just woken from a pile of books as he usually did.
Wang Yan's cultivation talent was not bad. After Wang Nan explained the matters concerning the Coiling Dragon Staff to him, Wang Yan's cultivation made several breakthroughs. Now, the spirit power fluctuations emanating from his body had subtly reached above level seventy. With the right opportunity, he might even break through to the Spirit Douluo Realm within a few years.
"We had some things to discuss with the Academy. We just arrived and happened to see you here."
"Oh? Is that so?" Wang Yan replied with a smile, though his slightly awkward manner suggested he did not intend to continue the conversation.
"All right, Second Uncle. I just wanted to see you briefly. We're heading to Sea God Pavilion now. Please enjoy your holiday."
"Ah, all right. We can talk after you return."
After Wang Nan and Ma Xiaotao left, Wang Yan scratched his head in confusion, wondering how Wang Nan knew it was his holiday. Before he could think further, another tall figure appeared by Sea God Lake, leaving him no time to dwell on it.
"Do you feel…"
"Do you feel Second Uncle is a bit strange?"
"Mm." Ma Xiaotao nodded.
Wang Nan's mental force spread slightly, easily sensing the two figures strolling by the lake. "Perhaps he has some secret he doesn't want us to know."
"Hm?" Seeing the faintly mysterious smile on Wang Nan's face, Ma Xiaotao thought for a moment and chose not to pursue the matter.
"Elder Xuan, Yuhao."
In front of Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi and Huo Yuhao greeted Wang Nan, then quietly watched as he walked beneath the Golden Ancient Tree, careful not to disturb him.
Closing his eyes and bowing his head slightly, Wang Nan spread his mental force outward. A gentle breeze swept past as the Golden Ancient Tree's enormous figure appeared within the Void Realm. Its leaves swayed softly, and a faint golden light descended upon Wang Nan, pulsing in rhythm with his breathing.
"I'm going to see Teacher."
Watching Wang Nan stand beneath the Golden Ancient Tree with his head bowed, Ma Xiaotao whispered to Xuan Zi.
"Mm." Xuan Zi nodded and slowly stepped forward, also closing his eyes.
After a long while, Wang Nan finally opened his eyes and turned around.
Huo Yuhao, standing to the side, fixed his gaze on him.
Even with his current cultivation, Wang Nan still felt unfathomable. If it were him, perhaps it truly could be done.
Wang Nan smiled at Huo Yuhao, then turned to Xuan Zi. "Elder Xuan, do you still remember what I said before Jialing Pass?"
At those words, Xuan Zi felt his aged heart thump heavily.
He knew his own limits and knew that the legendary Realm was beyond his reach, yet deep down, the word "God" still stirred something within him.
"I want to borrow Sea God Island for a while," Wang Nan said slowly. "It may require breaking the Academy's rule of not allowing outsiders onto Sea God Island."
Xuan Zi met Wang Nan's gaze. In their silence, countless thoughts passed between them.
After a moment, Xuan Zi nodded.
"Good."
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, powerful auras converged toward the core region. Soon, by Life Lake, various figures knelt on the ground.
"My Lord!"
"Have the matters in the forest been properly handled?" Gu Yue asked softly, her face veiled in silver gauze.
"Reporting to My Lord, everything has been arranged," Di Tian replied solemnly as he bowed.
Gu Yue nodded slightly, then raised her hand. A golden stream of light flew from the lakeside, landing beside her and transforming into a golden-haired girl.
"If this fails, you are to return here immediately."
"But—"
Gu Yue interrupted her. "As long as you are here, our Spirit Beast race still has hope."
"I understand."
"Mm." Gu Yue lifted her gaze toward the northwest. As half of the Dragon God, she took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.
"Let's go."
"Imperial Brother!"
Within the Star Luo City Imperial Palace, Princess Xu Jiujiu stood beside Emperor Xu Jiawei.
"The date Shrek Academy mentioned is tomorrow, isn't it?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Emperor Xu Jiawei finally looked up from the documents on his desk and sighed softly. "Imperial Uncle, can they really succeed?"
The Star Luo Douluo had appeared in the study at some unknown time. Hearing the question, his eyes flickered slightly. "I don't know."
"Do you hope they succeed?"
"Of course."
After a moment of silence, Emperor Xu Jiawei stood. "Jiujiu, prepare yourself. We are departing for Shrek Academy."
"Yes."
In the Tianhun Empire and the Douling Empire, similar scenes were unfolding.
In Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Tianhun Empire, an ordinary-looking couple sat at a stall, sampling local delicacies.
"The taste here has really changed," the man sighed, setting down his bowl and chopsticks.
"Nothing stays the same forever," the woman replied with a smile, resting her hand gently on his wrist. "After all these years, you should understand that."
"I understood back then. It's just—"
The man looked toward the west, the direction from which they had descended the mountains.
"Hey, have you heard? Over in Shrek City—"
"Heard it already. That news is half a year old. I've got the latest."
"Quick, tell me—"
The nearby conversation did not escape the couple's notice. Though the man seemed dismissive, he still finished the remaining soup in his bowl.
"No matter what, I can't just stand by."
"I'll go with you," the woman said softly.
On the eastern coast of the Douling Empire, the Xuanming Sect stood beside the sea. Within the main hall, a figure paced back and forth.
"Sect Master!"
Soon, a disciple entered.
"How are the preparations?" the figure asked, revealing a stern face. If Wang Nan were present, he would recognize him as Xu Sanshi, the current Sect Master of the Xuanming Sect and the Xuanwu Douluo.
"Everything is ready."
"Good. Depart for Shrek Academy."
"Yes!"
In Mingdu, within the Imperial City, a young boy stood with his arms outstretched as a woman carefully dressed him in a bright yellow dragon robe.
"Mother, are we going?"
"It's too dangerous for us," she replied gently. "Let your Teacher take some people instead."
"Mm. I understand, Mother," the boy said obediently.