The God of Destruction looked toward Bibi Dong and Dai Chengfeng, his gaze sharp: "What is the situation with the Abyss?" Bibi Dong briefly reported the course of events, emphasizing Isis's sacrifice and the Tree of Life's seal. After listening, the God of Destruction was silent for a long time: "Isis... ultimately took that path." The Goddess of Life sighed softly: "She used herself as the catalyst to recast the seal—this is great righteousness. It's just this child Wulin..." She looked toward Tang Wulin, who had been sent deep into the Temple of Life, her eyes full of heartache.
Inside the Temple of Life, Tang Wulin was placed on a jade platform in the center of the Lake of Life. The lake water was emerald-colored, emitting dense life aura, but its effect on him was minimal. His skin remained pale, his breathing weak—only the slight rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive. Qian Renxue guarded beside the jade platform, holding his hand, unwilling to let go for even a moment. The children were temporarily taken out to be comforted by Tang Wutong. Inside the temple remained only Tang San, Xiao Wu, the God of Destruction, the Goddess of Life, and Bibi Dong and Dai Chengfeng.
"The Golden Dragon King bloodline being completely sealed is actually the result of the eighteenth seal's backlash." the God of Destruction analyzed, "He forcibly broke through the seal, then used a mortal body to carry divine power to purify the Abyss, causing his source to collapse. Now his body contains only the Dragon God's soul, but lacks divine power support—even his divine soul is precarious." The Goddess of Life added: "If we could find something to supplement life source, perhaps we could extend his lifespan by several years, but this treats the symptoms not the root cause."
"What methods are there?" Tang San asked, his voice hoarse. Xiao Wu leaned in his embrace, already cried into a muteness. The God of Destruction and Goddess of Life exchanged glances, the latter speaking softly: "There are two directions. First, search for the 'Life Source Seed' from when the universe first opened, but this thing is ethereal and hard to find—ancient texts only have scattered records. Second, let him recultivate. Dissipate his current remnant soul and start cultivating anew from a mortal body, but the risk is enormous—slight carelessness and his soul will scatter and disperse."
Recultivate. This word made everyone fall silent. Tang Wulin started from the Douluo Continent, experienced countless hardships, finally became a God King—now everything would return to zero. Not to mention the dangers during the recultivation process, his remaining lifespan alone might not support him until he became a god again. Qian Renxue gripped Tang Wulin's hand, saying in a low voice: "As long as there's a thread of hope, we will not give up." Her voice was not loud, but exceptionally firm.
Tang San nodded. "First stabilize his current condition. Goddess of Life, please use the Lake of Life to nourish his body, slowing the vitality loss. I will use the Divine Realm central hub's authority to search for clues about the Life Source Seed. As for recultivation..." He looked at Tang Wulin's pale face, "Wait until he wakes, let him decide for himself."
The meeting temporarily concluded. The God of Destruction and Goddess of Life departed to allocate resources; Tang San and Xiao Wu stayed to accompany, but were soon persuaded by Qian Renxue to rest—three days of sleepless searching for their son had already exhausted them physically and mentally. The temple grew quiet, leaving only the sound of gently rippling lake water. Bibi Dong and Dai Chengfeng did not leave. The two stood at the temple entrance, their shadows lengthened by moonlight.
"What do you plan to do?" Dai Chengfeng suddenly asked. Bibi Dong didn't turn back, her gaze falling on the distant starry sky: "Return to my place. Though the Abyss is sealed, the Death God position still needs stabilization." She paused, "What about you?" Dai Chengfeng shrugged: "Wander. Wind shouldn't be trapped in one place." The two were silent for a moment. Bibi Dong turned to look at Qian Renxue: "Take good care of him. And take good care of yourself." Qian Renxue nodded, tears welling in her eyes: "Thank you." Bibi Dong tugged at the corner of her mouth, as if wanting to smile, but it ultimately transformed into a light sigh. She and Dai Chengfeng left one after another, their figures disappearing into the night.
The days that followed, the Divine Realm's undercurrents surged beneath its calm. News of the Abyss Gate's sealing was strictly confidential, known only to a few high-level officials. The Divine Realm Committee strengthened monitoring of lower realm passages, and dispatched inspectors to patrol various star regions to prevent Abyss remnants from infiltrating. Tang Wulin slept in the Lake of Life for a full seven days. During this time, the Goddess of Life daily used divine power to nourish him, only barely managing to slow his vitality loss to a rate of one year decaying per month. But even so, his lifespan remained less than ten years.
On the morning of the eighth day, Tang Wulin opened his eyes. The first thing that met his gaze was Qian Renxue's exhausted sleeping face—she lay leaning on the jade platform's edge, holding his hand, faint dark circles under her eyes. Tang Wulin's heart ached. He gently withdrew his hand, but woke her.
"Wulin!" Qian Renxue instantly awoke, brilliance bursting forth in her eyes. Tang Wulin wanted to speak, but his throat was too dry to make a sound. Qian Renxue quickly brought Lake of Life water, carefully feeding him to drink. The clear lake water entered his throat, bringing a trace of warmth. Tang Wulin rested a moment, then said hoarsely: "You've worked hard." Qian Renxue shook her head, tears falling again: "You're awake... that's all that matters..."
Tang San and Xiao Wu hurried over upon hearing the news; the children also rushed into the temple. The family surrounded the jade platform, crying and laughing together. Tang Wulin looked at his parents' haggard faces, at his children's red-rimmed eyes, guilt overwhelming his heart. "Sorry, for making you worry." he said in a low voice. Xiao Wu tightly embraced him: "Don't say sorry... you came back, that's more important than anything."
After the peaceful reunion, Tang San told Tang Wulin the current situation and the two choices. Tang Wulin listened, silent for a long time. "Recultivate." he finally said, his tone calm. Qian Renxue anxiously said: "But the risk is too great! What if..." Tang Wulin held her hand, smiling slightly: "But I want to live. I want to accompany you longer, watch the children grow up, and still want to see all the world's scenery with you. If I linger for several years, eventually still having to leave, I'm not willing. Recultivation is dangerous, but at least there's a thread of hope."
His decision received his family's support. The Goddess of Life personally formulated the recultivation plan: using the Lake of Life as the foundation, supplemented by the Divine Realm's purest spiritual energy, first reshaping Tang Wulin's meridians. But the first step was to dissipate his remnant divine soul and bloodline imprints within his body. This was a painful and dangerous process—slight carelessness would damage the foundation of his soul.
Three days later, the ceremony was held deep within the Temple of Life. Besides the Goddess of Life, the God of Destruction, the Tang San couple, and Qian Renxue, no others were permitted to approach. Tang Wulin sat cross-legged at the center of the lake's formation. The Goddess of Life used the Tree of Life as the guide, the God of Destruction used destruction authority as assistance—the two combined to strip away the remnant Golden Dragon King bloodline and Dragon God divine position within his body. The process was extremely painful. Tang Wulin's entire body trembled, fine beads of blood seeping from his skin, yet he clenched his teeth and made not a sound. Outside the formation, Qian Renxue tightly clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, blood dripping.
The stripping lasted a full six hours. When the last wisp of golden aura overflowed from Tang Wulin's crown and was absorbed and sealed by the Tree of Life, he had already collapsed from exhaustion, his breath as weak as a candle in the wind. The Goddess of Life immediately poured Lake of Life essence into him, protecting his heart meridian and soul. The God of Destruction then laid down a barrier to prevent soul dissipation.
"The first step succeeded." The Goddess of Life let out a long breath of relief, "But he is now no different from a newborn, even more fragile. Next requires slow nourishment with spiritual energy—only after meridians are reshaped can cultivation begin." Tang San nodded, personally carrying his son and sending him to the temple's quietest side chamber. Qian Renxue followed closely behind, beginning the long guardianship.
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