"Uncle Tong Yu..."
"Did you know my father?"
Seeing Tong Yu's unusual emotional reaction, Tang Wulin was momentarily stunned before responding somewhat blankly.
"..."
"No, I didn't know him."
Tong Yu quickly regained his composure. Beneath his hood, countless thoughts flickered through his eyes as he shook his head.
"Teacher, let's take the children back soon..."
"We still have matters to attend to later."
Then, his gaze shifted toward En Ci. Though his tone was calm, his words carried immense weight.
"Xiaoyu."
Beside them, En Ci looked at his disciple. Beneath his composed expression lay equal astonishment as he instantly grasped the other's meaning and nodded.
"You've been in Dragon Valley for a month now."
"It's about time to return."
The next moment, he turned to the two youngsters with a smile, though the gravity in his eyes deepened.
"Yeah."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan merely responded softly, his attention still mostly fixed on Tong Yu.
It was obvious—after Wu Lin's earlier words, Tang Luochuan didn't even need to think. Tong Yu must be in complete turmoil right now. Judging by his demeanor, what would he do...
once they returned?
"Let's go."
En Ci lifted the two youngsters into the air with him. Behind his calm expression, his thoughts had already soared far beyond the clouds.
He had always wanted to resolve Xiaoyu's inner conflict, which was why he had accompanied him in searching for Tang Ziran—to help him find an opportunity for so-called "atonement." But in reality...
Whether they found him or not, it made little difference. After all, when they hadn't found him, Tong Yu had been lifeless. Now that they had, he either sought atonement or death.
Neither outcome was what En Ci wanted to see. But what did his wishes matter? What could he possibly do to change the other's mind...?
"Luochuan and Wu Lin... they're actually Tang Ziran's sons. They could be the key to restraining Xiaoyu and dissuading him from seeking death..."
En Ci mused to himself. Before long, inspiration suddenly struck—he had an idea.
Wasn't it possible that, before these two children grew up, they would face many dangers and hardships? Tang Ziran's strength as a Titled Douluo might be sufficient, but only barely.
But Tong Yu's cultivation was different.
With the power of an Ultimate Douluo and the profound mystery of nine 100,000-year Soul Rings, he could protect the two youngsters far more effectively.
If he wanted Xiaoyu to live, he had to give him a reason—a purpose to keep going. And that purpose would be...
the role of a Guardian.
Atonement didn't necessarily require confessing directly to Tang Luochuan's family. The best arrangement would be to protect them from the shadows.
"This is for the best."
A satisfied smile appeared on En Ci's face.
Perhaps Tong Yu hadn't even realized it yet, but his teacher had already planned out how his atonement would unfold.
"Of course."
"Luochuan is a once-in-a-millennium—no, once-in-ten-millennia—genius. Neither the former Sea God nor the Spirit Ice Douluo could match his talent."
"He's already a friend of Yun'er. If the two of them ever develop further feelings, perhaps even..."
En Ci's thoughts wandered, and before he knew it, he had even begun coveting Tang Luochuan's genius.
If such an opportunity truly arose...
It could very well become a monumental blessing for the Star Luo Empire.
"Hmm..."
Just then, accompanied by the ringing of a phone, Tang Luochuan answered the call. On the other end of the communicator, Dai Yun'er's voice immediately came through.
"Luo Chuan, when are you coming back? Grand Tutor should be returning soon. When he does, I'll see if I can ask him to take you to that..."
"That Dragon Valley."
Dai Yun'er said earnestly.
"Hmm..."
"I'll be back soon."
Tang Luochuan glanced at En Ci beside him and smiled without speaking—the very person she mentioned was right here!
"But..."
"You're probably about to leave Star Luo Continent soon, aren't you?"
Dai Yun'er's voice carried a hint of frustration. She had asked him before—school would start in just over a month.
If he didn't return soon, would there even be time?
"Before leaving Star Luo Continent, I'll still make a trip to Star Luo City."
Tang Luochuan wore a wry smile. Without exaggeration, he planned to go to Star Luo City today because...
Tomorrow, he would likely be returning to Douluo Continent.
"Good, you promised me."
"You can't not come, okay?"
Hearing this, Dai Yun'er finally responded with a laugh.
"Hmm?"
Beside them, En Ci watched the scene unfold, his smile utterly unconcealed. Were Her Highness the Princess and Luo Chuan this close?
As he pondered, he quickly came to terms with it.
If their relationship weren't good, Tang Luochuan wouldn't have asked him about visiting Dragon Valley in the first place—even sharing such confidential information with her.
Wasn't that proof enough of Her Highness's favor?
"In that case..."
"This time, I must take Luo Chuan to meet His Majesty."
En Ci's eyes gleamed with determination as he thought to himself.
Not long after, at Star Sea City Hotel.
"Luo Chuan, Wu Lin!"
"You're back!"
As Tang Luochuan and his brother arrived at the room door, Lang Yue quickly appeared, her face lit with joy at the sight of them.
"Grand Tutor En, thank you for bringing the children back safely."
Tang Ziran looked at En Ci with deep respect.
"It was nothing, nothing at all. Both boys are very well-behaved and talented—truly outstanding children."
En Ci smiled warmly and shook his head.
"I have some matters to attend to now. I was wondering if your family might have time to visit Star Luo City? I'd like to invite a friend to join us for a gathering..."
He inquired.
"Ah... would tomorrow work?"
Tang Ziran considered for a moment before replying.
"Of course."
"Then we'll meet in Star Luo City tomorrow."
En Ci nodded with a smile, then didn't linger any longer, his figure soon vanishing from sight.
"Dad, let me tell you..."
"Brother and I both gained so much from this trip! Of course, Brother got the most, but I also improved—my Soul Spirit advanced, and my cultivation broke through to level 39!"
Standing before his parents, Tang Wulin beamed as he recounted their experiences in the Dragon Valley world.
Beside him, Tang Luochuan, Tang Ziran, and Lang Yue listened with smiles, the family enveloped in warmth and happiness.
Meanwhile, not far from the hotel, Tong Yu silently observed everything, his expression growing increasingly emotional, his heart unable to calm for a long time.
"Alike..."
"So very alike..."
He took out the photo of Tang Ziran, gazing at the face that had matured considerably yet still bore many resemblances, and couldn't help murmuring to himself.
After all these years, he had finally...
Reunited with Tang Ziran.
"Xiaoyu."
"Any thoughts?"
En Ci asked his disciple with a sigh, watching as the young man used his formidable spiritual power to sense the situation inside the hotel.
Even now, he could hardly believe these two youngsters were actually Tang Ziran's sons!
After all, whether in appearance or Martial Soul, they couldn't just be said to be unrelated—they were completely dissimilar.
"Redemption."
Tong Yu snapped out of his thoughts and responded with a smile.
"Your master has something—"
En Ci began to speak, but before he could finish, Tong Yu had already knelt before him.
"Xiaoyu! What are you doing?"
En Ci was stunned and immediately tried to pull him up, exclaiming in surprise, but the young man remained unmoved.
A teacher for a day is a father for life. Everything he had was given by his master. Without his teacher, even with his extraordinary talent, he would have been seen as nothing more than a monster in the eyes of the world, not a true powerhouse.
Only his master had shown him respect, had guided him all these years, and had even helped him search for Tang Ziran...
"Master, I will be accompanying these two youngsters for a long time, until they become the strongest of this era. Before that..."
"I am your disciple, but..."
"More than that, I am their Guardian."