"Shimu!"
With a bright, joyful smile, a silver-haired girl threw herself into Yali's arms, hugging her tightly.
Her skin was pale and flawless, like the porcelain of an unreal doll. Her large violet eyes shimmered like a bed of soft blooming irises, their light reminiscent of a gentle spring dawn.
"Na'er, don't be naughty," Yali said softly, her ever-warm voice accompanied by a gentle hand stroking Na'er's smooth hair. "You'll meet your big brother soon."
"Brother…?"
Na'er's small frame trembled slightly. Deep in her mind, fragments of memory stirred — old, buried flashes of the past rising like bubbles to the surface. Her eyelashes quivered faintly, as though a tear was about to fall from the corner of her eye, but just as quickly, she pressed it down, swallowing the emotion.
"Yes! Your big brother. He has an incredible talent for forging," Yali continued, her voice tinged with a touch of motherly pride. "For the past three years, he's been training diligently, barely seeing me at all. Today, now that Yun-ge says his three-year training plan is finished, I thought it was the perfect chance to properly introduce you two. I also want to ask that brat a few things…"
Her tone softened, but when she reached the part about "barely seeing me," there was a subtle note of complaint in her voice.
Forging…
Inside Na'er's heart, an image flashed across her mind: that figure — the one who had once saved her from danger without hesitation. That figure, a boy who should have been carefree, enjoying the innocence of childhood, but instead had chosen the hard path of forging for the sake of others…
"Brother…" Na'er whispered softly, her voice nearly inaudible.
"Hm? Na'er, what did you just say?" Yali turned, puzzled, her keen senses catching the faint sound.
"N-nothing, Shimu," Na'er quickly replied, shaking her head with a tiny, nervous smile.
…
"Uncle Yun!"
Gu You's voice rang out brightly as he arrived, waving. He was already used to calling Yali "godmother" — the words rolled off his tongue naturally. But when it came to Yun Ming, he just couldn't bring himself to say "godfather." Maybe it was Yali's naturally warm and approachable nature, while Yun Ming always carried a touch of sternness that made him hesitate.
"You're here," Yun Ming said calmly, giving him a once-over. "Why are your clothes so wet?"
"Uh… a little mishap on the way. Fell into the lake," Gu You mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He wasn't about to explain the whole ridiculous incident.
"You've mastered spirit forging?" Yun Ming asked.
"I've got the basics, I think. But it's not quite stable yet. If I had a bit more soul power, I'd say I have about a fifty percent success rate."
Yun Ming nodded thoughtfully.
"Wuyou probably told you everything already. So, what's your decision?"
"I'll go!" Gu You declared firmly, his voice clear and unwavering. "No matter what, this is a challenge I need."
Yun Ming's gaze softened. His right hand glowed faintly, soul power gathering as three small items materialized before him.
"There's a little gift from me. Nothing too fancy, so don't mind."
The first item floated toward Gu You.
"This is a specially crafted forging badge, made for you by Feng Wuyou. You're officially registered in the Federation's blacksmith records — the first ever holder of a four-and-a-half-star badge in history."
The second item drifted over.
"This is a soul tool connector. It links directly to your soul power. If you're ever in danger on your journey and your soul power fluctuates abnormally, I'll sense it — as will Feng Wuyou — and we'll rush to support you. Remember: never give in to despair."
Finally, the third item appeared.
"And this is a gift just from me. I know… there's always been a bit of distance between us, but that doesn't matter. No matter what, I'm still your nominal godfather. At the very least, I should give you a proper present. This is a ring-type storage soul tool. It can hold up to one thousand cubic meters of non-living matter. Anything too heavy to carry, just inject some soul power and store it inside. You can even buy a milk bottle–style soul tool to connect to it and operate it without soul power."
Yun Ming's voice remained cool and composed, but every word pierced straight into Gu You's heart.
For Gu You, it was one of the gentlest, most genuine moments he'd experienced — apart from the love he'd received from his grandmother and his teacher, Yali.
"Thank you!"
Gu You's voice trembled slightly, and a few tears slipped down the corners of his eyes.
Even though he knew deep down that without his innate talent, none of this would have happened, none of these people would be here supporting him — he still felt grateful, genuinely grateful. Maybe he was just someone who was too easily satisfied.
"A real man stands tall and proud. Don't go crying over every little thing," Yun Ming said, stepping forward to wipe Gu You's tears away with both hands.
Gu You sniffled and nodded earnestly. "Mm!"
"Oh, one more thing — before you set off, let me ask you: would you be willing to join the Tang Sect? I'm sure you've heard plenty of stories about it. But if you don't want to, that's fine too. You don't need to force yourself just to save face for me." Yun Ming's eyes glimmered with understanding. He knew that Leng Yaozhu was Gu You's master, and joining the Tang Sect might complicate things politically. But after three years of watching this child grow, he had no more doubts about his character. Besides, with Gu You's incredible spiritual strength, the Tang Sect's Purple Demon Eyes would be a perfect fit.
"I've definitely heard a lot… but, no, I think I'll pass. I have something else in mind," Gu You said, opening up and sharing his thoughts honestly.
The conversation between them deepened, the trust growing stronger with each word.
"You've got ambition. That's a good thing," Yun Ming murmured, nodding approvingly. "So, after you apprentice under Zhen Hua, you plan to head to Eastsea City, develop yourself there, and study at the local soul master academy to pick up some basics — and then, when the time is right, earn your way into Shrek Academy on your own merit."
"Exactly," Gu You said with a determined smile. "If I'm going to test myself, I want to do it thoroughly. I'm not planning to join Shrek just yet. I want to learn, make friends, and build my own foundation. Oh, and the inquiries from the Federation — I'll leave those to you, Uncle Yun."
"Hah… you little brat." Yun Ming let out a rare, soft laugh.
"Well, since you've chosen your path, I have nothing more to say. Just remember: no matter how hard the road ahead gets, never back down."
With that, Yun Ming vanished, leaving Gu You standing alone.
"…Sigh," Gu You exhaled deeply, shaking off the lingering emotions.
"Gu'er!"
Before he could fully relax, a familiar voice called out, startling him.
"G-Godmother! What brings you here?!"
He turned — and his breath caught.
Bathed in the warm midday sunlight stood a little girl, nervously clutching the corner of Yali's dark green skirt, only half her face peeking out — but those violet eyes shone like pure amethyst, glimmering with curiosity.
"If I hadn't come, were you planning to forget you even have a godmother?!" Yali huffed lightly.
"Ah—!" Gu You froze, completely speechless, his brain short-circuiting on the spot.
Though Yali sounded mildly annoyed, she knelt down beside the little girl and smiled gently. "Na'er, this is your not-so-reliable big brother."
Na'er tilted her head, confused. Just a few days ago, Yali had endlessly praised this young man, but now, upon meeting him, her tone had suddenly shifted?
"Brother? Wait — Godmother, where did you suddenly find me a little sister?" Gu You asked teasingly, his grin playful. Deep down, though, he knew this encounter was inevitable. No matter how much his presence twisted the story, the path was set: Yali would become Na'er's shimu, just as fate intended.
"Hehe! Guess," Yali said with a light laugh, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Seeing her laugh, Gu You's heart warmed. In the three years they'd known each other, it was rare for the Holy Spirit Douluo to show such a carefree smile.
"Call me big brother!" Gu You leaned in toward Na'er, grinning as he playfully coaxed her.
Startled, Na'er shrank back, hiding behind Yali.
Seeing this, Yali flicked Gu You lightly on the forehead, shielding Na'er with both hands.
"Ow!" Gu You yelped, rubbing the spot where the playful flick had left a faint red mark, even though Yali hadn't used much force.
(End of Chapter)
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