"…"
"Donghai City. We're finally here."
That afternoon, the Tang family of four stepped off the Soul Guide Train and onto the wide platform of Donghai City's station. Tang Ziran smiled as he stretched his stiff shoulders, his eyes filled with a rare lightness.
They had just finished a long journey from Aolai City. Their train's last stop was this place—Donghai, a coastal metropolis second only to Tianhai City in power and prosperity. It was a city famous not only for its beautiful scenery but also because countless talented soul masters gathered here.
"To our new life, babies," Tang Ziran said warmly as he hailed a taxi. He glanced at his two sons and added in a slow, steady tone, "To our new home."
"Good!"
The family piled into the vehicle. Soon enough, Tang Wulin and his older brother Tang Luochuan found themselves standing in front of a brand-new residence. The house was easily twice the size of their old one back in Aolai City, and best of all—it was located not too far from the Intermediate Soul Master Academy.
"Dad…" Wulin's eyes lit up, full of excitement and curiosity. "You and Mom really are going to work in Donghai City from now on?"
The boy's voice carried a mix of joy and disbelief. For a moment, unbidden, a shiver ran through him. He remembered the dream he had the night before—a nightmare in which his parents had abandoned him, and even Luochuan had vanished. In that dream, he had been left alone and terrified in Donghai, wandering aimlessly with no one beside him.
That single thought had rattled him deeply.
If I really lost everything… what kind of person would I even become?
Maybe he would endure just fine at first. But over time? The loneliness would corrode him, eating away at everything until he collapsed completely.
"Yes," Tang Ziran answered gently. "Although the Intermediate Academy requires you to live on campus most of the time, it'll be much easier for you to come home now. Your mother and I have both been transferred here for work."
Then he grinned. "And as for our salaries? Just think of it as a promotion with a raise."
He wasn't exaggerating. In truth, Ziran's transfer had been made possible thanks to an old friend living here in Donghai. That friend was not only a fellow mecha master but also someone with connections who had arranged an excellent position for him. With Ziran's original skill level, such an offer would have been impossible. But today, at this stage? He had finally reached the point where he was worthy of it.
"Yeah!"
Wulin's eyes sparkled as he clenched his fists. "Donghai City… a new start. Something good is bound to happen!"
Ziran chuckled softly, reached out, and ruffled his son's hair. "We won't unpack too much just yet. My friend has invited us to dinner tonight—we'll go once we tidy up a little."
"A feast?"
The instant Wulin heard the word, his whole face lit up brighter than fireworks.
"Oh my," Lang Yue sighed fondly, flicking her smallest son lightly on the forehead. "You little foodie… you only think about eating."
"Ehehe…" Wulin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Ever since the day he had dreamed of the giant dragon, his appetite had grown so overwhelming that even he found it strange. Strangest of all was what followed: every time he stuffed himself until he could eat no more, he felt… stronger.
Day after day, as that strange hunger accompanied him, it carried him through the daunting task of completing the Thousand Forgings. The link between his bottomless appetite and his development was something even he couldn't explain. Magic? Destiny? He wasn't sure.
"Hahahaha!" Tang Ziran's belly-shaking laughter filled the hall. "Well, at least we know you'll enjoy tonight!"
He brushed Wulin's hair again before telling them all to freshen up.
That evening, in central Donghai City, they arrived at a luxurious villa—the residence of the Xie family.
"Brother Tianhai, apologies for keeping you waiting," said Tang Ziran as he ushered his family forward.
A middle-aged man greeted them at the entrance. His entire presence gave off the aura of wealth and influence. Dignified yet approachable, he looked to be in his forties, and a well-toned body underlined his background as both a martial soul master and mecha expert.
Standing beside him, half-hidden in the shadow of the door, was a young boy about Tang Wulin's age. His cultivation had already reached level eighteen. His innate talent was impressive.
"Level… eighteen?"
Tang Luochuan couldn't help but stiffen at the energy radiating from the boy. His expression twitched as though he'd just realized something. Eighteen. Of all levels, it had to be eighteen!
Back when Ziran first mentioned that the family they would be meeting was surnamed Xie, Luochuan had already felt a spark of suspicion tug at him. Now there could be no doubt…
"It can't be…"
The thought made his heart pound strangely. Could this really be—?
"Brother Tang!"
The Xie patriarch broke into a wide smile. "Please come in, please. Children, welcome. Xie Xie, this is your Uncle Tang. Give your greeting."
So that was it. This man was Xie Tianhai, head of the Xie family, a clan renowned in Donghai for their mastery of mecha production. His family lineage even included a Super Douluo. His story with Ziran went back more than a decade, when the two of them—young, ambitious mecha masters—had crossed paths while traveling across the Xingluo Continent. They had hit it off immediately, but circumstances had separated them until, three years ago, fate had reunited them at the Talent Management Center.
"…As expected."
Luochuan closed his eyes with a slow sigh. Sure enough, the boy before him was none other than Xie Xie.
Not "thank you," but the very Xie Xie written into destiny!
"I never thought Dad's friend…" Luochuan mused inwardly, "…would turn out to be his father—the patriarch of the Xie family. What a small world."
If he had known this sooner, he thought bitterly, why would the story have needed that long detour through the distant Xingluo Continent?
"Hello, Uncle Tang."
Xie Xie finally spoke, his tone barely polite, his eyes reflecting impatience. He clearly wasn't fond of crowded situations, nor overly social.
Ziran responded kindly. "Hello, kids. We hit some traffic along the way. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, what's a little waiting between friends?" Tianhai laughed openly. "It's worth it to welcome you properly, Brother Tang."
His smile widened as he turned toward the younger generation. "These must be Luochuan and Wulin. Fine, fine boys indeed. Xie Xie, these brothers are both geniuses. You'll soon all be studying together at Donghai College. Make sure you get along."
There was an unmistakable gleam of pride in his gaze.
Xie Tianhai had heard about Ziran's sons far too many times not to be curious. Luochuan, for example, had awakened with full innate soul power. Wulin, though younger, had outstanding determination. They were anything but ordinary.
"Geniuses, huh?"
At that word, Xie Xie tilted his head, interest flashing in his eyes for just a second. But just as quickly, he dismissed it with a disdainful snort.
He couldn't sense Luochuan's exact cultivation, but he knew the elder brother was strong. The younger one, however…
Tang Wulin. Soul power level twelve. Just twelve!
For Xie Xie, already level eighteen at the same age, the word "genius" hardly applied.
"Hmph. Genius? I don't think so," he sneered under his breath. "Even garbage shines if you polish it."
The adults carried on, oblivious to the sparks of rivalry igniting between the children.
"Brother Tang, you'll be settling here permanently, then?" Tianhai asked with genuine warmth.
"Exactly," Ziran replied lightly. "With both kids enrolled here, it makes sense for us. And as for work, well… I'll be relying on your help, Brother Tianhai."
"Oh, nonsense!" Tianhai waved a hand. "With your skill, you ought to be honored anywhere you went, even in Tiandou City. For Donghai to receive you—it's Donghai that's fortunate! It's unfair that you and your wife haven't already been recognized more widely."
As he spoke, a memory rose in his mind. When he had first met Ziran and Lang Yue in their twenties, they had already been incredible—seventh-level mecha makers in both design and craft. Now, not yet forty, they had advanced to eighth level. Such progress marked them as rare, extraordinary talents destined for greatness.
But Tang Ziran only shook his head, smiling calmly. "I don't chase big dreams anymore. All I want is for my children to be safe, to grow strong, and to live fulfilling lives."
His gaze softened as he looked at his two boys. Truly, nothing else mattered.
Still, when talk turned to Donghai College, his eyes lit up. "I heard… among the new teachers, there's one who came from—"
His voice trembled with excitement.
"The Inner Court," Tianhai confirmed, his tone carrying great weight.
Just hearing the words made Ziran shiver with awe. Shrek Academy's Inner Court.
Everyone knew: anyone who earned a place there would one day grow to become a Titled Douluo at minimum. And a Shrek Titled Douluo was no ordinary Titled Douluo—they meant the might of a Three-Character Battle Armor Master.
Such a person's potential… was immeasurable.
And such a person had come here. To Donghai.