Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

Wang Jinxi did not straighten up immediately.

Two tears fell to the ground, spreading into tiny, dark stains.

No one spoke in the classroom.

As he himself said, Tang Wulin's influence on him was not limited to the time they cultivated together.

For the past two days, he has been deliberately avoiding Tang Wulin.

We no longer meditated together, no longer sat too close, and returned to our dorms early after training. But once the distance was truly created, the impact became even clearer.

I can't fall asleep at night.

Difficulty concentrating during meditation.

The Bone Dragon King's martial soul seemed to have lost some familiar pull, restless and uneasy within its meridians. Although its soul power hadn't regressed, its cultivation speed was slower than before, and even its breathing had lost its former rhythm.

Wang Jinxi then realized that Tang Wulin's bloodline had unknowingly seeped into his cultivation habits.

During joint meditation, it will work together to harness the power of the Bone Dragon King.

During battle, it will suppress the restlessness deep within the martial spirit.

Even when facing the Human-Faced Demon Spider, Tang Wulin standing in front of him gave him an inexplicable sense of security.

That feeling wasn't bad.

On the contrary, that's great.

It was precisely because it was so good that Wang Jinxi felt afraid.

If he continues to cultivate like this, the Bone Dragon King may become stronger and stronger.

But will he become more and more dependent on Tang Wulin?

One day, when Tang Wulin's soul power catches up with him, or even far surpasses him, will this influence turn from attraction into true domination?

At that time, will the judgments he makes and the courage he generates still belong to him, or will it simply be an instinctive pursuit of a higher level of bloodline?

He didn't want to one day stand beside Tang Wulin, unable to distinguish whether he was a partner or some kind of entity subordinate to him.

Wang Jinxi is not very old.

But in the past few days, he has thought these issues very clearly.

So he had to leave.

It's not just for Zhang Yangzi.

Also for myself.

"The Golden Seal!"

Zhang Yangzi suddenly stood up from his seat.

The chair legs scraped against the ground, making a sharp, soft sound.

He rushed to Wang Jinxi, opened his arms, and hugged him tightly.

The tears I had been holding back finally fell.

"You bastard."

Zhang Yangzi's voice was choked with sobs.

"Why weren't you told me about something this important beforehand?"

Wang Jinxi slowly straightened up without struggling.

"If I tell you, will you still let me leave?"

"I……"

Zhang Yangzi opened his mouth, but couldn't answer.

He hasn't been sleeping well these past two days either.

For Wang Jinxi, losing his Martial Soul Fusion Skill was simply a choice between two paths.

For him, it felt more like suddenly losing the most important part of his future.

The Dark Phantom Eagle possesses the attributes of flight, speed, and darkness.

On its own, it can already be considered an excellent martial soul.

What truly made him a genius in the eyes of his family and academy was the fusion of his martial soul with Wang Jinxi.

Even without the Dark Eagle Dragon, he can still cultivate.

However, it is difficult for them to regain the potential that far surpasses that of their peers in the past.

Zhang Yangzi was afraid.

They feared that Wang Jinxi would ultimately choose a stronger bloodline evolution.

I'm also afraid that because of that fear, I might actually resent this childhood friend.

So he has spoken very little these past two days.

They didn't even dare to ask Wang Jinxi about his decision.

Now, the answer is finally before us.

Wang Jinxi abandoned an unknown path that belonged to him.

Zhang Yangzi felt no sense of relief after the victory.

There was only one kind of sourness that left one speechless.

He hugged her tighter.

"If you leave, of course I'll leave too."

Wang Jinxi smiled.

"I knew it."

Wu Changkong stood beside the podium, his expression remaining calm.

Xie Xie noticed a faint hint of sadness flash across his eyes.

Class Zero was established in less than a semester.

Of the original five people, two are now leaving.

Wu Changkong was silent for a moment, then said, "Since you have made your decision, I will explain the situation to the academy."

"Transfer procedures and resource compensation will be discussed between your family and the college."

"You don't need to be distracted by these things anymore."

Wang Jinxi said softly, "Thank you, Teacher Wu."

Zhang Yangzi also let go and wiped his face.

Wu Changkong looked at them.

Are you still taking the final exam today?

Wang Jinxi shook his head with a wry smile.

"sorry."

"Given our current condition, Yangzi and I are probably unable to participate."

He turned to look at Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue.

"You three need to keep it up."

"Don't let us affect your exams."

Xie Xie turned his face away and did not respond.

Gu Yue remained standing in the same spot, her expression unchanged, except that the fingers hanging at her sides curled slightly.

Wang Jinxi looked at Tang Wulin.

"We'll meet again in the future."

"Next time we meet, we might be rivals."

As he spoke, he clenched his fist and stretched it out towards Tang Wulin.

"We won't stay behind you forever."

Tang Wulin looked at that hand, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

He stepped forward, but did not bump fists with Wang Jinxi.

Instead, he opened his arms and hugged Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi together.

The three people bumped into each other.

No one spoke again.

Tang Wulin originally thought that he should at least say something to persuade him to stay.

In the end, all he did was hold them tightly.

People who have already decided to leave don't need a word of pleading to stay, said just to ease their own sadness.

Wang Jinxi wants to rediscover his own path of cultivation.

Zhang Yangzi wanted to go with him.

All he could do was remember that they were still partners.

The final exams have been postponed to tomorrow.

Wu Changkong left these words behind, turned around, and walked out of the classroom.

The white figure quickly disappeared outside the door.

The three stood in the classroom for a while before slowly separating.

Zhang Yangzi's eyes were red, but she managed to force back a smile like she used to.

"Alright."

"It's not like we'll never see each other again."

"Once Jinxi and I master an even more powerful fusion technique, we'll come back and beat you all up."

Xie Xie said, "Let's clean you up first."

Zhang Yangzi glared at him.

"You wait."

"I've got it."

This familiar banter didn't really lighten the mood.

But at least, several of them smiled.

……

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi started packing their things that very day.

They didn't bring much.

Several sets of academy uniforms, cultivation supplies, some soul guidance equipment, and the Thousand-Refined Cloud Titanium Vests that Tang Wulin had made for them.

Those two vests had already sustained considerable damage during the riotous Ascension Platform.

Wang Jinxi folded his vest neatly and put it into the box.

Zhang Yangzi glanced at it.

"Take this with you too?"

Wang Jinxi said, "Of course."

"broken."

"It can be repaired."

Zhang Yangzi didn't say anything more, and folded up his own piece, placing it on top.

Before leaving the dormitory, the two took one last look at the room.

The beds were still there.

On the desk, there's still the route map they drew during their training sessions. There's a shallow dent in the corner, from when Zhang Yangzi first spread his Eagle Wings in the dormitory.

No one mentioned it.

Zhang Yangzi shouldered her luggage.

Wang Jinxi closed the door.

They did not send anyone else out of the college.

When he got downstairs, he turned around and waved to the three people standing at the dormitory entrance.

Zhang Yangzi shouted, "Don't forget about us!"

Xie Xie replied, "Stop talking nonsense and get going!"

Wang Jinxi smiled.

Then, the two figures gradually walked away.

There was no turning back.

Tang Wulin stood there until they could no longer be seen.

He didn't know what kind of agreement the Wang family and the academy had ultimately reached.

I don't know where they'll go next.

All he knew was that, starting today, there were only three people left in Class Zero.

Wei Xiaofeng left at the beginning.

Now Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi have also left.

This doesn't seem to be the first time he's stood still, watching the people around him walk away.

Father and mother left Aolai City.

Na'er also disappeared silently one morning.

Tang Wulin once thought that as long as he worked hard enough and became strong enough, he could keep the people he wanted to stay by his side.

But now I realize that some departures weren't because he wasn't strong enough.

It was precisely because of the power within him.

……

In the afternoon, Tang Wulin sat alone by the dormitory window.

People are training on the playground.

Commands, footsteps, and occasional laughter drifted intermittently from a distance.

Everything was the same as usual.

The room was much quieter than before.

Tang Wulin looked down at his right hand.

This hand once wielded the Sinking Star Hammer to shield its companions.

It also once clashed head-on with the Golden Dragon Claw and the Dark Gold Terror Claw.

He always believed that power was for protecting those around him.

But unexpectedly, it also pushes people away without them even realizing it.

Tang Wulin slowly clenched his fist.

He knew Wang Jinxi was right.

This is no one's fault.

Knowing something is one thing, but being able to let it go in your heart is another.

The wind blew in from outside the window.

He sat by the window for a long time.

Sometimes they see two tears falling from Wang Jinxi's eyes as he bends down, and sometimes they see Zhang Yangzi waving his hand, reminding them not to forget what they look like.

Later, these images gradually overlapped with earlier memories.

The father stood outside the door, dragging his suitcase.

His mother looked at him one last time before turning away.

The empty bed left by Na'er.

Tang Wulin suddenly felt homesick.

That home where no one is waiting for him anymore.

"Why!"

"Why sit so high?"

A familiar voice came from the playground.

Tang Wulin lowered his head.

Ouyang Zixin, dressed in her school uniform, stood downstairs, looking up at him.

Sunlight fell on her long hair, and the ends swayed gently in the wind.

She waved to Tang Wulin.

"Senior."

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment.

Ouyang Zixin glanced at him a few times, then suddenly laughed, "How old are you? Still hiding by the window crying?"

Tang Wulin subconsciously touched his face.

My fingertips felt damp.

He then realized that, without realizing it, tears were already streaming down his cheeks.

Tang Wulin quickly wiped it off with his sleeve.

"I didn't cry."

"Um."

Ouyang Zixin nodded.

"It's just that my eyes are leaking water on their own."

Tang Wulin was somewhat embarrassed and lowered his head, unsure of how to explain.

Ouyang Zixin waved to him.

"Get down."

"oh."

Tang Wulin glanced at the dormitory door and ultimately decided not to take the long way around by climbing the stairs.

He braced himself against the windowsill with both hands, then flipped over and jumped out.

The height of a four-story building is extremely dangerous for ordinary people.

During his descent, Tang Wulin reached out and grabbed a metal decorative frame protruding from the exterior wall, using his arm to dissipate most of the momentum. Then, he lightly touched the second-floor window sill with his toes, changing his landing point once again.

When he finally landed, his legs were slightly bent.

"Bang."

A soft thud came from the ground.

Ouyang Zixin took a half step back, looked up at the fourth-floor window, and then looked at him.

"Now you've even learned to show off?"

Tang Wulin scratched his head.

"I'm just too lazy to go up the stairs."

"There are quite a few reasons."

Ouyang Zixin smiled and didn't continue to tease him.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you have a fight with your classmate?"

Tang Wulin shook his head.

"no."

"Two students are transferring schools."

He paused for a moment.

"They are my teammates too."

Ouyang Zixin gave a soft "Oh".

They didn't immediately offer comforting words like "we'll meet again someday."

She only stood next to Tang Wulin for a short while.

The wind blowing across the playground carried the scent of grass that had been dried in the sun.

After a moment, she said, "Being sad is okay, just be sad for a while."

"It's always sad when a friend leaves."

Tang Wulin turned to look at her.

Ouyang Zixin reached out and ruffled his hair.

"However, one cannot stay in the place where others leave forever."

"They have their own path."

"You have one too."

She withdrew her hand and gestured with her chin toward the college entrance.

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

"I'll take you out to eat."

"When you're feeling down, eating a good meal is better than sitting alone by the window."

Tang Wulin hesitated, "But this afternoon..."

"Isn't there no exam today?"

"The dance teacher didn't say you weren't allowed to eat."

Ouyang Zixin naturally took his wrist and led him out of the academy.

Her hands were warm.

Tang Wulin followed beside him without saying another word.

The heavy feeling in my chest didn't disappear immediately.

It just seemed as if someone was gently supporting it a little.

"I'll take you to eat barbecue skewers."

Ouyang Zixin said, "The grilled fish at that shop up ahead is also pretty good."

"real?"

Tang Wulin's eyes finally brightened a little.

Ouyang Zixin didn't notice the change in his tone and nodded with a smile.

"Eat whatever you want today."

Half an hour later, she began to regret saying those words.

The table in the small shop was already piled high with bamboo skewers.

The grilled fish was reduced to a complete skeleton, with several empty plates placed beside it.

Tang Wulin put another skewer of grilled meat into his mouth, his movements as natural as if he had just started eating.

The guests at the next table turned their heads from time to time.

Someone was looking at the bamboo skewers on the table.

Some people think Tang Wulin isn't particularly tall.

Some people even began to suspect that the restaurant had piled up the leftover bamboo skewers from several other tables here.

Ouyang Zixin rested her chin on her hands, her eyes having gone from initial surprise to numbness.

"Junior student."

"Um?"

"Your sister is here to comfort you."

"I know."

"I didn't ask you to take revenge on me."

Tang Wulin swallowed the meat in his mouth and looked at her in confusion.

Ouyang Zixin pointed to the table.

"You've eaten up almost a week's worth of my food money."

Tang Wulin's movements immediately stopped.

He glanced at the mountain of bamboo skewers and realized that he had indeed eaten more than usual today.

When he saw Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi off in the morning, he had no appetite and ate almost nothing.

After relaxing a little, the emptiness seemed to return all at once.

"I'm sorry, senior."

Tang Wulin hurriedly reached for his money pouch.

"I'll pay today."

"It should have been the guy who paid."

Ouyang Zixin raised her hand and gently tapped him on the head.

"What boy?"

"How old are you?"

Tang Wulin covered his head.

"I'm not a child anymore."

"That's right here with me."

Ouyang Zixin pressed his hand back down.

"What kind of older sister invites her younger brother to dinner, only to have him pay in the end?"

She looked at the bamboo skewers on the table and sighed.

"Eat."

"Anyway, after you eat me out of house and home, I'll just stay at the college cafeteria for a few days."

Tang Wulin said embarrassedly, "How about I do it? I can make money from forging."

"If you say that again, you're not allowed to eat."

Tang Wulin immediately withdrew his hand.

Ouyang Zixin couldn't help but laugh.

"You wouldn't happen to be that infamous glutton from the junior division, would you?"

"I heard that when they first saw you eating in the college cafeteria, even the teacher in charge of serving food was scared."

Tang Wulin lowered his head.

"It seems... to be me."

"It really is you?"

Ouyang Zixin covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"You can eat so much, who will take care of you in the future? Just cooking for you will be exhausting."

Tang Wulin thought about it seriously.

"I can do it myself."

"Can you?"

"Won't."

Ouyang Zixin laughed even harder.

Tang Wulin finally smiled too.

Just then, a voice came from not far away.

"Zi Xin".

The sound wasn't loud.

Ouyang Zixin's smile faltered slightly upon hearing it.