Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

Mang Tian simply held Tang Wulin's shoulder firmly, without offering any further advice.

At times like these, any words of comfort seem inadequate. Letting him completely release his pent-up emotions through tears is actually the best approach.

It's unclear how much time passed before Tang Wulin's crying gradually subsided.

He kept his head down, clutching the letter tightly in his hand, reading it over and over again. But every time he saw the last sentence, "Dad, Mom love you," tears would still uncontrollably stream down his face.

Dad is gone.

Mom is gone too.

Na'er is long gone.

The home he had always wanted to return to suddenly seemed empty.

"Do you want to find them?"

Mang Tian's voice slowly echoed in the quiet studio.

Tang Wulin raised his head, his eyes blurred with tears, and looked at his teacher.

Mang Tian looked at him and said, "If you want to find them, you yourself must first be strong enough. Since your father was able to be taken away by that kind of force, it means that he has value that the other party needs. But precisely because of this, in the short term, there is no need to worry too much about his and your mother's safety."

"The real problem is, you're too weak."

"The forces that could bring your father back to that path are no ordinary powers. You don't even know where they are now, and even if you did, what could you do?"

Tang Wulin stared at him blankly, his lips trembling.

Mang Tian's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a hammer, striking his heart again and again.

"If you want to find them, first make yourself stronger."

"Strong enough to be qualified to walk over there, strong enough to be qualified to stand in front of them, strong enough that no one can take away the people around you."

Tang Wulin's eyes were still wet with tears, but something slowly condensed deep within those tears.

"teacher."

His voice was still hoarse, but very strong.

"I want to become stronger."

Mang Tian looked at him, said nothing more, and simply nodded slightly.

Tang Wulin was ultimately strong.

After he had completely released his emotions, although he was still upset, his chest no longer felt as tight and painful as before. However, that empty feeling still lingered deep in his chest and wouldn't go away no matter what he did.

Mang Tian then explained to him in detail the key points of the Thousand Forging Technique and the details to pay attention to during the assessment before turning to leave.

Tang Wulin also returned to the academy with the two cards.

One is an identity card.

The other one was a bank card left to him by his father.

Inside, there was a full one million federal dollars.

In addition to the savings he has made through forging during this period, his total assets now exceed 1.3 million.

If it's just to buy a hundred-year-old spirit, this amount of money is already quite considerable.

But now, for him, the most important thing is no longer the soul.

Most importantly, before the age of ten, one must break the first seal and survive.

……

During dinner, Xie Xie and Gu Yue noticed almost simultaneously that Tang Wulin was acting strangely.

Although his dark circles had long since returned to normal, his overall demeanor was noticeably somber, especially the dullness in his eyes and the barely concealed sadness, which was quite different from usual.

"Wu Lin, what's wrong?" Xie Xie couldn't help but ask.

Gu Yue also put down her chopsticks and looked at him.

Tang Wulin shook his head.

"I'm fine."

He paused, as if trying to change the subject, and asked, "By the way, how did it go with your inquiries about Class One today?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xie and Gu Yue exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious.

Xie Xie said in a deep voice, "We're in trouble."

Tang Wulin's heart tightened slightly.

He knew Xie Xie's personality all too well. For this guy to actually say the word "trouble," the problem was probably more serious than he had imagined.

"What happened?" he asked immediately.

Xie Xie took a breath and said, "Our Class One is known as the strongest freshman class in Donghai Academy in a hundred years. No wonder Director Long didn't even blink when he threw me into Class Five."

The strongest freshman class?

Tang Wulin frowned and asked, "How strong are they? Do they really have three two-ring experts in their class?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Xie and Gu Yue looked up at him almost simultaneously.

"How did you know?" they both asked in unison.

Tang Wulin was also stunned.

"No way... there really are three two-ring structures?"

Gu Yue nodded slowly.

"Absolutely genuine. That Wei Xiaofeng today wasn't even the strongest of the three."

As she spoke, her tone became several degrees more subdued than usual.

"I now even suspect that the reason Teacher Wu made the three of us fight together was because she knew that there would be three people in Class One."

Xie Xie added, "This battle will not be easy."

Tang Wulin remained silent.

Three two-ring structures.

This is no longer as simple as just being "strong".

It's important to know that among the three of them, Xie Xie is closest to level 20, and Gu Yue's elementalist skills are extremely unique. However, in the end, they are all still only at the first level.

The difference between the first and second rings is never just one soul ring.

That's a qualitative difference.

When they faced the Light Dragon, the three of them had already done their best, and they even had to draw upon the golden scale power within their bodies to barely turn the tide.

But now, they are about to face three true Great Soul Master level opponents.

How do you fight an opponent like that?

Gu Yue continued, "Furthermore, the academy changed the rules of the promotion tournament today. Starting with this year, the promotion tournament for each grade will only be held within that grade, and cross-grade challenges will no longer be allowed."

Tang Wulin was taken aback: "Why?"

"It's obviously because of Class One," Gu Yue said calmly. "The academy is afraid that if they continue to push upwards, it will have too much of an impact. Class One currently has the strongest teaching staff in the entire grade. There are even rumors that the academy is considering letting them skip a grade."

The cafeteria fell silent for a moment.

Tang Wulin looked down at the food in front of him and, for the first time, felt he had no appetite.

He initially thought the three of them were getting along better and better. But in the face of a true genius, is this understanding and effort really enough?

The expressions on Gu Yue's and Xie Xie's faces said it all.

Even the two of them, whose initial confidence had begun to waver.

And what about yourself?

Tang Wulin suddenly felt a heavy sense of powerlessness.

In this team, Xie Xie is fast enough, Gu Yue is strong enough, but he himself seems to be the weakest link.

If you can't even stand on your own two feet, how can you lead them forward?

Just then, the loudspeaker above the cafeteria suddenly blared.

"Attention teachers and students, please pay attention. We are about to announce an urgent notice."

The voice on the radio was much more serious than usual.

"According to the latest notification from the meteorological department, a strong tropical storm will make landfall in Donghai City from the sea tonight. This typhoon is expected to last for more than a week. For your safety, starting tonight, all students are requested to stay at the academy as much as possible. Classes are suspended. Please remain in your dormitories and await further instructions."

The broadcast paused briefly.

"The promotion matches are suspended and will resume after the typhoon passes."

Typhoon?

The three of them were taken aback at the same time.

What really bothered them was the last sentence.

Promotion match suspended.

This means that they are not going to play against Class 1 of Grade 1 tomorrow.

They have a full week left.

Xie Xie and Gu Yue exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat subtle.

An extra week is definitely a good thing.

At least, they don't have to face those three rings immediately without any preparation.

But the problem is—

What can you do in a week?

Even Xie Xie, who was closest to level 20, could not possibly have reached the second ring in just seven days.

The gap between them and Class 1 is not something that can be easily bridged in a short period of time.

Tang Wulin suddenly stood up.

The movement was so fast that Xie Xie was stunned for a moment.

"Wu Lin, where are you going?" Xie Xie asked hurriedly.

Tang Wulin didn't turn his head, his voice was low, but it conveyed an unprecedented sense of urgency.

"I have some errands to run. The typhoon is coming soon, and there are some things I need to take care of first."

After saying that, he strode out of the cafeteria.

Xie Xie frowned as he watched his retreating figure.

"I have a feeling he's been acting strange these past couple of days. Don't you feel the same way?"

Gu Yue didn't answer immediately, but looked in the direction where Tang Wulin had disappeared, and after a moment said:

"A little."

She withdrew her gaze, but her expression remained calm.

"However, he's much more composed than you. He'll figure things out on his own."

Xie Xie was immediately unconvinced.

"Could you please stop taking it out on me in everything you do?"

Gu Yue glanced at him and said slowly, "No. Who told you to be such a perfect example?"

"you--"

"Arrogant, proud, stubborn, and not strong enough," Gu Yue said calmly. "Wu Lin is different. He's composed, reserved, and has great potential."

Xie Xie stood up abruptly, his voice rising several decibels.

"I don't argue with women—"

His shout was so loud that many female students in the cafeteria immediately looked over.

Xie Xie's expression froze.

The next instant, as if startled, he turned and ran, disappearing in a flash.

Gu Yue watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but purse her lips slightly.

……

At this moment, Tang Wulin had done more than just rush out of the cafeteria.

He rushed straight out of the academy.

The wind lashed his face, making his eyes sting. But his pace didn't slow down at all; in fact, he ran faster and faster.

Because at that moment, only one thought remained in his mind.

I want to become stronger.

If I were strong enough, Na'er wouldn't have left.

If I am strong enough, my parents won't be forced to leave.

If I were strong enough, I wouldn't be standing in the team now, watching my teammates bear the pressure that should have been borne by the captain first.

If I'm strong enough...

He wouldn't have to watch the people he wanted to keep leave again and again.

The wind whistled past my ears.

Tang Wulin gritted his teeth, his eyes gradually hardening.

I want to become stronger.

Immediately. Right away.

At all costs.