As the master of the Douluo Dimension and father of the God King Tang San, Tang Hao was deeply dissatisfied with his eldest grandson, Tang Wulin.
As the grandson of Tang Hao and son of Tang San, it was one thing for him to lack in cultivation, but how could his interpersonal skills be so lacking too? He completely lacked his father's charisma—what an embarrassment!
"Little San once told me not to interfere with your growth, but you're simply too disappointing. As a member of our Tang family, you're already eighteen or nineteen years old, yet you're still just a mere Soul Grandmaster. This simply won't do!" Tang Hao murmured, his eyes lowered as he gazed at Tang Wulin. "It seems you need a little push—to show these mortals exactly who they should be paying attention to!"
Ripples formed in the void as the Golden Tree on Sea God Island swayed gently.
Over Sea God Lake, the Predestined Three Lifetimes segment concluded smoothly, and the final phase of the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event was about to begin.
"Excellent, all Sea God Fairies have made their choices. Now, please return to your original positions as we prepare for the fifth segment," Lan Muzi clapped his hands with a smile. "Your selections have already been recorded, so there's no need to worry."
"That's right," Tang Yinmeng added cheerfully. "Next up is the final segment of our Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event—the Harmonious Union!
According to the rules, the power of choice returns to the male participants in this segment. The final decision rests with you. If you choose the Sea God Fairy who selected you during the Predestined Three Lifetimes segment, then congratulations—you've successfully matched! We'll offer you our most beautiful blessings.
Additionally, the Sea God Fairies who made their choices will have thirty seconds for self-expression. You may confess your feelings or explain your choice to your selected male participant. This is especially crucial for those facing competition—it's your best chance to change the outcome!
If a male participant chooses a fairy who didn't select him, that fairy will have one minute to make her case. But be warned—if the fairy you choose didn't pick you, your chances of failure are quite high. In previous events, the failure rate exceeded eighty percent."
After Tang Yinmeng finished, Lan Muzi continued, "There's also an additional rule I'm sure you're all aware of. Successfully matching in the Harmonious Union segment doesn't guarantee a perfect ending—because before you reach the shore of Sea God Lake, other participants may attempt to steal your match! So do be careful!
Alright, everyone, please prepare yourselves. The Harmonious Union segment will begin shortly!"
As the rules were announced, the men and women on the lake displayed varied reactions. Jing Shaoyu had no attention to spare for others—he could barely handle his own predicament. With the power of choice back in his hands, he felt like he was being roasted over flames!
He had already prepared himself for a plunge into the water.
"We'll still determine the order by drawing lots," Lan Muzi announced, pulling out a wooden stick. "The first to step forward is Zhong Yu. Oh, excellent! I didn't expect the first pair to emerge so quickly. It seems we can congratulate them in advance—unless someone intends to challenge the match?"
The male students all shook their heads, and under the watchful eyes of his fellow disciples, Zhong Yu propelled his lotus leaf to the front of the male contingent.
Zhong Yu was a decent-looking, somewhat earnest young man around thirty years old, with an unassuming demeanor. His face was a mix of excitement, joy, and nervousness. He was the one chosen by Ding Xiaoling and stood among the top talents of the Inner Academy's male students. He had also been part of the earlier conversation with Jing Shaoyu and Lan Muzi.
"Junior Zhong Yu, please announce your choice," Tang Yinmeng said with a smile.
"From the moment she chose me, my decision was already made. I choose Ding Xiaoling," Zhong Yu replied, his voice brimming with sincerity.
Ding Xiaoling smiled as her lotus leaf drifted forward, gradually closing the distance to Zhong Yu. "I will be a worthy wife."
"And I will be a responsible husband," Zhong Yu responded.
As their lotus leaves merged, they stood together on a single leaf, symbolizing their Harmonious Union.
"Excellent! I hereby declare the first successful match of this year's Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event—Ding Xiaoling and Zhong Yu! Congratulations! May you receive Poseidon's blessing, the Academy's felicitations, and the well-wishes of your mentors and peers. May your bond last three lifetimes and your union be harmonious!" Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng proclaimed in unison.
As their voices faded, specks of starlight rose from the shores of Sea God Lake, soaring into the sky before exploding into dazzling fireworks, creating a dreamlike spectacle.
"Thank you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister!" Zhong Yu and Ding Xiaoling clasped each other's hands and spoke in unison to Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng.
Then, they guided their lotus leaf toward the shore. Naturally, no one challenged the match—not only were Zhong Yu and Ding Xiaoling well-liked in the Inner Academy, but their combined strength alone deterred most from even considering it.
After all, challenging a match required the confidence to win. Otherwise, one might end up beaten to a pulp without succeeding, becoming nothing more than a laughingstock.
"Let us once again congratulate Zhong Yu and Ding Xiaoling!" Lan Muzi called out cheerfully. "Now, let us welcome the next male participant—Tang Wulin!"
Tang Wulin immediately propelled his lotus leaf to the front of the line. Beaming, he nodded at Lan Muzi before turning his gaze toward the female contingent. "I choose Zheng Yiran."
Upon hearing his answer, Zheng Yiran's face blossomed into a radiant smile as she guided her lotus leaf toward him.
Meanwhile, within the Golden Tree, Tang Hao frowned slightly upon seeing Zheng Yiran. "The Jade Scale Serpent? Barely acceptable."
He withdrew his gaze and turned toward the Golden Tree Spirit behind him, his voice commanding. "Prepare yourself. Bestowing blessings upon the son of a Divine King is an honor for you!"
"Of course!" Jin Lao replied reverently, his face filled with submission and devotion, his eyes burning with fervor. He retreated slowly, his form dissolving into motes of golden light that merged into the Golden Tree. Unnoticed by Tang Hao, however, was the icy, resentful glare in Jin Lao's eyes just before he vanished.
On the Sea God Lake, Tang Wulin and Zheng Yiran's "Harmonious Union" was not going smoothly, as someone was attempting to steal the bride.
"Wulin, I know I can't take Yiran away from you, but I can't just stand by and watch you take the one I love. So..." Yang Nianxia looked at Tang Wulin and Zheng Yiran with a bitter expression, his voice low, "I challenge you. If you want to take Yiran away, you'll have to defeat me first!"
"Yang—" Zheng Yiran's face showed urgency as she was about to scold Yang Nianxia and tell him to step aside, but Tang Wulin stopped her.
"I understand how you feel, Nianxia, but I will never give up my own happiness either!" Tang Wulin declared solemnly. "Since you want to fight, then come at me. I'll prove with my strength that I can give Yiran a happy future!"
The spectators on the shore, never ones to shy away from drama, began chanting, "Steal the bride! Steal the bride! Steal the bride!"
Among the male students, Xu Yu Cheng, Luo Guixing, and Xie Xie watched helplessly as Tang Wulin and Yang Nianxia prepared to fight over Zheng Yiran, exchanging wry smiles.
Tang Wulin and Yang Nianxia stood facing each other, about a hundred meters apart, while Zheng Yiran was asked to return to the group, watching them nervously.
"Roar—" A deafening roar sent ripples across the lake as Yang Nianxia activated his Martial Soul Avatar. His body swelled dramatically, his fierce aura surging. Five purple Soul Rings shimmered above his head, his body covered in dark golden fur, and his massive bear claws gleamed menacingly. "Come on, Wulin! I won't hold back!"
"Just what I wanted!" Tang Wulin shouted. Dark blue vines surged from behind him as three purple and one black Soul Rings glowed with profound light. Simultaneously, his hands transformed into golden dragon claws, his entire demeanor shifting into something ferocious and explosive.
With the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul and the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, it was clear Tang Wilin was taking this duel seriously.
Just as everyone was anticipating the battle, an unexpected event occurred.
The water beneath Tang Wulin suddenly churned violently, and the Heaven and Earth Essence on the lake's surface erupted into turmoil. Most strikingly, the Golden Tree at the center of Sea God Island began to sway, its entire form bathed in golden light.
This sudden anomaly immediately alarmed and shocked the Elders aboard the Tower Ship.
"What's happening? Why is the Golden Tree acting up so suddenly?" The Elders all stood up, Cai Yue'er exclaimed in confusion, instinctively looking toward Yun Ming.
Yun Ming also wore a look of astonishment but remained calmer. His sharp gaze swept the surroundings and quickly locked onto the source of the disturbance—Tang Wulin on the Sea God Lake.
It was impossible to miss. Tang Wulin was now radiating a blue-gold light, resonating with the Golden Tree's glow. The surrounding Heaven and Earth Essence and life force surged toward him like a tidal wave, and his cultivation skyrocketed, breaking through to the Soul King realm in an instant.
Jing Shaoyu observed the scene with a grave expression, his mind racing with concern. He could sense the abnormality in the surrounding natural energy—it was converging toward Tang Wulin in an almost violent manner, as if intent on reshaping him entirely with its power.
He hadn't expected that Tang Wulin being blessed as the Child of Nature would still happen. Could it be that Jin Lao had completely fallen? A glimmer of hope and worry flashed in Jing Shaoyu's eyes as he immediately attempted to communicate with the Golden Tree.
No response.
Jing Shaoyu could now almost confirm that Jin Lao might already be in grave danger. He didn't dare try to contact it again, uncertain whether Tang Hao or the Blue Silver Empress were currently within the Golden Tree. If they caught wind of his actions, it would truly become a nightmare.
At this moment, everyone's attention was drawn to Tang Wulin, as Tang Hao had never intended to hide this matter. He wanted to establish Tang Wulin's status and authority in Shrek Academy through the Golden Tree's blessing. What would be the point of keeping it secret?
Yang Nianxia, being the closest to Tang Wulin, was enveloped in immense pressure. The force bent his knees and spine, making it impossible for him to raise his head and look directly at Tang Wulin, filling his heart with endless frustration.
The boys and girls on the lake surface all turned their gazes toward Tang Wulin, their expressions varied—confusion, curiosity, surprise, tension, worry, and more. Gu Yue and Na'er were also staring at Tang Wulin, though their gazes were far simpler, filled only with hatred.
The Elders of the Sea God Pavilion, led by Yun Ming, refrained from acting rashly. In their eyes, this was the Golden Tree's doing, and the Golden Tree's significance to Shrek Academy was undeniable. Even if they didn't understand its intentions, they could only watch and wait. However, Yun Ming was prepared to act at any moment. Once the anomaly ended, he would immediately seize Tang Wulin to question him.
The Golden Tree was far too important to Shrek Academy.
At this moment, Tang Wulin's body gradually rose from the lotus leaf, floating in midair. Behind him loomed the massive phantom of the Blue Silver Emperor, radiating a faint blue-silver glow. Before him stood a towering golden tree—the phantom of the Golden Tree—emitting blazing golden light.
When these two phantoms appeared, the life energy over the entire Sea God Lake surged to a terrifying level, to the point where even a single breath could extend one's lifespan.
A sense of foreboding rose in Jing Shaoyu's heart. These weren't the signs of a Child of Nature's blessing. Could it be...? He thought of a terrifying possibility but immediately shook his head in denial. "No, it's best not to think that way. This might just backfire horribly."
As his mind wavered between doubt and fear, the phantoms of the Blue Silver Emperor and the Golden Tree began merging within Tang Wulin. An unprecedented surge of Soul Power erupted from his body, his form flickering between gold and blue in an eerie display.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the two phantoms fully fused into one before vanishing abruptly. In their place stood a green-gold figure, its form hazy but still vaguely resembling Tang Wulin. Behind it loomed a massive halo of light, resembling a God Ring.
A green-gold Soul Ring quietly appeared beside Tang Wulin's four existing Soul Rings.
Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao nodded in satisfaction, feeling that everything was proceeding perfectly. However, just as he was about to command the Golden Tree to end it all, the natural energy pouring from the tree grew increasingly abundant and overwhelming.
Tang Hao failed to recognize the severity of the situation, assuming the Golden Tree was merely submitting to him in reverence—until he saw the pained expression on Tang Wulin's face and noticed a gradually solidifying golden dragon apparition forming above the head of the green-golden phantom behind him.
"Damn beast, stop this at once!" His expression darkened as he roared furiously.
But it was already too late.
A terrifying aura spread across the Sea God Lake, causing the surrounding students to pale and retreat hastily from Tang Wulin. As elite students of Shrek Academy, they keenly sensed the impending danger.
Jing Shaoyu's heart clenched at the sight of the golden dragon apparition behind Tang Wulin. He hadn't expected Jin Lao to make such a desperate decision, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
Gu Yue stared wide-eyed at the golden dragon apparition, her instincts screaming at her to rush forward and devour the overflowing golden energy from Tang Wulin. Yet, a sliver of rationality remained—she knew full well that in her current state, she stood no chance of subduing the berserk Golden Dragon King Bloodline and essence.
Moreover, Tang Wulin still carried Tang San's contingency plan, making it even more imperative that she not act rashly.
Crack!
A crisp shattering sound pierced the air, and in that moment, the world fell into absolute silence, amplifying the clarity of the sound. The golden dragon apparition behind Tang Wulin grew even more corporeal, its maw gaping wide as it devoured the green-golden Godly Appearance and God Ring in one savage bite, its ferocity laid bare.
After consuming the Godly Appearance and God Ring, the dragon apparition plunged back into Tang Wulin's body.
In the next instant, a colossal golden dragon erupted from Tang Wulin, unleashing an earth-shaking roar that reverberated through the heavens.
The God King Seal—had shattered!
The Golden Dragon King—had awakened!