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Clear Sky Sect.
The sprawling architecture loomed mysteriously, hidden within the clouds that blanketed the mountain peak. As a clan of natural-born blacksmiths, the Clear Sky Sect held unrivaled authority in construction; their towering pavilions and halls stood with an imposing grandeur.
At the very top of one such building, two burly men gazed down at the rolling sea of clouds. In the distance, an unfathomably deep cliff completely isolated the Clear Sky Sect from the outside world, making it a true paradise beyond mortal reach. The scenery was breathtaking, yet neither man was in the mood to admire it—their faces carried only deep concern.
"Big brother, Xiao Dong must be unhappy now," Er Ming muttered gloomily.
"It was that man's order. Do you dare disobey him?" Da Ming snorted irritably, scratching his head in frustration.
From beginning to end, they had never truly understood what that man intended.
It was as though Wang Dong was nothing more than a tool that could be discarded at will.
But in their eyes, even if Wang Dong was only a broken fragment of a soul torn apart by that man, he was still connected to Xiao Wu by blood. As her uncles, all they could do was watch helplessly.
"He is Xiao Dong's father, after all. Perhaps he has his own reasons," Da Ming sighed heavily. "Even though he stands at the highest position, there must be burdens he cannot speak of. All we can hope for is that once Xiao Dong regains his memories, he will forgive us."
"Regain his memories? By then… will he still be Xiao Dong?" Er Ming muttered in a low voice.
"…Sigh."
…
"Favored by the heavens!"
"Now this is the kind of… cough cough… son-in-law I deserve under my command!"
God Realm.
Before a palace glowing with a majestic light-blue radiance, Tang San gazed at a flickering point of light in the mortal world. That speck shone like a star, bright and distinct, and the joy on his face only grew stronger.
Originally, he had planned to reel in just one Child of Destiny.
But now… he had set his sights on another. Using his daughter as bait might tarnish his glorious, upright image as God King, but aside from Da Ming and Er Ming, no one else would ever know.
"Just Wang Dong alone… is that really enough?"
With his hands clasped behind his back, Tang San narrowed his eyes slightly.
For a boy like Huo Yuhao—starved of love and riddled with inferiority—if given enough companionship and affection early on, he would treasure those childhood bonds dearly. Once the collar was fastened around his neck, it would only tighten over time until he could no longer break free. Later, Tang San could stage his schemes, like the emotional trials in the Valley of Ultimate Love, and with Yuhao's mother's soul already in his grasp, his confidence in success was unshakable.
But Su Wen…
He was not a Child of Destiny, and yet his light shone brighter than a star—an existence far more monstrous than any so-called chosen one. That left Tang San with some unease in his heart.
"Forget it, I'll think about it later."
After a moment of pondering, he shook his head.
His early manipulations across the continent, laying out the path for a Child of Destiny, had already drawn the attention of Destruction. If he moved recklessly again, Su Wen would likely be exposed to the eyes of the other gods.
And if that happened… things would no longer be under his control.
With such a gifted inheritor, most gods would fight to pass down their divine thrones. Even Destruction himself might be tempted.
But when it came to taming dogs, Tang San dared claim that if he was second, then no one else would dare call themselves first!
Since he could not intervene directly, he would temporarily make use of the Clear Sky Sect's hands.
Wang Dong was the perfect bait. Tang San did not believe Su Wen could resist such temptation. And once Wang Dong and Su Wen developed deep feelings for each other, it would be all the easier to manipulate Wang Dong and replicate the schemes he had planned for that other Child of Destiny.
…
Inside the dormitory.
The two of them clasped hands, their soul power slowly circulating.
At once, their soul power began to glow. White, blue, and dark-golden radiance swirled around Su Wen, while gold, blue, and dark-gold shimmered from Wang Dong.
As their energy flowed, a refreshing coolness spread through their bodies.
It felt like the rhythm of life itself—the desolation of ancient earth, the vastness of the wilderness—surging within their hearts. It was a wondrous and comfortable sensation, and Wang Dong's previously tense body gradually relaxed.
"No way?!!"
After a long moment, Wang Dong's face was filled with shock.
"Such a coincidence?"
His gaze toward Su Wen completely changed.
The first requirement of Martial Soul Fusion was complete compatibility between two people's auras. That in turn implied something deeper between them…
According to the continent's records, the handful of pairs capable of Martial Soul Fusion were either siblings sharing blood, or destined lovers.
"Yes, it really is that coincidental."
Su Wen let out a long sigh.
The good news: with Martial Soul Fusion, their cultivation speed would soar.
The bad news: this confirmed that God King Tang now had his eyes locked on him.
This ability truly seemed like a gift crafted by the gods themselves. Otherwise, who could explain how his Gale, Little Gold, and Ice Empress could all perfectly fuse with Wang Dong's three martial souls?
"So… should we train together?"
Seeing Su Wen release his hand and fall silent, Wang Dong hesitated before asking.
A subtle and ambiguous atmosphere spread between them (at least from Wang Dong's perspective). That sensation of their soul power circulating together had been far too wonderful. Su Wen's sudden withdrawal left him yearning to try it again.
"Mm."
Su Wen nodded.
Since Tang San had already set his daughter as bait, he might as well accept it. Besides, the possibilities of Martial Soul Fusion intrigued him—who knew what fusion abilities they might awaken?
Their palms touched once more.
Four-colored light wrapped around them like a faint cocoon of shimmering silk…
When Su Wen opened his eyes again—
Wang Dong was lying in his arms on the bed, clutching his waist tightly. His eyes were closed, long lashes trembling slightly. With his earlobes flushed red, it was obvious he was only pretending to sleep.
A night of cultivation had undeniably drawn them closer together.
This Martial Soul Fusion was indeed a natural red string of fate.
No wonder God King Tang relied on it so much.
Gently removing the arm draped around his waist, Su Wen pulled open the curtains. The horizon was already tinged with pale white—the first sign of sunrise.
"We've slept the whole night. Come on, get up, or we'll be late for class."
Su Wen stretched lazily.
"Mmm… you're already awake? So early." Wang Dong rubbed his eyes, pretending he had just woken up.
"Want to try again tonight?" Su Wen raised an eyebrow, feeling the clear transformation in his soul power.
"Ah… well, maybe," Wang Dong answered shyly, glancing around nervously.
…
Morning.
In the classroom of Class Two, Year Two—
Xie Huanyue quickly stuck to Su Wen's side again, looking every bit the fool, causing Ning Tian and Wu Feng nearby to burst into laughter.
Wang Dong, meanwhile, was pulled inside by Su Wen and sat bashfully beside him.
"Boss, who's on your team?" Xie Huanyue asked curiously.
"…"
"Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and me," Su Wen answered after a pause.
"Then what about me, Boss?" Xie Huanyue looked on the verge of tears.
"You'll be grouped with Wang Dong and Xue Ling." Su Wen pointed toward the still-dazed Wang Dong.
"Me, with him?" Xie Huanyue exclaimed in shock.
"Don't underestimate Wang Dong. He's a Grand Soul Master, and his second soul ring is at the thousand-year level. Paired with Xue Ling's Scarlet Flame Bow for ranged support, you three can easily make it into the top three," Su Wen replied coolly.
(End of Chapter)