Sea God Island—Zhuo Shi's humble wooden cabin
Lamplight glowed warmly as Fang Yang and Tang Wulin followed Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi into the living room.
The space stood empty—no one in sight.
"Wait here—I'll fetch Master," Wu Zhangkong said, vanishing upstairs.
Shen Yi remained below, waiting with the two disciples.
Sandalwood incense hung in the air—calming, serene.
Soon—steady footsteps echoed.
Zhuo Shi descended with Wu Zhangkong, presence filling the room.
"Master," Shen Yi bowed respectfully.
Fang Yang and Tang Wulin greeted in unison: "Elder! Grandmaster!"
"Mm," Zhuo Shi nodded, eyes lingering on them.
Surprise flickered in his gaze:
"In such a short time… your vitality has surged immensely!"
Fang Yang blinked, puzzled.
He'd focused on refining Heavenly Flame—not the Golden Dragon King's bloodline.
His vitality had grown only as a byproduct of refining the divine core.
Tang Wulin, with his Sea God Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, possessed colossal life energy.
Coupled with Xuantian Meridians circulating soul power endlessly and Slaughter Hao Tian Hammer training, his blood essence naturally thrived.
"Elder—I cultivate flames," Fang Yang explained.
"I see…" Zhuo Shi mused, mind racing.
Wu Zhangkong had praised this boy—talented, unique.
And this was without intentional blood essence cultivation! If he specialized…
Tang Wulin detailed his training, mentioning Feng Wuyu as his master.
At the name Feng Wuyu, Zhuo Shi's brow twitched—
(Tang Wulin missed the reaction entirely.)
"Excellent—both of you show great promise," Zhuo Shi approved. "Today—I'll teach you a blood essence technique."
"Blood essence technique?!"
Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi exchanged stunned glances.
This was Zhuo Shi's personal technique—previously taught to them, but they'd failed to master it due to insufficient vitality.
He'd lamented having no disciple worthy of inheriting it…
Fang Yang remained calm.
Tang Wulin beamed—thrilled by Grandmaster's direct teaching.
Zhuo Shi turned to Fang Yang, voice grave:
"This technique may not suit your path—but study it. It may inspire your own creations."
"Thank you for your guidance, Elder," Fang Yang nodded.
He'd relied on soul skills and inherited techniques—but never forged his own signature move. This could be the spark.
"Come closer," Zhuo Shi commanded, authority absolute.
They stepped forward.
Zhuo Shi's expression turned solemn:
"Watch closely—I'll only demonstrate once."
He raised his right hand, traced a slow circle, then thrust forward.
To an outsider—it seemed like an old man stretching.
But—a draconic aura erupted.
A primordial dragon roared—shaking heaven and earth.
As his palm struck—space itself tore.
Darkness swallowed the room—reality ripped asunder.
"Observe—this is how blood essence flows," Zhuo Shi intoned, stance settling.
"Its secrets—you must unravel by yourself."
"This move—'Scarlet Dragon Shocks the Heavens'—stems from my Scarlet Armored Dragon Martial Soul."
He paused, gaze piercing:
"Master its essence—and forge your own variant, named for your martial soul."
Without another word, Zhuo Shi turned and ascended the stairs, leaving Fang Yang and Tang Wulin immersed in revelation.
Minutes passed before they resurfaced from their trance.
"Master—we'll take them back," Wu Zhangkong announced.
"Mm," came the calm reply from above.
"Teachers Wu and Shen," they bowed.
"Let's go," Wu Zhangkong ordered, frosty.
---
They boarded a simple wooden boat, gliding across Sea God Lake.
By day, the lake gleamed like a sapphire, sky and clouds mirrored in its waves, life thrumming in every ripple.
Cool mist kissed their skin—serenity absolute.
Back in Outer Court, the atmosphere shifted—lively, vibrant.
"Fang Yang, Tang Wulin—return to your dorms," Wu Zhangkong halted.
"Understood—goodbye, Teachers!" they chorused.
"Travel safely," Shen Yi waved, smiling.
As the teachers departed, Fang Yang turned to Tang Wulin: "Let's go."
"Mm," Tang Wulin nodded.
At the dorm entrance—Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan waited.
"Back?" Gu Yue asked softly, eyes on Fang Yang.
"Finally!" Xu Xiaoyan grinned.
Fang Yang swept them both into his arms: "Miss me?"
Tang Wulin grinned knowingly: "I'll leave you to it, Fang Yang!"
He fled before the storm hit.
"You flirt!" Xu Xiaoyan chided, not pulling away.
"You're trouble," Gu Yue added coolly.
"You're both my treasures," Fang Yang murmured, kissing each on the cheek.
Giggles escaped them.
"Hmph!" They snorted in unison—yet leaned closer, warmth blooming between them.
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