Tiandou City — Royal Court
The report from Shenwu City was delivered without delay.
Within the grand hall, the destruction of the Bloodscale Clan and the exposure of their hidden atrocities were laid out in full. The existence of the underground chamber, filled with countless human remains, left no doubt about the clan's true nature.
At the same time, the complete eradication of the clan—including the fall of a Soul Douluo-level Patriarch—established the scale of the incident.
An unknown expert had carried it out. And that alone made the matter far more significant.
The court remained quiet as the weight of the report settled. Soon after, a clear directive was issued. The Empire would begin a search.
Whoever this person was—someone capable of destroying an entire clan of such strength—was not an existence to be ignored.
If found, they were to be brought under the authority of the Empire.
.....
Martial Soul Hall — Main Court
The same report reached the Martial Soul Hall.
Within the hall, the details were presented—every part of the Bloodscale Clan's destruction, and the truth hidden beneath their grounds.
The scale of their crimes, along with their complete annihilation, drew the full attention of those present.
More importantly— the strength behind it.
An unknown expert, powerful enough to eliminate even the Patriarch, had acted without leaving a trace.
Silence followed the report. Then, a decision was made.
The Hall would also begin its search. Such a figure, if brought under their control, would be of great value. Orders were given without delay.
The unknown person behind the destruction of the Bloodscale Clan had already become a target of interest.
.....
The next morning— the three friends gathered in the hall.
After a brief discussion, the direction was decided. They would no longer remain the same.
"Storm Guards," Zhao Qing said quietly.
Wang Yan nodded.
Soon after— the three stepped into the main courtyard.
All members had already gathered. The atmosphere fell silent as they arrived.
Wang Yan stepped forward. "From today, the Iron Guards will be renamed—Storm Guards."
A slight stir passed through the crowd.
He continued, "The mercenary division will remain as it is. But the combat division will be restructured."
All eyes focused.
"From this day onward, ranks will be established."
"Level 50 and above—Spirit Guards."
"Level 60 and above—Earth Guards."
"Level 70 and above—Heaven Guards."
He paused briefly. "Each division will have its core. The strongest will be selected through competition. The top three in each division will be chosen."
"One will serve as the Commander. The other two will serve as Assistant Commanders."
A quiet tension spread through the crowd.
Then Wang Yan continued,
"In the future, those who reach Level 80 and above will enter the ranks of the Elders."
He let the words settle before speaking again,
"One month from today, a competition will be held. It will decide the commanders of each division."
A slight shift passed among the members.
"This next month," Wang Yan said calmly, "will be the beginning of our new path."
His gaze swept across everyone. "A new future… and a new direction."
A brief pause. "Prepare yourselves. And give it your all."
His voice remained steady— but carried weight.
"From among you… the commanders will rise."
Silence followed.
But within that silence— a quiet fire had already been lit. Eyes sharpened. Breaths steadied. The anticipation for the coming month had begun to rise.
.....
In the evening—
Wang Yan went to the academy to meet Tang Yuehua.
She was already there. When she saw him, her eyes softened slightly.
"You're back…"
"Mm." Wang Yan stepped closer.
He gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Tang Yuehua didn't move. The next moment, he pulled her into a quiet embrace. She leaned into him without resistance. No more words were needed.
After a while, the two left together.
By the time they reached Liu Ming's residence— everyone was already there.
Liu Ming and Shuo Ling'er were seated. Zhao Qing had also arrived earlier. Wang Yan and Tang Yuehua joined them at the table.
The atmosphere was calm— and for the moment, that was enough.
The meal passed with light conversation.
After dinner—
Tang Yuehua and Shuo Ling'er were in their talks.
In the living room, Wang Yan, Liu Ming, and Zhao Qing sat together. Their discussion turned to the coming competition— the structure, the selection, and how things would proceed.
After some time, Zhao Qing stood up. "I'll go back to the base."
All of them had their own rooms in the Storm Guards base.
But now— things were different.
Liu Ming looked at him and spoke, "You don't have to go back there tonight."
Zhao Qing paused.
Liu Ming continued, his tone steady, "You'll just be alone there."
A brief silence followed.
Wang Yan added calmly, "You can stay here… or come with me. No need to stay by yourself."
Zhao Qing stood still for a moment.
Then he gave a slight nod. "…I'll stay here."
Not long after— Wang Yan and Tang Yuehua left and returned to their residence.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was quiet. They rested on the bed, Tang Yuehua leaning gently against his shoulder.
After a while, Wang Yan spoke in a low voice.
He told her what had happened— the Bloodscale Clan, the battle, and how it had all ended. He did not go into every detail. But it was enough.
When he fell silent, the room grew still again.
Tang Yuehua lifted her gaze slightly— and saw his expression.
There was a trace of heaviness there. Unspoken, but clear. He was thinking of Chen Yu.
She raised her hand and gently caressed his face. Her touch was soft.
"You've done enough," she said quietly. "You avenged him."
Her fingers paused lightly against his cheek. "What happened… wasn't something you could control."
Wang Yan didn't respond. But his expression eased, just slightly.
Tang Yuehua rested her head back against him.
Wang Yan lowered his gaze and looked at her— at her calm, beautiful face.
For a moment, everything in his mind seemed to quiet down. The weight… the tension… all of it eased.
Slowly, he raised his hand and gently cupped her cheek. Then he pulled her a little closer— though she was already near, he wanted her closer still.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. Resting his face against her, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"Yuehua…" his voice was low, steady, yet carrying emotion, "I'm grateful for you. If you weren't by my side… I wouldn't have been able to hold myself together....Thank you."
Tang Yuehua looked at him, her gaze gentle. "You don't have to carry everything alone," she said softly. I'll always be with you...Even if I'm not strong like you… I'll stand beside you in every way I can."
Wang Yan's eyes softened. "You being here… is enough. I don't need anything else."
He leaned in once more and kissed her. This time, he didn't pull away immediately.
They remained like that— wrapped in each other's embrace. And slowly—the night carried them into quiet sleep.
End of chapter.