"Hm? What Supreme Bone?"
Lang Yue's voice came from beside him, instantly freezing Tang Muzhi in place.
He stiffly turned his head and met his mother's sleepy gaze.
His face flushed red.
"N-nothing."
He quickly changed the topic.
"Ah—right… Mom, why are you in my room?!"
He paused midway, glancing around from the corner of his eye.
This was his room.
His Supreme Bone had returned.
Which meant—
He had successfully come back from the Spirit Hall era to the Dragon King timeline!
"Wuwu…"
Lang Yue suddenly sobbed and pulled him tightly into her arms.
"Muzhi, why did you lose your memory again?"
"I saw you tossing and turning all night yesterday, unable to sleep… you looked so restless, so I stayed by your bedside the whole time."
Tang Muzhi's mind went blank.
Lost my memory… again?
Could it be—
That Qian Renxue, after taking over his body, had behaved so strangely that everyone assumed he had amnesia?
It was only a guess.
But regardless of the truth, he needed to clarify things first.
"Mom, I didn't lose my memory. I really didn't."
"Let me prove it to you."
"Six years ago, when you and Dad left the maternity hospital carrying me, you picked up Wulin during a heavy snowfall."
"And just a few days ago, I came home holding a chicken wishbone in my left hand and Na'er in my right…"
His explanation was detailed and convincing.
Lang Yue cupped his face, examining him again and again.
That familiar look in his eyes—
The same precocious, thoughtful expression he had always had.
Not like yesterday's cold and wary "him."
"Your memory really has recovered…"
"But just to be safe, we'll still have the healing Spirit Master that Her Excellency Tianfeng invited come and check you later."
"I'll go make breakfast first."
Tang Muzhi blinked.
A healing Spirit Master personally invited by his teacher?
Could it be…
The continent's number one healing Spirit Master—
Yali?
But before he could think further, he noticed the bloodshot eyes from his mother's sleepless night.
He quickly grabbed her hand.
"Mom, let me do it."
With that, he jumped out of bed.
—
When he opened the door—
Two little heads were pressed against it.
Tang Wulin and Na'er.
Clearly eavesdropping.
"Big brother!"
Tang Wulin spoke first, his tone full of concern.
Having grown up eating Lang Yue's cooking together, the brothers were naturally close.
Na'er, on the other hand, struggled to express herself.
"Brother… mm… you feel like the usual Brother Muzhi again."
"Yesterday's brother… felt strange."
Tang Muzhi could hear the worry in her voice.
He gently ruffled her hair.
"What do you want to eat? Big brother will cook for you."
He wasn't exaggerating.
His cooking skills were excellent.
With his already strong physique, now enhanced by his Innate Full Spirit Power Golden Dragon Martial Soul—
Cooking was even easier for him than for his mother.
—
While preparing breakfast, Tang Muzhi sorted through the situation.
He had spent one day in the Spirit Hall era—
And one day had also passed here.
Someone had taken over his body during that time.
Most likely—
Qian Renxue.
Even Leng Yaozhu, a demigod-level expert, hadn't noticed the body swap.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to invite a healing Spirit Master.
—
Just as the dishes were being served—
A familiar voice sounded from behind.
"Little Muzhi, I heard from Lang Yue that your memory has recovered."
"Teacher."
Tang Muzhi turned around.
Alongside Leng Yaozhu—radiant like a blazing sun—
Stood another woman.
Her beauty was slightly less striking—
But her temperament was entirely different.
Gentle as flowing water.
She wore a green, water-immortal dress, and an immense aura of life energy radiated from her, naturally drawing people closer.
"This… senior?" Tang Muzhi asked, pretending not to recognize her.
"Muzhi, just call me Sister Yali," she said softly.
Leng Yaozhu frowned slightly.
"Muzhi, don't be rude."
"Sister Yali is older than me. You should address her properly."
Then she turned to Yali with a smile.
"He's still young. Please don't mind, Sister Yali."
Tang Muzhi: "…"
Why does this feel like a battlefield?
He forced a smile.
"I've already prepared the meal. How about we eat first?"
—
At the table—
Yali carefully examined his condition.
"Well?" Leng Yaozhu asked seriously.
Even though Tang Muzhi claimed to have recovered, she still wanted confirmation from the best.
Yali gently shook her head.
"No issues."
"Very healthy."
After confirming everything was normal—
Her calm smile shifted slightly.
A hint of cunning appeared.
"If you're worried about future complications, you could join the Shrek Academy Inner Court through their special recruitment."
"It would also make it easier for me to monitor your condition regularly."
During her examination, Yali had already discovered his talent—
Innate Full Spirit Power.
Golden Dragon Martial Soul.
Even among the geniuses of Shrek's Inner Court, few could rival such a foundation.
Inviting him wasn't just for treatment—
It was also to secure a future prodigy.
Why not?
—
Leng Yaozhu immediately pulled Tang Muzhi into her arms, her gaze sharp.
"What are you trying to do?!"
"Don't think you can lure him to Shrek just because you treated him."
"He is my disciple."
Yali's smile remained gentle.
"I'm only making a suggestion."
"For the patient's sake, it's the most reasonable one."
But to Leng Yaozhu—
It sounded like criticism.
As if she, his teacher, wasn't acting in his best interest.
For a moment, she felt as though she had invited a wolf into her home.
Should she accept the suggestion—for Muzhi's future?
Or refuse—
—
Just then—
Tang Muzhi stood up.
"Teacher."
"You were the one who invited Senior Yali."
"The favor belongs to you."
"If I'm to be grateful, it should be to you."
"How can Senior Yali use this to pressure me?"
"And besides…"
"Senior Yali herself said it was only a suggestion."
"The final decision lies with the patient."
"Which is me."
His voice was calm—
But firm.
He was genuinely grateful to Leng Yaozhu.
For his sake, she had gone out of her way to invite someone she didn't get along with.
Who knew how many unpleasant exchanges had occurred along the way?
He straightened his posture.
His tone resolute.
"I want to stay with Teacher."
"I don't want to be separated from her."
—
His words caused both Leng Yaozhu and Yali to look at him at the same time.
But what truly caught their attention—
Wasn't just his decision.
It was the clarity of his stance.
To Leng Yaozhu—
He showed complete trust and closeness.
To Yali—
A clear boundary.
Polite.
Respectful.
But distant.