The second year at Nuoding Academy is drawing to a close, hinting at profound transformations that are about to unfold. Twilight creeps across the courtyard, and the brothers stand shoulder to shoulder, their auras thickening, their eyes sharpening, and their souls deepening, radiating potential.
Tang Yan flexes his fingers absentmindedly, feeling the near-invisible hum of the Xu Void Cycle Technique thrumming in his bones. Across from him, Tang San breathes steadily—his spiritual sea shimmering with newly discovered clarity, ready for what lies ahead.
1. Tang San's Breakthrough
For two weeks, Tang San has immersed himself in mastering the Xu Void Cycle Technique, and the efforts have paid off. A significant breakthrough is at hand. While Tang Yan's approach is instinctual and wild, Tang San's journey unfolds with precision and elegance. His strength, born from discipline rather than chaos, sets the stage for an exciting future.
That afternoon, as he perfects his final stance, energy surges through him. His soul threads intertwine, forming a harmonious loop of spirit, energy, and control, a promising sign of his ascent. Tang Yan grins. "You're lighting up. Not in a 'divine breakthrough' way, but more like a 'battery fully charged' kinda way." Tang San shares a rare smile. "I felt it—all the pieces falling into place."
System: "Secondary Host Xu Void Cycle Integration: 100% Structural Stabilization. Effect: Full-body refinement rate enabled."
2. The System's Offer
Later that night, while Tang Yan contemplates a formation scroll, the system buzzes with an exciting notification.
System: "Reminder: You have earned a delayed milestone reward for developing the Muscle Strengthening Exercise. Would you like to activate it now?"
Tang Yan: "Only now? Were you holding out for some sort of spectacle?"
System: "I'm programmed for dramatic timing, not efficiency. However, this reward can be sacrificed…"
Tang Yan pauses, intrigued. "...To do what?"
System: "...To unlock the Soul-Body Unity Trial Protocol for Tang San."
Tang Yan gazes into the moonlight, a bittersweet chuckle escaping him. "You really saved it for this moment. Fine. Let's do it. Start the trial."
System: "Confirmation complete. Trial initializing. Note: Trial may result in physical trauma and spiritual backlash."
Tianmeng Bug: "This is gonna be hilarious. I mean… honorable."
3. Tang San's Soul-Body Trial
In the stillness of meditation, Tang San's consciousness unfurls into an endless expanse. Vines wrap around him, and fog encircles him. Suddenly, an alternate version of himself emerges—cloaked in lightning and bound by vines.
"You control too much," it warns. "Now, survive without control."
The vines tighten menacingly.
Tang San steels himself—not with raw strength, but through calculated technique. He meticulously measures pressure, redirects flow, and balances his internal energy with deft counterforce.
It becomes a battle of equilibrium that will determine his future. The stakes are high, and he feels awe at what lies at the end.
4. Victory in Precision
After what feels like an eternity, Tang San roars—not in anger, but in precise determination. He strikes the final node of the vine's core, dispelling the illusion as the space around him collapses into starlight.
He awakens, drenched in sweat, breath heavy but intact.
Tang Yan smirks. "Welcome back, vine boy."
Tang San retorts, "...That was worse than sparring with you."
System: "Trial Success. Soul-Body Unity: 81% Harmonization Achieved."
Tianmeng Bug: "Not bad for a spear-plant hybrid. Can't wait to see what else you'll do!"
5. Brotherhood Reaffirmed
Tang Yan hands Tang San a bottle of water and settles beside him. "You're one of us now."
"I always was," Tang San replies, his voice steady.
They share a silent fist bump, a pact strengthened. In the background, the adults observe from the shadows—Gu Yuena, Ah Yin, Bi Ji, and even the Three-Headed Dog Mastiff—aware that significant changes are on the horizon.
Gu Yuena murmurs, "They're ready for what's next."
6. Tang Hao's Final Decision
Elsewhere, Tang Hao passes a black-gold medallion—the Spirit Hall Elder Token—to Yu Xiaogang. "In case things go south."
Yu Xiaogang, taken aback, asks, "Why me?"
"Because you'll raise him when I can't. Prepare for what's to come."
7. Final Line
That night, beneath the starlit sky and swathed in secrecy, the escort squad begins to form. Tang Yan and Tang San lead the way, gear packed and hearts steady, poised for the journey ahead. Trailing them silently are Di Tian, Gu Yuena, Bi Ji, and the Three-Headed Dog Mastiff, each aware that the forest awaits them with untold challenges.
The tide has begun to turn, and the events that will shape their destinies are just on the horizon.The second year at Nuoding Academy ended not with fanfare, but with quiet discipline and solemn growth.
Twilight stretched across the courtyard as the brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, their aura denser, their eyes sharper, their souls deeper.
Tang Yan flexed his fingers absently, feeling the near-invisible hum of the Xu Void Cycle Technique coursing through his bones. Across from him, Tang San exhaled steadily—his spiritual sea rippling with newfound clarity.
1. Tang San's Breakthrough
For the past two weeks, Tang San had thrown himself completely into mastering the Xu Void Cycle Technique. The result? A stunning breakthrough.
While Tang Yan's path was reckless and instinctive, Tang San's was precise, mechanical, elegant.
His strength came from discipline, not chaos.
That afternoon, as he concluded his final stance, a surge pulsed through his veins. His soul threads synchronized, forming a flowing loop of spirit, energy, and control.
Tang Yan grinned. "You're glowing. Not in a 'divine breakthrough' way. More like a 'battery fully charged' kinda way."
Tang San gave a rare smile. "I felt it. Everything connected."
System:"Secondary Host Xu Void Cycle Integration: 100% Structural Stabilization. Effect: Full-body refinement rate enabled."
2. The System's Offer
Later that night, while Tang Yan toyed with a formation scroll, the system buzzed.
System:"Reminder: You earned a delayed milestone reward for developing the Muscle Strengthening Exercise. Would you like to use it now?"
Tang Yan: "Only now? You forgot or were waiting for theatrics?"
System:"I'm programmed for dramatic timing, not efficiency. However, this reward can be sacrificed…"
Tang Yan paused. "...To do what?"
System:"...To unlock Soul-Body Unity Trial Protocol for Tang San."
Tang Yan stared into the moonlight, then chuckled bitterly.
"You really did save it for this moment. Fine. Do it. Start the trial."
System:"Confirmation complete. Trial initializing. Trial may result in physical trauma and spiritual backlash."
Tianmeng Bug:"This is gonna be hilarious. I mean… honorable."
3. Tang San's Soul-Body Trial
In the silence of meditation, Tang San's consciousness drifted.
He found himself in an endless space, vines wrapping his limbs, fog coiling around him. A mirror version of himself emerged—cloaked in lightning and rooted vines.
"You control too much," it said. "Now survive without control."
The vines began tightening.
Tang San resisted—not with raw strength, but calculated technique. He measured pressure, redirected flow, and balanced his internal energy with exact, surgical counterforce.
It was a battle of equilibrium. And it pushed him to his very limit.
4. Victory in Precision
After what felt like hours, Tang San roared—not with rage, but with precision. He struck the final node of the vine's core and dispelled the illusion.
The space collapsed into starlight.
He awoke sweating, breath heaving, but whole.
Tang Yan: "Welcome back, vine boy."
Tang San: "...That was worse than sparring you."
System:"Trial Success. Soul-Body Unity: 81% Harmonization Achieved."
Tianmeng Bug:"Not bad for a spear-plant hybrid."
5. Brotherhood Reaffirmed
Tang Yan handed Tang San water and sat beside him.
"You're one of us now."
"I always was."
They bumped fists silently.
In the background, the adults watched from the shadows—Gu Yuena, Ah Yin, Bi Ji, and even the Three-Headed Dog Mastiff.
Gu Yuena murmured, "They're ready."
6. Tang Hao's Final Decision
Elsewhere, Tang Hao handed Yu Xiaogang a black-gold medallion: the Spirit Hall Elder Token.
"In case things go south."
Yu Xiaogang was stunned. "Why me?"
"Because you'll raise him when I can't."
7. Final Line
That night, under starlight and secrecy, the escort squad formed.
Tang Yan and Tang San walked ahead, gear packed, hearts steady.
Behind them, Di Tian, Gu Yuena, Bi Ji, and the Three-Headed Dog Mastiff followed in silence.
The forest awaited.
The tide had begun.