Na’er looked at Tang Wulin affectionately. At that moment, he was all her eyes could see. “But one would need to spend a lot of money in order to become a soul master with a spirit soul. Our family was not well off. Father and mother had already worked very hard. Thus, you were only allowed to choose to study forging when you were sixteen years old. I remember very clearly that you couldn’t even make an expression because you were so tired after class in the beginning. You collapsed on the bed, and it seemed like you couldn’t even hear me calling out to you.”
“Yet you didn’t give up. You still remained persistent in learning. You bought me candies with the remaining money after you had saved a portion of your salary every time. Those candies were so sweet.”
“Do you still remember that I once asked if you would miss me when I’m gone?”
Tang Wulin listened to Na’er’s words in a daze. His mind seemed to have traveled back to ten years ago when he was still at his home.
…
‘My ambition is to go to the Star Sea.’
He was a youth with black hair, black eyes, and fair complexion. He stepped into the Eastsea City alone with a vain hope as he embarked on an unknown journey.
He had a useless Bluesilver Grass martial soul and his pitiful rank-3 inherent soul power. He was ordinary in the vast city, but even that tiny grass seed that was blown everywhere could always fulfill its original intention.
While the rest of the people were still immersed in their parents’ inculcation, he had lost his home.
That dash of warm silver color was also moving away from his gaze and felt cold in his palm.
“Will you miss me when I’m gone?”
“Of course I will. I’ll miss you so, so much.”
The moist night breeze gently stroked his face. The warmth radiating from his left breast made him smile. It did not feel bitter but nostalgic as he reminisced about his past.
The silver-haired girl was never too far away in his heart. She was still living in a corner of his memories as she called out to her brother under the setting sun.
‘I’m Tang Wulin and my ambition is to go to the Star Sea.
‘When that ordinary grass seed germinates into a lush green field, will I be able to hold your hand and visit the Star Sea again?’
…
“Brother, I like you, I love you. I’m willing to spend all my time to accompany you in the future and be by your side always. Please allow me to love you. Is that alright? I’m serious.” Na’er’s expression was so solemn that even the Atlas Douluo Yun Ming on the towership was feeling shocked.
Tang Wulin’s originally desolate and despairing heart could not help being moved. If one were to ask about how he prioritizes the females in his heart, then his mother, Na’er and she each occupied an unmovable position.
Even so, he had never thought that she would talk about all this to him during the Sea God Fated Date Festival with everyone’s attention fixated on them.
“Na’er, you’re my sister!”
“No, I’m not. I’m only your Na’er. We are not related by blood. I’m only your Na’er. I refuse to be your sister anymore. I’m only willing to be your Na’er,” she spoke stubbornly.
Tang Wulin’s body was shivering ever so slightly.
“Time’s up, Na’er. I can’t allow you to continue speaking anymore for righteousness’ sake.” Tang Yingmeng’s voice sounded slightly odd. She could not conceal the strangeness, but at least her behavior was much more composed than the rest of the crowd who were staring in disbelief at the scene with their mouths agape.
Na’er lowered her head with tears shimmering in her eyes. She had finally poured her heart out, but she did not say, ‘Brother, if you don’t choose me, then…’
If Tang Wulin was still capable of bracing himself to withstand Wu Siduo and Dai Yun’er’s love confessions, then Na’er’s words shocked his mind and heart profusely.
He once vowed not to allow anyone to make Na’er cry, yet he had never expected that the person making Na’er cry would be himself.
‘Na’er, why do you have to be so foolish!’
Yet there was an indescribable feeling in the depth of his heart for some unknown reason. Just as Na’er had said, they were not biological siblings after all. Na’er was the sister he took in, the sister he had watched over diligently.
Na’er suddenly raised her head and looked toward Tang Wulin with a burning gaze. “There would never have been anyone else in your heart if I didn’t leave back in the beginning.”
Tang Wulin’s entire body shuddered. She was right. If she had never left at the start… if she had remained by his side all along…
On the other hand, Na’er shifted her gaze toward her back and looked at the figure still wearing her bamboo hat nearby after speaking.
Lan Muzi and Tang Yingmeng’s gaze was fixated upon Tang Wulin.
Lan Muzi could not help exclaiming, “I truly didn’t expect to meet you at such a huge scene for the first time, Junior Wulin. So many outstanding junior sisters are in love with you including our little Goddess. So this is the time for you to make a decision. As someone with experience, I would like to remind you that you ought to be decisive when a choice is needed, otherwise all will be chaotic. Make your choice, and let them understand how you feel clearly rather than hurting more people in the future.”
Tang Wulin would not have the slightest hesitation if not for Na’er’s words, but now he was truly reluctant. He did not wish to hurt Na’er the most!
‘What should I do? What should I do?’
Tang Wulin was slightly listless. As he stood on the surface of Sea God Lake, he felt that he was hesitating at a crossroad for the very first time.
If he had known that this would happen in the Fated Date Festival, he would not have chosen to participate.
He looked at them, and he was feeling highly troubled.
“Junior Wulin, please make your choice,” Lan Muzi urged with a deep voice.
Tang Wulin inhaled a deep breath strenuously as the energy in his entire body seemed to be shifting.
He questioned his conscience and the answer was unusually clear to him. He did not want to hurt Na’er, but more than that, he did not want to lie to her. Additionally, everything was so complicated. He did not wish to give up this opportunity even if it seemed extremely vague.
“I’m sorry, Na’er. I choose Female Number Seventeen!” Tang Wulin exerted almost all the strength of his entire body as he spoke those few simple words.
Everyone at the scene gasped in surprise for all the outer court disciples did not expect that Tang Wulin would refuse to choose despite the Dragon Spear Goddess’ weeping courtship, but he chose Female Seventeen who did not choose him or even unveil herself from the beginning to the end.
How? How was this possible?
Wu Siduo, Dai Yun’er, Na’er were three beauties! He did not choose either of them, but someone who did not even pick him to everyone’s surprise.
On the shore…
“It’s expected. The big brother is indeed the big brother, all mighty and domineering. Only that Na’er…” Xie Xie waved his fist subconsciously.
Yuanen Yehui, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi were all anxious at this moment. They knew that the most important moment for Tang Wulin was about to come.
Faint radiance shimmered in the air. Female Number Seventeen’s lotus leaf slowly floated out and arrived at the forefront.
Lan Muzi and Tang Yingmeng gazed into each other’s eyes as they saw the fear in their mutual expressions. They did not expect that Na’er would be rejected either.
On the other hand, the color on Na’er’s face faded at the split second when Tang Wulin spoke those words. She backed away for one step subconsciously with half of her foot stepping into the water. Her body swayed before she managed to stabilize herself.
Lan Muzi swallowed, and then he looked toward Female Number Seventeen. “According to the rules, you must remove your bamboo hat and veil now. Then, listen to his love confession for one minute.”
Female Number Seventeen paused for a moment before she raised her hands slowly to remove the bamboo hat and veil from her head.
It was a pale charming face with black hair and black eyes. She did not appear extraordinary when compared to Dai Yun’er and Na’er by her side. She was actually completely concealed by the radiance emitting from the two females beside her.
Her face was already covered in tears since earlier, tears that she could not control. She watched him while her lips remained trembling gently all along.
Tang Wulin smiled as he saw the tears on her face. He smiled because she was not treating him mercilessly. He could suddenly feel like everything was worth it when he saw those tears.
“You should choose her.” Gu Yue turned her head to the side and looked to Na’er’s direction.
Na’er did not utter a word.
Gu Yue spoke of something baffling again, “I don’t want to win.”
On the other hand, Na’er smiled. Her pale face was filled with a faint grin at that moment. She puffed up her chest as she suddenly looked toward Gu Yue with slight arrogance. “There are things that aren’t up to you.”
Gu Yue shut her eyes as tears streamed down her face. “However, do you know how great the price he would have to pay? Our life would be unbearably tough in the future.”
Na’er spoke with determination, “I don’t. I can only hope that I’m capable of giving myself entirely to him.”
Tang Wulin looked at them in a daze. Had he been oblivious to the fact that their relationship had really become so close? What were they talking about? How could he not understand a single word they said?
Lan Muzi could not understand either but the Fated Date Festival had to go on. “Wulin, it’s your turn. You have one minute’s time.”