But the gods were clear—this was only temporary peace.
In the Garden of Tranquility, Tang Wulin reclined on a bamboo lounge chair, resting with closed eyes. Morning sunlight filtered through sparse bamboo leaves, casting mottled light and shadow across his pale face. Half a year had passed, yet his body remained weak. Though his soul power had broken through level thirty, for one who once wielded Dragon God power, this strength was heartbreakingly meager.
Qian Renxue sat on a stone stool beside him, holding a scroll of ancient classics in her hands, yet not a single word registered. Her gaze lingered on her husband's face—where once proud, soaring brows had been, now precipitated something she couldn't quite name. Not dejection, nor despair, but a strange tranquility, like the sea surface after a storm, deep and inclusive.
"You've been staring at me for half an hour." Tang Wulin didn't open his eyes, yet the corner of his lips curved slightly upward.
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't flinch or avoid his gaze: "I'm looking at my husband—what's wrong with that?"
"Naturally, nothing is wrong." Tang Wulin finally opened his eyes, those restored azure pupils reflecting his wife's countenance, "But, you're worried about something."
Having her thoughts seen through, Qian Renxue sighed lightly and set down her book: "Though the Eye of Annihilation's will was heavily wounded, it hasn't truly perished. Father discussed with the Gods of Destruction and Life yesterday, suspecting that was merely the projection of one of its avatars—the true main body still lurks in the depths of the Abyss."
Tang Wulin was silent for a moment, then slowly sat up straight. This simple motion made him breathe slightly heavily. Qian Renxue immediately stepped forward to support him, but was gently grasped by the wrist.
"I know." he said, his voice steady, "It left some 'thing' in my consciousness—not erosion, more like some kind of mark. I can sense it, 'watching' from a distant place."
Qian Renxue's hand trembled: "Why didn't you say anything?"
"What good would saying do?" Tang Wulin gazed into the distance, the Tree of Life's massive canopy faintly visible amidst the clouds, "In my current condition, it would only add to everyone's worries. Besides..." He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "This mark isn't entirely a bad thing."
"What do you mean?"
Tang Wulin didn't answer directly, but raised his left hand. Soul power condensed in his palm—at first just a faint halo of light, but as he concentrated, the halo gradually changed. Not strengthening, but becoming more "refined." Within the halo, fine patterns spontaneously formed, like some ancient rune, emitting a weak yet pure fluctuation.
Qian Renxue held her breath. She recognized this fluctuation—not the overwhelmingly domineering majesty of Dragon God power, but something more restrained, more essential: "presence." That was the characteristic soul power naturally presented when a god's understanding of world laws reached a certain level. But Tang Wulin was now merely a Soul Elder—how could he possibly...
"During the confrontation with the Eye of Annihilation, my consciousness was dragged to an extremely deep level." Tang Wulin watched the transforming halo in his palm, speaking slowly, "There, I 'saw' many things—the fundamental laws constituting the world, the flow patterns of energy, even... the essence of divine positions."
He raised his head, his eyes reflecting Qian Renxue's shocked face: "I lost power, yet unexpectedly gained 'perspective.' Like a man originally standing on a mountain peak wielding a giant axe, knowing only the power of chopping; now fallen to the valley bottom, instead seeing clearly the veins and directions of the entire mountain."
Qian Renxue stared at him blankly. After a long while, she asked softly: "You mean to say, a blessing in disguise?"
"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, that's all." Tang Wulin dispersed the soul power and leaned back against the chair, "This perspective is indeed beneficial for my recultivation, yet it also makes me more acutely sense the 'weight' of the Abyss. That isn't simple evil or destruction, but something more fundamental, opposed to the existence of the entire world."
He closed his eyes, seeming exhausted, or perhaps organizing his thoughts: "Xue'er, do you remember when we were on the Douluo Continent, facing the Abyss Plane?"
"Naturally I remember." Qian Renxue nodded. Those years of fighting side by side seemed like yesterday, "At that time we thought the Abyss was the ultimate darkness. Looking back now, it was merely the skin-level power of the Eye of Annihilation."
"No, I mean another level." Tang Wulin opened his eyes, his expression serious, "Abyss creatures crave devouring life, but they are still fundamentally part of 'existence'—twisted, negative, yet still within the framework of this world's laws. But the Eye of Annihilation is different. What it wants isn't devouring, but 'erasure'—to return everything to nothingness."
He paused, seeming to search for appropriate words: "Like a painting—Abyss creatures want to cover it with the most filthy colors, while the Eye of Annihilation... wants to tear the canvas itself to shreds, making it as if it never existed."
Qian Renxue felt a chill rise from her spine. She suddenly understood why even the God Kings feared the Eye of Annihilation so—that wasn't an enemy that could be fought with power, but the opposite of existence itself.
"Then we—" She didn't finish her words, because Tang Wulin gently held her hand.
"So we must cherish the present even more." he said, his voice gentle yet firm, "If one day, annihilation truly comes, at least we'll know what we have protected."
The bamboo leaves rustled softly. In the distance came the sounds of children's laughter and play. Tang Yilin seemed to have messed up another experiment—the helpless scolding of Tang Xuanyu and the giggling laughter of Tang Nianxue interwove together, full of vivid vitality.
Qian Renxue held her husband's hand in return, feeling the slightly cool temperature of his palm, that trace of unease in her heart gradually settling. Yes, no matter what the future held, the warmth of this moment was real.
Half a month later, on an early morning, the Garden of Tranquility welcomed a special visitor.
The God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life arrived together. The two God Kings had restrained their usual vast divine might, stepping into the courtyard like ordinary elders. Tang Wulin, supported by Qian Renxue, rose to salute, but was gently pressed down by the Goddess of Life.
"No need for formalities." The Goddess of Life's voice was gentle as spring breeze. She carefully examined Tang Wulin's complexion, a gratified light rising in her eyes, "You're recovering better than I expected. Soul power is stable, soul wounds are healing, and most importantly—" Her gaze fell upon Tang Wulin's eyes, "Your 'divinity' hasn't been damaged, but has instead become more pure."
Tang Wulin was slightly startled: "Divinity?"
"Every god possesses divinity—that is our foundation for understanding laws and wielding authority." The God of Destruction spoke. He rarely wore that majestic armor today, instead donning a simple deep purple robe, carrying less oppressive force and more of a scholarly temperament, "Normally, divinity is acquired through inheritance of divine positions, and grows stronger with cultivation advancement. But your situation is very special—you lost your divine position and the vast majority of your power, your divinity should have weakened accordingly, but actually..."
He extended his hand, his fingertip tapping lightly in the air. A faint purple light flashed, and Tang Wulin felt something in the depths of his soul being touched—not the Dragon God's seal, but something more essential, formless and substanceless: "presence."
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