Na'er appraised Tang Wulin with a gentle look in her eyes, and in that instant, it was as if he were the only person she could see. "But in order to become a Soul Master, you'd need soul spirits, which cost a lot of money. Our family wasn't very wealthy, despite the fact that our parents really did work very hard, so you took up forging at just six years of age. I recall when you first started that you were so tired after returning home every day, you couldn't even muster up any facial expressions. You'd always slump straight onto the bed, and you couldn't even hear me when I tried to talk to you. However, you didn't give up. You continued to practice forging, and after receiving your wages, you'd use all of it that you didn't save up to buy lollies for me. I still remember those lollies; they were really really sweet. Do you remember how I asked you one day if you'd miss me if I were to go away?"

Tang Wulin listened to Na'er's words in an entranced manner, and his mind wandered back to his childhood home where he'd lived over a decade ago.

……

My aspirations lie among the stars.

He was a fair-skinned young boy with black eyes and black hair, and he traveled to Eastsea City alone, wading into the unknown with nothing more than his hopes and dreams.

He had his trash martial soul, Bluesilver Grass, and his pitiful rank three innate soul power. In that massive city, he was like an insignificant grass seed drifting around, trying to achieve the dreams he held dear to his heart.

When other kids of his age were still basking in the love and adoration of their parents, he had already lost his home.

"If I were to leave one day, would you miss me?"

"Of course I would. I would miss you very very much."

The cool balmy breeze in the night massaged his cheeks, and a warm sensation welled up in his heart, and he smiled. This was not a wry smile, but instead, a reminiscent one.

In his heart, that silver-haired girl had never strayed far away. She was always tucked away in a certain corner of his memories, standing under the sunset, calling him "Big Brother" in her sweet voice.

I am Tang Wulin; my aspirations lie among the stars.

When an ordinary seed grows into a lush grassland, would I be able to reunite with you?

……

"Big Brother, I like you; I love you. I'm willing to spend every single moment of the rest of my life by your side. Can you let me love you? I'm serious." Na'er's expression was indeed very serious, so serious that even Atlas Douluo was rather stunned by her resolve.

Ripples began to surge through Tang Wulin's heart, which had just been plunged into complete despair not long ago. If he had to pick the most important woman in his life, then he honestly wouldn't be able to make a choice between his mother, Na'er, and Gu Yue.

However, never did he think that Na'er would say something like this to him in front of so many people during the Sea God Fate Match-making Convention.

"Na'er, you're my little sister!"

"No, I'm not. I'm only your Na'er, and we're not related by blood. I don't want to be your little sister anymore; I want to be your Na'er," she said in a stubborn manner.

Tang Wulin's body was trembling gently.

"Time's up, Na'er. In order to ensure fairness, I can't let you keep talking." Tang Yinmeng's voice was a little strange, and she simply couldn't help it. Compared to the vast majority of people present, who were looking on with their jaws on the ground, she was already putting on a very calm display.

Na'er lowered her head as tears welled up in her eyes. She had finally said everything in her heart aside from one sentence: "Big Brother, if you don't choose me, then..."

Tang Wulin had been able to harden his resolve and reject Wu Siduo, as well as Dai Yun'er, but Na'er's confession had truly shaken him to the very core.

He had once vowed to never let Na'er shed tears again, but never would he have thought that he would be the one making her cry someday.

Na'er, how can you be so foolish!

For some reason, there was an indescribable feeling deep within his heart. It was just as Na'er had said; they weren't related by blood. Na'er was a little sister that he'd taken in, and he'd looked after her as if she really were his little sister.

Na'er suddenly looked up and appraised him with an intense gaze. "If I'd never left, no one else would've been able to steal your heart!"

Tang Wulin shuddered upon hearing this. If she hadn't left and had always stayed by his side...

After her voice trailed off, Na'er cast her gaze toward the veiled figure behind her.

Meanwhile, Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng both focused their attention on Tang Wulin.

Lan Muzi couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't think that I would meet you for the first time under such complicated circumstances, Junior Disciple Brother Wulin. You have so many exceptional junior disciple sisters displaying their love for you, including even our very own little goddess. Now then, it's time for you to make your decision. As a man who's been through this stage of his life, I must advise you that the best way to handle the situation is to be decisive and forthright. Otherwise, you'll only be hurting everyone involved. Make your choice now. As opposed to hurting everyone, it's much better to show them your heart."

If it weren't for Na'er's confession, then Tang Wulin wouldn't be hesitating at all. However, he truly didn't know how to decide now. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Na'er!

What do I do? What do I do?!

Tang Wulin stood on the surface of the Sea God's Lake in a slightly slack-jawed manner, and his resolve had been shaken for the very first time.

If he'd known that this was how the match-making convention was going to turn out, then he would've rather not attended at all.

He truly felt as if he were being tortured as he stared at two of the most important women in his life.

"Junior Disciple Brother Wulin, please make your choice," Lan Muzi urged in a low voice.

Tang Wulin took a deep breath with all his might, trying to muster up all of the strength in his entire body.

He knew the answer in his heart. He didn't want to hurt Na'er, but it was even more unappealing to him to lie to her. Furthermore, despite how complicated everything had become, he didn't want to give up on this chance, no matter how slim it was.

"I'm sorry, Na'er; I choose Girl Number 17!" It seemed to have taken him all of his strength to utter those few words.

Gasps and cries of surprise rang out across and around the entire lake. No one could believe that he had rejected the Dragon Spear Goddess' heartfelt confession and chose Girl Number 17 instead, especially when she hadn't chosen him, and hadn't even removed her own veil!

How was this possible?

He turned down Wu Siduo, Dai Yun'er, AND Na'er, all three of whom were top-notch beauties! Instead, he'd chosen a woman who seemed to have shown no interest in him.

On the shore.

"Nice! As expected of our captain; he's just as badass as ever! It's just that Na'er..." Xie Xie reflexively pumped his fist.

Yuanen Yehui, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi also wore nervous expressions on their faces. They knew that the moment of truth had come for Tang Wulin.

Faint light shimmered in the air, and Girl Number 17's lotus leaf slowly drifted to the forefront.

Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng glanced at one another, only to see their own astonishment mirrored in each other's eyes. Never did they think that Na'er would get rejected.

After Tang Wulin had given her his response, Na'er turned deathly pale, and she reflexively took a backward step, only barely catching herself after half her foot had trodden into the water.

Lan Muzi gulped silently before turning to Girl Number 17. "According to our rules, you must remove your veil now, and listen to a one-minute confession from him."

Girl Number 17 hesitated momentarily before slowly raising her hand to remove her veil, revealing a pale face with black hair and black eyes.

Compared to Dai Yun'er and Na'er, her appearance was quite ordinary, and she paled in the face of their beauty.

Tears were already flowing uncontrollably down her face, and her lips were quivering gently.

Tang Wulin smiled a the sight of her tears. She wasn't completely heartless after all. Seeing the tears flowing down her face, he suddenly felt as if all of his suffering had been worth it.

"You should've chosen her." Gu Yue turned toward Na'er's direction.

Na'er remained completely silent.

Gu Yue then said something that was rather inexplicable. "I didn't want to win."

Na'er suddenly smiled, despite the fact that her face was still deathly pale. She raised her head and turned to Gu Yue in a proud manner. "Some things aren't up to you."

Tears began to flow freely as Gu Yue closed her eyes. "But do you know how heavy a price he'll have to pay for this? Do you know how difficult our future will become?"

Na'er remained completely determined as she said, "I don't care. All I want is to give the entirety of myself to him."

Tang Wulin stared blankly at the two of them. When had these two become so close with one another? And what were they saying? Why couldn't he understand a single word?

Lan Muzi also had no idea what they were saying, but the show had to go on. "It's your turn, Wulin. You have one minute."