Was this mental manifestation?

This was Tang Wulin in his childhood. As a little boy, he had a pair of large, bright eyes that were filled with vigor, but at this moment, his clothes were a little disheveled.

In the image, Tang Wulin was rushing somewhere as quickly as he could, but he didn't appear to be in the best condition.

His hair was disheveled and unkempt, his face was rather pale, and overall, he was looking quite exhausted.

“Where did you run off to? Why did you only come now?” Xie Xie snapped at him.

Tang Wulin grimaced as he answered. “It’s a long story. Let’s compete first. Teacher Wu, I’m able to battle.”

Wu Zhangkong looked towards him with an expressionless face and nodded his head before speaking to Long Hengxu again, “We have three participants from our class.”

Long Hengxu replied, “First grade's class one may select three students to compete as well.”

Ye Yingluo tilted her head upward. “Fine.”

Long Hengxu spoke again, “Participants from both classes, please enter.”

Gu Yue moved towards Tang Wulin’s side and whispered, “Do you think you can compete? How’s your body?” While she could see that there was something wrong with Tang Wulin, his body emitted an aura that further befuddled her.

“I’m fine.” Tang Wulin had regained, once again, that grin of confidence from before.

Gu Yue nodded her head, “Let’s win together.”

Tang Wulin moved to occupy the center position once more. Xie Xie and Gu Yue were positioned behind him as the trio walked together up towards the stage.

On the other side, class one’s three students entered the stage as well.

“I’m Zhang Yangzi,” said the calm teenager in the center.

“Wei Xiaofeng, we’ve met a while ago.” Wei Xiao Feng reached out his hand and stuck out his thumb before slowly twisting his wrist downward, issuing a provocative move.

“You!” Xie Xie was infuriated and was about to rush up towards him, but was prevented from doing so by Tang Wulin grabbing his shoulder.

Xie Xie was shocked as he eyed Tang Wulin. This guy’s strength grew again!

“Wang Jinxi.” The wiry student from class one introduced himself.

Tang Wulin introduced his side. “First grade’s class five, Tang Wulin.”

“Gu Yue.”

“Xie Xie!” Xie Xie’s eyes were brimming with iciness as he stared at Wei Xiaofeng.

...... 

Tang Wulin's body was sent flying out of the rainbow breath, and the mental manifestation image that he had created was put on pause as a result.

In the image, the trio of Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue in their childhood were locked in battle against a group of more powerful opponents.

The rainbow breath receded, and Gu Yuena returned to her human form.

A reminiscent look appeared in her eyes at the sight of the mental manifestation in front of her, but she didn't pause in the slightest as she pounced toward Tang Wulin once again.

At this point, a layer of faint rainbow light had appeared over Tang Wulin's suit of four-word battle armor, but he was appraising Gu Yuena with an extremely gentle expression.

Mental manifestation was an extension of one's memories, which meant that he was currently reliving those memories of their childhood prior to entering Shrek Academy.

It was also at that time that they had begun coming together and developing feelings for one another.

He unleashed his Profound Heavenly Circle once again to dispel Gu Yuena's fearsome elemental attacks, and at the same time, the mental manifestation image had begun to change.

In the image, they seemed to have grown up a little.

...... 

Instead of Wu Zhangkong, four people sat in the room, one of which was an unfamiliar white-haired woman.

He hadn’t seen her during his trip to Skysea City years ago. 

“You’re finally awake!” Xie Xie leaped toward him. 

“So I woke up in time?” Seeing them, his hopes rose. There should still be time before the exam, otherwise, his teammates wouldn’t be here. 

Xie Xie grumbled, “What do you mean ‘in time’? We’re already late.” 

“Huh?” Tang Wulin was so shocked, he even forgot his hunger. 

“Let’s go.” Shen Yi stood up, giving Tang Wulin a meaningful look before walking out. 

Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue also got up, the former beaming at him while the latter had an apathetic expression. Only, her eyes were far more expressive, concern lingering in their depths. 

Tang Wulin nodded to them, then turned to Xie Xie. “Who is that?” 

Xie Xie replied, “She’s a friend of Teacher Wu’s from Shrek. We’re already three hours late; Teacher Wu is helping us out at the academy right now, so we need to hurry over, otherwise, we might miss our chance.” 

“I’m sorry. This is all my fault.” Tang Wulin slumped with shame and hung his head. His stinginess had started a domino-effect, from delaying the evolution of his bloodline to holding his teammates back and possibly missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! And all this, just for the sake of saving money! 

Xie Xie chuckled. “What’s the point in talking about it now? When you protected us at the forefront all those times, have we ever said thanks? How’s your body? How did your deep meditation go?” 

Unable to tell Xie Xie about his seals, Tang Wulin could only smile bitterly and say, “I don’t know either, but I feel great.” He had realized that, apart from hunger, he was in good condition. Strength surged through his body, his soul power having grown. He estimated that it was around rank 27 or rank 28 now. Just like the first time, his soul power had not increased by much. 

Though hunger still clouded his mind, he sensed that his body had strengthened by a third and, when considering his already immense physical power, it was a tremendous improvement. 

What he truly looked forward to, however, was how his bloodline power had evolved, as well as the surprise Old Tang spoke of. 

But now was not the time to test it out. In fact, he didn’t even have time to eat. 

“Do you have anything to eat?” Tang Wulin asked Xie Xie. 

Xie Xie shook his head. 

But at that moment, Gu Yue held out a bag to Tang Wulin.

He accepted the bag, immediately knowing what it was just by the weight and feel of it. It was steamed buns and meat! They weren’t spectacular, but they were better than nothing! 

He didn’t thank Gu Yue. Although they had grown estranged in the past three years, experiencing life-or-death situations together...