The golden grove shimmered under the first peaceful sunlight after chaos.
Soft winds carried the scent of life, rustling ancient leaves that had witnessed a war between heaven and earth.
In the clearing ahead, two massive figures — Da Ming and Er Ming — embraced a slender woman whose tears soaked their fur and scales.
Xiao Wu's mother wept openly, clutching them like a mother holding her lost sons.
Da Ming lowered his colossal head gently, nuzzling her, while Er Ming coiled protectively around her waist, radiating endless warmth.
---
Yet behind the joy of reunion, the weight of parting hung heavily.
The moment had come.
---
Da Ming turned his great golden eyes toward Tang Hao, Ah Yin, Gu Yuena, Di Tian, and the others.
He took a deep, rumbling breath that stirred the leaves.
"Thank you," he said simply, his voice resonating like a low drumbeat.
"For everything."
Er Ming raised his heavy head.
"We owe you our lives. And our future."
They stepped forward — and in a deeply respectful motion, both beasts bowed low before the sleeping twins — especially toward the tiny figure of Tang Yan.
Da Ming whispered in his ancient, resonant voice:
"Child of heaven... May your path be filled with light."
Xiao Wu's mother, her crimson eyes still damp, bowed deeply as well.
To Tang Hao, to Ah Yin, to Gu Yuena, to Di Tian — all who had fought and bled to protect this miracle.
---
The farewell was silent yet thunderous.
No more words were needed.
With a final lingering gaze, Da Ming, Er Ming, and Xiao Wu's mother turned and disappeared into the forest's embrace —
their figures swallowed by ancient trees, by destiny.
The air lingered with sadness — but also hope.
---
✨ Movement to the Core Area
The main group moved deeper into the Core Area —
the heart of Star Dou Great Forest.
The trees here stretched into the heavens.
The earth pulsed with faint golden veins — remnants of the Life Gold itself.
It was quieter here.
More sacred.
---
✨ The Naming Ceremony Begins
Tang Hao cradled his firstborn gently, gazing at the tiny peaceful face.
Ah Yin leaned close, her blue-gold hair brushing his shoulder.
"He looks like you," she teased softly.
Tang Hao chuckled, voice low and fond.
"Then he'll have your stubbornness."
She laughed lightly.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
And together, without hesitation, they said:
"His name will be Tang San."
The beasts around them nodded in approval, feeling the weight of the moment.
---
But peace was short-lived.
When it came to naming the second twin —
the child born amidst tribulation —
the beasts were no longer willing to remain silent.
---
Scarlet King marched forward proudly.
"We have a right to name this one too!"
Infernal Ice Qilin tossed his mane.
"The future belongs to us all! We demand a say!"
Even the usually reserved Bi Ji fluttered her wings excitedly.
Within moments, chaos erupted.
---
Name suggestions flew wildly:
"Crimson Thunder Sovereign!" — Scarlet King.
"Icebane Tyrant!" — Infernal Ice Qilin.
"Bloodstorm Doomslayer!" — Dark Devilgod Tiger (looking too eager for blood).
"Little Healing Leaf!" — Bi Ji (earning glares from everyone).
Even the ancient Sky Lightning Tiger muttered, "Lightning Roar Majesty!"
---
Tang Hao sighed deeply.
Ah Yin tried, and failed, to stifle her laughter.
The ferocious beasts, proud as mountains, now argued like children over a toy.
The grove rang with shouts, growls, wings flapping, and tail thwacks.
---
Just when chaos threatened to erupt...
A ripple of silver light flowed gently across the grove.
The beasts fell silent instantly.
Gu Yuena walked forward — her silver hair dancing like a celestial river, her steps soft but unchallengeable.
She approached Ah Yin and gently touched the second twin — Shiv.
The baby cooed in his sleep.
Gu Yuena smiled faintly and declared:
"His name shall be Tang Yan."
---
A stillness fell over the world.
The name carried profound meaning:
Tang — honoring his family's bloodline.
Yan (flame) — symbolizing brilliance, hope, and the rebirth of two races.
The beasts lowered their heads in acceptance.
Tang Hao smiled proudly.
Ah Yin's eyes shimmered with warmth.
And in the soft golden light, a name was carved into destiny.
---
❄️ Snow Emperor Arrives
Before the moment could settle, a gentle chill descended.
A figure cloaked in icy mist approached — Snow Emperor, regal and aloof.
She looked around at the gathering solemnly.
"I sensed the thunder across the continents," she said quietly.
"Why was I not summoned?"
The beasts exchanged guilty glances.
Scarlet King suddenly found the clouds fascinating.
Bi Ji pretended to dust off invisible leaves.
Even Di Tian cleared his throat awkwardly.
---
Finally, Di Tian stepped forward.
He lowered his golden eyes slightly and said:
"Snow Empress... It was not by choice. Fate moved faster than us."
He and Tang Hao then narrated everything —
the full ten months:
Tang Hao spoke first, about their six months of struggle and hiding.
Di Tian continued with the three months of preparation, battles, tribulations, and rebirth.
No event was left unsaid.
The story unfolded fully — of pain, triumph, miracles, and love.
---
Snow Emperor stood silently, taking it all in.
She gazed around —
the forest, though alive, was thinner.
The air, though vibrant, was weaker.
Her heart ached.
"The forest... bleeds," she whispered.
---
Gu Yuena stepped closer, her voice soft and wise:
"Then let us nurture its hope."
She turned toward the twins.
"We shall supply them with rare herbs — to strengthen body and soul before their awakening."
Snow Emperor nodded slowly, acceptance softening her icy gaze.
---
✨ Gu Yuena's Great Revelation
Gu Yuena's silver eyes grew deep.
She looked at Tang San and said:
"He... is a Child of Destiny."
Everyone tensed.
She continued:
"If Tang Yan had not been born... the 'altered memory' you were shown would have become real."
Ah Yin would have sacrificed herself.
Tang Hao would have ascended in grief.
Pain would have been written into the world's destiny.
---
Ah Yin's hand trembled slightly, clutching Tang Hao's sleeve.
Tang Hao grasped her hand back firmly.
They exchanged a soft, tearful smile.
Three soft exchanges followed —
whispers of gratitude, of stubborn love, of promises for the future.
---
They had changed fate.
Together.
---
❄️ The Mystery of the Music
Snow Emperor tilted her head.
"By the way... that strange music during the tribulation... what was it?"
Everyone stiffened.
The beasts exchanged horrified glances.
Di Tian immediately said:
"We don't want to know."
Scarlet King and Infernal Ice Qilin nodded furiously.
Bi Ji fluttered away in fake terror.
---
Snow Emperor frowned, unconvinced.
"I heard it all the way from the Far North," she said, puzzled.
"I even asked the Demonic Ocean Whale... but he said he heard nothing."
The awkwardness thickened.
---
Gu Yuena only smiled faintly.
Without answering, she approached Ah Yin and gently lifted Tang Yan — baby Shiv — from her arms.
She cradled him lovingly, bringing him close to her lips.
And in a voice so soft that only he could hear, she whispered:
"Have you played enough?"
---
Tang Yan stirred slightly in her arms —
a tiny, mischievous smile flickering across his sleeping face.
And the world smiled with him.
---
🌑 To be continued...