"I made it to the final eight, but today's competition was touch-and-go. I didn't expect the opponent to be capable of transferring a fire attribute soul skill directly into my mecha. Fortunately, it was quite difficult for him to do so. I managed to control my defenses while simultaneously defeating him with my Golden Dragon Spear."

"Hmm. Father, you must be careful. You'll do fine. Do come and visit me when the competition has ended. Stay for a few more days then."

"Sure, that's a promise. Be a good girl. Did you eat anything delicious today?"

Tang Wulin felt all warm and fuzzy as he listened to Gu Yuena's voice.

He chatted for a little while more before he hung up the communicator. Tang Wulin donned his military uniform and jacket before he left the Blood God Battalion. It was time for coffee in the afternoon.

He discovered in astonishment that someone was sitting in his usual place when he arrived at the cafe. The person was none other than the senior colonel Qian Ze whom he had met before.

Tang Wulin walked over and took a seat opposite him before he ordered a black coffee.

Qian Ze looked as if he was feeling a little lonely. He held the coffee mug with both of his hands and had a frown on his face.

Tang Wulin felt a tug in his heart. "Are you looking for me?"

Qian Zhe raised his head and looked toward him. "Number Sixty-Six, that's you, right?"

"Hmm." Tang Wulin nodded for there was nothing to hide since everyone was from the same army.

Qian Ze nodded and said, "I didn't manage to enter the final sixteen of the mecha battle. You're more powerful than I am. However, if we do encounter each other in the next round of the soul master battle, I wish to witness your true ability. I noticed that you haven't used any of the mecha battle's abilities in the soul master battle. Are you concealing your identity on purpose?"

Tang Wulin became slightly disturbed. "I'll only use the most suitable type of ability in a battle."

Qian Ze finished the remaining coffee in one sip. He nodded toward Tang Wulin before he stood up and left with great strides.

'What an odd guy! He seems to be very competitive. Is he trying to compete against me?'

Qian Ze's presence did not ruin Tang Wulin's good mood.

His coffee was served. The rich fragrance of the coffee misted over his face as he could not resist taking a sip when the drink was still steaming hot. The rich taste of the coffee filled his mouth within seconds.

"Congratulations, you." A soft and gentle voice was heard by his side.

Tang Wulin turned his head to the side and saw Long Yuxue who was approaching him.

She appeared to be her normal self. She was a soldier, after all, so her psychological makeup was much more resilient than the ordinary people.

"Thanks. Please take a seat. What are you having today? My treat," said Tang Wulin with a smile.

Long Yuxue took a seat opposite him and ordered a mug of her favorite hazelnut coffee. She looked at Tang Wulin and spoke, "Do you have a photo of her?"

"Photo?" Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment. There were only a few times he had photos taken as far as he could remember.

However, her words touched him deeply at once because he suddenly remembered the house to which he last returned still had the photos of his parents and Na'er!

He had not taken any more photos after he left the house. All of a sudden, he had an intense eagerness to return to his house. It had been so many years since, and there had been no news from his parents at all. He had not seen those photos for a long time, and he had almost forgotten how his parents looked.

Long Yuxue discovered in astonishment that the youth in front of her, who appeared cheerful and bubbly a moment ago, had tears in his eyes which had suddenly turned red.

"Are you okay? Did something happen to your girl?" asked a concerned Long Yuxue.

Tang Wulin took a deep breath to calm himself. He shook his head. "No. You mentioned photos, and it made me recall my family."

Long Yuxue spoke, "I've never heard you mention your family. They"

Tang Wulin chuckled bitterly. "My parents went missing when I was still very young. I don't know where they've gone but my guess is that they were abducted. I'm cultivating with great effort so I can be powerful enough to facilitate my search for them one day."

Long Yuxue could not help saying, "How did this happen? Do you have any clues?"

Tang Wulin's gaze was fixated for a moment, then he shook his head gently. "Not yet. However, I'll certainly find them."

Long Yuxue said, "Do you have a photo of your girl then?"

Tang Wulin chuckled once again. "I was caught off guard by your question. I only realized after you mentioned it. We don't even have a single photo of us together. I truly owe her too much. I'll take a photo with her the next time I see her. I'll show it to you then."

Long Yuxue smiled faintly. "I only wish to take a look at the person to whom I lost."

Tang Wulin felt a tug in his heart. "I'll try and draw a picture of her for you."'Why has she not given up hope yet?'

"Sure!"

Tang Wulin asked for a pen and paper from the waiter. He slowly began drawing on the paper. He was not especially skilled in drawing, but as a powerful soul master, he had learned to draw core circuits. Hence, he was particularly skilled in exercising control over his hands, such that with some effort he could draw the silhouette of the person who had left behind a profound impression in his mind.

Long Yuxue watched as Tang Wulin sketched the contours of her love rival with every deft stroke of his pen. She suddenly felt bitter in her heart. She was in pain these days as he was her first love, yet he already had someone else.

Her mother had told her to strive for the person she loved and to win him over if she could. She finally mustered enough courage to approach Tang Wulin again after much deliberation.

It was only a simple sketch of a person. It did not take long before the drawing was completed.

However, Tang Wulin was stunned when he was done with the portrait.

It was because the sketch he made was not Gu Yuena.

She was not particularly beautiful, but she had a pair of sparkling eyes. She was not particularly gorgeous, but she possessed a quality, unlike any other ordinary person.

The sketch was that of a young maiden who had once accompanied him when they were growing up together. She had been his companion through thick and thin.

It was Gu Yue! It was Gu Yue.

Tang Wulin was in a daze. He still could not figure out how Gu Yue turned into Gu Yuena even now. Meanwhile, Na'er seemed to have completely vanished.

He could only speculate that there was a connection between the both of them. Gu Yuena had yet to recover her memories so there was no way he could ask her for an explanation.

The person he loved was still Gu Yue after all!

Long Yuxue was by his side at present. She could not help frowning as she looked at the face on the portrait which was no more outstanding than her's.

Her reaction was not because Gu Yue was not beautiful enough, but it was Tang Wulin's look as he gazed at the portrait. He looked so gentle, and he was filled with love.

An intense sense of loss filled Long Yuxue's heart instantly as she felt a bitter taste on her tongue. She was at a loss for words. She was also aware that she truly did not stand a chance. The woman in the drawing left behind a deep, indelible mark in his heart. There was utterly no way to remove the mark.

Tang Wulin did not even realize when Long Yuxue left but his gaze remained fixated on the drawing. Gu Yue, the familiar face that he could no longer see. At the same time, Gu Yuena's face gradually overlapped Gu Yue's. His vision turned blurry. He could not even tell whom he was in love with. In his heart, the love would remain as profound as ever.

The coffee was already cold. It was Tang Wulin's first time in letting his favorite coffee go to waste. He folded the drawing carefully and placed it in his pocket before he stood up and left.

He was thinking of her again

The first round of the Federal Star Dou Battle Network Challenge finals ended. The final eight contestants were chosen. The ambiance in the competition had just become more intense.

Without a doubt, Tang Wulin was absolutely shining with a brilliance which dazzled the eyes. However, it turned out he was not the only one.