The name came to Tang San unexpectedly, surfacing from the depths of memory like a golden coin glinting in a riverbed. He could almost hear Tang Yan's laughter echoing in his ears, bright and infectious, the kind of laughter that made even the darkest days seem lighter. It was during one of their late-night talks, when the world felt both impossibly vast and intimately close, that Tang Yan had first uttered the words with a mischievous grin: "Call it El-Dorado," he'd said, eyes sparkling with mischief and dreams. "A city of gold, a kingdom of power. That's what we'll build—something legendary, something that will outlast us both."
At the time, Tang San had laughed along, not realizing how deeply those words would root themselves in his heart. Now, standing among the students on the training grounds, the moonlight painting silver patterns on the earth, he felt the weight and warmth of that memory settle over him. It was more than just a name; it was a promise, a tribute, a beacon for all of them to follow.
When Tang San shared the name with the students, he did so with a quiet reverence, as if unveiling a sacred relic. "We'll call ourselves El-Dorado," he announced, his voice steady but soft, carrying the memory of Tang Yan's laughter to every corner of the field. For a moment, there was silence—a collective breath held in anticipation. Then, as if on cue, the students broke into smiles and murmurs of approval. The name rolled off their tongues with a sense of pride and belonging.
Wang Sheng, ever the steadfast one, was the first to speak up. He squared his shoulders and nodded, his eyes shining with conviction. "El-Dorado," he repeated, the syllables ringing with newfound meaning. "For Tang Yan." The others echoed him, their voices weaving together in a tapestry of remembrance and hope. In that instant, El-Dorado was no longer just a name—it was a living, breathing entity, a symbol of unity and aspiration.
With the new name came a renewed sense of purpose. Training intensified, the air crackling with energy and determination. Grandmaster, ever the perfectionist, fine-tuned the drills with meticulous care. He watched each student closely, adjusting stances, correcting forms, and offering words of encouragement or gentle rebuke as needed. His presence was both reassuring and demanding, a reminder that greatness required both effort and humility.
Tang San, for his part, continued to share his knowledge, holding nothing back. He recognized the trust the students had placed in him, and he was determined to honor it. One evening, as the stars blinked awake in the velvet sky, he gathered Xiao Wu and Grandmaster aside. The moment was solemn, charged with unspoken understanding. With deliberate care, Tang San revealed the inner court Xu Tian Gong skill—a technique reserved for those he trusted most.
"This is more than just a skill," he told them, his gaze earnest. "It's a bond. I share it with you because I believe in you, and because I know you'll use it wisely." Xiao Wu accepted the knowledge with a quiet nod, her eyes reflecting both gratitude and resolve. Grandmaster, too, received the teaching with humility, recognizing the significance of the gesture. In that exchange, trust was not only given but cemented, forming an unbreakable link between teacher, student, and mentor.
Xiao Wu's leadership began to shine in new ways. She balanced discipline with encouragement, pushing her peers to excel while never losing sight of their well-being. When someone faltered, she was there with a steady hand or a kind word. When spirits flagged, she found ways to lift them—sometimes with a joke, sometimes with a challenge. Her presence became a pillar for the group, her determination infectious.
Grandmaster, meanwhile, found himself reflecting on his own journey. The memories of his past—failures, humiliations, moments of doubt—rose to the surface, unbidden but impossible to ignore. He remembered the times he had been dismissed, his theories ridiculed, his dreams dismissed as folly. Yet here, among these children, he saw a chance for redemption. Each day, as he watched them grow stronger, he vowed to himself that he would not let his past define him. Instead, he would forge a new legacy through their success.
The students, too, began to change. Their bodies grew leaner, their movements more precise. The drills that once left them gasping for breath now became second nature. More importantly, their spirits grew resilient. They learned to support one another, to celebrate victories and weather setbacks as a team. The soul power array, which glowed softly at the center of their training ground, became a symbol of their progress—a constant reminder of Tang Yan's enduring influence.
Sometimes, in the quiet moments between drills, Tang San would catch the students glancing at the array, their expressions a mix of awe and determination. It was as if Tang Yan's spirit lingered there, watching over them, urging them onward. The sense of camaraderie deepened, transforming the group from a collection of individuals into a true family.
Of course, the Meme System was never far behind, its irreverent commentary providing a counterpoint to the seriousness of their endeavors. "Quest: Name a gang after a bad joke! Reward: +10 Legacy Points," it quipped, its digital voice dripping with sarcasm. Tang San couldn't help but smile at the absurdity. In a way, the joke had become something real—proof that even the silliest ideas could spark greatness if embraced wholeheartedly.
As days turned into weeks, El-Dorado's reputation began to grow. Other students watched with curiosity and envy as the group trained with unwavering focus. Whispers spread through the academy: tales of their unity, their strength, their mysterious techniques. Some scoffed, dismissing them as upstarts. Others saw them as a force to be reckoned with.
Through it all, Tang San remained grounded. He knew that their journey was only beginning, that true greatness would require not just strength, but wisdom, compassion, and resilience. Yet as he looked around at his friends—at Wang Sheng's pride, Xiao Wu's leadership, Grandmaster's quiet resolve—he felt a surge of hope.
El-Dorado was more than a name. It was a dream made real, a tribute to the past and a promise for the future. In its unity, Tang San felt Tang Yan's spirit alive and well, guiding them all toward a destiny brighter than gold.