Chapter 721: The Dark Sentinel 32

In the original course of events, once Lu Tong had died, there were very few sentinels capable of rivaling Ellivis. With Zheng Wenjun, a double S-level guide, supporting him, Ellivis had naturally risen to prominence with ease.

But this time, everything was different.

With Tang Wan here, there was no way Ellivis would ever get the chance to scheme against Lu Tong again.

And more importantly, she would never allow anyone to take what rightfully belonged to him.

Someone like Ellivis, who calculated everything for personal gain, was not worthy of holding power within the empire.

After returning, Tang Wan was still somewhat fatigued, but before she could even rest properly, Lu Tong had already pulled her into the bedroom. His reasoning was simple and direct—she needed to recover, and for them, that meant both mental and physical connection.

Tang Wan, who had already grown accustomed to the unique harmony between their spiritual and physical bond, did not resist at all.

On the contrary, she accepted it quite willingly.

Seven days later, the war officially came to an end.

The enemy nation sent a formal surrender.

They had clearly prepared extensively for this campaign, but in the end, everything collapsed because they lacked a sentinel capable of matching Lu Tong.

Even now, his identity remained classified at the highest level within the empire. The enemy still had no idea who the “death sniper” truly was.

But what they did know was enough.

Their elite forces, especially the newly cultivated double S-level guides, had been completely wiped out. Years of effort had been reduced to nothing in a single campaign.

The backbone of their military strength was gone.

Continuing the war would only lead to further losses.

Faced with that reality, surrender was their only option.

When the emperor received the news, he let out a long breath of relief.

Soon after, the military released carefully edited battle footage across the empire’s network to boost public morale. Among all the clips, one stood out above the rest.

A lone figure.

A series of precise, devastating shots.

Each one changing the course of the battlefield.

“A single shot that turned the tide of war,” the announcer declared. “Fifteen double S-level guides eliminated, two double S-level sentinels killed, and seventeen S-level sentinels severely wounded. We cannot reveal his identity, but there is no doubt—he is one of the greatest heroes of this empire. The strongest blade we possess. Let us honor him.”

The entire empire was stirred.

Curiosity spread rapidly.

Who was he?

Speculation flooded every corner of the network until, eventually, a retired sentinel posted a cryptic message.

“I can’t tell you his name. But I can tell you this—he’s been known as the Dark Death for a long time. In the White Tower, even the strongest sentinels step aside when he passes. The empire is fortunate to have someone like him.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, the post added:

“You may not know him… but you’ll definitely know his guide.”

Attached was a link to the latest official announcement.

Tang Wan.

The empire’s first 3S-level guide.

The moment the news spread, the entire population erupted.

“A 3S-level guide? That’s unbelievable!”

“They say Admiral Tang is his partner. With both of them together, who could possibly threaten the empire?”

“For the first time, I actually feel safe living here.”

Confidence surged across the empire like a wave.

But at the center of all that attention, the two people everyone was talking about were completely unconcerned.

Because at that very moment, Tang Wan was standing in their residence… staring at a mountain of roses.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine eternal lovers.

All delivered at once.

 

 

Chapter 722: The Dark Sentinel 33

Looking at the countless bright red roses sealed within glass covers that filled the entire room, Tang Wan couldn’t help but turn toward Lu Tong, her eyes full of surprise as she asked, “Tongtong, didn’t you say ninety-nine roses? Why are there so many?”

Lu Tong answered immediately, his tone as straightforward as ever, “I don’t know. The person who delivered them said nine hundred and ninety-nine lasts longer than ninety-nine, so I accepted them all.” As he spoke, his gaze settled on her face, carrying a faint trace of seriousness. “Do you like them? If you don’t, I’ll have them thrown out.”

That kind of question was practically impossible to answer negatively. Tang Wan didn’t hesitate for even a second before replying, “I like them! How could I not like something so beautiful? And you gave them to me.” Her voice softened as she reached out to lift one of the glass cases, carefully examining the rose within. “Look, Tongtong, there’s even dew on it. It feels so real.”

Seeing her eyes light up with genuine delight, Lu Tong’s tense expression eased almost instantly, and a quiet sense of satisfaction spread through him. “As long as you like them,” he said, his voice low, though inside he was already thinking that what he had read before was indeed correct. Women really did like roses, and it seemed he had made the right decision asking for them.

After admiring the sea of roses for a while, Tang Wan finally turned back toward him, but before she could say anything more, Lu Tong’s gaze deepened, something darker surfacing beneath his calm exterior. He looked at her steadily, the restraint in his eyes thinning as he spoke, “Since you like them so much, shouldn’t you give me a reward?”

His tone remained controlled, yet the meaning behind it was unmistakable.

After fighting side by side in battle, he had come to realize just how deeply he had begun to rely on her. The connection between them was no longer just instinct or compatibility. It was something he could no longer separate himself from, especially when their minds and bodies intertwined, creating a sensation so intense that even he found it impossible to let go. The thought of anyone taking her away from him sparked a dangerous edge in his chest. She belonged with him, and that fact had already rooted itself firmly within him.

Tang Wan met his gaze, clearly seeing the flicker of heat hidden beneath his usual cold composure. Instead of retreating, she smiled, her expression soft and teasing as she held the rose gently in her hand. “Of course,” she said, stepping closer, her voice dropping slightly as she leaned near his ear. “Tongtong can have whatever he wants… including me.”

Those words ignited him instantly.

The restraint he had been maintaining snapped without warning. The rose was casually set aside, forgotten the moment he lifted her into his arms and carried her straight toward the bedroom.

In the past, if someone had told him that a sentinel could feel this kind of attachment toward a guide, that he would trust someone this completely, he would have dismissed it without a second thought. To him, relying on others had always been unnecessary, even foolish. But now, everything had changed.

He had fallen.

Completely.

Every time their spirits connected, the clarity of her emotions struck him with undeniable force. There was no deception in her feelings, no calculation, only pure and unwavering affection directed at him alone. That sincerity was something he had never encountered before, and once he recognized it, he could no longer ignore it.

His Wanwan truly loved him.

And because of that, he found himself willing to trust her in a way he had never trusted anyone else.

When she called his name in that soft, trembling voice, when she clung to him without hesitation, something inside him stirred in a way that felt both overwhelming and strangely familiar. There were moments when he had the distinct sensation that this was not the first time he had held her like this, not the first time she had called out to him.

But no matter how he searched his memory, he could not find any trace of such a past.

Later, when Tang Wan finally fell into a deep sleep, exhausted, Lu Tong remained awake beside her. He supported his head with one hand, his eyes fixed on her peaceful face as if trying to memorize every detail. Slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek, his voice dropping into a quiet murmur.

“Wanwan… have we met before?”

Because the familiarity he felt toward her was far too real to be an illusion.