Chapter 12: Damn, There’s a Bull!

Although Tang Ya had a very cheerful personality, she had suffered the devastating blows of losing her parents and having the Tang Sect’s estate seized. Now, even Shrek Academy, which once had close ties with the Tang Sect, was unwilling to offer any assistance.

No one could understand the despair within her heart, causing her emotions to completely collapse when she saw Ye Xixuan.

Tang Ya simply clung to Ye Xixuan and cried bitterly, soaking the front of his clothes with her tears. Only after that, with her eyes swollen and red, did she lift her head again.

The tremor of Ye Xixuan’s Martial Soul had settled into calmness. He gazed softly but resolutely at Tang Ya’s tear-blurred face and said gently, “Sister Ya, no matter what happens, I will help you. Just as you took care of me before.”

“You’re such an old soul, but you’re still younger than me,” Tang Ya said with a touched chuckle, nearly snorting through her nose, her voice thick with congestion. As her tense spirit relaxed, she was soon overwhelmed by a heavy drowsiness and leaned against Ye Xixuan’s shoulder, falling into a deep sleep.

Physically and mentally, she had been exhausted these past few days.

Ye Xixuan crouched down carefully, allowing Tang Ya to lie across his back. He supported her soft, firm legs with his hands and lifted her. Since advancing to the next level of Soul Master, his physical strength and internal vitality had improved significantly; Tang Ya’s weight was no burden to him at all.

“Senior Bei, please tell Elder Mu for me that I won’t be returning to the Sea God Pavilion tonight. I’m going to take Sister Ya into Shrek City first,” Ye Xixuan said as he carried Tang Ya, turning to look at Bei Bei, who stood at the main entrance of Shrek Academy. Under the gentle glow of the soul-guiding lamps, Bei Bei’s deep blue short hair shone with a jewel-like luster.

Tang Ya’s face was partly hidden by her hair, but from her height, Bei Bei roughly gauged she was a girl about his age.

Though he appeared refined and courteous, Bei Bei had a somewhat reserved but teasing side. Especially when with Xu Sanshi, the two often discussed topics about relationships between men and women, though only in theory.

Bei Bei first gave Ye Xixuan a thumbs-up, then smiled broadly and patted his own chest.

“Don’t worry, Xixuan, I’ve got this. But you need to explain things personally to the senior sister. The Grandmaster said she will guide your training tomorrow. She’s quite stubborn; if she can’t find you, I’ll be in trouble.” He always regarded Zhang Lexuan as his own sister, holding her in greater reverence than even family.

Ye Xixuan nodded seriously. “Senior Bei, I will. After I settle Sister Ya in Shrek City, I’ll come over.”

“All right, I’ll head back now. Remember to enter through the North City Gate; it’s the closest and the road there is wide and main.” With a chuckle, Bei Bei turned and started toward Sea God Island.

At the moment he turned, a sudden impulse made him glance back, just in time to see Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya’s figures melt into the darkness, contrasting sharply with his figure bathed in the soft lamp light.

It was the convergence of light and shadow, like the overlapping of two different worlds.

Unaware of this, Bei Bei’s lips curved into a teasing smirk. “So Xixuan likes the older type, unlike that turtle who only talks big but never acts. He’s always commenting on Sister Maotao’s figure in private but runs scared when they actually meet.”

“Ah, the life outside the academy is getting more interesting. Judging by age, Xixuan should have enrolled three years after us…”

Shrek City was vast. It took nearly half an hour for Ye Xixuan, carrying Tang Ya, to circle from the East City Gate to the North City Gate. His stamina was sufficient to feel no fatigue; his mind was occupied with thoughts.

If anything inside Tang Ya triggered the response of his Martial Soul, it could only be her unique talent of Dark Blue Silvergrass that consumed life force. However, since Tang Ya’s talent had not been fully awakened, the feeling of his innate ability’s demonic mark was not strong.

Besides Tang Ya, there was another person at Shrek Academy he could test—Maotao Ma, who possessed the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul.

If Ye Xixuan’s understanding of his ability was correct, then in his past-life memories, the Holy Spirit Church’s Fire Phoenix Saintess and Blue Silver Saintess would never reappear.

If possible, he was more than willing to help Tang Ya and Maotao resolve the hidden dangers within their Martial Souls.

As one of the most prosperous cities in central Douluo Continent, Shrek City remained lively even at night.

As soon as they entered, Ye Xixuan felt enveloped by the bustling crowds and noisy sounds. Everywhere he looked, dense streams of people filled the streets.

“Where is this?” Tang Ya murmured, waking up groggily on Ye Xixuan’s back, rubbing her slightly reddened eyes.

Without turning his head, Ye Xixuan had already sensed her awakening. At night, his perception became sharper, likely connected to his Martial Soul.

“We’re inside Shrek City, Sister Ya.”

“Xixuan, thank you. Without you, I would be alone again,” Tang Ya gradually regained her composure, seeming to ignore the noisy surroundings. She stretched out her delicate arms, tightly wrapping around Ye Xixuan’s neck, burying her cheek deep into his soft hair, her voice choked with sorrow.

“Is there still a place for me in this world?”

“Of course there is, Sister Ya. You can rebuild the Tang Sect with your own strength; you don’t necessarily need the academy’s help. And as I said, no matter what, I will help you,” Ye Xixuan comforted her softly.

“Why not start by enrolling in the outer academy? We’re still young; who knows what the future holds.”

“You’re such a little trickster, already comforting your sister,” Tang Ya teased with a coquettish hum, but inside, she was deeply encouraged. If even Ye Xixuan, younger than her, understood these truths, how could she give up so easily?

“But you’re right. I must stay and rebuild the Tang Sect with my own power, restoring its former glory!”

“Put me down,” Tang Ya suddenly said.

Just as Ye Xixuan was about to respond, Tang Ya jumped from his back, then lifted him up, pressing his cheek tightly against her chest. Her warm, soft voice whispered in his ear.

“Xixuan, thank you.”

“Mm,” Ye Xixuan smiled faintly, reaching out to embrace Tang Ya in return. Their skins brushed, sharing each other’s warmth.

Both castaways in this vast world, they had become each other’s support—right here, in the bustling, splendid Shrek City.