Chapter 29: Xu Sanshi Thoroughly Suppressed

The radiance on the martial arts arena lingered for a full four or five seconds before gradually dissipating, revealing the figures of Ye Xixuan and Bei Bei.

Bei Bei remained in his state of Bright Sacred Dragon martial soul possession, while Ye Xixuan had already deactivated his second soul skill, Shadow Domain, dragging his massive Dark Demon Scythe along the ground with his left hand.

After a brief moment of locking eyes, Bei Bei suddenly withdrew his martial soul, and the Dark Demon Scythe in Ye Xixuan’s hand vanished into thin air as a wisp of black vapor.

Xu Sanshi, who had been sitting on the ground, scrambled to his feet and asked with a bewildered expression, "Sister Xiaotao, who actually won?"

"Neither of them used their full strength, but that boy Bei Bei likely felt that he had the advantage of age and didn't want to push things to that point in his heart."

Ma Xiaotao shook her head, though her gaze toward Ye Xixuan had shifted slightly. It was only after witnessing this duel that she truly grasped the extent of Ye Xixuan’s talent.

"Even within the Inner Court, the martial soul talents of you two are exceptional, but from this day forward, I fear you will both be chasing after Xixuan’s shadow. Even for me, there may come a day when that is the case."

"Alright, I'm heading back to cultivate." Ma Xiaotao waved a hand and turned to leave. She had primarily come along out of curiosity regarding Ye Xixuan’s practical combat abilities. Now that her curiosity was satisfied, there was no need for her to remain.

Ma Xiaotao’s figure soon vanished from Xu Sanshi’s sight, and as he turned back, he saw Ye Xixuan and Bei Bei walking toward him side by side.

Influenced by his own martial soul, Ye Xixuan seemed to possess a composure far beyond his peers, his eyes deep, dark, and cold.

Bei Bei, on the other hand, seemed to have returned to his usual self. He casually slung an arm over Xu Sanshi’s shoulder and said with a smile, "You old turtle, the sparring between Xixuan and me is over, so it’s your turn now. Go ahead and choose your opponent; whether it’s me or Xixuan, we’ll certainly leave you satisfied."

"You rotten Bei Bei! You took a beating and now you want to take it out on me, right?" Xu Sanshi bluntly exposed Bei Bei’s intentions.

"You’re a three-ring Soul Venerable fighting me, a two-ring Great Soul Master—proud of yourself, are you?"

"So what?" Bei Bei shrugged indifferently, showing no shame. "Xixuan is only two rings as well. Don't tell me you think you're not up to the task?"

"I’m more than up to it! Bring it on, I’ll fight you to the end today!" Hearing this, Xu Sanshi immediately lost his cool. No man would ever admit he isn't up to the task, in any regard.

Just then, Ye Xixuan interjected, "Brother Xu, after you finish with Brother Bei, why don't you spar with me as well? I’m quite interested in the capabilities of your martial soul."

"You two aren't in cahoots to mess with me today, are you!" Hearing Ye Xixuan’s words, Xu Sanshi felt his entire body go numb.

"You murderous Bei Bei, I knew you didn't have any good intentions when you brought me to Sea God Island today!"

"Brother Xu, this has nothing to do with Brother Bei. I simply wish to learn some techniques from a defensive-type battle soul master." Ye Xixuan’s expression was so sincere that Xu Sanshi felt like crying, leaving him no choice but to adopt a look of grim determination.

"Fine, fine! I’m going all out today! Let’s see how I drain your soul power!"

The sparring on the arena didn't conclude until nightfall, and everyone gained quite a bit. However, the most miserable one was Xu Sanshi, who, as a defensive-type soul master, had been treated as a living target in his bouts against Ye Xixuan and Bei Bei.

Ye Xixuan and Bei Bei’s soul power remained far from depleted, while he was left completely exhausted.

Afterward, they had dinner together at the Inner Court cafeteria on Sea God Island, during which Ye Xixuan and Xu Sanshi gradually grew familiar with one another.

Setting aside the obsessive behavior toward Jiang Nannan from his past-life memories, Xu Sanshi’s character was actually quite decent. He was loyal to his friends and sincere, and his occasional crude or boastful remarks were harmless.

After dinner, the three parted ways.

Ye Xixuan and Xu Sanshi prepared to take a small boat to the Outer Court, while Bei Bei was summoned to the Sea God Pavilion by Elder Mu.

Upon entering the first-floor hall of the Sea God Pavilion, Bei Bei immediately spotted Elder Mu lying on the main seat.

"Great-Grandfather."

"Did you lose to Xixuan today?" Elder Mu asked with his eyes closed, his tone gentle.

A flicker of dejection crossed Bei Bei’s face, but he hurriedly denied it: "Great-Grandfather, I did not lose!"

"No, your heart has already lost," Elder Mu said, shaking his head slightly. "You were afraid—afraid that even if you gave your all, you wouldn't win, and even more afraid that you wouldn't know how to accept such a result."

"But Xixuan’s martial soul and talent are both stronger than mine." Bei Bei subconsciously made excuses, which was, in fact, the crux of his inner conflict.

Before Ye Xixuan arrived at Shrek Academy, he had never imagined that anyone could possess a martial soul and talent superior to his own. As the only descendant of Elder Mu and the inheritor of the Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline, he was supposed to stand at the pinnacle of the world.

Elder Mu smiled faintly and said, "Have you ever considered how many geniuses you have surpassed with your own martial soul and talent?"

Bei Bei lowered his head, lost in thought, and remained silent.

"I sent you to the Outer Court to study so that you would interact with your peers and understand these truths. Everyone has their own role to play, but how brilliantly one performs that role is entirely up to them," Elder Mu continued.

"There is one more thing you must do while studying at the Outer Court."

"What is it, Great-Grandfather?" Bei Bei looked up in confusion.

"Join the Tang Sect..."

Meanwhile, Ye Xixuan and Xu Sanshi arrived at Shrek Plaza in the Outer Court.

Shrek Plaza was located between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department, bordering Sea God Island on one side. As it was the time for new student enrollment, many freshmen were there, enjoying the evening breeze and chatting excitedly.

Xu Sanshi leaned his hands against the chain railing between the stone pillars and let out a long, weary sigh.

"I’m exhausted today! Xixuan, you have to admit that bastard Bei Bei really doesn't hold back. And now that I’m studying in the Outer Court, doesn't that mean I’ll always be overshadowed by him?"

"Brother Xu, doesn't your martial soul still have a chance for a second awakening?" During dinner, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had discussed this in front of Ye Xixuan. Ye Xixuan couldn't help but recall memories from his past life. Given the bloodline talent of Xu Sanshi, if he completed the awakening ritual normally, he would likely evolve his Xuanming Turtle Shield martial soul directly into the Black Tortoise Shield.

Upon hearing this, Xu Sanshi’s expression became unnatural, yet a glimmer of hope flickered within him—the repressed longing of an adolescent boy. He couldn't help but swallow, feeling his throat go dry and his face flush.

"That’s still several years away..."

"You could ask your family to choose a partner for you in advance; arranged marriages between prominent soul master families are quite common, aren't they?" Ye Xixuan found Xu Sanshi’s demeanor quite amusing, and he also hoped to slightly alter the timeline from his past-life memories to avoid the melodramatic plot points.

The Ye family of Tianling City was a top-tier soul master family, and marriages between such families were usually based on mutual consent for the sake of shared interests.

Had the Ye family not suffered the tragedy of annihilation, given the martial soul talent Ye Xixuan had displayed, he would have likely been betrothed to the daughter and heir of another top soul master family early on.

Xu Sanshi turned to look at Ye Xixuan, his eyes gleaming with excitement, his lips dry as he asked, "Xixuan, do you think I should bring this up with my old man?"

"..." Ye Xixuan rolled his eyes in silence.

*Brother, your thoughts are written all over your face.*