Chapter 30: No Apprentices Accepted

The limpid Sea God Lake reflected the crescent moon and the starlight from above, resembling a magnificent map of the heavens.

A gentle evening breeze blew across, causing ripples to spread across the calm surface of the lake. It shattered the starlight and moonlight, blending them into a dreamy, hazy silver glow.

Ye Xixuan’s gaze, fixed on the Sea God Lake, grew distant. His deep, black pupils seemed to lose their luster as he couldn't help but relate the fleeting play of light and shadow on the water to his own life experiences.

Unlike Xu Sanshi, who had the powerful Xuanming Sect behind him, Ye Xixuan had to rely solely on himself if he ever hoped to restore the former strength and glory of the Ye family. While the academy had provided him with much support—and he was willing to repay them in the future—this one distinction remained clear in his mind.

Xu Sanshi, meanwhile, had already drifted into a fantasy, his handsome face occasionally breaking into a somewhat lecherous grin that completely ruined his otherwise steady demeanor. It could be said that this was his true nature; in the original story, he had only restrained himself out of concern for Jiang Nannan’s opinion.

"Xixuan, don't you think that with my status and charm, I could easily pick and choose among the noble young ladies from those great spirit master clans in the Douling Empire?"

"And what about you, Senior Brother Xu? Don't you have any thoughts of your own?" While Xu Sanshi’s words were boastful, Ye Xixuan did not deny them. The Xuanming Sect possessed a profound foundation, with more than one Titled Douluo within its ranks; they certainly carried that kind of weight.

Xu Sanshi gave an ambiguous smile and nodded firmly.

"To be honest, I actually prefer women a bit older than me. Older sisters know how to care for people, you know? Of course, not like Senior Sister Xiaotao—someone with a gentler personality would be best. What about you, Xixuan?"

For some reason, the image of Zhang Lexuan subconsciously surfaced in Ye Xixuan’s mind. However, Zhang Lexuan was quite a bit older than him.

Then, his thoughts shifted to Tang Ya. As they grew older, he realized he had developed a vague, hazy affection for her. After a moment of hesitation, he gave an honest answer.

"Senior Brother Xu, I suppose I’m the same as you."

"You hesitated so long, you must already have someone in mind!" Xu Sanshi stared at Ye Xixuan with wide, gossiping eyes, as if he had just discovered a world-shattering secret. "Xixuan, you really are something! Tell me, which senior sister from the Inner Court is it?!"

Ye Xixuan tilted his head and teased, half-serious and half-joking, "Why can't I have them all? Taking multiple wives should be a common occurrence among the great spirit master clans, right? Isn't that how it is in your Xuanming Sect?"

"Having them all—that’s a great idea!" Awakened by this thought, Xu Sanshi drifted back into his fantasy, agreeing righteously. "We spirit masters train so hard; what’s wrong with enjoying ourselves? My old man has more than one wife besides my mother—next time I go home, I must talk to him about this!"

Seeing Xu Sanshi’s indignant expression, Ye Xixuan couldn't help but laugh. Despite his bravado, he likely wouldn't dare to actually do any such thing.

"Having what all?" Just then, a coquettish voice reached their ears. Ye Xixuan turned around to see Tang Ya’s vibrant and lovely face. She reached out a delicate hand, looking annoyed, and gently pinched his ear.

Jiang Nannan was right behind her. Both had changed into white freshman uniforms, their long skirts showcasing slender, fair, and shapely legs that exuded the essence of youth. Since their earlier misunderstanding had been resolved and they were roommates, they were naturally together.

Ye Xixuan met Tang Ya’s gaze. Despite the guilty feeling of being caught, his expression remained perfectly calm.

"Sister Ya, it’s nothing. I was just chatting with Senior Brother Xu here."

Xu Sanshi also turned around. His eyes went blank for a moment when he saw the stunning Tang Ya and the girl beside her—especially when his gaze fell upon Jiang Nannan.

Tang Ya gave Xu Sanshi a scrutinizing look and said to Ye Xixuan, her tone sharp, "Then how did I hear something about having more than one wife?"

"That wasn't me!" Ye Xixuan quickly denied it, stepping closer to Tang Ya to show where his loyalties lay.

Tang Ya looked at Xu Sanshi with a hint of disgust and scoffed, "Don't associate with such unsavory people in the future. And that Beibei guy from before, too—he’s always leading you astray."

"Nannan, let’s go." With a nod to Jiang Nannan, Tang Ya pulled Ye Xixuan away.

Jiang Nannan had remained silent the entire time. She withdrew her gaze with a calm expression and brushed past Xu Sanshi.

It wasn't until the three figures disappeared into the distance that Xu Sanshi finally regained his senses. Jiang Nannan was indeed stunning, but the noble ladies of the great spirit master clans were no less impressive. He no longer held that obsessive fixation on her.

"How did Beibei and I become 'unsavory people'? Fine, Beibei is one thing, but what does that have to do with me?" Xu Sanshi muttered to himself, finally realizing something. "Wait, could that girl just now be one of Xixuan’s targets? Looking at their freshman uniforms, they must be in this year’s intake..."

This evening’s interlude caused no waves at Shrek Academy, and the freshmen registered and began their studies the next day as scheduled. According to the academy's long-standing rules, freshmen would undergo their first assessment after three months of study. This year was no exception.

The assessment was conducted as team battles, with groups of three ranked by points. Only the top half would remain to continue their studies, while the rest were mercilessly eliminated.

Beibei and Xu Sanshi were assigned to different classes, and this assessment served as their first chance to make a name for themselves at Shrek.

As expected, the teams led by the two met in the finals, and Beibei ultimately won with an overwhelming advantage. The title "Bright Holy Dragon Beibei" echoed throughout the outer academy.

As for Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, they also relied on their own strength to remain.

After the assessment, the formal class assignments were made. Class One consisted of Power Attack and Control System Spirit Masters; Tang Ya and Beibei were placed in the same class.

As soon as the morning class ended, Beibei approached Tang Ya, following his great-grandfather’s instructions. But after their first formal encounter, he felt an inexplicable stir in his heart. At that moment, he realized he was no longer acting solely to fulfill his ancestor’s mission.

Beibei blocked Tang Ya’s path at the classroom door with a smile.

"You’re Tang Ya, right? You were the one who came to the academy with Xixuan? Are you the current sect master of the Tang Sect?"

"I am the current Tang Sect Master." Tang Ya stopped and looked up at Beibei. Her usually cheerful and kind eyes showed a rare flash of coldness. "Is something the matter?"

"I want to join the Tang Sect," Beibei said with a confident smile, getting straight to the point.

But the next instant, his smile stiffened.

"Go away, we aren't taking any disciples!" Tang Ya pushed past him coldly. From an angle Beibei couldn't see, a fierce, purple light flickered in her eyes.

*When our Tang Sect was in decline, where was Shrek Academy?*

*When I was driven out of my home, where were you then?*

*As the greatest academy on the continent, have you ever helped us?*

Tang Ya’s pace quickened, and crystal-clear tears welled up in her eyes. When she was at her most helpless, only the young Ye Xixuan had stood firmly by her side. Their world was one that allowed no one else to enter.