All Under Heaven Bustles for Profit

"Thank you!"

Tang Ya nodded her thanks to Jiang Qingtong, but she only took her words as polite pleasantries.

All under heaven bustled for profit, and all under heaven scattered for profit. Even Shrek Academy, which had such deep ties to the Tang Sect, was like this now. What reason did she have to believe that Jiang Qingtong, whom she had only just met, would help her?

Besides, Jiang Qingtong was still so young. If Old Hong had said it, perhaps it would have carried some credibility.

Jiang Qingtong looked at her and asked, "Sect Master Tang Ya, do you think I'm merely being polite?"

Hearing Jiang Qingtong say it so directly, Tang Ya looked somewhat embarrassed. "I didn't think that."

Jiang Qingtong smiled. "It's alright. It's perfectly normal to think so! After all, we've only just met. But Sect Master Tang Ya, don't misunderstand. I'm not just being polite. I mean it."

Tang Ya and Bei Bei were both stunned when she said that. Tang Ya asked, "You mean it?"

Jiang Qingtong nodded. "If Sect Master Tang Ya is willing, you can reestablish the Tang Sect in the Sun Moon Empire. Someone will provide support for the Tang Sect! Once the Tang Sect grows strong in the future, returning to Heaven Dou City and reclaiming its former foundation will not be difficult."

"The Sun Moon Empire? Young Lady Jiang is from the Sun Moon Empire?"

After Jiang Qingtong finished speaking, Tang Ya fell into thought, while Bei Bei was greatly taken aback and stared at her in astonishment.

Looking at Bei Bei's surprised expression, Jiang Qingtong asked in return, "What? The Sun Moon Empire is also part of Douluo Continent now. Does Mister Bei Bei think people from the Sun Moon Empire shouldn't appear in the Star Dou Great Forest?"

"My apologies. I got a little carried away." Bei Bei came to his senses and realized that he had lost his composure. He immediately clasped his hands and apologized to Jiang Qingtong.

Tang Ya stared at Jiang Qingtong and suddenly asked, "Young Lady Jiang, if the Tang Sect were reestablished in the Sun Moon Empire, how much support could it receive?"

"Xiao Ya!" Before Jiang Qingtong could speak, Bei Bei called out to Tang Ya from beside her.

Tang Ya came back to herself and realized that her question had been inappropriate. She gave a light cough and said, "My apologies, Young Lady Jiang. I was presumptuous! The Tang Sect has endured for ten thousand years and has no such plans for the time being."

Although Tang Ya had refused, she had not shut the door completely. Jiang Qingtong smiled and nodded. "I understand. After all, the Tang Sect was once as glorious as Shrek Academy!"

Those words struck straight at the heart, and Tang Ya's expression became even more pained.

Noticing Tang Ya's mood, Bei Bei raised an arm around her shoulders and said to Jiang Qingtong, "Sorry, Xiao Ya is a little tired. We'll head back first. Young Lady Jiang, Yuhao, we can chat again when there's a chance!"

"Alright!" Huo Yuhao nodded and watched the two leave alongside Jiang Qingtong.

Old Hong watched their departing figures and sighed. "The Tang Sect was once so illustrious, yet it has fallen into such a state? Didn't they say Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect were as close as one body? How could they stand by and watch the Tang Sect be wiped out without lifting a hand?"

"They've been the continent's number one academy for too long. They can't lower themselves anymore. It's understandable." Jiang Qingtong sighed as she watched the two disappear from sight.

"Shrek Academy is so powerful, yet it isn't even willing to offer this small bit of help. I've heard those stories about the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy too. Without the Tang Sect's Sea God Tang San, how could Shrek Academy have what it has today? Looking at it now, they aren't as good as the stories made them out to be."

Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze, his tone carrying some emotion as well.

Jiang Qingtong nodded in agreement with Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, shall I have Old Hong escort you to the Sun Moon Empire?"

Huo Yuhao asked, "Cousin, aren't you coming with me?"

Jiang Qingtong shook her head. "No. I still have some matters to handle. Once you reach the Sun Moon Empire, my brother will take good care of you."

Matters?

Huo Yuhao looked at Jiang Qingtong, then at distant Shrek City. "Cousin, do you want to go to Shrek Academy?"

"Smart." Jiang Qingtong nodded in admission.

There was nothing to deny.

And after giving it some casual thought, Huo Yuhao understood why Jiang Qingtong, despite being from the Sun Moon Empire, wanted to join Shrek Academy. In the entire world, there was no place besides Shrek Academy where high-quality martial souls were gathered in such numbers.

Before leaving, Huo Yuhao looked at Jiang Qingtong. After hesitating for a moment, he urged, "Cousin, be careful in everything."

"Don't worry." Jiang Qingtong nodded.

Old Hong said to Jiang Qingtong, "Girl, if anything happens, notify me immediately. I'll bring people over to back you up! If it really comes down to it, return to Mingde Hall. Us old bones can work a little harder and find you a few good martial souls."

"Got it, Old Hong. You and Yuhao should be careful on the way back too." Jiang Qingtong smiled and waved farewell to the two. After watching them set off, she turned and headed toward Shrek City.

Although Shrek City lay within the Heaven Dou Empire, its defenses were entirely managed by Shrek Academy. Its city lord, Shi Xing, was also a graduate of Shrek Academy.

Bei Bei escorted Tang Ya back into the city. Her residence was a compound specially allocated to the Tang Sect by Shrek Academy out of consideration for their past ties.

But calling it a compound was an exaggeration. It was merely a single courtyard, and with the Tang Sect so sparsely populated now, the word "compound" was even less fitting.

"Xiao Ya, how are you?" After helping Tang Ya sit down, Bei Bei asked with concern.

Tang Ya shook her head. "I'm fine. Don't worry!"

Bei Bei was still uneasy. He gently kneaded Tang Ya's shoulders and said, "Don't take that Young Lady Jiang's words to heart. The Sun Moon Empire isn't a good place, and the Progenitor and the academy have their own difficulties too..."

Tang Ya nodded at his words and patted the hand resting on her shoulder. "I understand."

That was what she said, but only she herself knew what she truly thought. Was Shrek Academy really so fair and impartial that it could not even help the Tang Sect establish itself in Heaven Dou City?

Not necessarily.

"Bei Bei, I'm a little tired. Don't you still need to return to the academy? Go on back. Don't delay your cultivation because of me." Tang Ya looked at Bei Bei and spoke softly.

Hearing this, Bei Bei thought for a moment before saying, "I can take leave."

But Tang Ya smiled and pushed him lightly. "There's no need! I'm not so fragile that a few words mean I need someone by my side every step of the way."

Only after seeing Tang Ya smile did Bei Bei give a soft hum. He reminded her to stay safe once more, then left and returned to Shrek Academy. After Bei Bei was gone, Tang Ya clenched her fist and slammed it hard into the wall beside her.

"Father, Mother, can I really revive the Tang Sect? If... if I take the Tang Sect to the Sun Moon Empire, would you agree?"

Tang Ya's eyes reddened as she muttered to herself.