Tang Ya Talked Herself Into It

Ning Tian had been troubled lately.

She had thought spending every day with Ao Yao would get her name mentioned in the Diary more often. Instead, he seemed to mention other people even more.

Yesterday, she had finally managed to get her name in there a few times, only to run into that Ma Xiaotao at the cafeteria and lose another chance.

To avoid running into anyone else with a copy of the Diary at the cafeteria, Ning Tian decided... they would eat out.

At that thought, Ning Tian took a deep breath and put on a flawless smile. "I'm tired of eating at the cafeteria all the time. Why don't we go out today? I happen to want to buy a few things in Shrek City."

Wu Feng glanced at Ning Tian but offered no opinion.

To her, Ning Tian's wishes came before everything else. Since it was Ning Tian's suggestion, she naturally wouldn't object.

Ao Yao had no reason to refuse either.

Ning Tian was paying, after all. She could decide where they ate.

Seeing that neither of them objected, Ning Tian's smile deepened.

Unfortunately... her plans never survived a change in circumstances.

Xiao Huo Grilled Fish?

Oh, right! I nearly forgot about that! This part happens too!

Prompted by Ao Yao's "reminder," Ning Tian and Wu Feng couldn't help looking toward the long line outside Shrek Academy's gates.

Vendors crowded the academy entrance, and students stopped here and there to buy things. But one stall had by far the longest line, with Shrek students making up most of its customers.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng grew curious at once.

The stall belonged to none other than Huo Yuhao, who was working to support his studies.

With help from Tang Ya, who had tasted his grilled fish, Huo Yuhao had gotten Xiao Huo Grilled Fish up and running. It had quickly made a name for itself, and within days, he finally had a way to cover his meals and living expenses.

Thinking of that, Huo Yuhao cast Tang Ya a grateful look.

Sister Xiaoya had arranged for the cafeteria staff to supply him with ingredients. She had also found him this prime spot.

Without Sister Xiaoya, his meager savings would never have been enough to support him.

Apart from his mother, Sister Xiaoya was the first person who had ever treated him so well. He had to repay her and help her lead the Tang Sect back to its former glory!

Huo Yuhao believed he could do it.

Once Brother Sky Dream helped him awaken his Second Martial Soul, he would surely become powerful someday. Then he could restore the Tang Sect's glory and repay Sister Xiaoya's kindness!

"Sister Xiaoya..."

Huo Yuhao was just about to say a few words pledging his loyalty when Tang Ya darted off.

"Yuhao, remember to save me two grilled fish! I'll be back!"

Huo Yuhao paused in surprise. He said nothing, though, and got back to work.

Tang Ya had hurried away because she had spotted Ao Yao in the crowd.

Ever since she had followed the Diary's advice and changed the target for her third Soul Ring, obtaining one with a life attribute, her urge to devour living creatures for cultivation had subsided.

Her cultivation had seemed to go more smoothly lately, too.

That convinced Tang Ya that Ao Yao had been right.

So the title of "Grandmaster" claimed by their ancestor Yu Xiaogang really was a sham!

He was nothing but a fraud chasing fame!

If their ancestor Tang San hadn't been so capable himself, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang might well have led his students astray!

That was precisely why she wanted to get closer to Ao Yao and gain more rewards and benefits.

Halfway there, however, she remembered the punishment if Ao Yao noticed something amiss—and she remembered Bei Bei.

Even without that punishment, getting her name into the Diary more often would mean growing closer to Ao Yao. Bei Bei would surely feel uncomfortable seeing her so close to another man, wouldn't he?

Tang Ya slowed, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes.

But the little devil in her heart soon reared its head and began whispering in her mind.

Bei Bei had hidden the fact that he had a childhood betrothal from her... Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan of the Inner Court had appeared in front of them many times, yet Bei Bei had never told her about his relationship with Zhang Lexuan. Wasn't that a kind of betrayal too?

Since Bei Bei hadn't told her something so important, surely it would be all right for her to spend a little more time with Ao Yao...

Wouldn't it?

As long as Bei Bei didn't find out.

Yes, that was it.

Then they would be even!

She only wanted to spend more time with Ao Yao and earn enough rewards to enter the Inner Court. Only there could she stay with Bei Bei for longer.

That was right.

All she wanted was more time with Bei Bei.

At last, Tang Ya had convinced herself.

The question now was how to strike the right balance: she needed to get her name into the Diary without letting Ao Yao notice anything amiss.

While Tang Ya wrestled with that, a figure emerged from Shrek Academy, surrounded by companions.

The striking young woman drew the eyes of nearly every student nearby.

She looked only fourteen or fifteen. Tall and slender, she wore her long golden hair in loose waves down her back. Her skin was fairer than snow, and her eyes were as clear as still water. Every glance carried a quiet, refined grace. With her delicate features and gentle manner, she was breathtakingly beautiful—as though her beauty had drained the color from everything around her.

She was Jiang Nannan, known as the most beautiful girl in the Outer Court!

That figure... that face. Unless I'm mistaken, she must be Jiang Nannan, right?

She really is pretty. Too bad she's just a minor character.

Reading the Diary, Jiang Nannan slowed. She swept a glance through the crowd and immediately picked out Ao Yao.

His looks stood out so much that it would have been difficult not to notice him.

And since Ao Yao had described his own appearance in the Diary, Jiang Nannan had been able to identify him at once.

Jiang Nannan had always been skeptical of the mysterious Diary that had appeared in her mind.

It had shown her that it could do extraordinary things, but until she experienced one herself, she found it hard to believe in it completely.

Now... perhaps she had a chance to test it.

But Ao Yao had called her a minor character... What did that mean?

A trace of confusion showed in Jiang Nannan's eyes.