Tang Ya's Self-Persuasion

Ning Tian had been troubled lately.

She had originally thought that spending time with Ao Yao day in and day out would allow her name to appear in the diary a few more times, but instead, Ao Yao ended up mentioning others' names far more often.

Yesterday, she finally managed to get her name to show up a few times, only to run into that guy named Ma Xiaotao at the cafeteria, costing her another opportunity.

To avoid seeing more people in the cafeteria who also possessed copies of the diary, Ning Tian decided... to eat out.

With that thought, Ning Tian took a deep breath, a flawless smile spreading across her face. "I'm getting tired of eating at the cafeteria all the time. How about we eat out today? I was thinking of going to Shrek City to buy some things anyway."

Wu Feng glanced at Ning Tian but didn't voice any opinion.

In her heart, Ning Tian's words were above all else. Since it was Ning Tian's suggestion, she naturally wouldn't object.

Ao Yao, likewise, had no reason to refuse.

After all, Ning Tian was the one paying. Where they ate... well, they'd just let Ning Tian decide.

Seeing that neither of them had any objections, the smile on Ning Tian's face grew a bit more pronounced.

Unfortunately... her plans could never keep up with changes.

[Xiao Huo Grilled Fish?]

[Ah... right, right, I almost forgot about that! There's still this part!]

With Ao Yao's "reminder," Ning Tian and Wu Feng couldn't help but look toward the long line forming at the entrance of Shrek Academy.

A large number of vendors had gathered at the academy's entrance, with crowds bustling about. Quite a few Shrek Academy students had stopped to buy things, but only one stall had the longest queue, and most of those waiting were Shrek students.

This piqued Ning Tian and Wu Feng's curiosity.

The owner of that stall was, naturally, Huo Yuhao, who was working to support himself.

With the help of Tang Ya, who had tasted Huo Yuhao's grilled fish skills, his Xiao Huo Grilled Fish stall had finally gotten off the ground. Within just a few days, it had quickly built up a reputation, and he finally had a stable source of money for meals and living expenses.

Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but cast a grateful glance at Tang Ya beside him.

It was Sister Xiaoya who had helped him win over the cafeteria auntie to provide him with ingredients, and it was also Sister Xiaoya who had found him this prime spot.

If it weren't for Sister Xiaoya, his meager resources wouldn't have been enough to sustain a normal life.

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

Huo Yuhao believed he had the ability to do so.

As long as he could awaken his Second Martial Soul with Brother Tianmeng's help, he would surely become a strong person in the future, restore the Tang Sect's glory, and repay Sister Xiaoya's kindness!

"Sister Xiaoya..."

Just as Huo Yuhao was about to say a few words to pledge his loyalty, he saw Tang Ya dart off in a flash.

"Yuhao, remember to save two grilled fish for me! I'm heading out for a bit!"

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned but didn't say anything. Instead, he began his hard work.

The reason Tang Ya had hurried off was naturally because she had spotted Ao Yao in the crowd.

Ever since she had followed the diary's advice and changed her target for her third soul ring, obtaining a life-attribute soul ring, the urge to devour all living things to cultivate had been suppressed.

Moreover, her recent cultivation seemed to be going more smoothly than before.

This made Tang Ya firmly believe that Ao Yao was right.

That so-called master title of Yu Xiaogang's was indeed fake!

A mere charlatan seeking fame!

If it weren't for Tang San's own strength, that Master Yu Xiaogang would probably have led people astray!

It was precisely for this reason that she wanted to get closer to Ao Yao, to gain more rewards and benefits.

But halfway there, she thought of the punishment for being caught by Ao Yao, as well as Bei Bei.

If it weren't for that punishment, getting her name to appear in the diary more often would inevitably require closer interactions with Ao Yao. Wouldn't Bei Bei feel uncomfortable seeing her being so intimate with another man?

Tang Ya's steps faltered, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

But soon, the little devil in her heart reared its head, whispering temptations in her mind.

Bei Bei had even hidden the fact that he had a child bride from her... The inner courtyard's senior sister, Zhang Lexuan, had appeared before her and Bei Bei many times, yet Bei Bei never told her about his relationship with the senior sister. Wasn't that also a kind of betrayal?

Since Bei Bei hadn't told her about such an important matter, then her being a bit closer with Ao Yao...

Shouldn't be a big deal, right?

As long as Bei Bei didn't find out.

That's right, that's how it was.

This way, they were even!

She just wanted to interact with Ao Yao a bit more, to gain some rewards so she could advance to the inner courtyard. Only by entering the inner courtyard could she stay with Bei Bei for a longer time.

That's right.

She just wanted to be with Bei Bei for a little longer.

Tang Ya finally convinced herself in her mind.

The problem now was how she could grasp the measure—a measure that would allow her name to appear in the diary without alerting Ao Yao to any clues.

Just as Tang Ya was agonizing over this, a figure, surrounded by companions, walked out of Shrek Academy.

And that striking figure immediately drew the attention of the vast majority of students.

She appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, with a tall, well-proportioned figure. Her long, wavy golden hair cascaded behind her head. Her skin was as white as snow, and her eyes were like a clear stream. As she glanced around, she naturally exuded an elegant and noble temperament, her features as flawless as jade. With a gentle, graceful demeanor, she was breathtakingly beautiful, her peerless, kingdom-toppling appearance seeming to dim all colors around her.

The owner of this figure was none other than Jiang Nannan, known as the most beautiful girl in the outer courtyard!

[This figure... this face... if I'm not mistaken, it should be Jiang Nannan, right?]

[Tsk, she really is quite good-looking, but unfortunately, she's just a background character.]

Reading the contents of the diary, Jiang Nannan's steps paused slightly. Her peripheral vision swept across the crowd and immediately locked onto Ao Yao's figure.

Ao Yao's appearance stood out far too much in the crowd; Jiang Nannan couldn't help but notice him.

Coupled with the fact that Ao Yao himself had described his looks in the diary, Jiang Nannan was able to quickly pinpoint him.

As for the mysterious diary that had appeared in her mind, Jiang Nannan had always held a skeptical attitude toward it.

Although the diary had already demonstrated its miraculous nature, since it hadn't actually happened to her, Jiang Nannan still found it hard to believe one hundred percent.

Now... perhaps this was her chance to verify it.

But Ao Yao called her a background character... what did that mean?

A hint of confusion flickered in Jiang Nannan's eyes.