Mu En: How Can You See a Rainbow Without Experiencing Wind and Rain

Shrek Academy.

In the broad plaza before the teaching building, young boys and girls chatted and laughed, brimming with youthful energy.

Several statues stood at the front of the plaza: statues of the three members of the Golden Iron Triangle, as well as those of the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils.

These statues had weathered thousands of years, yet their expressions still appeared as spirited and high-spirited as ever.

Tang Ya looked at their statues a few more times, silently praying that Shrek Academy would be willing to help her avenge herself.

"We're here. Dean Yan is waiting for you in his office."

Before the administrative building, the student who had led the way gestured to Tang Ya, then turned and left.

Tang Ya looked back at the gloomy gray sky, took a deep breath, and resolutely entered the administrative building.

An elderly man with a kind face sat in the office. Dressed in white, he possessed a gentle temperament, looking no different from an ordinary old man, without any imposing aura. A smile rested on his face, giving him a bright and warm feeling that made him seem especially approachable.

Tang Ya's heart settled slightly.

Surely someone so kind and amiable would remember the friendship between the Tang Sect and Shrek that had endured for ten thousand years, and help avenge her parents?

"Dean, I am the orphaned daughter of the former Tang Sect Master. Three months ago, villains wiped out our Tang Sect. I was the only one who escaped from the entire sect. I beg you, in consideration of the friendship between the Tang Sect and Shrek over the past ten thousand years, to help me take revenge."

Tang Ya fell to her knees, her voice filled with sorrow as she pleaded.

"Ah, get up, quickly! Child." Yan Shaozhe used Soul Power to lift Tang Ya up, and his face took on an expression of mourning.

"I already know of the Tang Sect's plight. I feel deeply grieved by what happened to everyone in the Tang Sect."

"Ten thousand years ago, after Ancestor Tang San graduated, he led the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils in founding the Tang Sect. It flourished for a time and spread Shrek Academy's reputation and glory across the continent. It could be said that without the academy, the Tang Sect could not have been founded; and without the Tang Sect, the academy would not have enjoyed the glory it has had for the past ten thousand years."

Hearing Yan Shaozhe speak of the close relationship between the Tang Sect and Shrek, hope lit up in Tang Ya's eyes, making her gaze shine.

Yan Shaozhe continued, "Three thousand years ago, the Sun Moon Continent brought Soul Tools, causing the Tang Sect to decline. We at Shrek have watched it happen all along and hoped the Tang Sect could rise again, but we lacked the ability to help."

"Shrek Academy has always upheld the ancestral teachings: we must remember that we are only an academy for training soul masters, and we must remain neutral toward every force on the continent, without favoring either side. We cannot interfere, not even in the affairs of the Tang Sect, with whom we share such deep ties."

"So, regrettably, there is nothing we can do about the Tang Sect's affairs."

Yan Shaozhe wore an expression of utter impartiality. Once he finished speaking, he sighed again, as though he truly found it deeply regrettable.

Tang Ya's eyes instantly dimmed, and her face turned deathly pale. Lowering her head, she twisted the corner of her clothes tightly in both hands.

Hadn't I already prepared myself for this? When Clear Sky Sect refused me, I had already expected this day. But why am I still so disappointed?

Tang Ya's heart was filled with bitterness, along with hatred that continuously devoured her from within.

She pressed her lips together tightly, refusing to let herself cry. Her once bright, clear eyes now seemed to be brewing a pitch-black storm, while an enchanting violet hue quietly took root within them.

Yan Shaozhe continued, "Though we cannot help you take revenge, we will offer you protection. As long as you remain in Shrek City, no one will harm you."

"Thank you, Dean Yan."

Tang Ya spoke softly, her voice trembling. Then she turned mechanically and walked out of the office in a daze, making her way miserably through Shrek's campus.

The entire world seemed to turn into a silent black-and-white film. She once again saw the statues in the center of the plaza, gave a self-mocking smile, and continued walking out.

Only when she saw Lin Ran waiting for her at the entrance did she stop. It was as if the entire world had regained its color.

"...Lin Ran!"

After a long silence, Tang Ya could no longer bear the surging helplessness and grievance in her heart. She rushed over and threw herself into Lin Ran's arms, bursting into loud sobs.

Lin Ran gently held Tang Ya's soft body and patted her back. He said nothing more, only whispering softly beside the girl's ear, "Didn't I tell you? You still have me. It's alright. I'm here."

Only after the girl had cried herself into exhaustion did Lin Ran gently pick her up and head toward an inn in Shrek City.

The girl curled quietly in his arms, still hiccuping now and then. Her arms remained tightly hooked around his neck, as though afraid he might leave her behind.

Lin Ran lowered his head to look at her from time to time.

The girl's eyes were red and swollen, her long lashes soaked with tears, and tear tracks stained her fair, pretty face. Her expression was dim. Sometimes her eyes went blank as she stared vacantly into space; other times, she simply stared at him in a daze.

She looked rather pitiful, like an abandoned stray cat.

Lin Ran suddenly felt that he was somewhat despicable.

He had clearly known all along that Tang Ya would receive a disappointing answer today. Yet when the girl had asked him about it last night, he had still told her that things would turn out well today, filling her heart with hope.

And naturally, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment when it was shattered—and the more she would come to despise Shrek.

And the more dependent she would become on him.

No wonder Bei Bei and Tang Ya had gotten together so early in the Original Work. Tang Ya was at her most vulnerable during this period.

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

Lush green vegetation covered the entire island.

At the very center of Sea God Island, life flourished. The air was warm and moist, filled with the aura of life.

The Golden Ancient Tree stood here, as did Shrek's most important building, the Sea God Pavilion.

"Teacher, that was what happened. I refused the Tang Sect girl's request."

In the open space before the Sea God Pavilion, Yan Shaozhe stood respectfully before an elderly man.

The old man lay in a recliner, dressed in gray cloth robes. His face was covered in wrinkles, his eyes cloudy and yellowed, his eyelids drooping. He looked as though he were in the twilight of his years.

The old man opened his cloudy eyes and looked at the Golden Ancient Tree. After a long while, he sighed softly before speaking in an unhurried voice. "You did well. The academy truly should not directly interfere in the struggles between the various powers of the continent."

Yan Shaozhe said, "Then are we simply going to watch the Tang Sect perish?"

Mu En shook his head, his voice low. "The Tang Sect and our Shrek have shared a bond spanning ten thousand years. If we allowed it to decline, we would be letting down our ancestors. But the Tang Sect of old had become far too decayed. How could one see a rainbow without weathering the storm? Now is the perfect time to rebuild after destruction."

"Go and call Bei Bei over."

Yan Shaozhe said, "Yes."

Not long afterward, a young man approached. He appeared to be about the same age as Tang Ya, with a tall, straight figure. His short blue hair and gentle features gave him an elegant, scholarly air.

He came to Mu En's side and bowed respectfully. "Great-Grandmaster, you summoned me?"

Mu En slightly opened his cloudy eyes and said kindly, "Bei Bei, I want you to join the Tang Sect. Are you willing?"

"The Tang Sect?" Bei Bei asked, quietly waiting for Mu En to continue.

"The Tang Sect and our Shrek share a ten-thousand-year history. Yet now its household has fallen into ruin, with only a little girl left to support it alone. I cannot bear to watch it vanish like this. Go find that little girl, ask to join the Tang Sect, and help her restore it."

Bei Bei said, "I will do it."

He had never refused a request from his great-grandmaster.