Past Events

"Class One of First Grade won. Until the Promotion Tournament ends, you will remain Class One of First Grade."

"Once the Promotion Tournament is over, the rankings will be rearranged. Tomorrow, you will continue challenging Grade One Class Three."

This was a match that could not even be called a crushing victory. Everything had been so easy. Tang Wuyang and Gu Yue had barely used the power of their Martial Souls before the battle was over.

Just as Wu Changkong had once told Tang Wuyang and the others, among Soul Masters their age, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin could defeat quite a few people with their own pure strength alone.

Wu Changkong did not spare Kong Hanwen, Class Four's Homeroom Teacher, even a glance. He looked expressionlessly at Class One of First Grade's students. "Dismissed!"

Xie Xie draped an arm over Tang Wulin's shoulder. "I suddenly feel like the days of the Promotion Tournament are wonderful. At least we don't have to undergo special training at night."

To preserve their stamina and condition, they did not need to undergo special training during the competition.

Long Hengxu also stepped down from the platform at this time, looking at Class One of First Grade's Four People with surprise in his eyes.

He had specifically arranged for Xie Xie to enter Class One of First Grade, using the excuse of the fight at the beginning of the school year.

Otherwise, with Xie Xie's talent, entering Class One would have been beyond question.

However, his Family members had approached Long Hengxu and hoped he could receive better training, which was why he had been placed in Class One of First Grade.

Long Hengxu had had several considerations at the time. As the worst class, Class One of First Grade faced far more pressure in the academy than the other classes, and Wu Changkong had just happened to be transferred to Class One of First Grade.

Although almost none of the academy's High-level staff liked that Cold and Arrogant God, they had to admit that his teaching ability and personal strength were exceptional.

Thinking further, with a genius like Xie Xie in Class One of First Grade, he would surely put considerable pressure on the other First Grade classes during the Promotion Tournament, thereby driving the teaching and learning motivation of the entire First Grade.

One move, many gains. That had been Long Hengxu's true purpose in placing Xie Xie in Class One of First Grade.

But now, Class One of First Grade's lineup had exceeded his expectations.

He clearly remembered that Tang Wulin's Martial Soul should have been Blue Silver Grass. Yet the spear without a Soul Ring that he had displayed just now represented something significant. As the Director of Teaching, Long Hengxu naturally realized that this student, who appeared to possess a Useless Martial Soul, actually had the rare Twin Martial Souls.

As someone with Twin Martial Souls, could Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass truly be ordinary Blue Silver Grass?

The answer was obviously no.

As for Tang Wuyang, a Beast Martial Soul wielder, although his strength was immense, it was not brought about by his Soul Skill. His First Soul Skill was actually a rare elemental-type Soul Skill.

As for that Girl, she should have been the Student Wu Changkong had insisted on bringing into the class, even going so far as to apologize to him.

Although she had not displayed her strength today, possessing a Century Soul Ring said enough.

With a competition lineup like this, Class One of First Grade was practically Against the Heavens!

Even Class One of First Grade would probably have a hard time defeating them.

If the lower-ranked classes kept winning in the Promotion Tournament, it would not be a good thing for him, the person responsible for admissions.

If that happened, it would indirectly prove that his class assignments had been unfair.

Long Hengxu was already beginning to regret agreeing to let Wu Changkong place Gu Yue in Class One of First Grade.

"Want to go out and have some fun?" Xie Xie whispered into Tang Wulin's ear.

Tang Wulin shook his head. "I'm going to the Canteen with Wuyang to eat."

Xie Xie refused to give up. "Bring him along! Come out with me, and I'll treat you Brothers to a meal. How about it?"

Hearing that, Tang Wulin wavered slightly. "Then I'll ask Wuyang."

With that, he and Xie Xie walked over to Tang Wuyang, who was chatting with Gu Yue, and called him over.

Tang Wulin softly asked in his ear, "Wuyang, Xie Xie invited us out for a meal. What do you think? Do you want to go?"

The moment Tang Wuyang heard Xie Xie was paying, his eyes lit up. He Nodded. "Sure!"

Over the past few months, the Brothers had continuously taken on second-level Forging Tasks and saved more than a hundred thousand Federation Coins. That was already no small sum.

At this rate, they were confident that by the time their Soul Power reached Level 20, they would have saved enough money for a Century Soul Spirit.

"I'm coming too!" Gu Yue had somehow already arrived beside the group plotting together.

Xie Xie looked disgusted. "We're not bringing a Girl along!"

Gu Yue snorted coldly and looked at Tang Wuyang. "Are you going with them, or with me?"

Xie Xie said proudly, "Is that even a question? We're Dormitory mates and friends, and Wulin is his Biological Brother. Even an idiot knows what to choose."

Gu Yue nodded, then suddenly turned toward the direction Wu Changkong had left and shouted, "Teacher Wu, I think our coordination still isn't good enough. We should continue special training!"

"Wei!" Xie Xie flashed in front of her and raised his hand to cover her mouth.

Silver Light flashed around Gu Yue's body as she shifted two meters sideways, arriving beside Tang Wuyang. She sneered. "What, do you want to fight?"

Xie Xie looked utterly defeated. "Fine, fine. If you want to follow us, then come along!"

He truly had no way to deal with Gu Yue. She was stronger than him, and that alone had him completely pinned down.

They had trained together for so long, yet in one-on-one fights, he had never beaten Gu Yue. Only when he and Tang Wulin teamed up could they occasionally win, and that was under the condition that Tang Wuyang stood by completely without helping Gu Yue.

Strangely enough, Gu Yue was always targeting him. Her attitude toward Tang Wulin was fairly indifferent, but she treated Tang Wuyang remarkably well.

Thus, the Four People had a very peculiar relationship. Xie Xie and Gu Yue each had a good relationship with Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang respectively, while Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang were Brothers, so their relationship was naturally excellent.

Yet Gu Yue and Xie Xie could not stand each other, while the Brothers Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang, caught in the middle, were like a link between them.

The Four People changed back into their own clothes and left the academy.

"Where are we going?" Tang Wulin asked Xie Xie, who had suggested going out.

Xie Xie said, "Let's eat first. Don't you and Wuyang both love eating the most?"

"I know a Snack Street. Let's eat there."

Walking Side by Side with Gu Yue in front, Tang Wuyang turned to look at Xie Xie behind him. "Are you sure you're treating us?"

Xie Xie said irritably, "It's just snacks. Would This young master not be able to afford it?"

Gu Yue said, "You reek of money!" With that, she grabbed Tang Wuyang's wrist and pulled him two steps ahead.

Xie Xie said viciously, "Then don't eat if you've got the nerve!"

Gu Yue said proudly, "I never planned to eat what you were buying anyway. Wuyang, treat me."

Tang Wulin rubbed his forehead. "Can't you two behave for a while? Didn't we come out to relax?"

Looking into Gu Yue's Black Gem-like eyes, Tang Wuyang once again saw Na'er's image in his mind and unconsciously agreed. "All right, I'll treat you."

After getting her answer, Gu Yue looked smugly at Xie Xie. "Don't worry, you miser. I won't eat anything you buy. Everything you buy carries..."

As she spoke, she waved her hand in front of her nose with utter disdain.

Tang Wuyang shook his head, muttering inwardly, Their hair color and looks are clearly different. Why do I always think of Na'er whenever I look at Gu Yue?

Xie Xie took several deep breaths. Whether in bickering or fighting, he was no match for her.

That was also why he had not wanted to bring Gu Yue along.

The Snack Street was not particularly close to Eastsea Academy. The Four People walked for a full half hour before arriving.

Shops lined both sides of a street that was not very wide. The moment the Four People reached the entrance, they smelled all kinds of aromas drifting out from the Snack Street, making their Index Fingers twitch.

"Let's eat that first. Braised Beef in Earthen Jar. It's especially tender, and it's best with some White Rice." As the host from Eastsea City, Xie Xie took the initiative to suggest it.

"Sure!" Tang Wuyang readily agreed. He had already been hungry for a while.

It was already late autumn, and the temperature outside was low. The moment they entered the shop, warmth and the scent of beef washed over them, immediately making them feel comfortable all over.

The shop was small, with the stove outside. Nearly a hundred small burners sat atop it, each holding an Earthen Jar of stewing beef.

The rising beef aroma made the Earthen Jar lids hum from time to time, and the fragrance took the chance to slip out and tempt passing pedestrians.

There were only five small Rectangular Tables inside the shop, enough to seat at most twenty-some people. Half of them were already occupied.

Gu Yue looked at Xie Xie in surprise. "I never thought a young master from a Rich Family would eat at a Roadside Shop!"

This time, Xie Xie did not argue with her. "Mom used to love this shop's Braised Beef in Earthen Jar the most. I come here every so often."

As he spoke, he walked inside and sat at the innermost table.

Tang Wuyang bumped Gu Yue lightly, then followed him inside and sat opposite Tang Wulin.

"Oh, Xie Xie, you're here! You even brought friends. The usual?" the Owner asked.

The Owner was a middle-aged man with a slightly greasy apron tied around his waist and a warm smile covering his face.

"Um~, thank you, Uncle Li." Xie Xie smiled.

Soon, four portions of Braised Beef in Earthen Jar, four bowls of White Rice, and two vegetable Side dishes were brought over.

"It's your first time bringing friends here, so the Side dishes are on the house." Uncle Li said with a smile. He even rubbed Xie Xie's head, as though Xie Xie were his own nephew.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin both looked at Xie Xie in surprise. Xie Xie had a cleanliness obsession. In the Dormitory, his bed was always the cleanest one.

Yet when faced with this Roadside Shop Owner's touch, he not only did not avoid it, but even wore a smile. "Thank you, Uncle Li."

Whether it was Tang Wulin, the Brothers Tang Wuyang, or Gu Yue, they all found this side of Xie Xie somewhat overturning of their impression of him.

Xie Xie called to them, "What are you waiting for? Eat."

As he spoke, he had already lifted the lid of the Earthen Jar in front of him.

A rich beef aroma immediately spread from the Earthen Jar. The broth was Dark Gold, and they could clearly see the chunks of beef inside.

Xie Xie touched it with his chopsticks, and the tender stewed beef broke apart immediately.

He carefully picked up a piece and placed it on top of his White Rice, then ate it together with the rice.

Tang Wuyang could no longer hold himself back and copied Xie Xie as he began eating.

"Um! It's so good." Tang Wuyang praised.

Gu Yue and Tang Wulin also took a bite, and both could not help but be moved.

It really was delicious. The rich aroma of beef mingled with the broth, while the savory soup was balanced perfectly by the rice.

It was such a simple little shop, with dim yellow lights and plain wooden tables and chairs, yet it served astonishing food. Beef, rich broth, Side dishes, and rice came together to warm them from the inside out.

After training together for three months, the atmosphere among the Four People was clearly much more harmonious than it had been at the academy.

"Uncle Li, bring twenty more portions." Xie Xie called out to Uncle Li. After more than two months together, he knew the appetite of a certain pair of Brothers all too well.

"Uh, hehe." Tang Wulin swallowed the food in his mouth and let out an embarrassed chuckle.

Tang Wuyang also scratched his head awkwardly. "Thank you."

Xie Xie raised his head and looked at Tang Wuyang. "What?"

Tang Wuyang explained helplessly, "I meant thank you as in gratitude. Your name is really easy to misunderstand."

Xie Xie suddenly gave a Wry Smile, his Eye Circles slightly red. "Mom gave me my name. She told me that she named me Xie Xie to be grateful for her encounter with Dad."

"She said it was the happiest thing in her life, but..."

At that point, Xie Xie's face turned pale. Even the hand holding his chopsticks was visibly tightening.

"Your Mom...?" Tang Wulin asked hesitantly.

Tang Wuyang set down the chopsticks In Hand. His attention had also been drawn over.

Although the Brothers could tell that Xie Xie's Family members were probably wealthy, this was the first time they had heard him mention his family.

Xie Xie pressed his lips together. "Dad was busy with all sorts of things every day. Even when Mom was seriously ill, he was running around outside."

"Before Mom passed away, her final wish was to see him one last time. But he still came back too late."

"I'll never forget that night. Mom cried as she let go of my hand, her Eyes full of regret. I hate him. I hate him!"

"I hate my name too. If there hadn't been that encounter, maybe Mom wouldn't have..." At that point, he suddenly collapsed onto the table.

Here, it seemed he had shed every layer of the cold and arrogant disguise he had built around himself. This was also the first time he had opened his heart to others.

Just then, Uncle Li brought over more Braised Beef in Earthen Jar.

As he placed it on the table, he sighed. "This child is pitiful. His Mom used to love bringing him here."

"After his Mom left, he started coming by himself. Every time, he thinks of his Mom. Don't blame him."

"It's rare to see him bring friends here. I'm happy for him. He may be young, but he carries a heavy heart. Please help him more. Ah, what a tragedy!"

Tang Wulin gently patted Xie Xie's back, while Tang Wuyang handed him tissues from the side. Something gradually changed in Gu Yue's gaze as she looked at Xie Xie.

"Wei, stop crying. I take back what I said earlier. You can treat us to everything today." Gu Yue kicked Xie Xie beneath the table.

Xie Xie raised his head and wiped the moisture from his eyes with his sleeve. "I reek of money!"

Gu Yue curled her lips. "Little brat, you really hold a grudge."

Xie Xie said angrily, "You're the same age as me, and you're even younger by a few months, right? If I'm a Little brat, then what are you? A little brat Girl?"

Gu Yue opened one of the newly served Earthen Jars and lowered her head to eat. As she ate, she said, "I won't argue with someone who cries."

"Mmm, it's so good."