The next morning, at daybreak.
As the first rays of sunlight fell, Tian Meng climbed out of Jiang Yi's arms.
"Last night, some old man kept peeking over here. Keep an eye out. He's pretty strong..."
Tian Meng sat cross-legged on the ground, absorbing the purple qi of dawn as she warned him.
That old geezer's spiritual power was even a little stronger than hers. She didn't dare conceal herself carelessly, or she might be found out.
"Got it."
Jiang Yi opened his eyes and softly exhaled a breath of stale air.
This was exactly what he'd intended. Otherwise, putting Xiao Lan in the Master Ball would have worked just as well, but there was no need.
Shrek Academy could be a little unpredictable, but when it came to treating its own geniuses, it was fairly reasonable.
Especially since Mu En was still alive. If Jiang Yi didn't make himself known now, things would be different once Yan Shaozhe took over.
"Mm. Just make sure you know what you're doing."
Tian Meng gave a small nod and said nothing more.
Her master was a very mysterious person. He could casually bring up even the secrets of Soul Beasts that she'd only ever heard rumors about.
Leaving Tian Meng to continue practicing the Purple Demon Eye, Jiang Yi turned to look at Xiao Lan behind him.
It had finished evolving. Its original blue wings had turned green, and the golden lightning patterns on the tips of its wings shone even brighter.
[Pet: Storm Thunder Eagle]
[Affection: 100%]
[Talent: Wind Thunder Affinity. Increased resistance to wind and thunder. Able to wield the power of wind and thunder...]
[Evolution Value: Wind Thunder Eagle King (1002/10000)]
[Soul Skills: Thunder Roar, Thousand Thunder Feather Blades, Thunder Flash]
With a thought, two purple Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath Jiang Yi's feet. Their eerie purple glow stood out brilliantly in the morning light.
His Soul Power had also risen by one rank, reaching level twenty-nine. He was only one level away from obtaining his next Soul Ring.
"Guess I'm broke again."
Jiang Yi sighed and returned Xiao Lan to the Master Ball, then patted his wallet, which was as empty as his sleeves.
Taking pills felt great in the moment, but afterward, his wallet went up in flames. The two portions of essence blood alone had used up all the gold Bei Bei had coughed up.
He still had a little left, but he and Xiao Lan needed to eat every day. Tian Meng didn't need food and could still work.
"Maybe I should get Master Bei to cough up some more?"
Jiang Yi rubbed his chin, but soon dismissed the idea.
He considered himself despicable, shameless, and base, but making money by selling out women... that was still something he couldn't bring himself to do.
"Forget it. I'll just enter a few competitions first."
Jiang Yi stretched, already turning over a few ideas in his mind.
Shrek Academy often held competitions to encourage sparring, and the prizes for the top places were quite generous.
Outstanding performance in a competition could also attract angel investors from Shrek Academy—with the exception of Xuan Zi.
Of course, if he wanted a steady source of income, then apart from selling hooks, his only choice was to start a side hustle.
Jiang Yi turned around and glanced at the little Tian Meng, who was focused on her cultivation.
There were twenty-four hours in a day, and the Tang Sect Secret Arts took up less than twelve. Tian Meng still had a full twelve hours to learn another skill.
"Sister Tian Meng—hmm?"
Before Jiang Yi could finish, he looked up at the dormitory door. At the same time, Tian Meng darted back into the Master Ball.
The mental barrier vanished.
A knock sounded on the dormitory door, accompanied by a girl's clear, melodious voice—
"Jiang Yi, open up!"
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow and opened the door. Tang Ya stood outside, looking fresh and lovely, with two breakfasts in hand.
Today, Tang Ya wore a fitted light-blue outfit that accentuated her graceful figure and gave her an even more youthful air.
"Looks like I got here just in time."
Tang Ya lifted the two breakfasts in her hands and tilted her head with a smile. Her radiant grin looked especially charming in the morning light.
She wasn't a peerless beauty, but she had an innocent charm, as pure as a gift from heaven, with a hint of playfulness beneath her gentle manner.
Two shallow dimples appeared and vanished as her high ponytail swayed behind her, giving her the feel of a lively girl from the next desk over.
Jiang Yi stared for a moment.
In that brief instant of distraction, Tang Ya had already slipped past him and walked into the dormitory as if she owned the place.
"Hey, Senior Sister Xiao Ya—"
Jiang Yi could only follow her inside, helplessly.
By then, Tang Ya had already made herself at home by the table and laid out the warm breakfast.
There were two bowls of lotus-seed and red-date porridge. The moment she lifted the lids, a sweet fragrance mingled with the scent of her hair and filled the entire dormitory.
"Eat it while it's hot. It'll get cold soon."
Tang Ya picked up a bowl of hot porridge, scooped up a spoonful, and held it to his lips.
Her movements were so practiced they seemed perfectly natural. The spoon remained steady in midair, like a big sister from next door feeding him.
"..."
Jiang Yi blinked.
Were things getting a little too intimate between them?
That wasn't how Gala Ge Mu worked, was it? You were supposed to build up affection first, then slowly win me over...
"Is it too hot?"
Seeing that he still hadn't moved, Tang Ya looked thoughtful. She brought the spoon to her own lips, as if testing it.
"Then I'll blow on it for you..."
But as soon as she'd said that, she parted her red lips and gently took the white porridge into her mouth, testing its temperature.
"Mm, it's not too hot now."
With the porridge in her mouth, Tang Ya spoke indistinctly, then rose onto her tiptoes and brought it to him.
Jiang Yi was still thinking about the vanished Divine Realm and the karma of the Tang Sect...
But the next moment, his eyes widened.
Holy crap, imported porridge!
The sweetness of the red dates mixed with the soft, glutinous lotus seeds, bursting across his palate and making Jiang Yi's appetite flare.
He reached out with both hands and touched the end of the spoon handle. Its smooth, rounded feel was still only just taking shape.
Forget it. The Tang Sect it was.
I'm eating, eating, eating—!!!
The security office downstairs in the dormitory building.
Two figures stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the dormitory building in the distance. One was old, the other young, and the younger man had clenched his fists.
"Ancestor Xuan!"
Bei Bei's eyes were brimming with tears, but he still couldn't bring himself to look away.
Through the patchy shadows visible in the window, he could just make out what was happening inside, but he couldn't understand it.
Why had Xiao Ya changed so much?
"I can't help you... and I won't help you! Whether you face this bravely or cower like a turtle is entirely your choice!"
Mu En patted Bei Bei on the shoulder, his tone unusually calm.
He looked at Bei Bei, disappointment flashing in his eyes. Bei Bei would've pleased him more if he'd charged in and started a fight.
Why was he being so hesitant, neither advancing nor retreating?
Was it really such a big deal to kiss someone?
Back in the day, the woman he married had run off with someone else, and he'd still managed to get through it and become a Limit Douluo of his generation.
This was a trial, but also a chance to temper himself. Once Bei Bei made it through, the road ahead would lie wide open.
"..."
Bei Bei said nothing. He only stared ahead, fists clenched.
"I'm off!"
Tang Ya licked her lips, swept the few traces of white from the corner of her mouth into her mouth, and didn't waste a single drop.
It was just white porridge—
An utterly ordinary breakfast that had taken nearly half an hour to eat, but she was quite satisfied.
After tidying up, Tang Ya waved at Jiang Yi. Without another gesture, she hopped away.
She looked as cheerful as a little rabbit that had stolen a carrot.
"Ah, my little brother has ruined me!"
Jiang Yi watched Tang Ya's departing figure and patted his forehead. His mind was filled with a clear-headed, utterly underwhelmed emptiness.
Yet the lingering fragrance on his lips still left him savoring the taste.
Before you continue