Xu Sanshi: Good Brother, Forever!

"Damn! What a total idiot!"

Not far away, Tang Wutong squeezed through the crowd with a few others, watching Ning Tian throw money around like it was nothing, and couldn't help but grumble.

On the way here, she had already inquired clearly: that Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were fifth-year students, both nearly at the four-ring level.

Even if she went up there herself, she would likely get beaten up, so how could Jiang Yi possibly win?

"Brother Jiang Yi might not necessarily lose, though~"

Huo Yutong blinked, recalling their time in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Back on the road to Shrek, Senior Brother Bei Bei didn't exactly look like he could easily suppress Jiang Yi.

"I think so too..."

Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement.

Jiang Yi was her first friend at Shrek, so she had to support him.

"Impossible! If he wins, I'll acknowledge him as my big brother!"

Tang Wutong lifted her chin, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

Those two were supposed to be her right-hand women, so why were they siding with an outsider? She had to establish her authority as the big sister!

With that, she led the group forward.

"I'm betting on Jiang Yi! One thousand!"

Tang Wutong slapped the money down.

Huo Yutong: ???

Xiao Xiao: ???

Seeing the two of them looking completely bewildered, Tang Wutong put her hands on her hips, the corners of her mouth curling up triumphantly.

"You two don't get it, do you?"

"If Jiang Yi wins, I make money; if Jiang Yi loses, I'm happy!"

Is there a problem with that? No problem at all!

You two should watch and learn—this is the wisdom of a big sister!

On a high platform in the spectator area, the surroundings were silent and empty, with only two slender figures leaning against the railing.

One had hair as red as blood, a fiery figure, and stunning beauty; she was full of youthful vitality, yet carried a hint of playfulness.

The other woman with black hair was much quieter.

She wore a simple dress and leaned against the railing, gazing gently downward like a quietly blooming orchid.

"Senior Sister! Why are you here?"

Ma Xiaotao turned her head to look at Zhang Lexuan, a look of surprise appearing on her pretty face.

The Senior Sister was the chief disciple of the Inner Court; how could she have the time to come to the Outer Court to watch a spar between two Outer Court students?

Could it be...

She blinked, and a spark of gossip instantly ignited in her heart.

"It's nothing, I'm just here to check on Bei Bei for Elder Mu. On the contrary, you..."

Zhang Lexuan shook her head and looked back at Ma Xiaotao, her gaze landing on her with a hint of concern.

"Is your evil fire acting up again?"

"Not yet, but it's getting close. That's why I was planning to grab that little turtle and keep him for a while..."

When Ma Xiaotao mentioned this, her face clouded over with worry, and she let out a long sigh.

"But this Xu Sanshi is just too weak. After being roasted by the evil fire for a few minutes, he's already practically a cooked turtle."

She slumped over the railing, her eyes melancholy, her chest pressed tightly against the iron pillar.

If it weren't for this damn evil fire, she would have already broken through to the Soul Saint realm and surpassed Elder Mu to become the youngest Soul Saint in Shrek's history.

But she wasn't willing to go around sleeping with people like her ancestor...

"Oh! Senior Sister, if only an Ultimate Ice fell from the sky, or if a celestial herb appeared, that would be great."

Ma Xiaotao scratched her hair, let out a wail, and began to fantasize.

If there really were an Ultimate Ice, she would even be willing to become the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and accept a divine inheritance!

"You! It would be more realistic to go find yourself a suitable husband."

Zhang Lexuan looked at her with amusement.

Ultimate attributes weren't that easy to come by; in Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year history, only three had ever appeared.

As for celestial herbs, the Tang Sect had already declined, and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye had long since vanished, its location known to no one.

"Forget it, then."

Ma Xiaotao rolled her eyes.

What kind of mediocrities were in the Inner Court? She, Ma Xiaotao, would only marry someone with the potential to become a god like their ancestor.

Zhang Lexuan smiled and said nothing more; matters of the heart could not be rushed.

The spectator stands were exceptionally rowdy, while in the lounge on the other side.

"Sanshi, we cannot be careless!"

"He left the academy a while ago, likely to obtain his third soul ring. He must have at least two thousand-year soul beasts now."

Bei Bei looked at Xu Sanshi with a grave expression, his eyes incredibly serious.

Just as Ancestor Xuan had said, since a decision had been made, one must see it through to the end; he would definitely prove himself.

When Jiang Yi was at the two-ring stage, he had already proven to be quite troublesome, and now he had gained another thousand-year soul beast.

"How do you know that?"

Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow, asking with suspicion.

"Uh... lately, I noticed Xiao Ya hasn't been eating much, and when I brought her food, I accidentally overheard it."

Bei Bei coughed lightly, feeling somewhat awkward.

"Bei Bei, I don't even know what to say to you anymore."

Xu Sanshi sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness and a hint of the bitterness of shared misfortune.

If one could have their feelings returned, who would be willing to play the clown?

"We will win! For Nannan, and for you too!"

He raised his fist, his gaze firm. Seeing this, Bei Bei reached out and bumped his fist against his—this was the League of the Disappointed.

Good brothers, for a lifetime!!!

The moment their knuckles touched, a faint wisp of electric current darted across their palms, bringing with it a stinging, numbing sensation.

"Bei Bei, why are you leaking electricity again!"

Xu Sanshi gasped, quickly pulling his hand back.

"Maybe I'm just a bit excited?"

Bei Bei scratched his head, feeling rather strange himself.

Perhaps it was that shared emotion when they shook hands that had caused the bloodline within him to resonate.

"Alright, Bei Bei, this young master has thought of a brilliant plan, absolutely foolproof..."

Xu Sanshi adjusted his collar and waved his folding fan, a cunning expression appearing on his face.

Who didn't have a few hidden trump cards?

In the opposite lounge.

"Sister, you can rest easy now, right?"

Jiang Yi released his soul rings—two purple and one black—the brilliant colors instantly stunning the two women.

"A ten-thousand-year soul ring?!"

Jiang Nannan murmured in disbelief.

Was this still the little brother who used to hide behind her? Half a year ago, Jiang Yi only had a single yellow soul ring!

"Holy crap! Black--!"

Tang Ya didn't care about her image as she shrieked, rushing over and reaching her small hand toward the black soul ring.

Unfortunately, the soul ring was ethereal, and her hand passed straight through it.

But the deep, dark halo reflected in her eyes still made her jump for joy.

"Hahaha! Jiang Yi, I knew my judgment was spot on!"

Tang Ya laughed loudly.

A ten-thousand-year third ring—even Ancestor Tang San hadn't managed that.

She had bet correctly!!!

"I absolutely love you to death!"

Tang Ya shrieked with joy, opening her arms and lunging toward him.

"Stop right there!"

Jiang Yi twisted his body to avoid her, holding back the overly excited Tang Ya.

But Tang Ya clearly lacked any sense of boundaries, directly grabbing his hand and planting a kiss on the back of it.

The infatuated look on her face made Jiang Yi roll his eyes, and for a moment, the entire lounge was filled with laughter.

Jiang Nannan stood to the side, watching the two of them bicker, the corners of her mouth curling into a slight arc. But as she smiled, a trace of melancholy gradually welled up in her eyes.

Little Yi was drifting further and further away from her.

But as a sister... it seemed this was as close as she could ever get.