Goodbye Tang Ya

Back at the academy, after bidding farewell to Ning Tian and Wu Feng, it was already late at night.

Lin Feng tiptoed and pushed open the dormitory door, tentatively calling out in a low voice, "Sister Xiaotao?"

"Slap--"

The soul guiding lamp on the ceiling suddenly lit up. Ma Xiaotao was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. On the table were a small belt and several coils of rope, her eyes smiling yet not smiling.

"So you're back? Had a good time fooling around with those two little vixen from Class Nine?"

"What fooling around? I was training, helping them get their soul rings, okay?" Lin Feng tried to maintain his composure and argued.

"Continue, I'm listening," Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow.

Lin Feng's mind raced, and he took out an exquisite paper bag from his storage soul tool. "I brought you a gift! It's some new pajamas... I saw you haven't been sleeping well lately, maybe your old pajamas don't fit..."

"That's more like it..." Ma Xiaotao's attitude visibly softened. She took the paper bag and hummed, "I'll let you off for now, but don't let it happen again."

With that, she turned and walked towards the bathroom.

A moment later, the sound of water subsided. Ma Xiaotao walked out, wrapped in her new pajamas.

The thin black lace made her skin appear even fairer, and the curves faintly visible beneath the hem made Lin Feng hold his breath.

"They fit quite well," she deliberately turned around, her hair still dripping with water. "Strange, how do you know my size so well?"

"I, I observe very carefully..." Lin Feng's ears turned red, and he hastily averted his gaze.

Ma Xiaotao chuckled, "Our Junior Disciple Brother is truly attentive. I must reward you well."

That night, Lin Feng enjoyed a very comfortable soak in the hot spring in the bathroom, though the water temperature couldn't compare to Sea God Lake.

He slept exceptionally soundly, only waking up at dusk the next day.

Ma Xiaotao had already left, and the breakfast she left for him on the table was cold and hard.

Lin Feng rubbed his eyes, intending to find something to eat at the cafeteria.

As soon as he stepped through the cafeteria doors, he heard a clear call, "Lin Feng!"

Ning Tian and Wu Feng were walking out from inside.

"You startled me," Lin Feng patted his chest.

"There are no dishes left in the cafeteria at this hour," Ning Tian said with a smile. "Want to go eat barbecue at the East Gate? I heard Senior Sister Tang Ya has a stall there, and her cooking is excellent."

Upon hearing "Tang Ya's" name, Lin Feng agreed without a second thought, "Let's go!"

The night market at the East Gate of the academy was bustling with people, the lights of various stalls flickering, and the sounds of hawking blending together.

Lin Feng, however, had no mind to look around. His gaze scanned the crowd eagerly, searching for that familiar figure.

Seeing his intense focus, Ning Tian couldn't help but pout, a hint of indescribable bitterness rising in her heart.

"Junior, grilled fish is five copper coins each--"

A clear voice reached him, and Lin Feng's body trembled.

It was Tang Ya!

He immediately rushed towards the direction of the voice.

Ning Tian stomped her foot in frustration, regretting why she had even mentioned Tang Ya.

In front of the stall, a scruffy-looking student was banging on the table and shouting, "This fish isn't fresh anymore, two copper coins at most!"

"I'll take all the grilled fish," Lin Feng strode forward, his voice filled with anger.

"Who do you think you are?" the student glared at him angrily.

Tang Ya still had her head bowed, diligently flipping the fish on the grill. The firelight illuminated her lowered profile. She said softly, "I'm not selling anymore, sorry classmate, I'll return your money..."

"Two silver coins," Lin Feng placed the money on the stall, his tone cold. "Take it and get lost."

The student knew when to quit. He nimbly picked up the silver coins and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

"Xiao Feng...?" Tang Ya looked up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Sister Xiao Ya, you've worked hard," Lin Feng's voice softened. "Let's go back to the Tang Sect."

"Mhm," she nodded gently. "Back to the Tang Sect."

Lin Feng took Tang Ya's hand and walked through the noisy night market.

When Ning Tian and Wu Feng arrived, the fire under the grill had not yet died down, but the people were long gone.

By the Sea God Lake.

The moonlight was like water, quietly spreading across the lake. The lake was exceptionally calm tonight, reflecting the faint light of sparse stars.

Two lonely figures wandered by the lake, their footsteps almost inaudible.

"Why... didn't you come find me?" Lin Feng's voice broke the silence.

Tang Ya lowered her head and said softly, "You are already Dean Yan's personal disciple. The Tang Sect, the Tang Sect really can't give you anything..."

"What nonsense are you saying," Lin Feng interrupted her, his tone a little urgent. "What I value has never been the Tang Sect's techniques, it's you I value."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had spoken too directly.

Tang Ya did not respond, only burying her head lower.

"I mean... I admire your determination, your perseverance." He tried to remedy the situation, his voice softening, "You are much stronger than I am."

Tang Ya remained silent, but under the moonlight, a faint glimmer could be seen flickering at the corner of her eye.

"Sea God Island was built to commemorate the ancestors of the Tang Sect. As long as this island remains, the Tang Sect will surely have a day of revival."

"But I... have never even set foot on Sea God Island." Her voice was as light as a sigh.

As it turned out, the Inner Court of Shrek Academy was located on Sea God Island, and every Outer Court disciple took pride in ascending the island; having the ability to do so meant having the chance to become an Inner Court disciple.

Yet Tang Ya's aptitude in the Outer Court was merely average, destined to have no hope of reaching the island, let alone becoming an Inner Court disciple.

"I will take you up there."

Although Lin Feng could not fly, his second soul skill allowed him to condense water into ice.

He gently took Tang Ya's hand and stepped forward, one step at a time.

The lake water beneath his feet froze with each of his strides into a crystalline path of ice, winding its way toward Sea God Island.

The moonlight spilled onto the icy surface, reflecting the silhouettes of the two leaning against each other, as beautiful as a painting.

"Wildfires cannot burn it out; the spring breeze brings it back to life..."

An aged and resonant sigh drifted on the wind, the voice imbued with an invisible majesty, as if it came from the depths of the clouds or the whispers of an ancient tree.

Lin Feng and Tang Ya, who had been lying in the sea of Blue Silver Grass, jolted awake.

Lin Feng's heart trembled; this Sea God Island was the most core location of Shrek Academy, and whoever could emit such a voice here was certainly no ordinary figure.

He immediately stood up and bowed deeply toward the direction of the Golden Ancient Tree from which the voice had come: "Junior Lin Feng, along with my friend Tang Ya, has inadvertently disturbed Senior's meditation. I beg for your forgiveness; we shall withdraw at once."

"It is of no consequence." The voice grew a degree gentler, "Shaozhe has indeed taken in a good disciple."

Lin Feng was even more shocked; the other party had addressed his teacher by his given name. He hurriedly replied respectfully, "This junior is indeed a personal disciple of Teacher Yan. I do not know the honorable name of Senior..."

"The wind is strong outside; come in and speak."

Before the words had faded, a gentle golden soul power had already enveloped the two of them.

In the blink of an eye, the surrounding scenery shifted, and they found themselves standing before a towering pavilion.

"Sea God Pavilion!"

Looking up at the three gilded characters on the plaque, Lin Feng gasped.

This pavilion, built against the main trunk of the Golden Ancient Tree, remained hidden within deep clouds and mist all year round.

It was the core forbidden ground of Sea God Island and, indeed, the entire Shrek Academy.

Lin Feng's mentor, Yan Shaozhe, besides his identity as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, was also an important member of the Sea God Pavilion, the highest decision-making body of Shrek.

Even as a personal disciple, Lin Feng had absolutely no qualification to step half a foot into the Sea God Pavilion without his permission.