Year After Year, People Are Different

Thinking of this, a flash of intense killing intent flickered through Su Qing's originally gentle eyes.

"Sister Tang Ya, once I break through to become a Soul Ancestor, we will go and take our revenge."

"Mm."

Tang Ya, having cried until she was exhausted, rested her chin on the top of Su Qing's head and nodded fiercely, using enough force that her sharp chin made Su Qing's head ache.

Hiss, that hurts! I'll be sure to add this to the bill for the Iron Blood Sect as well!

Su Qing thought to himself. Recalling that in the original story Tang Ya became an Evil Soul Master after her revenge, he took the opportunity to sense the dark power within her martial soul. He couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed; this dark power was already deeply rooted. If he tried to forcibly purge it, Tang Ya would either die or be crippled. He would have to wait until he obtained the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife to remove it.

Huo Yuhao, watching silently from the side, finally understood. So, this was the younger brother Sister Tang Ya had mentioned before, the one she thought she had caused the death of. Knowing that her brother was alive, Huo Yuhao felt genuinely happy for her, and his movements as he grilled the fish became even more fluid.

After Bei Bei led Tang Ya to the side to sit down, Su Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He took this opportunity to recount his experiences over the years, though he carefully omitted everything regarding the soul beasts and immortal herbs.

"Brother Su, I truly admire you!"

His experiences made Huo Yuhao's eyes shine with brilliance. To have lived in the Star Dou Great Forest for so long alone and not even have a single scratch on him—he was simply too strong!

However, when Tang Ya heard all of this, nothing remained in her heart but heartache.

"Xiao Qing, you've suffered so much these years. This piece of clothing is the one I bought for you back then, isn't it? It's worn out to this state now..."

As she spoke, her eyes filled with hot tears once again. Su Qing shook his head hurriedly.

"These holes weren't caused by fighting soul beasts; I accidentally snagged them on tree branches while training."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Tang Ya's expression changed instantly, and she began to lecture him: "Why on earth must you train in the soul beast forest? Don't you know how dangerous it is here? Staying in the forest alone for nearly two years—even Titled Douluo wouldn't dare do such a thing. You brat, your tail is really wagging in the sky! Do you have any idea how worried people get?! Huh?!"

"And another thing, didn't I tell you before that I would be going to Shrek? You didn't come to find me for so long, making me think that you... I don't care, from now on, no matter where you go, you must report it to me, your older sister! Otherwise, I'll pretend I don't have a brother like you!"

With that, Tang Ya crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, pouting.

"Uh, well, Brother-in-law... has she always been like this?"

Su Qing, rendered speechless by Tang Ya's machine-gun-like speed, stared blankly at Bei Bei.

"Also, don't go around calling people that! Bei Bei and I don't even have a foundation yet. I am his teacher right now, understand? If you want to be my brother-in-law, you at least need to be a Titled... no, at least a... Soul Emperor."

As she spoke, she glanced at Bei Bei and lifted her chin with a haughty air. The latter could only offer a helpless, bitter smile. He was, after all, a genius with innate rank nine soul power and Shrek as his background; how could he not become a Titled Douluo? Tang Ya clearly had zero confidence in him.

"Oh, Sister Tang Ya, your standards are really high."

Su Qing pretended to agree. They're already roleplaying, and she claims there's no foundation? She didn't stop me when I called him brother-in-law so loudly earlier.

"Ahem, the grilled fish is ready!"

At that moment, the most beautiful and refreshing sound in the world rang in the ears of the three. Two gazes, as fierce as hungry wolves, turned toward Huo Yuhao simultaneously, giving him a start.

"Sister Tang Ya, I've grown up... you can no longer out-eat me now!"

The pause in the middle almost made Tang Ya think the brat was going to offer his grilled fish to her. She was just about to refuse on the grounds that he was still growing, but when she heard the next part, the warmth in her heart vanished like smoke. She realized deeply that in the eyes of a foodie, there was no room for family affection!

Immediately, the two rushed toward Huo Yuhao like tigers pouncing on prey...

By the time the setting sun hung low on the horizon, Tang Ya was sprawled on the ground, belly up, completely defeated by the meal. Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei sat to the side, rubbing their stomachs. Only Su Qing remained, his mouth still moving, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph.

"Sister Tang Ya, you're old now. The world of foodies belongs to me, the rising star."

He was joking, of course. His opponent for these past years had been the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who could eat the Star Dou Great Forest into poverty. With his current strength, one might ask: if Xuan Zi does not appear, who can compete with him?!

Bei Bei looked at the glowing Su Qing and sighed inwardly, Perhaps this guy really could out-eat Xuan Zi.

Of course, if Xuan Zi were here, ten Su Qings wouldn't be able to out-eat him. After all, no matter how much a person can eat, there is always a point of fullness, whereas Xuan Zi could keep an empty stomach while eating.

"When I was little, I loved competing with Xiao Qing to see who could eat more. Every time he came to the Tang Sect, Mom and Dad would prepare so many dishes..."

Tang Ya's thoughts drifted back to the past.

"Xiao Ya, you can't eat like this in front of others; it will scare them. And Xiao Qing, don't stuff your stomach so full, it will be uncomfortable..."

"Xiao Qing, Xiao Ya treats you like a real brother. When you grow up, you must protect your sister."

"Hmph, I'm older than Xiao Qing, so I should be the one protecting him! Not only will I protect Xiao Qing, I will also revitalize the Tang Sect!"

"Revitalizing the Tang Sect must be done within one's means. Mom just hopes that our Xiao Ya will be happy every day, living a carefree life without thinking about anything other than eating, drinking, and having fun."

"I don't want that! I'll turn into a big gluttonous pig and won't be able to get married!"

"Sister Tang Ya is so beautiful, even if you become a big gluttonous pig, someone will still like you. And who knows, maybe someone likes exactly that."

"You brat, how dare you call me a big gluttonous pig! You're in trouble. Tonight at the dinner table, I guarantee you won't see anything but my afterimage!"

"Pfft~"

Recalling these memories, a happy smile gradually appeared on Tang Ya's face.

"Xiao Ya, hurry, go tell Xiao Qing not to come to the Tang Sect anymore, and don't seek revenge for us. Xiao Ya living a happy life is Mom and Dad's final wish..."

"Mom! Dad!"

As the memories of that blood-soaked night flashed through her mind, the smile on Tang Ya's face hadn't even faded before pearls of tears slid down her cheeks. That day, before Tang Ya could find Su Qing, she was discovered by the Iron Blood Sect. To avoid implicating Su Qing, she ran in the opposite direction until she shook them off, but by then, she had lost her way... From that moment on, she began to regret her own incompetence. If she had remembered the path, she could have gone back to find Su Qing and told him not to go to the Tang Sect...

"Sister Tang Ya, I will never let you be hurt again."

At some point, Su Qing had silently sat down beside her and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Mm."

Tang Ya gave a soft hum and buried her head in his chest. Bei Bei watched this scene with a gratified smile; the knot that had troubled Xiao Ya for so long had finally been untied. However, he was a bit puzzled: why was this Su Qing so similar to the Xiao Qing described by Zhang Lexuan?