Tang San's Regret

After leaving the Sunset Forest, Ye Yunxi sighed; every time, she ended up exposing herself in some unexpected way.

At least this time, she had managed to secure Dugu Bo's loyalty, which could be considered a silver lining.

Leaving the Sunset Forest, Ye Yunxi strolled onto the tree-lined path on the outskirts of Tiandou City. She no longer hid her stunning features, her glazed skirt swaying gently with every graceful step. The gazes of everyone along the way were drawn to her, yet not a single person dared to step forward to strike up a conversation.

As she reached the intersection, several figures blocked her path.

It was the Shrek Seven Devils.

They had just returned from the city and recognized her instantly as the figure who had dazzled the entire weightlifting competition. Their eyes remained fixed on Ye Yunxi, their initial awe now tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Ma Hongjun was the first to rub his chubby hands together and approach, his fat trembling as he spoke with eager enthusiasm: "Miss, I was captivated by you at the competition earlier. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a drink?"

Ye Yunxi swept a cold glance over him without slowing her pace, as if he were invisible, and walked straight ahead without sparing him even a fraction of her attention.

Ma Hongjun froze in place, the warmth on his face instantly solidifying. He sheepishly pulled back his hands, filled with embarrassment.

Dai Mubai stepped forward to block her path, his golden eyes burning bright. His tone carried a hint of arrogance mixed with an attempt to recruit her: "Miss, your strength is extraordinary and your beauty is peerless. We at Shrek would like to make your acquaintance. Might you step aside for a moment to talk?"

"No need."

The two cold words fell lightly. Ye Yunxi tapped her toes, shifted her body to the side, and swept right past him.

Oscar hurriedly chased after her, condensing two recovery sausages in his palms and offering them with a fawning expression: "Miss, just a small token of my sincerity. I am a food-system soul master; perhaps I can be of help in the future. Shall we be friends?"

A faint vibration of soul power from Ye Yunxi's fingertips sent the sausages flying back with a gentle force, landing precisely back in his palms.

"Not interested."

As the three words landed, Ning Rongrong and the other girls looked on in astonishment. The arrogance of this woman had reached such an extreme.

The expressions of the Seven Devils stiffened, save for Tang San, who stepped forward slowly.

He fixed his Purple Demon Eye on Ye Yunxi, the soul power of his Blue Silver Grass rippling slightly around him. His demeanor was calm and composed, his aura restrained as he spoke in a level tone: "Miss, your strength is unfathomable. I am Tang San. I would like to learn a thing or two from you. May I ask your name?"

Ye Yunxi finally stopped.

Her peach-blossom eyes rippled and flowed, her lashes fluttering as a bewitching yet cold smile curled the corners of her lips. The smile was bone-deep in its allure, yet her eyes were tempered with icy mockery. She locked her gaze directly onto Tang San, lifting a jade finger to trace her crimson lips.

Her voice was soft and glutinous, yet every word was clear, carrying a soul-snaring seduction:

"Then, little young master, would you be willing to abandon your girlfriend for me?"

The words fell.

Tang San's aura suddenly stalled. His Purple Demon Eye contracted violently, his pupils churning with a stormy sea as he stood frozen in place.

Xiao Wu's pretty face turned deathly pale. She gripped Tang San's sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with vigilance and indignation, the soul power of her Soft Bone Rabbit quietly surging.

Dai Mubai and the others were dumbfounded, never expecting that this stunning woman would utter such heart-piercing words.

In the tree-lined path, one could hear a pin drop.

Watching Tang San's frozen form, the smile on Ye Yunxi's lips grew colder, yet there was not a ripple of emotion in her eyes.

It was merely a casual test, and it had allowed her to see through the calculations and obsessions buried deep within this man.

"How boring. Little young master, you missed your chance to invite me. You won't get another opportunity next time."

She said no more. Using Lingbo Microsteps, her slender figure transformed into a faint shadow, sweeping past the Seven Devils and heading straight into the depths of Tiandou City, leaving behind only a graceful silhouette and a group of stunned Shrek members.

Tang San watched Ye Yunxi's retreating figure until it vanished completely at the end of the path. The brilliance in his Purple Demon Eye slowly dimmed, and an inexplicable sense of emptiness and melancholy rose in his heart, as if he had truly missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

That sentence echoed in his ears like a curse, making his fingertips tremble and his mind fall into chaos.

Dai Mubai was the first to recover. He slapped Tang San's shoulder heavily, his tone filled with regret as his voice rose in volume.

"San! You actually missed such a great opportunity! That is a peerless genius rarely seen in this world. Meeting her here was a stroke of immense fate; you only get one chance like this!"

"Exactly, exactly!" Ma Hongjun rubbed his chubby hands, his face twisted in pain as he urged: "That lady was clearly looking at you differently! If it were anyone else, they wouldn't even have the qualifications to speak to her!"

Oscar nodded repeatedly, looking regretful: "You missed the boat on this one! A person like that—it will be hard to see her again in the future!"

The three of them spoke one after another, every word dripping with regret.

Just then, an icy gaze swept over them.

Xiao Wu's pretty face was cold, her almond eyes wide as she glared fiercely at the three of them. The soul power of her Soft Bone Rabbit surged faintly, her indignation fully displayed.

Listening to them, it was as if they were trying to undermine her!

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar all stiffened as they met Xiao Wu's gaze. The regret on their faces froze instantly, like ducks whose necks had been grabbed.

The next second, the three of them turned their heads in unison, their gazes drifting toward the clouds in the sky. They began to whistle out of tune, their fingers tracing aimlessly in the void, pretending to be carefree and indifferent, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing felt a flicker of amusement, but they were sensible enough to remain silent.

Tang San regained his composure. Looking at the pouting Xiao Wu beside him, the melancholy in his heart dissipated slightly. He reached out to stroke the top of her hair and said softly: "Don't be angry; I never had any intention of that."

But only he knew that the emptiness in his heart had not truly vanished.

The woman's face, that soul-snaring smile, and that heart-piercing sentence were already deeply branded in his mind, impossible to shake off.

Ye Yunxi returned to Tiandou City and walked to a quiet alley. She lifted her jade fingers and draped the moon-white veil back over her face, hiding her world-toppling beauty. Only a pair of rippling peach-blossom eyes remained visible above the veil, cold and aloof.

With her sharp edge retracted, she walked slowly through the streets, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the city center, and found a quiet little eatery with a window seat at the corner of the street.

Pushing the door open, she found a secluded seat by the window and sat down. Tapping her fingertips on the table, she ordered a few delicate pastries and a bowl of fresh soup.

She twirled her jade chopsticks with elegant, refined movements, eating at a leisurely pace with a faint, languid curve to her lips.

With the emptiness in her stomach fully satisfied and a warmth soothing her insides, she lightly tapped the porcelain cup with her fingertips, her gaze drifting through the thin veil to sweep indifferently over the street scenes and crowds outside the window.

Though the surroundings were clamorous with noise, she seemed as if she were apart from it all, her aura peaceful, appearing for the moment as nothing more than an ordinary woman in a veil.

"Tang San certainly looks regretful, but what a pity—once you miss this village, there is no such shop."

Ye Yunxi smiled; God King Tang's heart was not as resolute as she had imagined, but they would definitely meet again. She wouldn't say she had a destined connection with them, but at the very least, she had the luck of a chance encounter.

"The Imperial Concubine is so happy all by herself; why not have a chat with your husband?"