Stoking the Flames: Tang San

Ye Yunxi sat there, and before long, the figure before her eyes became increasingly clear.

"Greetings, Imperial Concubine. Please forgive my previous offense; I was unaware of your status at our last meeting."

Dai Mubai bowed, performing the etiquette he had learned since childhood within the Dai Clan of the Star Luo Empire.

"There is no need for such formalities."

Ye Yunxi smiled, saying nothing more.

Seeing Ye Yunxi's pair of watery peach-blossom eyes, paired with a smile that could make anyone's heart bloom, Dai Mubai felt as if he had been injected with adrenaline. He was incredibly excited, yet he maintained his composure on the surface.

As long as he didn't leave a bad impression on her, he still had a chance.

Ye Yunxi looked at the others behind him who were preparing to step forward and offer their greetings.

"There is no need for everyone to explain themselves one by one. Besides, I was merely out for a stroll at the time."

"Greetings, Imperial Concubine. My name is Yu Xiaogang. I am an instructor at Shrek Academy and the author of the Ten Core Competitiveness Theories of Martial Souls. People also refer to me as the Grandmaster."

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, bowed in greeting, and extended his hand, hoping to shake hands with the Imperial Concubine and make her acquaintance.

"Ah, the Grandmaster. A handshake is unnecessary; I am not accustomed to making casual acquaintances."

Ye Yunxi smiled faintly and did not extend her hand to take Yu Xiaogang's.

Yu Xiaogang awkwardly retracted his palm, thinking to himself, Does this Imperial Concubine not realize the weight of my reputation as the Grandmaster?

The very next sentence, however, left Yu Xiaogang startled.

"Grandmaster, compared to you, I think more highly of your disciple. His standing in my heart is quite favorable."

Ye Yunxi's peach-blossom eyes curved, and she gave Tang San a subtle wink. That touch of charm, mixed with a hint of extreme appreciation, fell lightly upon him, instantly making him the dazzling focus of the entire room.

She smiled inwardly, wondering what thoughts were swirling in the mind of this God King Tang.

At this moment, Tang San's entire body stiffened, his earlobes instantly flushing red. He subconsciously straightened his back, a surge of excitement and bewilderment rising from the depths of his heart.

This scene, witnessed by the Shrek Seven Devils, was no less than a thunderclap.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, feeling deeply unconvinced.

Where exactly was he lacking? Why would he receive the favor of the Imperial Concubine?

The astonishment in his eyes instantly curdled into intense jealousy. A moment ago, Ye Yunxi had offered him nothing more than a detached, distant smile, yet she had bestowed such unique, flirtatious attention upon Tang San. The disparity made him feel incredibly wretched.

Ma Hongjun's chubby face turned bright red, and he spat out a resentful curse, inwardly railing against the unfairness of heaven—why did all the good things fall to Tang San?

Oscar pressed his lips together, his eyes a mix of disappointment and jealousy.

Tang San hadn't even stepped forward to introduce himself, yet he had already gained the Imperial Concubine's approval.

Why?

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also composed their expressions.

At this moment, Xiao Wu gripped Tang San's clothes tightly; Tang San's reaction just now made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

She was his childhood sweetheart, so how could she be reduced to this by another woman?

The Shrek Seven Devils each harbored their own thoughts.

Yu Xiaogang was even more dissatisfied.

Having been rejected for a handshake earlier, Ye Yunxi's light remark now felt like icy needles piercing his heart.

He had spent his life studying martial soul theory, becoming famous for his Ten Core Competitiveness Theories of Martial Souls, and the world respected him as the Grandmaster.

He had always considered himself a guiding light in the world of martial souls, yet in the eyes of this Imperial Concubine, he didn't even measure up to his own disciple!

Seeing the seven of them each lost in their own thoughts, Ye Yunxi couldn't help but want to laugh, and she continued to add:

"While the Grandmaster's theories are systematic, they lack practical application and are, in the end, just empty talk on paper. Tang San, however, has excellent natural talent and a steady temperament; he is a piece of raw jade that can be carved into something great—far more substantial than mere theory."

As these words landed, Yu Xiaogang's face turned completely ashen.

The surrounding guests whispered among themselves. The looks they cast toward Yu Xiaogang were laced with mockery and pity, while the looks they cast toward Tang San were filled with envy and jealousy.

They all wanted to strike up a conversation with the Imperial Concubine, yet they had been outshone by this youth.

Tang San opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but found he had nothing to say.

The mere sight of her natural, seductive grace and that slight smile was enough to make his heart tremble.

"Your name is Tang San, correct?"

Ye Yunxi suddenly stood up and walked over to Tang San to ask.

"Yes, Imperial Concubine. My name is Tang San. I am unsure what you meant just now? I recall we have only met a few times."

Tang San was puzzled; why would he receive the favor of the Imperial Concubine?

"Do not overthink it. This Imperial Concubine simply feels you are exceptional, and your knowledge is quite extensive. If you study diligently, you will be no worse than anyone else."

Ye Yunxi cast a flirtatious glance at Tang San.

"I look forward to you distinguishing yourself at the Soul Master Tournament. If you can perform exceptionally well there, I would not mind inviting you to join me for an evening."

Just this sentence alone left the other six members of the Shrek Seven Devils and Yu Xiaogang extremely dissatisfied.

Dai Mubai was particularly incensed; he was of royal descent, and his actions just now had been perfectly standard, so why had he failed to earn the favor of the Imperial Concubine?

Without waiting for Tang San to respond, Ye Yunxi offered a bewitching smile and departed from the scene.

After Ye Yunxi left, almost everyone's gaze turned toward Tang San.

They dared not voice their thoughts, but they were filled with intense jealousy.

Xiao Wu was so angry she was on the verge of tears.

What did San mean just now?

"Everyone, head back."

Yu Xiaogang let out a soft huff and returned to their original spot first.

The others followed suit one after another.

On the other side, Ye Yunxi arrived at a secluded area.

She had intended to take advantage of the time before the banquet began to make her escape.

Suddenly, a woman dressed in a palace gown, the very model of etiquette, blocked her path.

"Imperial Concubine, the banquet has not yet concluded; please do not leave without authorization."

Ye Yunxi raised her eyes and glanced at the woman before her.

"I don't believe I know you? Do not try to stop me from leaving."

"Imperial Concubine, I cannot agree to this. The Crown Prince has already given instructions that you are not to leave." The woman remained firm in refusing to let Ye Yunxi pass.

"I recall you are the mistress of the Moonlight Pavilion, Tang Yuehua, aren't you?" Ye Yunxi studied Tang Yuehua carefully for a few moments before realizing who stood before her.

Before Tang Yuehua could react, Ye Yunxi suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into a deserted corner.

Just as Tang Yuehua was feeling bewildered, Ye Yunxi pinned her against the wall.

Looking at the woman before her, Tang Yuehua's heart began to pound wildly; a flush of shyness crept across her cold, elegant face, and she desperately turned her head away.

"Imperial Concubine, please mind your manners."

"Miss Tang, you should know that if you dare to struggle now, I will scream."

Ye Yunxi flicked her fingertip, pinching Tang Yuehua's chin to force her to turn back and meet her gaze.

Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with allure, and her face, veiled in thin gauze, possessed a soul-snatching haziness. Her breath brushed against Tang Yuehua's reddened ear, her voice soft and sweet yet tinged with a roguish dominance.

Her fingertip traced the corner of Tang Yuehua's crimson lips.

"Im, Imperial Concubine, please don't do anything reckless..."