Cleverly Setting Golden Rain to Nourish Withered Wood · Kindness Inspires Tang Sect's Revival Path

Inside the private room, the two chatted for a long time.

Combining his knowledge from Blue Star with Xu Sanshi's specific predicament, Long Jinyu casually offered a few pointers on the simple truths of "sincerity rather than pestering," "demonstrating value rather than blind devotion," and "respecting personal boundaries."

To him, these were just common sense, but to Xu Sanshi, they were like a sudden enlightenment.

"Senior! You are truly... someone who wakes a dreamer with a single word!"

Xu Sanshi slammed the table in excitement.

"Why didn't I think of that? Chasing a girl isn't just about brute force and thick skin; you need strategy and self-improvement! I was really... so stupid before!"

The look he gave Long Jinyu was filled with adoration.

"Senior, how is your brain wired? You're too smart! You cut straight to the heart of the problem, and you speak with such class! You should open a class! I want to learn more from you!"

Long Jinyu was amused by his exaggerated reaction again and waved a hand. "Haha, Student Sanshi, you flatter me. Open a class? No, no. These are just petty tricks that aren't worth mentioning; I wouldn't dare lead anyone astray. More useful things are in the books I gave you. You should study those properly."

"Senior, you're too humble! If you aren't worth mentioning, then what does that make the rest of us? Blockheads?"

"A few words from you are worth more than ten years of study! I'll be mulling over your advice for half a year!"

Xu Sanshi unleashed another string of flattery, wishing he could praise Long Jinyu as the world's greatest strategist.

After the meal, under Xu Sanshi's near-forceful enthusiasm, Long Jinyu "reluctantly" (eagerly) accepted the ten packed portions of soup into his storage Soul Tool.

The two said their goodbyes at the shop entrance. Xu Sanshi called out "Sister" with extreme intimacy, promising to handle Tang Ya's business immediately.

Long Jinyu shook his head with a wry smile, muttering to himself:

"I haven't even found a sister since I transmigrated, yet I've become someone else's 'sister' first?"

"Garlic Therapy, let's leave it at that for now. It won't be too late to tell him the truth later. Hmm... just like Dong'er? Hehehe~"

Inside the shop, the old manager had been dying of curiosity watching his young master act so servile toward that stunning "young lady," even calling her "sister." Once they left, he cautiously stepped forward. "Young master, who was that young lady just now...?"

Xu Sanshi immediately straightened his face and coughed twice with feigned seriousness. "Ahem! Don't ask what you shouldn't! Remember, what happened today is not to be spread!"

With that, he turned and strode toward the academy's famous Shrek Tea House, leaving the old manager completely bewildered.

The Shrek Tea House had an elegant atmosphere, filled with the aroma of desserts.

It was the afternoon, and since freshman registration hadn't ended, there were very few customers.

Xu Sanshi pushed the door open, and the bell chimed crisply.

Behind the counter, a handsome youth with short light-purple hair wearing a waiter's uniform looked up. Seeing it was him, a gentle and slightly teasing smile appeared on his face. "Oh? Sanshi? A rare guest. What brings you to our little shop? Did you take a wrong turn?"

A lively girl in a maid outfit with a pink-brown ponytail also poked her head out, asking suspiciously, "Xu Sanshi? Why are you here? Jiang Nannan isn't here, you know."

These two were Tang Ya, who was working part-time to raise funds for the Tang Sect's reconstruction, and Bei Bei, who couldn't stop worrying about his girlfriend.

Xu Sanshi rolled his eyes. "Bei Bei, Tang Ya, you two really are a match made in heaven, teasing me the moment you open your mouths! I'm not here for Jiang Nannan this time; I'm here to bring you good news! Huge news!"

Bei Bei laughed. "Oh? Huge news? Did the sun rise in the west? Did Jiang Nannan finally get moved by you? Are you here to invite us to your wedding?"

Tang Ya also covered her mouth and giggled. "Impossible, right? Jiang Nannan avoids you like the plague. Did you use some trick? Confess!"

Xu Sanshi was choked up by their back-and-forth. "Hey! In your eyes, am I, Xu Sanshi, just an idiot with nothing but Jiang Nannan on his mind?"

Tang Ya blinked and nodded without hesitation. "Isn't that the case?"

Bei Bei added a finishing blow with a smile. "Sanshi, why are you insulting yourself?"

"Ahem! You two... that's enough!" Xu Sanshi almost choked on his own saliva. He forced down the urge to retort and lowered his voice, his expression turning serious. "It's not my good news, it's yours! You two really hit the jackpot this time!"

The two looked at each other, even more confused.

Tang Ya frowned. "Our good news? Xu Sanshi, are you okay?"

Seeing they didn't believe him, Xu Sanshi looked left and right, then lowered his voice, his expression becoming more earnest. "That's right! It is your good news! Stop working, let's find a quiet place to talk. This concerns the Tang Sect; don't let outsiders hear."

Hearing the words "Tang Sect," Tang Ya's expression immediately turned serious. Bei Bei also put away his playful demeanor and nodded. "Follow me."

The three entered a small lounge in the back. Bei Bei closed the door and crossed his arms, looking at Xu Sanshi. "You'd better have something serious to say, or I won't let you off."

Tang Ya also asked urgently, "Xu Sanshi, hurry up and tell us, what is this about the Tang Sect?"

Only then did Xu Sanshi mysteriously take the gold card from his Soul Tool, place it solemnly on the table, and push it toward Tang Ya.

"It's this. Tang Ya, an inner court senior asked me to pass this to you."

He paused, then revealed the shocking number.

"Inside this is... one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin, said to be the reconstruction funds specifically allocated to the Tang Sect by the academy's newly established 'Support Department'."

"One... one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin?!" Tang Ya covered her mouth, her eyes fixed on the card, unable to believe her ears, her voice trembling. "This, how is this possible? Why would the academy suddenly... Xu Sanshi, were you scammed? Or are you playing a prank on us?"

Bei Bei was also so shocked by the number that his pupils constricted. He subconsciously gripped Tang Ya's hand, his face full of doubt. "Sanshi, did you drink too much fake wine? Never mind the Support Department, such an important matter... just how blind was that senior... ahem, to ask you to deliver it?"

It wasn't that he looked down on his brother, but Xu Sanshi was simply...

Xu Sanshi had long expected this reaction and quickly said:

"I knew you wouldn't believe it. And Bei Bei, what do you mean by that? How dare you say my sister... senior is blind?! Am I that unreliable?"

"That senior said, if you don't believe it, I should mention her name. She said... Bei Bei, you will definitely understand."

"I will definitely understand?" Bei Bei frowned, "Who is it? Could it be the Senior Sister?"

"Not the Senior Sister." Xu Sanshi shook his head, a look of reflected glory on his face, "I only just met her recently. That senior student is named Long Jinyu."

"Long Jinyu?!"

Bei Bei gasped, abruptly standing up from his chair, his face etched with shock and disbelief.

"Bei Bei?" Tang Ya was startled, looking at him with concern, "W-what's wrong? Do you know this senior?"

Xu Sanshi was also stunned: "You... you really know her?"

Bei Bei took several deep breaths, only then managing to suppress the turbulent waves in his heart.

He had naturally heard this name from Xuan Ancestor Mu En.

At the time, Xuan Ancestor's tone had been filled with unprecedented appreciation and gravity, revealing only that this person was a peerless genius who had already been taken as a personal disciple by "a certain" Sea God Pavilion elder, and that he must make every effort to befriend her if given the chance.

Unable to reveal Xuan Ancestor's identity, he quickly organized his thoughts, slowly sat back down, and spoke with an incredibly certain tone:

"Ahem... I suppose... I know a little. If it really is her... Xiao Ya, you can rest assured and accept this card. There is absolutely no problem!"

Looking at the still-bewildered Tang Ya and Xu Sanshi, he weighed his words and explained: "Although I don't know much, I heard that as soon as this Senior Long arrived at the academy, she was taken as a personal disciple by an elder with... an extremely high status. Her martial soul is of the highest quality, and she is hailed as the greatest genius in Shrek's ten-thousand-year history! The funding she provided... surely cannot be fake."

Bei Bei's words completely shattered Tang Ya's remaining doubts.

One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins! For the Tang Sect, which was nearly penniless and struggling to survive, this was like charcoal in the snow—a massive sum capable of changing their destiny!

Overwhelming joy instantly flooded Tang Ya. Her eyes turned red, and with a choked voice and trembling hands, she picked up the light yet heavy-as-Thousand Jun gold card: "R-really? Bei Bei... are we... is the Tang Sect saved?! Senior Long... Senior Long, she... I am so grateful to her! We don't even know her, and yet she..."

She was so excited she became incoherent, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Watching this scene, Xu Sanshi felt happy for his friend. His admiration for his "big sister" rose to a new height.

Bei Bei gently embraced the tearful Tang Ya, patting her back to soothe her, his heart surging with waves:

"Long Jinyu... just what kind of sacred being are you? To provide one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins to the Tang Sect right out of the gate..."

"What's more terrifying is that she calculated that I would definitely know her and would step forward to vouch for her!... How much does she know about me, or rather, about us in Shrek?"

This feeling of being completely within someone else's grasp made a chill run down his spine, while simultaneously sparking a sense of awe...

He looked at Xu Sanshi, who was still excited about how "awesome his sister is," and spoke with great solemnity: "Sanshi, this time... we really owe it to you! We will remember this favor!"

"I wonder... would it be convenient for you to introduce us to this Senior Long?... She has shown us too much kindness; in reason and in sentiment, we should thank her in person."

Tang Ya also calmed down slightly from her excitement, wiped her tears with her sleeve, and nodded vigorously in agreement: "Yes, yes! Xu Sanshi, you must help us arrange an introduction! I must thank Senior Long in person! This kindness, I, Tang Ya, and the Tang Sect will never forget!"

Seeing how serious they both were, Xu Sanshi patted his chest and promised: "No problem! Leave it to me! The next time I see Senior Long, I'll tell her! She's a very kind person; she'll definitely agree!"

With this major matter resolved, Xu Sanshi recalled another of Long Jinyu's instructions. A slightly embarrassed look appeared on his face as he said to Tang Ya: "Um... Tang Ya, I also have something I'd like to ask for your help with, if it's not too much trouble?"

Tang Ya's favorability toward Xu Sanshi had increased significantly, and she readily agreed: "Of course it's not! You've helped our Tang Sect so much; as long as it's within my power, I will definitely help!"

Xu Sanshi took the small money bag containing ten Gold Soul Coins from his Soul Tool and handed it to Tang Ya. His tone was sincere, carrying a sense of reflection he had never shown before: "It's this. These ten Gold Soul Coins are also from Senior Long, in the name of the 'Support Department,' for me to pass on to Nannan as a student subsidy, to help improve her living conditions."

He paused, a wry smile appearing on his face as he continued: "However... after hearing Senior Long's teachings today, I feel that... I am not yet qualified, and I haven't figured out how to face her. Forcing myself on her might only make her dislike me more. And the situation at Nannan's home definitely requires this money."

His gaze became extremely earnest: "Tang Ya, you are close with Nannan. If you pass it on, saying it's a standard academy subsidy, she will be more likely to accept it. So... could you please do me this favor?"

Tang Ya took the money bag in surprise, looking at Xu Sanshi, who seemed to have matured quite a bit, and said sincerely:

"Xu Sanshi... you seem... to have really changed."

"In the past, you would seize every opportunity to crowd around Nannan, even if it meant being annoying and persistent. When did you become so... considerate of her?"

"Don't worry, I'll help with this. I will definitely explain it clearly to Nannan."

Bei Bei, listening to their conversation from the side, felt his shock reach its peak.

"Even this was within her calculations?!"

"Not only did she provide the Tang Sect with massive funding and arrange for Xu Sanshi to earn favor, but she even anticipated Xu Sanshi's change in mindset and the step of passing the subsidy to Jiang Nannan through Tang Ya...?"

Everything was interlinked, precisely grasping everyone's needs and psychology.

The depth of her thoughts and the far-reaching nature of her schemes were simply terrifying! Was this really something a girl who had just enrolled could achieve?

Bei Bei became increasingly curious about that "Senior Long."

"Long Jinyu... what kind of existence are you?"

"Achoo! Achoo!"

Long Jinyu rubbed his itchy nose and looked around suspiciously.

"Strange... why am I sneezing again?"

"Could it be... Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming are badmouthing me behind my back? I have a feeling that if those two get together to move house... they might just tear the building down..."

He muttered to himself, the ominous premonition in his heart refusing to fade.

Shaking his head to cast aside his worries about those two volcanoes, he refocused his attention on the street ahead.

After leaving Xu Sanshi's family shop, he didn't immediately return to the academy. The strangely styled "television" in the Phoenix Perch Pavilion kept lingering in his mind.

Since he was already out, he decided to wander around Shrek City to investigate just how far the technology in this world had developed.