(Beautiful illustration of Tang Ya)
Lin Ye had no idea that another line of small text had slowly appeared on Tang Ya's system screen:
[Destined Ones automatically receive a main quest: have more children and more blessings with your destined one to receive rich rewards!]
[When you encounter your destined one, the system panel will mark him with a heart!]
Tang Ya's face turned bright red.
M-more children, more blessings?
She instinctively looked up in the direction Beibei had fled.
Above his head, nothing.
No heart.
Tang Ya froze for a second, unable to tell whether she felt relieved or a little disappointed.
Then who is my destined one...?
Do I have to have more children and more blessings to get rewards...?
As she let her thoughts run wild, the system panel popped up again:
[ Ding—]
[You have received a B-rank quest: take a new student to the dormitory building and help him tidy his room!]
[Time limit: one hour!]
[Quest reward: Martial Soul Evolution!]
[Quest failure penalty: Martial Soul degradation!]
Tang Ya: "???!!!"
Martial Soul Evolution?!?!?!
All she had to do was show someone the way and tidy up?
She looked up at the sky and clasped her hands together.
Thank you so much, heavens!
I'll treasure this quest!
The gloom of a moment ago swept away, and her whole being seemed to brighten.
Behind her, Lin Ye looked at the feedback on the system panel and nodded in satisfaction.
He'd arranged an easy quest for Tang Ya. It didn't matter who she helped.
As long as he got the rewards and points, that was all that mattered.
Just then, two beams of golden light burst open in his sea of consciousness:
[System binding to Beibei and Tang Ya successful. You have received two magical treasures: Universe Ring and Red Armillary Sash!]
Lin Ye's eyes lit up.
Two more treasures?
Brother System, your reward system is way too generous!
Tang Ya was already pondering her options.
Which new student should she help?
Huo Yuhao?
She shook her head.
Forget it. That guy's a bit of a weirdo.
I'll find someone normal.
Tang Ya glanced around, looking for a female new student to approach.
When she turned around, a heart had appeared on the system panel.
It floated steadily above a young man's head.
Tang Ya's face turned bright red.
He's my destined one?!
She looked closely.
The young man had fair skin and delicate features. He stood out in the crowd.
That also had to do with Lin Ye's Lotus Root Martial Soul.
He's pretty handsome...
No, the system picked him out, so I have to make the first move!
I'll help him clean his dorm!
Lin Ye was walking forward, about to pass Tang Ya.
Tang Ya stepped to the left and blocked him.
Lin Ye stepped to the right, and Tang Ya moved right along with him.
Lin Ye looked up. Only then did he notice her staring at him.
She was close enough to touch.
Her phoenix eyes were lively and bright.
Her nose was straight, and her face had the perfect oval shape.
A hint of shyness touched her delicate features.
She was the very picture of a girl blessed with nature's finest gifts.
Lin Ye said, "Classmate, what are you...?"
Tang Ya cleared her throat. "Um, hello, junior! I'm... a volunteer senior here to help you all out! I'll take you to find your dorm!"
Lin Ye smiled. "I see. Thank you, senior."
Tang Ya said, "Come with me."
They walked side by side.
Tang Ya asked, "My name's Tang Ya. What's yours?"
Lin Ye said, "Senior Xiao Ya, my name is Lin Ye."
Tang Ya said, "Lin Ye... Little Ye, the dormitory is right behind the teaching building. That's the biggest building in the whole academy. I'll take you there."
Tang Ya really was an extrovert. She'd made up a volunteer identity and, in just a few sentences, had gotten familiar with Lin Ye.
They reached the notice board.
It read: Freshman Class One homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi; Freshman Class Two homeroom teacher...
Lin Ye and Huo Yuhao had registered early, so both of them had been assigned to Class One.
Tang Ya whispered in alarm, "Huh? How did you end up with that abnormal old hag Zhou Yi? Isn't she supposed to teach third-years? Why did they assign her to the freshmen? Little Ye, you'd better be careful."
Lin Ye replied calmly, "Senior Xiao Ya, it's fine. As long as I do my best, I won't be afraid of any training or tests."
Tang Ya looked at his handsome profile and nodded to herself.
No wonder he's my destined one. He's got guts!
"Come on. The dormitory building's just past the Freshman Teaching Building."
"Okay."
They passed between the white Freshman Teaching Building and the yellow buildings for the second- and third-years, and reached the dormitory building.
Lin Ye looked up.
Good heavens. This wasn't a dormitory building; it was practically a small castle.
The massive structure was divided into four distinct color sections—white, yellow, purple, and black. One glance was enough to tell which year's students lived where.
There were six floors in all.
Tang Ya explained beside him, "The first through third floors are the boys' dorms, and the fourth through sixth are the girls' dorms. Where's your key? Let me see which room you're in."
Lin Ye took out his key and handed it over.
Tang Ya reached for it. The moment her fingertips touched the key, their fingers brushed lightly.
Tang Ya jolted as if she'd been shocked, and her face instantly flushed red.
She quickly lowered her head to look at the key. Her voice grew quieter. "Room... 108..."
"Come on. I'll walk you in."
Lin Ye hesitated. "Senior Xiao Ya, you can just take me to the door. I can manage on my own."
"How could I do that?"
Tang Ya thought, I still have a quest to finish. How can I help you tidy up if I don't go into your dorm?
She strode inside, moving quickly.
In front of the dormitory entrance, Lin Ye saw an old man half reclining by the doorway.
Tang Ya paid him no mind and walked straight into the building.
In reality, this old man who looked on the verge of death was Shrek Academy's strongest fighter and the head of its decision-making group: Sea God Pavilion Master Mu En, known as Dragon God Douluo.
Of course, Lin Ye knew that some people at Shrek Academy preached righteousness in public, but were rotten to the core in private.
Mu En, for instance, was not only mockingly called Douluo Who Feeds Others, but had also cruelly toyed with people's romantic feelings and repaid kindness with betrayal. He'd made Zhang Lexuan his child bride and slandered his own good friend...
Lin Ye had no particularly good impression of him, so he couldn't be bothered to imitate Huo Yuhao and strike up a conversation.
He hurried inside and quietly reminded Tang Ya, "Senior Xiao Ya... this is the boys' dormitory."
Tang Ya turned around and stuck out her tongue at him. "If you don't tell anyone, nobody will know~"
Then she added, "But don't you dare go into the girls' dormitory. If they catch you, you'll be expelled on the spot. No one can save you."
Lin Ye spread his hands and followed her helplessly.
Fine. Whatever you say.
As they entered the dormitory building, a mixture of soap, wood, and the passage of time washed over them.
The hallway wasn't very wide. Closed wooden doors lined both sides, each with a dorm number posted on it.
There weren't many people around at this hour. Most of the new students hadn't arrived yet.
Tang Ya walked ahead, not looking at all like she was sneaking into the boys' dorm. She strode along as if she owned the place.
Following behind her, Lin Ye couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing something wrong.
Tang Ya stopped at Room 108. "Here we are. Open it."
Lin Ye took out the key and unlocked the door.
The moment it swung open, a wave of stale air that had been trapped inside for who knew how long hit them.
The room was empty. Two wooden beds stood against the wall, along with a table and two metal wardrobes. The windows were shut, and dust covered everything.
Tang Ya wrinkled her nose. "It's a bit dirty. Don't worry, your senior will help you clean it!"
As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and headed inside.
Lin Ye hurried to stop her. "No, no, Senior Xiao Ya. I can do it myself. I can't really let you do all the work."
Tang Ya said, "I said I'd help you, so I'm helping you. Just wait over there!"
She happily thought to herself, Once I'm done cleaning, I'll get my reward—Martial Soul Evolution!
Lin Ye: "..."
Tang Ya got right to work, full of energy.
She swept the floor, wiped the table, and cleaned the windows with impressive efficiency.
But there wasn't much time left in the one-hour limit, and Tang Ya started to get anxious.
After sweeping, she bent over and began mopping, her pert little bottom raised in the air.
She'd covered the floor in suds, leaving it a foamy white.
"Little Ye, move, move!"
Tang Ya went at the floor with her mop. When Lin Ye stood to the left, she mopped the left side; when he stood to the right, she mopped the right. It felt like there was nowhere he could stand without being in the way.
Tang Ya was moving too quickly, and the floor was slick enough to reflect their faces...
Her foot slipped, and she pitched forward!
"Senior Xiao Ya!"
Lin Ye reacted quickly and reached out to catch her.
But Tang Ya's momentum was too strong. She pulled him down with her!
They hit the floor with a thud.
Tang Ya landed sprawled on top of Lin Ye.
And as if that weren't enough!
Before you continue