Tang Sect's Decline, Poor Bei Bei!

In front of Shrek Academy's gates.

Bei Bei stood frozen on the spot, arms spread wide as though embracing thin air.

His comical pose drew frequent sidelong glances from passing outer court students. Several girls even covered their mouths and giggled, quietly discussing why the usually gentle and refined Thunderbolt Bei Bei was behaving so disgracefully today.

Bei Bei was mortified. He quickly drew back his arms, clenched a fist against his lips, and coughed forcefully twice, trying to conceal the embarrassment that was enough to make him claw through the soles of his shoes.

Meanwhile, Tang Ya, the culprit behind it all, was still waiting behind him for Yun Yi's answer.

Yun Yi crossed his arms and looked at Tang Ya.

The girl before him wore a well-tailored light-blue combat outfit, her long hair tied high, giving off the capable air of a woman no less formidable than any man.

But in the eyes of Yun Yi, a transmigrator familiar with the plot, beneath Tang Ya's seemingly bright and sunny exterior lay the most absurd and surreal shackles in the world.

The Tang Sect had declined and suffered extermination. Such a blood-soaked vendetta resting on the shoulders of a teenage girl was indeed a human tragedy.

Yet in Yun Yi's view, the Tang Sect's decline was neither a natural disaster nor man-made calamity, but an almost inevitable result of sheer stupidity.

The true culprit behind it all was none other than Poseidon Tang San, who sat high in the God Realm and was revered as a faith by the Tang Sect's descendants!

Back then, Tang San ascended to the God Realm and departed.

Afterward, the Tang Sect established an utterly brain-dead rule: every generation of Tang Sect masters had to revere the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul above all else!

What the hell was Blue Silver Grass?

It was a useless Martial Soul universally acknowledged across the continent!

Common roadside weeds with neither offensive nor defensive power!

Moreover, Tang San's Martial Soul had never been ordinary Blue Silver Grass. It possessed the bloodline of the Blue Silver Emperor and later underwent Martial Soul Evolution into the Blue Silver Emperor!

But where were later generations of the Tang Sect supposed to find the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline?

As Yun Yi looked at Tang Ya, an absurdly comical scene could not help surfacing in his mind:

Ten years ago—or even decades ago—in the Tang Sect, an old master with a head full of white hair, who had devoted his entire life only to barely reach the Soul Ancestor realm, stood unsteadily on the Spirit Battle Arena.

Facing powerful enemies with all kinds of top-tier Martial Souls, the old master shouted and released several frail blades of grass, unleashing his proud technique, Entanglement.

And then?

Those few blades of grass were instantly burned to ashes by the enemy's flames and effortlessly severed by their sharp blades.

The dignified master of a sect was reduced to a laughingstock in the continent's soul master world.

If a sect like that could still prosper for generations, it would be the biggest joke on the Douluo Continent!

Treating the lowest-grade weed as a symbol of power and glory was simply pushing the entire sect into an abyss of eternal ruin.

Yun Yi shook his head inwardly.

For Tang Ya to have cultivated to level thirty was already a miracle brought about by genetic mutation.

Her Martial Soul was not ordinary Blue Silver Grass, but Dark Blue Silver Grass imbued with a devouring attribute.

Such an attribute essentially touched upon the domain of evil soul masters, yet it was also the only lifeline she could grasp amid this hopeless inheritance.

"Hey, handsome little brother, what's your name?"

Seeing Yun Yi stare at her without saying anything, Tang Ya immediately grew bolder.

She stepped closer, tilted up her head, and two faint blushes rose on her fair cheeks.

Yun Yi returned to his senses.

Looking at the current Tang Sect master before him, whose fate had been so full of hardship, the corners of his lips lifted into a devastating smile.

Though his ultimate light attribute had not been released, it had long since subtly reshaped his bearing.

That smile was like the first light of dawn tearing through dark clouds—pure and dazzling, yet carrying a hint of unrestrained wicked charm.

A faint golden light flickered in the depths of his black eyes, an overwhelming allure capable of making any member of the opposite sex lose themselves in an instant.

Tang Ya only felt her mind buzz, and her heartbeat suddenly skipped half a beat.

Her legs actually went a little weak on their own.

She abruptly retreated half a step and bit hard on her lower lip, barely managing to steady herself.

Tang Ya had always believed that she was definitely not the sort of lovestruck girl who only cared about appearances.

There were countless talented young men from the outer court pursuing her. Even Bei Bei, the handsome and elegant heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with a powerful background, had only become her boyfriend after they had spent a long time together.

Only now, when faced with Yun Yi's almost god-crafted perfect features, did Tang Ya awaken as if from a dream.

It was not that she did not appreciate beauty. It was simply that none of the so-called handsome men she had met before had ever moved her!

"Yun Yi."

Yun Yi's voice was clear and pleasant, carrying the carefree spirit unique to a youth.

Looking at Tang Ya's slightly reddened ears, he mischievously added, "Currently single."

The moment those words left his mouth, Tang Ya's ears turned scarlet, and her gaze began to dart away unconsciously.

From the corner of his eye, Yun Yi glanced at Bei Bei, whose face had turned ashen, and deliberately dragged out his words. "As for my identity..."

Thump!

Bei Bei's heart suddenly clenched, and every hair on his body stood on end.

He knew this little ancestor's vile personality all too well.

In front of Shrek Academy's busy gates, before the girl he liked, if Yun Yi really revealed the shocking title of "Bei Bei's grand-uncle master," how could he ever hold his head up in front of Tang Ya again?

Did he still want any dignity at all?

Bei Bei reacted with extreme speed.

He sharply turned his head, eyes wide and round, his gaze filled with pleading.

His expression was clearly howling soundlessly: Grand-uncle master, please spare me! Don't say it!

Yun Yi took in Bei Bei's bereaved expression and secretly enjoyed himself.

He paused for a moment. Just as Bei Bei was on the verge of breaking down, he suddenly let out a soft laugh.

"My identity will remain a secret for now. You can think of me as an idle wanderer out to broaden my horizons."

Hearing that, Bei Bei's heart, which had been lodged in his throat, finally dropped back into his stomach.

He took several deep breaths and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. His legs felt weak, as though he had just walked through the gates of death.

Tang Ya, however, did not dwell much on Yun Yi's identity.

She looked Yun Yi up and down, taking in his somewhat thin moon-white combat outfit and his empty hands, and had already made up her mind.

"Fine, keep it secret. You're acting all mysterious about it." Tang Ya puffed out her chest and patted her still modest bust, her face once again assuming that proud and haughty expression.

"My name is Tang Ya, current master of the Tang Sect! Looking at your delicate skin and tender flesh, you're probably some little cousin Bei Bei brought out from a relative's house to see the world, right?"

Before Yun Yi could refute her, Tang Ya grandly waved a hand and took over the conversation.

"Since you're traveling with Bei Bei, you're a friend of mine, Tang Ya's. This trip to the Star Dou Forest to hunt a soul ring is fraught with danger, but don't be afraid. Once we enter the forest, this sect master will protect you! If danger comes, just hide behind me!"

Her words brimmed with imposing confidence, as though she were an elder sister protecting a frail little brother.

Yun Yi quietly listened to Tang Ya's bold declaration without exposing her.

Keeping his polite smile, he gave Tang Ya a slight nod.

"Then I shall thank Sect Master Tang for your protection."

"Think nothing of it!" Tang Ya was greatly pleased by Yun Yi's compliant attitude. In high spirits, she turned and raised her chin at Bei Bei.

"Bei Bei, what are you standing around for? It's getting late. Hurry up and let's go!"

Watching Tang Ya's smug expression, Bei Bei's facial muscles began twitching uncontrollably.

His expression became exceedingly strange. One moment, he looked at Tang Ya, full of heroic spirit; the next, at Yun Yi, who seemed as gentle as jade. The whole world suddenly felt absurd.

Protect him? Keep him safe? Hide behind you?

Bei Bei roared despairingly in his heart.

Auntie, do you know that the person you just loudly declared you would protect is a prehistoric monster who reached the forty-plus-level Soul Ancestor realm at eleven years old?!

Do you know that half a month ago, this "delicate little cousin" turned a fifteen-thousand-year Scarlet Flame Mad Lion into roasted meat with just one move?!

In front of this man, the two of us together are not even enough for him to crush with one hand!

When he goes to the Star Dou Forest, those ten-thousand-year soul beasts should be praying to gods and Buddhas that they do not run into him!

Bei Bei had countless complaints in his heart, yet he did not dare let out even half a word.

He could only force out a smile uglier than crying and nod repeatedly in agreement.

"Yes, let's go. We're leaving now. Xiaoya, once we reach the forest's outskirts, you'll... you'll have to put in more effort."

Gritting his back teeth, Bei Bei echoed her in a dry voice.

The three set off together on the road leading to the continent's greatest soul beast habitat—the Star Dou Forest.

Shrek City was not far from the Star Dou Forest to begin with.

The three traveled along the broad official road, and the terrain around them gradually shifted from flat, open plains to rolling hills.

The vegetation on either side of the road also grew denser and taller as they advanced.

The sparse birch woods were gradually replaced by ancient trees that blotted out the sky. The air no longer carried the bustle of the city, but instead a primal scent mingling damp earth and leaves.

Sunlight struggled through the thick canopy, casting mottled patches of light over the moss-covered road.

Throughout the journey, Tang Ya remained full of energy.

Like a tireless lark, she chattered to Yun Yi about the Tang Sect's former glory and the grand blueprint she had sworn to fulfill in restoring it.

Yun Yi listened patiently throughout, nodding at appropriate moments. He had completely immersed himself in the role of a sheltered young master from a noble family, curious about everything.

Meanwhile, Bei Bei, walking at the very front, kept a dark expression throughout and silently pressed onward.

Not only did he have to stay constantly alert for dangers that might emerge around them, but he also had to endure Tang Ya's enthusiasm toward Yun Yi, which had clearly gone beyond the boundaries of ordinary friendship.

More fatally, he had to remain on edge at all times, afraid that this grand-uncle master beside him, who was temporarily concealing his identity, might become unhappy and reveal everything outright.

This double torment of body and mind left Bei Bei miserable beyond words.