Senior Tang Ya, Who Wasn't Very Reserved

The evening breeze carried the aroma of charcoal and grilled fish as it drifted slowly through the small square outside Shrek Academy's main gate.

The charcoal burned brightly, and several skewers of marinated fish were neatly arranged on the grill. Fat dripped onto the coals with a sizzling sound, drawing passing students to stop and watch.

Tang Ya stood beside the stall, her pale pink eyes falling on the exceptionally poised young man. Her pupils trembled slightly.

In fact, Huo Yuhao did not need to introduce him. She recognized him at once.

Jiang Ziming, the champion of the freshman assessment.

The legendary freshman who had made Dai Huabin kneel on the spot and call him father during the finals.

More importantly, she recalled the same dream she had had every night for the past several days.

In the dream, Ancestor Tang San had come to find her.

The founder of the Tang Sect, who was said to have ascended to the Divine Realm, looked listless and somewhat furious in her dream.

He solemnly told Tang Ya that Jiang Ziming was an extremely dangerous person who might very well threaten the Tang Sect in the future.

He asked Tang Ya to infiltrate Jiang Ziming's side and find a way to control this uncertain factor.

As the Tang Sect's sect master, even if it had only been a dream, Tang Ya did not dare take it lightly.

She had naturally heard of Jiang Ziming, this prominent figure among the freshmen, and had been considering how to approach him.

She had not expected Jiang Ziming to know Huo Yuhao, nor that they would happen to meet today.

Since Jiang Ziming was an unstable factor, and the Tang Sect was now in desperate need of rebuilding...

Wouldn't bringing him into the Tang Sect and turning an enemy into a friend kill two birds with one stone?

Tang Ya's thoughts raced, and then she made her decision.

She immediately stepped forward, enthusiastically extended her small hand, and took Jiang Ziming's hand.

"Hello, hello! I've heard Little Yuhao mention you so many times!"

Her smile was radiant, her voice crisp, carrying a warmth that was hard to refuse.

"Classmate Ziming, my name is Tang Ya, and I'm the sect master of the Tang Sect.

"Though our Tang Sect isn't very large right now, our foundations run deep. It's perfect for an exceptionally talented soul master like you to develop in... Would you consider joining our Tang Sect?"

Her behavior was somewhat overly familiar and intimate.

Behind Tang Ya, Bei Bei frowned slightly when he saw the girl being so proactive with a boy.

His gaze lingered briefly on the hand Tang Ya was holding Jiang Ziming's with, then shifted to Jiang Ziming's face. His eyes carried a trace of complicated emotion that was difficult to detect.

Wang Donger and Xiao Xiao simply widened their eyes.

"This Tang Sect sect master... Why is she so unreserved?"

Wang Donger muttered quietly, obvious displeasure in her voice.

Though Xiao Xiao said nothing, her emerald-green eyes widened slightly as well. Clearly, Tang Ya's sudden enthusiasm had caught her off guard.

Xiao Wu stood silently at the young man's side, her hands folded in front of her in a dignified posture.

Even upon hearing the familiar words "Tang Sect," her expression did not ripple in the slightest.

To her, it did not matter whom her master befriended. As long as she could remain by his side and serve him, her life had meaning.

Jiang Ziming paused, looking at this rather adorable senior.

His impression of this Tang Sect sect master was neither good nor bad.

In the original story, limited by her talent, she had been unable to avenge her family. Later, she was abducted and became the Holy Maiden of evil soul masters. She was rather pitiful, really.

Still, to be fair, Senior's hand really was quite soft.

Jiang Ziming chuckled.

Since Tang Ya dared to take his hand first, he did not hold back either. He naturally raised his other hand and gently stroked Tang Ya's cheek.

"Senior, do you really want me to join the Tang Sect?"

There was a teasing note in his voice.

Tang Ya froze for a moment.

She was usually lively by nature, but she had not expected a freshman to be this bold.

He had actually... touched her face in broad daylight, right in front of so many people.

Combined with the young man's handsome face and those smiling eyes, Tang Ya's heart could not help but race several times.

Her cheeks felt slightly hot, but she still nodded instinctively.

"O-of course I do! Although our Tang Sect has temporarily declined, our foundation remains. We have many unique cultivation methods and techniques that will definitely help your cultivation!"

Jiang Ziming withdrew his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Senior, my martial soul is extremely powerful. Even if I don't join the Tang Sect, I can still cultivate into a top-tier soul master."

Tang Ya's eyes visibly dimmed.

However, Jiang Ziming suddenly changed his tune.

"But since the little sect master has invited me so sincerely, joining the Tang Sect is fine too."

After all, if he joined the Tang Sect, he could make a few little moves now and then.

Not to mention growing stronger, he might have more chances to disgust Tang San and harvest emotion points.

Tang Ya's eyes lit up again.

"Really?! That's wonderful!"

She hurriedly clasped Jiang Ziming's hand and shook it vigorously, her face filled with heartfelt delight.

"Welcome to the Tang Sect, Classmate Ziming!"

Looking at the gentle smile on the young man's face, she secretly thought, Classmate Ziming is clearly such a nice person. How could someone like him possibly threaten the Tang Sect?

Sure enough, Ancestor Tang San and all that was only a dream. I was overthinking it.

However, seeing the two interact like this, several onlookers nearby could no longer sit still.

Bei Bei stood behind Tang Ya, watching helplessly as Tang Ya had her cheek touched, then watching her take Jiang Ziming's hand and shake it back and forth. The smile on his face had already become somewhat stiff.

He clenched his fists and forced a smile as he spoke.

"Tang Ya, shouldn't we let our guest eat some fish first? Grilled fish won't taste good once it gets cold."

His tone sounded calm, but the flickering light in his eyes clearly carried a trace of displeasure.

[Ding!]

[Bei Bei watched helplessly as Tang Ya had her cheek touched by you, then had her hand held and shaken back and forth by you. His heart was as sour as if he had drunk a jar of aged vinegar—Emotion Points +999!]

Wang Donger, meanwhile, sat down at the table. Her pink-blue eyes were wide and round, her cheeks puffed out slightly like an irritated little pufferfish.

She muttered softly, "That Jiang Ziming... He's even making moves on senior students... He really needs to be reined in!"

[Ding!]

[Wang Donger saw you flirt with another senior and angrily cursed you a hundred times in her heart—Emotion Points +99!]

Huo Yuhao stood behind the grill, turning the fish while secretly observing the commotion.

When he saw Jiang Ziming not only handle Tang Ya's invitation with ease but also casually touch her face, a surge of admiration rose in his heart.

"The class monitor is not only strong and talented, he's also so good at getting along with girls..." he murmured to himself. "He's really amazing..."

[Ding!]

[Huo Yuhao admires your social skills. His admiration has risen slightly—Emotion Points +99!]

Xiao Xiao sat beside Wang Donger, watching the scene before her with a helpless smile.

She had already grown somewhat accustomed to Jiang Ziming's ability to attract girls' attention wherever he went.