Joining the Tang Sect?

Walking along, Tang Ya seemed to think of something as her eyes rolled and she suddenly leaned in close to Huo Yuhao, asking with a cheeky grin, "Huo Yuhao, are you interested in joining our sect?"

"A sect?" Huo Yuhao was taken aback. Back at the Duke's Mansion, he had only ever heard of those top-tier sects, like the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, and the like, never once imagining that he could join one himself.

Beibei gave Tang Ya a helpless look and explained to Huo Yuhao, "Our sect is called the Tang Sect. It's the very same one established by the Sea God Tang San ten thousand years ago. Although its scale isn't large now, it has a long history and its heritage remains unbroken. Little Ya is currently the Sect Master of the Tang Sect."

Upon hearing the two words "Tang Sect," Huo Yuhao's body couldn't help but tremble slightly. Although the Tang Sect had declined, no other sect in the history of the Douluo Continent could compare to it.

When he was very young, his mother had frequently told Huo Yuhao legends of the Tang Sect.

"Yuhao, the Tang Sect's foundational assets have been seized. Currently, the only ones remaining are me and Beibei. I am the present Sect Master of the Tang Sect, and Beibei is my senior founding disciple."

"The Tang Sect is the most amazing sect!" Tang Ya paused, as if remembering something, her cheeks turning slightly red. "Uh... it used to be. Even though there aren't many people now, we have exclusive unique arts! For instance... the Heavenly Mystery Art! For instance, the Crane Catching Dragon, and the Purple Demon Eyes!"

Beibei coughed twice and said, "You see how things are, little brother Huo. Right now, there are only the two of us left in the Tang Sect, me and Little Ya. But we will definitely work hard to restore the Tang Sect to its former glory."

"Besides, Little Ya didn't get one thing wrong: the Tang Sect's unique art, the Purple Demon Eyes, should be extremely suitable for your cultivation and ought to be very beneficial for your future development."

Beibei added gently from the side, "Joining a sect implies responsibility and bonds. We won't restrict your freedom; we'll only offer help when you need it, and we also hope you can strive alongside us for the future of the Tang Sect."

"For a genius soul master like you who can reach rank twenty-seven at age twelve, the Body Sect is actually much more suitable for you. What the Tang Sect can give you is merely its unique arts and an exemption quota for Shrek Academy. Therefore, we won't shackle your future, and only hope you'll lend a hand to the Tang Sect once you grow up."

Looking at Tang Ya's expectant expression and Beibei's gentle gaze, Huo Yuhao tightened his grip on the White Tiger Dagger so hard that his knuckles turned white from the force, and a complex light flashed through his Spirit Eye—there was surprise, hesitation, and an even deeper layer of wariness.

A sect? To him, this word was almost synonymous with the massive force standing behind the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, synonymous with cold rules, rigid hierarchies, and... his mother's silent sighs. In the ten years at the Duke's Mansion, he had seen enough of sect disciples oppressing collateral branches, and enough of the human fickleness behind so-called "sect glory."

Could Tang Ya and Beibei before him be the kind of people who could become lifelong companions? Looking at the expectant gazes of the two, the wariness in Huo Yuhao's eyes gradually dissipated.

[Host detected wishing to join the Tang Sect. Joining a sect helps enhance combat literacy, acquire resources and intelligence, and has a positive effect on fulfilling the goal of "becoming a powerful soul master."]

[But! Detected that joining the Tang Sect will affect the host's revenge against the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and the grasping of their own destiny. Danger! Danger! Danger!]

The three blood-red characters for "Danger" looked exceptionally terrifying, and the black characters for "Tang Sect" seemed like a whirlpool trying to suck Huo Yuhao's entire soul inside.

[Detected host is under unexplained influence. Clearing influence...]

A violent current instantly coursed through Huo Yuhao's entire body, his complexion turning pale in a split second as he gritted his teeth to keep from crying out.

Even though his feelings toward Tang Ya and Beibei were extremely favorable, two people he had just met compared to his deep-seated blood feud—not to mention the system's current surging through his meridians—under the dual pressure of the present and future, Huo Yuhao made a judgment in his mind almost instantly.

"I'm sorry, Sister Ya, Senior Brother Bei." Huo Yuhao lowered his head, his voice as soft as a feather yet carrying unquestionable firmness, "I cannot join the Tang Sect."

The smile on Tang Ya's face instantly froze, her eyes opening wide as if she couldn't believe her own ears: "Ah? Why?" From her perspective, her taking the initiative to invite him, even pulling rank by bringing up Shrek Academy's background for the Tang Sect (even if only two people were left now), should have been an unmissable stroke of good fortune for a lone youth outside.

Besides, judging by Huo Yuhao's earlier expression, he had practically wanted to agree. How could he suddenly change his mind?

Beibei was also somewhat surprised, but he quickly regained his composure and asked gently, "Huo Yuhao, can you tell us the reason? Do you have any concerns?"

Huo Yuhao raised his head, his Spirit Eye looking straight into theirs as a heavy weight unbefitting his age churned in the depths of his clear eyes: "I... I still have many things to do. Those things might be very dangerous, and they might take a very, very long time. I don't want to bring trouble to the Tang Sect because of myself."

[Host refusal to join the Tang Sect detected. Analysis of impact: will lose stable companion support and resource acquisition channels in the short term, but retains freedom of action, aligning with the host's planning goal of "deciding one's own life." Suggestion: maintain friendly relations with Tang Ya and Beibei; future reassessment can be made depending on circumstances.] The system's voice sounded calmly in his mind.

Tang Ya wanted to say something more, but Beibei gently pulled her back. Beibei looked at the flash of indescribable resolution in Huo Yuhao's eyes and understood in his heart. This child might look frail, but he possessed a stubborn streak in his bones; his refusal did not stem from disdain, but rather from a deeper-seated concern.

"It doesn't matter." Beibei smiled gently, not a shred of dissatisfaction in his smile. "Joining a sect is inherently a voluntary matter; we respect your decision." He paused, then added, "Even if you don't join the Tang Sect, we're still friends. If you don't mind, we can still travel together along the road ahead, at least until the vicinity of Shrek City, which is safe."

Although Tang Ya was still somewhat disappointed, she knew forced melons weren't sweet. She pursed her lips and shook her fist at Huo Yuhao: "Hmph, consider you discerning... as if! Still, Beibei is right. Even if we're not fellow disciples, we can still travel together!"

Beibei smiled gently, not a shred of dissatisfaction in his smile. "Joining a sect is inherently a voluntary matter; we respect your decision." He paused, then added, "Even if you don't join the Tang Sect, we're still friends. If you don't mind, we can still travel together along the road ahead, at least until the vicinity of Shrek City, which is safe."

Tang Ya said with a cheeky grin, "Besides, you've helped us such a huge favor, and neither Beibei nor I have anything right now to thank you with. I've decided: this year's Shrek exemption quota is going to be used on you!"

Huo Yuhao stood frozen in place, not understanding why Tang Ya was going to use a precious Shrek exemption quota on him even though he hadn't joined the Tang Sect.

Turning his head to look at Beibei, he saw the same familiar, gentle smile hanging on Beibei's face: "It's fine. Even without our Tang Sect's exemption quota, joining Shrek Academy with your talent is a sure thing—it would just be a little more troublesome."

"What's more, we have no use for this quota anyway, so we might as well use it to forge a good bond with you. Helping out whenever the Tang Sect has matters in the future will be the greatest help you can give us. Little Ya is probably thinking the same thing."

Huo Yuhao looked at their still-friendly attitudes. He hadn't expected that after his refusal, not only did the other party not get angry, but they even brought out a Shrek Academy quota to help him.

He thanked the two of them: "Thank you, Sister Ya, Big Brother Bei." Even without joining the Tang Sect, he had etched this goodwill into his heart. He acknowledged these two friends, Xiaoya and Beibei.

Tang Ya waved her hand, reverting to her lively self. "Let's go, let's go. We need to find a place to stay before dark, or else if soul beasts snatch you away at night, I'm not dealing with retrieving the corpse!"

With that, she took the lead and strode forward, her steps light and brisk as if the little interlude just now had never happened. Beibei smiled at Huo Yuhao, signaling him to catch up.

The setting sun stretched the three figures' shadows very long. Although they hadn't become fellow disciples, a wondrous bond had already quietly sprouted in the dusk of the Star Dou Great Forest. Huo Yuhao knew he ultimately had to walk his own path, but with two people by his side right now who were willing to travel with him, this rugged road ahead suddenly seemed a little less lonely.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, quickening his pace to catch up with the two figures ahead.

Whether joining a sect or not, the footsteps toward growing stronger could never stop.