Tang Ya

Biodata

Background / History

Tang Ya leads the financially struggling Tang Sect while attending Shrek Academy. At her first appearance, she has just advanced from first year to second year; Bei Bei has repeated a year to remain with her. Unlike him, she is not an Outer Court core disciple, but the cafeteria allows her to share his free-meal privilege out of respect for him 8.

Appearance

• Large, lively phoenix eyes 8.
• Hair worn in a high ponytail 8.
• A delicate oval face and a striking, graceful charm 8.

Personality

Tang Ya is enthusiastic about food and places enjoyment above maintaining a refined image. After finishing her first Overlord Drumstick, she licks her fingers and gnaws every remaining morsel from the bone. Her appetite also inspires an opportunistic proposal to recruit Gao Ren into the Tang Sect for an unlimited supply 9.

She speaks impulsively, nearly asking whether Xuan Zi is senile and openly blaming his enormous portions for the cafeteria’s serving limit. Bei Bei repeatedly intervenes to keep her from offending him. She also protests when she mistakes the young Gao Ren’s cafeteria work for forced child labor 8 9.

Relationships

• Bei Bei — Close companion who repeats an academic year for her sake. He shares his cafeteria privileges, explains the drumsticks’ likely value, and reins in her reckless remarks 8 9.
• Gao Ren — Drumstick seller she hopes to recruit into the Tang Sect. After Bei Bei warns that recruiting Xuan Zi’s disciple is unrealistic, she instead proposes befriending him 8 9.
• Xuan Zi — An academy elder she admires for ending standing-only cafeteria meals, a practice she had often complained about. His tolerance ends when he overhears her recruitment scheme 8 9.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Discovering the Overlord Drumsticks

• Tang Ya enters the renovated cafeteria with Bei Bei and follows the aroma of Xuan Zi’s drumsticks to the most expensive serving window 8.
• The price—25 Gold Soul Coins, plus one additional coin for frying—shocks the penniless sect master. Bei Bei reasons that such an expensive dish must have an unusual benefit, and they order two 8.
• Learning that Gao Ren produces the drumsticks with his Martial Soul, she concludes that Xuan Zi’s large portions explain the one-per-customer restriction 9.
• Delighted by the taste, she quietly suggests recruiting Gao Ren. Xuan Zi overhears, and Bei Bei’s warning prompts her to abandon the idea in favor of getting on Gao Ren’s good side 9.

Notable Quotes

“An image isn't nearly as important as good food!” 9