Invited to Join the Tang Sect by Tang Ya? A Flat Refusal

Next, Wang Dong took Lin Fan to the shop.

They soon found it. The shop sold roast chicken, and the prices were reasonable.

They each bought a roast chicken to try.

The chickens were small enough to hold in one hand, but they smelled wonderful and tasted decent.

After eating until they were half-full, they bought two more chickens each, had them packed, and took them back to the dormitory to eat later.

On the way, Lin Fan noticed a barbecue stall drawing a crowd of customers.

He squeezed closer and saw Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya selling grilled fish.

Wang Dong spotted the stall too. She was surprised to see Huo Yuhao grilling fish.

"Lin Fan, Huo Yuhao's grilling fish! Lots of people are buying it. Do you think it tastes good?"

"It's all right."

Lin Fan gave a reluctant answer.

"Oh! Then let's go back and eat my little roast chickens!"

In high spirits, Wang Dong swung her two chickens back and forth, looking delighted.

Just then, Tang Ya sensed someone watching her and turned to look.

When she saw Lin Fan, the corners of her mouth lifted. She turned to Huo Yuhao and said brightly,

"Yuhao, keep selling the grilled fish here. Teacher Xiaoya has something to do. I'll be right back."

"All right, Teacher Xiaoya."

Huo Yuhao nodded, then wondered aloud,

"That's strange. What's Teacher Xiaoya up to?"

He ought to keep an eye on her. Teacher Xiaoya was the second person he had gotten to know.

Then he saw her push through the crowd and hurry off in one direction.

Following her with his gaze, he realized she was going to talk to Lin Fan.

How strange. Why would Teacher Xiaoya want to talk to Lin Fan? And Wang Dong's beside him, too.

No. I have to work hard, earn money, and cultivate. Then Wang Dong will come back.

Lin Fan and Wang Dong emerged from the bustling crowd and headed slowly toward the Dormitory Building.

"Lin Fan!"

A voice suddenly called out.

Lin Fan stopped and turned. Tang Ya was hurrying toward him, panting, and he looked at her in puzzlement.

"Lin Fan, why... were you walking so fast? I almost... couldn't catch... you..."

Tang Ya stopped in front of him, bent over to catch her breath, then spoke between gasps.

She had finally caught up. Good grief, Lin Fan could really move.

"I wasn't walking fast! That was my normal pace. Did you need something?"

Lin Fan asked, unconcerned.

"You call that normal? I'm exhausted! Lin Fan, have you joined a sect?"

Tang Ya straightened slowly, composed herself, and asked.

She had gone only a few meters before Lin Fan had covered dozens. Calling that a normal pace was absurd.

"I haven't thought about it."

Lin Fan spoke calmly.

"Then, if you haven't thought about joining a sect, how about joining our Tang Sect? We were once the number-one sect on the continent!"

Hearing that Lin Fan hadn't considered it, Tang Ya smiled.

"And the Tang Sect is the oldest sect in history. Its first sect master was Tang San. You probably had no idea our sect was the very Tang Sect of Sea God Tang San."

Could Lin Fan be like Huo Yuhao?

"I refuse, Tang Ya."

Lin Fan turned and continued on with Wang Dong.

He had no desire to join any sect right now.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Lin Fan, don't refuse so quickly! I haven't even finished!"

Tang Ya grew anxious. Seeing him walk away, she hurried after him, stopped in front of him, and said,

"Join the Tang Sect, and you'll enjoy generous benefits. How about it? Tempted?"

Lin Fan shook his head.

"No."

Tang Ya stared at him in shock, then drooped with disappointment.

"Ah... all right. I thought that if you joined, we might have a chance to restore the Tang Sect. Looks like there's no hope."

Getting Lin Fan to join the Tang Sect was even harder than getting Huo Yuhao to join. Huo Yuhao had agreed almost at once.

Getting Lin Fan to join might be harder than climbing to the heavens. Even that offer hadn't tempted him. But she wouldn't give up. She would get him into the Tang Sect.

She had nearly forgotten the Gold Soul Coins she owed him, which she had worked so hard to save.

She immediately took out a pouch containing several Gold Soul Coins, held it out to Lin Fan, and said,

"Oh, right. Lin Fan, here are a few Gold Soul Coins. Consider it an early repayment."

Lin Fan was a little surprised.

"You're paying me back already?"

Tang Ya looked proud as she smiled and said,

"Of course! I don't want to drag this out. I want to pay you back as soon as I can."

She had worked hard to save those Gold Soul Coins, but when she thought of what he had done for her, it was worth it.

"All right. I won't join the Tang Sect, but I can offer you advice and help with restoring it."

Lin Fan's voice held a trace of resignation.

"What advice? What kind of help?"

Tang Ya's eyes lit up. She wasn't about to let the slightest opportunity slip away.

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

Lin Fan smiled.

"Tomorrow? Why not now? You have time right now, don't you?"

Tang Ya nearly stumbled when she heard that.

"I said tomorrow. Come to my dorm room. It's number 100."

Lin Fan answered,

"All right..."

Tang Ya replied softly.

She hadn't expected to have to wait until tomorrow. Never mind. As long as there was hope of restoring the Tang Sect, she wouldn't let it go.

After saying goodbye to Lin Fan, Tang Ya hurried back to Huo Yuhao's barbecue stall and resumed selling grilled fish with enthusiasm.

Lin Fan and Wang Dong continued toward their dorm room. They soon arrived and began enjoying the roast chickens they had brought back.

They took the chickens out and set them on the table, pulled up a chair each, and sat down to eat.

Though each chicken was only the size of a watermelon, its aroma was rich. When they opened the fresh packaging and touched the chickens, they were still warm.

Lin Fan and Wang Dong ate with gusto. After finishing their chickens and letting out satisfied burps, they each went to their bed to rest.

"Lin Fan, who was that older student just now?"

Wang Dong asked from her bed.

"Oh, her? Her name's Tang Ya."

Lin Fan answered.

"Then why did she ask you to join her sect?"

Wang Dong asked, puzzled.

"Probably because I'm so strong! I'm already a level thirty-eight Soul Elder. Who wouldn't envy a top-tier expert and genius like me? You included."

Full of pride, Lin Fan turned his back on Wang Dong and struck an expert's pose as he spoke calmly.

"Oh, get lost."

Wang Dong waved him off in disgust.

I've never met anyone so full of himself.

Wang Dong reached out to turn off the light, then tucked herself under the covers and went comfortably to sleep.

Lin Fan lifted his blanket and slipped into bed. He lay staring at the ceiling, waiting to fall asleep.

To his surprise, everything the sign-in system had given him over the past few days had been instant noodles or sausages. At least they were edible, but he was still a little disappointed.

Hearing a knock, Lin Fan went to the dorm room door and opened it.

He hadn't expected Tang Ya to come so early. When he asked her to speak outside the Dormitory Building, she seemed surprised, but she went along with it.

A few steps later, Lin Fan and Tang Ya were outside the Dormitory Building.

They stopped along a path where students from every year were taking a stroll.