An Extra Third Wheel

The sunset's lingering glow bathed the gates of Eastsea Academy in warm gold. As the students of Class Four slunk away looking thoroughly bedraggled, the utterly one-sided promotion match finally drew to a close. Wu Changkong stood on the stone steps outside the academy, his ice-blue eyes sweeping indifferently over his three students. For once, the chill that usually seemed capable of freezing the air around him eased a little.

"Since you won," he said, parting his thin lips. His voice remained cool, but lacked some of its usual severity. "Tonight's special training is canceled. Your time is your own."

With that, the cold-faced teacher turned and walked into the academy, his black robe tracing a crisp arc in the evening breeze, leaving Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie standing at the gate.

"Whew, we finally get a break!" Xie Xie stretched extravagantly, then turned to Tang Wulin with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Wulin, don't rush back to cultivate. Want to go out and have some fun? I'll take you somewhere good."

They were still standing in the plaza outside the academy gates, with students who had just finished training passing by in twos and threes. Tang Wulin was looking down, straightening his cuffs. At those words, he raised his head in puzzlement, the sunset dancing on his eyelashes. "Go out? Where?"

Teacher Wu had given them some free time, but aside from the training grounds and the library, what "fun" places could Eastsea Academy possibly offer?

Xie Xie leaned closer and lowered his voice, a hint of mystery and nostalgia creeping into his tone. "Somewhere... really important to me. I used to go there all the time here in Eastsea City. I want to show it to you."

Something stirred in Tang Wulin's heart at Xie Xie's earnest expression. He knew that beneath Xie Xie's usually carefree manner lay many stories no one knew about. Perhaps that place held a past Xie Xie was reluctant to mention.

Yet Tang Wulin shook his head, turning his gaze toward the towering training tower inside the academy. "I'm not going," he said firmly.

Xie Xie froze, his smile stiffening. "Huh? Why? It's really fun there, and..."

"We have another match tomorrow." Tang Wulin cut him off and patted his shoulder, his eyes clear and resolute. "Teacher Wu might have given us free time, but our opponents won't be resting. I'm going to the training tower for extra practice. I can't waste time."

With that, he turned and headed into the academy, his back straight and determined. Xie Xie stood where he was, watching him walk away, then scratched his head helplessly and muttered, "What a cultivation maniac..."

Beside him, Gu Yue watched with her arms folded, the faintest hint of a smile curling her lips and a playful gleam flashing through her purple eyes.

The sunset spilled over the flagstones outside Eastsea Academy, stretching their three shadows long. Seeing Tang Wulin's stubborn refusal to budge, Xie Xie stamped his foot in frustration. Then his eyes shifted, and an idea suddenly struck him.

He puffed out his cheeks as though making a momentous decision, then fished several clinking Gold Soul Coins from inside his clothes and waved them in front of Tang Wulin. "Hey! What if I treat you to something delicious? The Golden Scale Pavilion is the most famous restaurant in Eastsea City. I heard even Soul Elders give their new Stir-Fried Dragon Tendon Balls a big thumbs-up! Will that do?"

Sure enough, Tang Wulin's determined footsteps stopped. He turned around, his nostrils twitching slightly as though he could already smell those legendary Stir-Fried Dragon Tendon Balls. For a growing boy undergoing such intense cultivation, good food was clearly far more tempting than an "important place."

"Deal!" Tang Wulin answered without hesitation, his eyes shining with a craving for delicious food.

The sight of his true gluttonous colors laid bare made Xie Xie's teeth itch with irritation. Unable to help himself, he poked Tang Wulin's forehead. "Do you think with your stomach? You're throwing away your principles for one meal?"

"Food is heaven to the people." Tang Wulin chuckled and slung an arm around Xie Xie's shoulders, utterly unbothered. "Come on, lead the way! I need a full stomach to have the strength to cultivate. This is called balancing work and rest."

Just then, a purple figure glided lightly over, accompanied by a bright laugh. "Oh, that sounds like fun. Um... take me with you?"

Xie Xie's face immediately fell, and he protested with obvious reluctance. "Hey! Gu Yue, I'm treating Wulin to dinner. What's the point of all three of us going? Taking a girl out is so awkward!"

Gu Yue planted her hands on her hips, her long purple hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze. She raised an eyebrow, a provocative edge in her voice. "What? Afraid I'll eat you alive? Or is your pitiful little allowance not even enough to buy me dinner?"

"Who says I can't afford it!" Xie Xie could never resist a challenge and immediately jumped up in protest. "I'm worried Wulin won't get anything to eat if you come! With your appetite, tsk, tsk..."

"What did you say?!" Gu Yue's gaze instantly turned cold, Soul Power faintly stirring around her.

"Am I wrong? You're just a..." Before Xie Xie could finish, Gu Yue flicked her wrist, sending a streak of silver light straight at his face.

"If you want a fight, you'll get one!" Xie Xie was no pushover either. The Light Dragon Dagger instantly appeared in his hand, and he darted aside, ready to strike back.

He seemed to have forgotten Tang Wulin's terrifying Soul Skill from earlier that day, however. Just as he prepared to use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Tang Wulin instinctively activated Life Domain. Xie Xie felt the space around him grow thick and viscous, slowing his movements by half a beat.

That single instant of delay let Gu Yue's attack land squarely on him.

Bam!

"Ow!"

Smack!

"Oof!"

What followed was rather painful to watch. Xie Xie might have been fast, but against Gu Yue's overpowering elemental control, he could not get anywhere near her. In less than a minute, the previously high-spirited Xie Xie had become a battered, swollen "pig's head," his eyes reduced to narrow slits and a trace of blood hanging at the corner of his mouth.

Gu Yue dusted off her hands and elegantly withdrew her Martial Soul. Looking down at Xie Xie sprawled on the ground, she asked calmly, "Still have the strength to argue?"

"No... no..." Xie Xie weakly raised a hand in surrender, his swollen nose making his voice muffled and indistinct.

Tang Wulin had watched the whole thing dumbfounded. He hurried forward to help Xie Xie up, smiling awkwardly. "Um... Gu Yue, that's probably enough."

Gu Yue smiled and walked over to them, her tone returning to its harmless sweetness. "Let's go. Weren't we going to eat Stir-Fried Dragon Tendon Balls? Xie Xie, lead the way."

Holding his swollen face, Xie Xie looked at Gu Yue, wanting to cry but finding no tears. Then he glanced at the utterly innocent-looking Tang Wulin and could only resign himself to his fate and walk ahead.

"Let's... let's go..." Xie Xie mumbled. "When we get there... don't order whatever you like..."

Beneath the sunset, their three shadows intertwined. Tang Wulin walked in the middle looking helpless, Gu Yue beside him looking thoroughly refreshed, while the "pig-headed" Xie Xie leading the way shuffled along, his heart filled with regret.

If only I'd kept my stupid mouth shut... Xie Xie wailed inwardly.

Night descended, and the lights of Eastsea City came on one after another, bathing the coastal city in a dazzling glow. Xie Xie led Tang Wulin and Gu Yue through several quiet alleys. The clamor around them gradually grew louder, and all sorts of enticing aromas began to fill the air.

"We're here."

Xie Xie stopped, a touch of pride on his face, and spread his arms as though embracing everything before him. "Welcome to Eastsea City's most famous destination—Late-Night Snack Street!"

Standing at the entrance, Tang Wulin gazed at the brightly lit street bustling with voices, his eyes gleaming. He could not help exclaiming, "Wow! It's so lively! And that smell... it's incredible!"

Stalls of every kind lined both sides of the street. The clatter of pots, bowls, and utensils mingled with diners' laughter and conversation and vendors' calls, forming a vivid picture brimming with everyday warmth.

"Of course!" Xie Xie puffed out his chest. Although his face still bore the bruises from his fight with Gu Yue, he seemed like the master of this place now. "This young master is in a good mood today, so loosen your belts and eat your fill! Don't worry about saving me money. There's plenty!"

"Oh yeah! Xie Xie, you really are my best buddy!" Tang Wulin rubbed his hands excitedly, already itching to charge into a shop selling grilled skewers.

Gu Yue, however, caught Tang Wulin by the sleeve, turned, and headed deeper into the street.

"Huh? Gu Yue, aren't we going to that skewer place? It looks delicious!" Tang Wulin stumbled as she tugged him along, then glanced back in confusion at Xie Xie, who was still standing there striking his pose. "Aren't we waiting for Xie Xie?"

Gu Yue stopped and turned around. She lifted her chin slightly. The usual liveliness in her purple eyes had vanished, replaced by an unpleasant arrogance and contempt. She cast a condescending glance at Xie Xie, as though looking at a clown hopping about onstage, and a mocking curve formed on her lips.

"Just look at him," Gu Yue said, her voice cold and cutting, every word like a needle. "That face of his, desperate to show off to the whole world, terrified someone might not know he has a few stinking coins. It really... ruins my appetite."

Her words reached Xie Xie's ears with perfect clarity. The smile on his face froze, and then his cheeks flushed crimson.

"What did you say?!" Trembling with anger, Xie Xie pointed at Gu Yue's nose. "You woman! I kindly offered to buy you dinner, and this is what you say about me?"

"Kindly?" Gu Yue gave a cold laugh, her gaze growing even more scornful. "Who couldn't see through your little scheme? You just wanted to flaunt your superiority in front of us. It's truly... sickening."

"You! Don't think I won't fight you again!" Beside himself with rage, Xie Xie drew his Light Dragon Dagger and made to charge at her.

"Come on, then! I'm not afraid of you!" Gu Yue refused to back down, silver light gathering in her palm.

Trading one heated remark after another, the two instantly plunged into another argument. The diners around them turned to stare at the bruised, swollen-faced boy confronting the coolly beautiful yet arrogant girl in the street, disgust spreading across their faces.

Tang Wulin stood to one side, watching the two face off with swords drawn and bows taut. Then he glanced at the diners pointing and whispering around them and sighed helplessly.

"Oh, stop arguing, you two!" he shouted, trying to quell the fighting. "If you keep this up, everyone else will eat all the good food!"

As he spoke, he grabbed the two still-bickering companions and rushed toward the shop with the richest aroma.

"Come on, come on! Food first! You need a full stomach to have the strength to argue!"