The Girls' First Meeting

The duel had barely drawn to a close when two souls' voices immediately rang out in Chen Jie's sea of consciousness.

The Ice Empress was thoroughly displeased, her voice tinged with anger. "That man is such a scumbag! Little Jie, should Xue'er and I give him a good thrashing tonight, so he won't keep being an eyesore?"

The Snow Empress's cool, ethereal voice chimed in, her tone indifferent. "He is indeed no decent person."

Chen Jie inwardly shook his head, soothing the two in a steady, composed tone. "Don't rush. This is Shrek Academy, where experts gather like clouds. Every move we make is being watched. Acting now would be reckless. If we left behind even a trace of a ferocious beast's aura, the trouble would never end. Once we leave Shrek, we'll have plenty of opportunities. There's no need to hurry."

Hearing this, the Ice Empress subdued her anger somewhat, only for grievance and jealousy to fill her voice as she grumbled, "Fine, then, Little Jie! But you have to spend some proper time with me! You spent the past half month with Xue'er. She hogged you every single day, and my cultivation hasn't increased one bit in all that time. She held me back!"

The Snow Empress did not respond to the Ice Empress at all. As though she had long since seen through the act the Ice Empress and Chen Jie had put on together to fool her, she addressed Chen Jie directly, her cool voice carrying a hint of an elusive smile:

"I still remember your promise that you wouldn't favor Bing'er during this time. Don't let a few complaints from her coax you into forgetting our agreement."

Despite being exposed, the Ice Empress showed no guilt. Instead, she spoke with complete conviction, a touch of haughtiness, and something of a righteous air. "Wasn't that all for her sake? Without that little performance, how could she have put her mind at ease and successfully broken through the seven-hundred-thousand-year mark?"

The duel was well and truly over, and the pressure over the arena slowly dissipated. The spectators gradually dispersed, while four girls approached Chen Jie as he stepped down from the platform, walking in pairs.

Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong walked shoulder to shoulder in front, while Tang Ya affectionately linked arms with Jiang Nannan behind them.

Tang Ya cautioned Jiang Nannan in a low voice. "Nannan, how exactly did you meet Chen Jie? He's a complete lecher, with so many girls around him. You really have to be careful!"

Jiang Nannan gently shook her head, her gaze settling tenderly on the young man ahead as she defended him. "Xiao Ya, don't say things like that. Chen Jie isn't the sort of person you think he is. He's a good person. I trust him."

They soon reached Chen Jie.

Wang Dong folded her arms, jealousy written all over her face as she teased him in a sarcastic tone. "Well, if it isn't Chen Jie. So powerful, and surrounded by so many girls, too. You certainly enjoy quite the luck with women."

Beside her, Xiao Xiao completely missed the teasing undertone. Chen Jie filled her heart and eyes as she hurried forward and took his hand, her face full of concern. "A Jie, you were fighting for so long just now. Does your hand hurt? Did you wear yourself out?"

Chen Jie chuckled and gently clasped Xiao Xiao's little hand in return. "It doesn't hurt at all. Dealing with him was a breeze."

Then he turned toward the thoroughly jealous Wang Dong, raising an eyebrow with a light laugh. "What luck with women? You certainly have plenty to say."

Finally, his warm gaze settled on Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan behind them. "Were you watching from below the platform the whole time?"

Tang Ya immediately released Jiang Nannan's arm and squeezed her way forward, wearing a sly, utterly unapologetic expression. "Of course! The whole academy's buzzing about it now! Xu Sanshi tried to bully someone by throwing his seniority around, only for you to teach him a lesson in front of everyone. Word of how domineering you looked while protecting someone has already spread throughout the outer court!"

Chen Jie shook his head helplessly at that, then smiled as he introduced both sides.

He pointed to the two beside him. "This is my roommate, Wang Dong, and this is my little sister, Xiao Xiao."

Tang Ya immediately turned toward Wang Dong and looked her up and down.

With delicate features, fair skin, and a clean, refined appearance, she looked every bit an exceptionally pretty young boy.

Tang Ya's heart fluttered. Wow, what a pretty boy. Just my type!

Chen Jie took in Tang Ya's fixed stare and laughed inwardly. Still looking? Just wait and see how I deal with you tonight.

At the same time, Tang Ya's discerning eye immediately noticed that Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao kept their soul power contained, their auras steady. They looked ordinary, but their foundations were astonishing. They were definitely geniuses who concealed their true depths.

With Jiang Nannan's exceptional talent as well, and all three being close to Chen Jie, they were the ideal candidates to join the Tang Sect.

Then he looked toward Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan and introduced them earnestly. "This is Tang Ya, the Tang Sect's sect master, and this is my sworn elder sister, Jiang Nannan."

Tang Ya's expression grew serious, and she spoke sincerely. "Chen Jie and I are both members of the Tang Sect."

The moment she finished, Wang Dong's eyes widened, and she blurted out in astonishment, "You're members of the Tang Sect?"

Tang Ya smiled confidently and nodded with pride. "Of course! Our Tang Sect was once the number one sect that dominated the entire continent. It's fallen on hard times, though. Now Chen Jie and I are the only two people left in the whole sect."

She looked at the three and extended a formal invitation. "You all have outstanding talent and good character. Would you like to join our Tang Sect?"

Wang Dong's eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded in excitement. "Absolutely! I've admired the Tang Sect for ages and have always wanted to join, but I could never find a way in! Sect Master, please accept me!"

Upon hearing that her brother Chen Jie also belonged to the Tang Sect, Xiao Xiao raised her hand without a second thought and said in her soft, sweet voice, "Wherever my brother is, that's where I'll be! I'll join the Tang Sect, too!"

Jiang Nannan watched the lively scene before her, then glanced at the dependable Chen Jie and sincere Tang Ya beside her. With a gentle smile, she spoke calmly. "I trust you, and I trust Chen Jie. I'm willing to join the Tang Sect and help you revive it."

Once all three had formally agreed to join the Tang Sect, the atmosphere became warm and cheerful. In high spirits, Chen Jie smiled and clapped his hands.

"Today is a wonderful day. Our Tang Sect has gained three new members all at once! My treat, on the cafeteria's third floor. Order whatever you like. We'll celebrate everyone joining us."

Tang Ya's eyes brightened, and she immediately nodded. "Yes, yes! It's not every day someone decides to be generous!"

Jiang Nannan smiled graciously and did not decline.

Wang Dong lifted her chin, still sharp-tongued. "Oh, feeling that generous? Then I won't hold back."

Xiao Xiao smiled sweetly and naturally drew close to Chen Jie's side.

The group headed toward Shrek's cafeteria, chatting and laughing.

They chatted and laughed all the way to the cafeteria's third floor. Unlike the first and second floors, it was not crowded, and many Shrek students from affluent families liked to come here for better meals.

Tang Ya perked up the moment she entered, looking this way and that. "I've wanted to try the third floor's specialties for ages. We can't let our sucker Chen Jie off today."

"Hey, don't lead me into a pit." Chen Jie did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Wang Dong folded her arms and scanned the rows of serving counters, still speaking with a touch of haughtiness. "Since you're treating us, I'll be choosing the most expensive dishes."

Xiao Xiao followed meekly beside them and said softly, "Anything is fine with me. I'm happy just eating with everyone."

Jiang Nannan smiled gently. "Don't make things too difficult for him. Let's keep it reasonable."

After choosing a large round table by the window, they split up to get their food. Before long, the table was covered with dishes.

Tang Ya was the first to raise a glass of juice. "Come on! Here's to our first step toward reviving the Tang Sect! Welcome aboard, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Nannan!"

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together.