Tang Ya's startling words

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Chapter 3: Tang Ya's startling words

The Heavenly Spirit Mountain Range stretched east to west across the entire southeastern part of the Heaven Dou Empire, with a portion even extending into the Dou Ling Empire. From north to south, it linked two great plains: the Heavenly Spirit Plain to the north and the Lima Plain to the south.

Heavenly Spirit City took its name from its location at the center of the Heavenly Spirit Plain, while Shrek City stood on the Lima Plain south of the Heavenly Spirit Mountain Range.

Because of this unique geography, the Heavenly Spirit Mountain Range had been fiercely contested by military powers since ancient times. Ten thousand years ago, Jialing Pass had stood at a mountain gap in the range. That earth-shaking battle had claimed countless Soul Masters' lives, and ultimately, Jialing Pass itself had been utterly destroyed.

Now, however, the valley where Jialing Pass had once stood had become even more bustling.

All the world's bustle was for profit; all its jostling was for gain. Many trading caravans passed through this valley, especially those traveling between Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, and Shrek City.

Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya were taking this valley route as well.

Steep cliffs rose on either side of the valley, but it was an astonishing five kilometers wide-many times broader than an ordinary main road.

It was late autumn, and the valley looked rather desolate. Withered yellow leaves carpeted the ground, with occasional traces of passing carts visible among them.

"Once we're through this valley, we'll be on the Lima Plain, where Shrek Academy is." As they drew closer to their destination, Tang Ya's spirits rose considerably, and she walked ahead of Ye Xixuan with a spring in her step.

"If we're quick, we should reach Shrek City tonight."

Shrek Academy occupied an immense area and was a city in its own right. Shrek City ranked among the largest cities on the Douluo Continent, with more than two million people living within it.

Shrek City stood at the center of the original Douluo Continent, with transport routes reaching in every direction. It was not only home to Shrek Academy, but also the most important trading city on the original Douluo Continent. With Shrek Academy backing it, fair dealing was assured, and public safety was equally reassuring. Thus, when merchants from the three great empires conducted trade across borders, most chose Shrek City.

Ye Xixuan lowered his gaze from the sky and hurried after Tang Ya.

"Sister Xiaoya, I remember Shrek Academy being on the eastern side of Shrek City, right?"

"Yes, that side faces the Star Dou Great Forest." Filled with longing for Shrek Academy, Tang Ya turned and smiled at Ye Xixuan. Before their illusions were completely shattered, everyone saw this so-called number-one academy on the continent through somewhat rose-tinted eyes.

"They say the Star Dou Great Forest once unleashed a beast tide against Shrek City, and Shrek Academy's experts led the effort to drive it back. Well? Isn't Shrek Academy amazing?"

Ye Xixuan lowered his head without speaking. In his memories of his previous life, Tang Ya seemed to have sought help from Shrek Academy, but the academy had ultimately refused to intervene, citing its neutral position on the continent.

Just then, Tang Ya suddenly stopped and gave Ye Xixuan an excited pat on the shoulder.

"Little Xixuan, hurry up! The exit's just ahead!"

About seven minutes later, the two finally passed through the Heavenly Spirit Mountain Range, which stretched across the southern Heaven Dou Empire. Before them lay a vast, boundless plain, dotted here and there with clear rivers and dense forests.

Golden sunlight streamed down. Feeling its warmth on his skin, Ye Xixuan suddenly felt as though an entire lifetime had passed. The sky was a boundless azure, and flocks of birds swept across it overhead, soaring freely.

At that moment, the merging of his two lifetimes' memories felt more real than ever. Bearing his family's hopes and responsibilities, he possessed talent beyond the reach of ordinary people, as well as a future of limitless possibilities.

Whatever Shrek Academy's reputation might be, going there was his best choice for now.

Basking in the gentle sunlight, Tang Ya stretched lazily, then eagerly headed toward a stream formed by converging springs from the Heavenly Spirit Mountain Range. As she went, she did not forget to beckon to Ye Xixuan.

"Come wash up first, then we'll eat something and rest. Plenty of caravans should pass through here on their way to Shrek City during the day. Let's see if any of them will give us a ride." In matters like these, Tang Ya had far more experience than Ye Xixuan.

After all, the Tang Sect had declined so far that it was no longer anything like what it had once been. Since childhood, Tang Ya had learned to manage the sect's business alongside her parents. Unlike her, Ye Xixuan, as a member of his family's direct line, had always enjoyed its best treatment and resources before awakening his martial soul, never needing to worry about anything else.

As for the safety of traveling with a caravan, Shrek Academy's presence, combined with the Lima Plain's location deep within the heartland of the original Douluo Continent's three great empires, meant that hardly any faction or individual would be foolish enough to cause trouble here.

Ye Xixuan nodded and followed Tang Ya's advice, taking off his clothes and jumping into the stream to wash himself thoroughly. Droplets slid down his fair, delicate skin, making even Tang Ya, a girl herself, feel a little envious. Giggling, she splashed cold stream water onto his back.

"Give me your dirty clothes. I'll wash them for you."

"You don't have to, Sister Xiaoya." Ye Xixuan turned around somewhat awkwardly. Although his personality was primarily shaped by this life, his previous life's memories influenced him as well. Having nine-year-old Tang Ya take care of him felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.

Besides, Tang Ya's instant familiarity and enthusiasm were more than most people could handle.

Tang Ya huffed and sent out a strand of Blue Silver Grass, forcibly wrapping it around the dirty clothes in Ye Xixuan's hands as she chided him.

"Stop being so bashful. You shared a blanket with me yesterday, and now you're suddenly shy? If you really want to get technical, we've already slept together. As your big sister, I have to take responsibility for you. What's wrong with looking after you?"

"Huh?" Her startling words left Ye Xixuan dumbfounded. This was his first real taste of Tang Ya's flighty, irreverent personality.

Seeing Ye Xixuan's expression, Tang Ya could not help bursting into laughter. Yet when she lowered her head to wash his clothes, her eyes reddened a little.

In truth, she took such attentive care of Ye Xixuan, whom she had known for less than two days, partly because of her innate kindness. More importantly, though, his experiences were similar to hers, and she saw her former carefree self in him.

At only nine years old, she had already lost forever the chance to nestle beside her parents and act spoiled.

After washing Ye Xixuan's clothes, Tang Ya lit a campfire beside the stream to dry them. She also boiled stream water in an iron kettle and warmed their dry rations.

Meanwhile, Ye Xixuan stood naked in the knee-deep stream, scrubbing himself clean. From the corner of his eye, he occasionally glanced at the busy Tang Ya.

Though both bore blood-deep grudges, the scene they created together held a peculiar warmth.

(End of chapter)