Sea God Island was a place of beautiful scenery.
Mu En reclined in his lounge chair, resting with his eyes closed as usual.
His seemingly broken-down body concealed the power of a Limit Douluo, allowing him to see everything happening in the academy.
Zhang Lexuan had gone out on a mission, brought back a young boy, and even used her authority to help him join the academy.
Naturally, something like that couldn't escape his notice.
Feeling that he owed her far too much, he turned a blind eye.
With one foot already in the grave, Mu En couldn't be bothered with the younger generation's romances. He only wanted to spend his last few days in comfort.
Today, however, was destined to be anything but leisurely. Bei Bei had come expressly to ask about Zhang Yang, making him sigh helplessly.
"Mm, things are just as you understand them."
"That child and Lexuan met outside the academy."
"They get along well, and there's a good chance they'll take things further. What, are you having regrets?"
"I remember bringing up that marriage arrangement many times before, and you were dead set against it every time. Why ask now?"
Mu En curled his lip as he looked at this direct descendant of his.
Everything he said was a reminder not to meddle.
Besides, wasn't he perfectly happy dating that little girl from the Tang Sect? Making a fuss now would be pointless.
Little did he know that Bei Bei had grievances he couldn't voice. If Zhang Yang were only being flirtatious with Zhang Lexuan, he wouldn't have cared.
The trouble was that Tang Ya had also become somewhat "obsessed." When the two of them talked about Zhang Yang last night, they'd even gotten into an argument.
They'd known each other for less than twenty-four hours, yet his girlfriend was already willing to question her official boyfriend over another man. This was a huge problem!
"Ancestor, I'm just curious..."
Bei Bei hesitated, too embarrassed to explain directly.
Being outdone by a level 10 fellow was simply too humiliating, so he hemmed and hawed.
"Sigh, I don't understand what you young people are thinking. In any case, if you don't like Lexuan, there's no need to let your imagination run wild."
"Besides, Lexuan will take Zhang Yang hunting for a Soul Ring in a couple of days. Their relationship is bound to progress, so let's leave it at that..."
Mu En waved his hand.
He was hinting that Bei Bei should drop the matter.
He closed his eyes again and continued enjoying what time he had left.
Seeing that his ancestor had no intention of saying more, Bei Bei could only bow, take his leave helplessly, and turn to go.
He thought, Zhang Yang is going out with Zhang Lexuan? That's good too. At least he'll be farther away from Tang Ya.
While Zhang Yang was away, as long as he could mend his relationship with his girlfriend, there would be no need to worry about the worst-case scenario.
Lost in thought, Bei Bei retraced his steps.
He had just left the little courtyard when he saw Zhang Lexuan approaching.
The two knew each other quite well, yet they passed each other without so much as a greeting.
He saw rejection, even disgust, in her eyes. How had things come to this?
Before Zhang Yang appeared, Zhang Lexuan's attitude toward him had definitely fallen into the category of a secret crush.
If Xiao Ya became like this too...
Bei Bei didn't much care that Zhang Lexuan was like this.
But if it were Tang Ya instead, how could he bear it? He had to make absolutely sure nothing of the sort happened!
He quickened his pace back to Shrek Outer Court, pondering what little gift he could buy to apologize to his girlfriend.
Suddenly, his good bro Xu Sanshi appeared out of nowhere and rushed up to him with even more heartbreaking news.
"Bad news, bad news!"
"Bei Bei, your backyard's on fire!"
"I just heard Zhang Yang didn't go to class today, and then... Tang Ya went straight to his dorm!"
Had it been anyone else, even another man, Bei Bei wouldn't have cared much. Trusting his girlfriend was important.
But Zhang Yang was definitely different! He was a genuine threat. Bei Bei's eyes widened at the news, and a nameless fire flared up inside him.
"What did she go to his dorm for?"
Bei Bei instinctively imagined a scene unfit for children.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He seized Xu Sanshi, his breathing quickening.
"Hey, hey, I'm on your side... What else would she be doing? She's worried something happened to Zhang Yang."
Xu Sanshi curled his lip and knocked his bro's hand away.
He might have been better off saying nothing; his words only made Bei Bei more agitated.
Reason told him that Tang Ya was simply concerned about a Tang Sect disciple, especially since Zhang Yang was also its image ambassador.
But recalling everything he'd seen since meeting Zhang Yang, along with what he currently knew, this guy clearly had a problem with his conduct!
Even if his girlfriend had no strange thoughts, what if the other guy had bad intentions? He might have been fine if he hadn't thought about it, but once he started, he couldn't stop.
"Come on, let's go check on him too!"
With no other choice, Bei Bei could only suggest going over.
Xu Sanshi wore a strange expression but nodded and obediently followed him.
They soon arrived near the single-occupancy dorms and saw quite a crowd gathered in the distance, mostly girls.
A lilting tune and gentle melody echoed inside and outside the dormitory building, as though imbued with some kind of magic.
Inside the dorm, Zhang Yang had Xiao Xiao's Martial Soul in his mouth and was playing a melody that touched the heart, just as he had at the restaurant last time.
He activated his Charm God's Body Martial Soul and combined it with his proficiency with the instrument, even mixing in the Law of Music, all to raise affection like crazy.
[Huo Yuhao's affection +10, current: 40 (check-in unavailable)] [Wang Dong'er's affection +10, current: 60 (check-in available)] [Zhou Yi's affection +10, current: 50 (check-in unavailable)] [Tang Ya's affection +10, current: 90 (second check-in unavailable)]
As expected, the effect was excellent.
The power of the law was formidable, and its influence reached even further.
Not only did his girlfriend Xiao Xiao's affection continue to shoot through the roof,
Wang Dong'er and the others sat in the living room, equally enraptured, looking at Zhang Yang with growing admiration.
Charm had never been about looks alone. Bearing could enhance it, as could talent, to say nothing of mastery over the Law of Music.
System, check in with Wang Dong'er.
Zhang Yang was so engrossed in playing that he didn't notice Bei Bei arrive at all.
After hearing the relevant notification, he gave the order with practiced ease.
[Check-in complete. Reward obtained: Wings of the Goddess of Light] [The wings of the Goddess of Light allow your Martial Soul to evolve, granting you the ability to fly and further increasing your charm]
Zhang Yang's eyes lit up after he carefully read the description.
The reward pool was still stacking up! Another charm-enhancing effect!
At this rate, he had gone farther and farther down this path, and there was no turning back!
Is Tang Ya's affection stuck at 90? Too bad I couldn't go straight for the stomach, but there's still a chance...
Zhang Yang focused his gaze on Bei Bei's girlfriend.
He considered what he could do to get a second check-in.
Not long ago, when her affection had been at 60, the reward had been the Tang Sect Secret Arts. He wondered what he would get at 100.
Based on his experience with Xiao Xiao, the system's second reward was far stronger than the first.
We're setting out the morning after tomorrow to obtain a Soul Ring.
The Star Dou Great Forest is dangerous. The more ways I have to protect myself, the better!
Zhang Yang fell into thought, considering how to max out Tang Ya's affection before he left.
Bei Bei, meanwhile, remained completely unaware. He was standing in the crowd, torn over whether to go upstairs.
"Damn, Zhang Yang must be showing off!"
"What do we do? Wait for them to finish and come out?"