Tang Ya collapsed onto the rattan chair, tears streaming down her face and soaking her sleeves. "What am I supposed to do? My strength is so insignificant. Even protecting the Tang Sect is so difficult. How can I possibly seek revenge? I can't do anything." Her sobs revealed the exhaustion and despair of years of fighting alone.
Huo Yuhao coughed lightly and took out a Immortal Herb from his Soul Tool, which shimmered with a strange aura. "This is Immortal Herb I obtained by chance while hunting Soul Beast. It can greatly enhance your Soul Power. There's always a way to become stronger. Besides, when you cultivate to level seventy or eighty, or even Level 90, revenge won't be out of reach (just take revenge then)."
Tang Ya's pupils suddenly contracted, her gaze fixed on the immortal Immortal Herb, her eyes instantly reddening. "This is the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew,' the ' Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew that can elevate the Purple Demon Eye's realm."
Her voice was filled with disbelief and ecstasy. "Thank you, thank you." Her trembling hands carefully accepted it, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world. Her fingertips gently caressed the Immortal Herb, and tears welled up in her eyes again.
When he handed the Immortal Herb to Tang Ya's trembling hand, his tone finally softened. "Senior Tang Ya, don't let hatred cloud your judgment. You are still loved, so think more about the people around you."
Tang Ya suddenly raised her head, a glimmer of hope rekindling on her tear-streaked face. She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and her eyes shone with determination. " Yuhao, could you join the Tang Sect? Let's work together to restore the glory of the Tang Sect!"
Huo Yuhao took a small step back, his slender fingers picking up an exquisitely shaped macaron from the plate, a faint smile playing on his lips, "Sorry, I refuse."
He put the dessert in his mouth, the sweet flavor spreading on his tongue, mingling with the creamy richness and the sweet and sour taste of fruit. "I have my own path to walk." He stood up and walked towards the door, his steps composed. "Thank you for your hospitality today. Consider this dessert our farewell gift."
The moment the wooden door was pushed open, a biting wind, carrying the twilight sky, rushed in, dispelling the warmth inside. Huo Yuhao stopped and turned to look at the people inside.
Under the dim light, Tang Ya clutched the Immortal Herb tightly. Bei Bei's grateful gaze was deeply etched into his heart. His eyes were gentle yet firm as he silently murmured, "My help in this life has finally fulfilled the regret of the previous one and repaid your kindness."
A relieved smile played on Huo Yuhao's lips as he turned and stepped into the night. Memories of the past surged back like a tide, only to gradually dissipate in the howling wind. Thus, his ties with the Tang Sect came to an end.
(Helping you now can be considered as fulfilling the regret of my previous life and repaying your help, although I had already repaid you in my previous life.)
He smiled slightly, letting the past drift away with the wind. From this moment on, he had nothing to do with you, or with the Tang Sect.
The wooden door of the teahouse closed behind Huo Yuhao, and the draft it created swept across the table, causing the scattered frosting to tremble slightly. Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance, a knowing smile flashing in their eyes—so Yuhao actually had a cute, sweet tooth?
Xiao Xiao unconsciously stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips, murmuring softly, "No wonder he stared at the macarons for so long just now..." Jiang Nannan's lips curled up slightly, and the image of Huo Yuhao's rare gentle profile as he took a bite of the dessert appeared in her mind, a warm feeling rising in her heart.
Ning Tian, resting her chin on her hand in the corner, gazed at the closed door, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "This guy's got quite the manly air about him, no wonder so many girls like him," she said, her tone light and flirtatious, but unable to hide the genuine admiration in her voice.
In contrast, Wang Dong's reaction was far more complex. She lowered her eyes to stare at the empty seat where Huo Yuhao had just sat, her silver spoon unconsciously stirring the now-cold black tea, creating delicate ripples on the cup's surface.
It was hard to tell whether it was the shock of his sharp words, the melancholy that arose from his resolute departure, or the subtle distance behind that gentle smile, but a strange bitterness welled up in my heart, and even the misty tea steam before my eyes became hazy.
Sunlight streamed obliquely through the glass windows into the Dean's office, casting dappled shadows on the solid wood floor. The crystal chandelier emitted a soft glow, reflecting on the Shrek Academy's list of past glories hanging on the wall, the golden lettering gleaming. A faint scent of sandalwood filled the room, adding a touch of solemnity to this important conversation.
Yan Shaozhe, abandoning his usual dignified dean image, now clung tightly to Huo Yuhao's leg like a spoiled child, his eyes filled with earnestness and expectation.
" Yuhao, you're so clever, you must have guessed what I was planning long ago. The title of Shrek Seven Devils —that's an unparalleled honor that countless Soul Master could never achieve in their entire lives!"
"Once you possess this title, it means you've joined the ranks of top Soul Master, and your future will be bright. Can you really bear to refuse this honor? Aren't you even a little bit tempted?" His voice trembled slightly, clearly showing how much he cared about Huo Yuhao's decision.
Huo Yuhao looked helpless, leaning back slightly as he tried to break free from Yan Shaozhe's "hold," and said urgently, "Dean, please let go. I can't speak properly with you holding me like this."
Yan Shaozhe hugged her even tighter, his tone firm to the point of obstinacy. "I won't let go! Unless you agree to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament with the title of Shrek Seven Devils. As long as you nod, the entire academy will cooperate fully, and we can fulfill any request you make!" His eyes were burning with passion, as if he could already see Huo Yuhao shining brightly on the field.
Huo Yuhao struggled in vain, urging repeatedly, "Let go! Dean, what kind of behavior is this!"
Yan Shaozhe remained unmoved, determined to get Huo Yuhao's promise, "I won't let go. I won't give up until I get your definite answer today!"
Seeing that force wouldn't work, Huo Yuhao softened his tone and pleaded, "Please let go first, let's sit down and talk this over. We can talk things out."
After a brief standoff, Yan Shaozhe finally released his grip, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, and plastered a fawning smile on his face, " Yuhao, I won't make things difficult for you anymore. As for that mysterious guardian, I won't force him to lend a hand."
"As long as you participate in the competition, the academy will give you 200,000 Gold Soul Coin as a monthly subsidy. You can choose any three rare items from the auction; regardless of their value, the academy will pay for them. Furthermore, I have several precious Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone here, which will definitely help you reach a higher level of strength."
When he spoke of the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, he deliberately lowered his voice, a sly glint in his eyes, clearly trying to sway Huo Yuhao with these generous offers.
Huo Yuhao sighed softly, his gaze calm and composed. "Since the Dean is so sincere, I truly have no reason to refuse. However..."
Upon hearing the word "however," Yan Shaozhe immediately perked up his ears, leaned forward, and his fawning smile deepened, "However, what? Yuhao, stop beating around the bush. As long as you participate, any conditions are negotiable!"
Huo Yuhao said solemnly, enunciating each word clearly, "I can represent Shrek Academy in the competition, but I only wish to play as an ordinary student, and I will never use the title of Shrek Seven Devils."
Yan Shaozhe looked shocked and confused, his brows furrowed tightly. "Why, Yuhao? The name of the Shrek Seven Devils represents glory, strength, and countless resources. So many people would kill for it. Why are you refusing?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes revealed a calmness beyond his years. "I just want to be an ordinary person, live a simple life, and earn respect on the field through my own true strength, nothing more. Those dazzling halos are more like heavy shackles to me."
Yan Shaozhe pondered for a moment, then quickly adjusted his strategy. "Alright, the title is up to you. But at least meet the current Shrek Seven Devils. A friendly exchange will allow them to witness and acknowledge your strength, which will benefit your future development at the academy."
As he spoke, he magically produced an exquisite storage bag and gently tossed it to Huo Yuhao, "This contains two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin for this month. Take it and use it first. See, it's settled then?"
Huo Yuhao took the storage bag, shook his head helplessly, and finally nodded. "Alright, since we've come this far, I agree to meet with them."