Chapter 22: We’ll Have to Make Beibei Suffer a Little

Originally belonging to the central region of Douluo Continent, Shrek City.

The night was deep, and the stars were dim tonight. In the pitch-black sky, a silver streak of light soared from afar, trailing a brilliant tail flame, as if it were slicing the heavens apart.

As it drew closer to Shrek City, the streak gradually slowed and finally landed within a grove outside the East Gate of Shrek City.

The glow faded, revealing the figures of Ye Xixuan and Zhang Lexuan.

Although Ye Xixuan’s externally attached spirit bone, the Heavenly Spider Claws, emitted spatial attribute silk that consumed less spirit power than the dark attribute silk, it was still relatively draining. He couldn’t maintain such a method of flight for long and eventually had to rely on Zhang Lexuan’s spirit-guided flying device.

Due to some delay caused by familiarizing himself with the external spirit bone’s abilities, they had only just returned to Shrek City now.

Ye Xixuan retracted his silver Heavenly Spider Claws into his body, and the transparent silk strands wrapped around them vanished as well. The spatial attribute silk hidden in the void was far more convenient than the shadow chains formed from condensed shadows; at least it avoided the awkwardness of close physical contact.

Zhang Lexuan led Ye Xixuan toward the gates of Shrek Academy, casually asking in a low voice, “Are we still going to train at the Sea God Pavilion tonight?”

“Lexuan, I want to visit Xiaoya first. Could you please pass a message to Elder Mu for me?” Ye Xixuan spoke honestly without overthinking.

“Mm.” Zhang Lexuan responded lightly, her gaze lingering briefly on Ye Xixuan before calmly shifting forward.

“At her age, she should be entering the Outer Academy this year, right?”

“Yes.” Ye Xixuan nodded with a smile.

“Xiaoya’s second spirit ring was thanks to your help.”

“It’s nothing.” Zhang Lexuan sighed softly. “The Academy does owe the Tang Sect. Dean Yan’s intention was for her to remain and study in the Outer Academy, eventually rebuilding the Tang Sect through her own strength. Besides, Elder Mu has always supported your assistance.”

“I understand, Lexuan.” Ye Xixuan spoke earnestly.

“In the end, everyone in this world can only rely on themselves. The help the Academy offers to Xiaoya and me is something we will always cherish.”

“Let’s go…” Zhang Lexuan smiled contentedly, seeing in Ye Xixuan a faint reflection of her younger self.

The two parted outside the gates of Shrek Academy.

Zhang Lexuan headed back to Sea God Island in the Inner Academy, while Ye Xixuan prepared to visit Tang Ya’s residence in Shrek City.

Though it was the first day of Shrek Academy’s enrollment, the area outside the East Gate was already bustling. Stalls lined the main road, brightly lit by spirit-guided street lamps. Among the crowd were unfamiliar faces—likely new students registering for Shrek Academy.

“Xixuan!” At that moment, a delighted, girlish call came from behind.

Ye Xixuan turned to see a charming figure rushing straight into his arms. Before he could react, all he saw was the graceful curve of a black ponytail fluttering in the air.

After absorbing the spirit ring and spirit bone of the Shadow Demon Spider, Ye Xixuan’s height was now almost the same as Tang Ya’s.

Tang Ya collided fully into him, lifting her long, slender legs without a care for appearances, hanging onto him excitedly and swaying.

Instinctively, Ye Xixuan supported Tang Ya’s soft yet firm thighs with both hands, but from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of another girl standing nearby.

The girl’s stunning beauty rivaled Tang Ya’s. Witnessing Tang Ya’s overly intimate behavior with Ye Xixuan up close, a blush flushed her previously vacant face, her shyness unmistakable.

“Tang Ya, I’m going back to the dorm now.” Despite her bashfulness, the girl politely greeted Tang Ya before quickly turning and walking away—practically fleeing. The good impression she had just formed about Tang Ya’s kind nature was largely erased.

“She’s so young and already has a boyfriend…”

Not everyone shared Tang Ya’s carefree nature. For this girl, given her upbringing, this was utterly shocking.

“Nannan, see you tomorrow!” Oblivious to the tension, Tang Ya turned and waved casually at the girl. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt the girl quicken her pace after hearing her voice.

As the girl vanished from sight, Ye Xixuan, sensing something, couldn’t help but ask Tang Ya, “Xiaoya, who was that?”

“That’s Jiang Nannan, my new roommate whom I just met today.” Tang Ya giggled but noticed Ye Xixuan’s gaze drifting away. She promptly puffed out her cheeks and gently pinched his ear.

“Hmph! So young and already interested in pretty girls! Not a good habit!”

Ye Xixuan shook his head helplessly, recalling memories from his previous life concerning Jiang Nannan.

“Xiaoya, you misunderstood.”

“Alright, just teasing you.” Seeing Ye Xixuan’s earnest expression, Tang Ya laughed and released his ear, then hopped down from him.

“Who do you think is prettier, her or me?”

“If you ask me, of course you, Xiaoya, are prettier.” Influenced by Beibei over the years, Ye Xixuan played along with Tang Ya.

“Besides, I didn’t even get a good look at her.”

“You smooth talker! I bet you learned that from the senior brothers in the Inner Academy.” Tang Ya smiled happily but teased him nonetheless.

“Did someone teach you how to talk to girls like that?”

“Yes, a senior named Beibei mentioned these things to me.” Without hesitation, Ye Xixuan betrayed Beibei. Since Beibei had once sold him out to the senior sister, Ye Xixuan paid him back in kind with Tang Ya.

Hearing this, Tang Ya’s eyes widened in alarm. She solemnly warned, “Stay away from that Beibei fellow. He’s definitely not a good person. Got it?”

“Yes, Xiaoya.” Ye Xixuan nodded obediently, but as he linked the current scene with memories from his past life, his expression grew subtle. Since he had already altered the timeline by meeting Tang Ya early, Beibei would just have to suffer.

Satisfied, Tang Ya nodded and held Ye Xixuan’s hand, giggling, “Let’s go, it’s time to go home.”