Chapter 427: The Bond of Grilled Fish, Part Six
"T t this…!" Tang Ya stammered, on the verge of tears, her eyes turning red like a distressed rabbit's, yet she couldn't find any grounds to refute Ye Wen.
As the saying goes, "The bystander sees most clearly," and the usually silent Bei Bei seemed to grasp something crucial. With a calm voice, he intervened, "Sir, if you have a specific reason for teasing us like this, please let us know directly. If there's something you want, and it's within our power, we'll do our best to make it happen."
Ye Wen smiled, "Ah, how refreshing to speak with someone clever."
Tang Ya blinked in surprise, puffing out her cheeks at Ye Wen. She hadn't expected him to spin the conversation around in this way, only to reveal he was merely bargaining.
Without further ado, Ye Wen pointed at Huo Yu´er. "I understand the Tang Sect holds a free entry pass to Shrek Academy. I want you to give this pass to my disciple."
Hearing this, Tang Ya immediately regained her composure, displaying the dignity befitting a Tang Sect leader. "No way! That's the Tang Sect's pass! How can we simply hand it over to an outsider?"
Ye Wen sighed inwardly. This young woman was certainly naive if she couldn't see the value in forming alliances. He responded coolly, "No need to worry I'll offer fair compensation in exchange. Besides, what pride can you really take in a Tang Sect reduced to a one member shadow of its former self?"
Tang Ya's face flushed with rage, her already raw emotions stirred anew by Ye Wen's frank words. "You!"
She wanted to retort but was stopped by Bei Bei, who quickly replied, "We'll do as you say, sir."
Though he was dedicated to Tang Ya, Bei Bei's elite education allowed him to discern the gravity of their situation. Ye Wen nodded approvingly. He would not have Huo Yu´er join Tang Sect just to further entangle her in Tang San's plans. After all, the Sect's fortune was linked to Tang San's influence in the divine realm, and Ye Wen had no interest in sending Huo Yu´er into that web.
"Very well. Follow me." Ye Wen beckoned.
The four of them journeyed into the depths of Star Dou Forest, leaving the body of the millennium old Mandala Snake behind. As they walked, Tang Ya stewed silently, frustrated but not daring to cause a scene. Her frustration boiled over, though, and she began whispering complaints into Bei Bei's ear, who tried to console her.
Ye Wen observed this without concern, musing on how complicated young love could be. Even after thousands of years, relationships remained one of life's greatest mysteries, their nuances seemingly beyond even the mind of a god.
They soon arrived in a glade deep within the forest, and Ye Wen stopped beside a towering tree. Pointing to a Blue Silver Tree that stood about ten feet tall, he said, "There. This tree will give you the ideal third spirit ring, young lady."
Both Bei Bei and Tang Ya exchanged skeptical glances, their brows furrowing in unison. Bei Bei, who had more knowledge of spirits, spoke first, his voice respectful but questioning. "Sir, with all due respect, even if this Blue Silver Grass spirit beast has over two thousand years of cultivation, wouldn't its spirit skills only amount to minor enhancements in growth and entangling? It's hardly fitting as her third spirit ring, don't you think?"
Rather than taking offense, Ye Wen regarded Bei Bei with a hint of approval for his insight. "What is it that your little girlfriend lacks most?" he asked.
Bei Bei paused, his mind racing with thoughts, but his attempts to form a counterargument faltered. "Ah…?"
Ye Wen turned his attention to Tang Ya, speaking gently, "It's been tough for you, hasn't it? Watching the distance grow between you and your beloved, seeing him pull further and further ahead. Even when he slows down for you, you're left feeling powerless to catch up."
Tang Ya trembled as his words struck deep. Her expression paled, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet Ye Wen's penetrating eyes.
Bei Bei, now fully aware of her frustration, clasped her hand tightly. "Tang Ya, please, don't feel ashamed because of me."
"But... but... I…" Tang Ya's tears overflowed, her fierce determination melting into helpless sobs. Ye Wen's words had unearthed the insecurities she'd tried so hard to bury.
Ye Wen's soft chuckle cut through their moment, drawing both their gazes, though now with anger and embarrassment. He continued with an amused grin, "Why such a tragic atmosphere? You'd think one of you was terminally ill."
This sobered the two of them somewhat, and they fell into an awkward silence, considering his words. Bei Bei, a quick thinker, seized upon the moment of hope. "Sir, are you saying that absorbing this Blue Silver Tree spirit ring would improve her aptitude?"
Tang Ya's expression also shifted to one of hope. She'd do anything to be able to keep pace with Bei Bei.
But Ye Wen shook his head with a slight sigh. "You're reaching. This Blue Silver Tree may be ancient, but it's not a miraculous plant like the celestial herbs Tang San once consumed. That kind of instant improvement is far beyond what a thousand year old spirit beast can provide."
The pair froze, but despite their disappointment, both felt a twinge of annoyance at how casually Ye Wen spoke of Tang San. Bei Bei held back, sensing that this wasn't the time to argue. Tang Ya, however, was unable to resist defending her ancestor.
"Sir, please show some respect for the founding ancestor of the Tang Sect. Such familiarity with his name would get you into a fight in any village," she said stiffly.
Ye Wen shrugged, choosing not to escalate the discussion. "Fine, fine," he replied with mild indifference.
Tang Ya seemed ready to argue further, but Ye Wen's next words stopped her cold. "A spirit master's choice of spirit ring isn't overly restrictive. While attributes must match, absorbing one that differs slightly in nature won't usually cause harm. However, it can trigger mutation within the spirit ring. While one or two such rings may be harmless, collecting several mismatched rings can lead to drastically slowed cultivation down the line."
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