"Tianyuan Pavilion?" Qian Zhiya and Qian Zhenyu looked confused.
The Sea God Pavilion had been restructured into the Tianyuan Pavilion for less than five years. Aside from a few top-level forces, most soul master factions on the continent had no idea. So it was perfectly normal that Qian Zhenyu and Qian Zhiya didn't know what the title "Pavilion Master of the Tianyuan Pavilion" actually signified.
Although they didn't understand the status that came with the title, their attitudes toward Zhu Ziyang changed considerably—at the very least, they no longer dared to look down on him.
Qian Lingyi stayed at home for three days, reunited with her family, and then followed Zhu Ziyang back to Shrek Academy. After learning about the matter of divine inheritance, Qian Zhiya no longer held any resentment over her granddaughter joining the Academy. After all, in the face of a divine inheritance, what did some baseless grudge matter?
Shrek Academy, Tianyuan Island.
Several days had passed since Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi returned. The first thing they did was visit the Treasure Pavilion to find suitable soul bones for Lingyi. After a meticulous search, she absorbed a left leg bone and a right leg bone. At present, she still lacked a torso bone and a skull.
However, neither of them were in a rush. With their strength and status, it was only a matter of time before she completed her soul bone set.
That evening, Tang Ya and Beibei came to find Zhu Ziyang, who was reading in the Tianyuan Pavilion.
"You need something from me?" Zhu Ziyang looked at Tang Ya, who seemed hesitant, and Beibei, who was calm and composed. He could already guess why they were here but still asked out of courtesy.
"Well… Ziyang," Tang Ya looked conflicted at first, but quickly firmed her resolve and said, "I heard the rules for this year's Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament have changed. Sects are now allowed to participate—is that true?"
"Yes. The exact format hasn't been announced yet, but the decision to allow sect participation has been approved by all four empires," Zhu Ziyang closed the book and nodded. "So, you want the Tang Sect to compete?"
"Mhm!" Tang Ya nodded vigorously. "You know, my greatest wish has always been to restore the Tang Sect. And to do that, we first need to make the Tang Sect's name known again. The tournament is the perfect platform for that. So yes—I want us to enter!"
"Beibei agrees with this?" Zhu Ziyang turned to Beibei.
"I do," Beibei looked at Tang Ya affectionately, then met Zhu Ziyang's gaze. "As the eldest brother of the Tang Sect, it's my duty."
"If you two represent the Tang Sect, won't that leave the Academy short-handed?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Well…" Tang Ya waved him off. "Ziyang, don't you think you're underestimating yourself and Nannan? Oh, and Lingyi too. You three—one Title Douluo and two Soul Saints—could sweep through all the teams even if it's just you guys!"
"Come on, do us a favor and say yes!"
"…Sigh." Zhu Ziyang let out a helpless sigh. "Even if I agree to you two representing the Tang Sect, you're still short on members, aren't you?"
"Hehe!" Tang Ya scratched her head awkwardly. "I was planning to talk to Xu Sanshi and Weiwei, and also Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. That makes seven, right?"
Zhu Ziyang looked at her wordlessly. He already knew she was planning something like this. It didn't shake him—on the contrary, he'd anticipated this ever since the rules changed.
Truthfully, the Tang Sect's revival was inevitable—whether it was Sea God Tang San's plan or the pull of fate itself, it was something no one could stop.
And Zhu Ziyang had no intention of stopping it. Rather than oppose the trend and push the Tang Sect away, why not help steer it into being completely tied to Shrek Academy?
After a moment of silence, Zhu Ziyang said, "Alright, I agree. Whether it's Xu Sanshi, Xue Weiwei, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, or Xiao Xiao—if you can convince them, I'll let them go."
"Really?! That's amazing! Thank you, Ziyang!" Tang Ya jumped up with joy.
"But… I need something in return." Zhu Ziyang grinned.
"What is it? Even if it means going through fire and water, I'll do it!" Tang Ya declared boldly.
"Haha, nothing so dramatic." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Just one thing: from now on, the leader of the Tang Sect must be a graduate of Shrek Academy's inner court."
"That's it? No problem!" Tang Ya agreed without hesitation. In her view, binding the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy tightly was only beneficial to the Sect's future.
Beibei, however, did sense something deeper. He glanced at Zhu Ziyang thoughtfully but didn't object. First, he was surprised Zhu Ziyang held such confidence in the Tang Sect's future. Second, as a disciple of Shrek himself, he welcomed the deepening of this alliance.
Why did Zhu Ziyang believe so much in the Tang Sect?
The reason lay in a book called Peerless Tang Sect. With a title like that, wouldn't it be natural for the Sect to rise again as the continent's number one?
He was just planning ahead.
With Zhu Ziyang's approval, Tang Ya left happily. Watching her and Beibei leave, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but smile to himself.
The Tang Sect… the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well might still contain gifts from Sea God Tang San. Perhaps it was time to make some plans.
"Heh." With that interruption over, Zhu Ziyang returned to his book.
Time passed swiftly. Another month went by.
It had been three months since Zhu Ziyang and the others returned to the continent. The All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament in the Sun Moon Empire's Mingdu was nine months away.
That evening, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan returned to the Academy after visiting their families in Shrek City. As they approached the gates, they encountered a rather special girl.
She stood with her back to them, graceful and elegant. Though simply standing near the gate, her presence felt as if she were at the center of the world, effortlessly drawing attention.
She wore a long white dress that trailed to her ankles, covering her legs completely. But from her exposed pale, jade-like ankles alone, one could imagine the beauty hidden beneath. Her long red hair, wavy like flame, flowed smoothly down to her waist.
"Hello," Zhu Ziyang stepped forward with Jiang Nannan and asked, "Is there something we can help you with?"
The girl turned around, revealing her stunning face. Both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were taken aback.
Zhu Ziyang was shocked by her features—eyes like autumn water, pearly teeth, a delicate nose, soft lips—a rare beauty who struck him with an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Jiang Nannan, on the other hand, was stunned by the girl's figure, especially her impressive bust, which made Nannan instinctively feel a bit self-conscious.
"Who are you?" the girl asked. But when her eyes landed on Zhu Ziyang, a subtle ripple flashed through her gaze, almost imperceptible—but Zhu Ziyang caught it.
Her voice was sweet and soft, completely at odds with her appearance—almost like she was pouting.
"I'm—" Zhu Ziyang, increasingly suspicious about the girl's identity, was about to introduce himself when he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Huan'er, done yet? Let's go!"
Upon hearing that voice, Zhu Ziyang instinctively looked over—and saw a bright, radiant young woman he knew well.
"Sister Xiaotao!" he exclaimed in surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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