Chapter 125: Tang Ya's Thoughts, and Bei Bei's Helpless Fury
The next day.
Wang Dong went to the administration office to request a leave of absence.
The staff there naturally knew her background—she was from the Haotian Sect. So, she was immediately approved for seven days of leave.
The Haotian Sect might have secluded itself from the world, but its influence remained mighty, still counted among the top factions on the continent.
Wang Dong, being their most promising talent in recent generations, commanded plenty of respect. Of course Shrek Academy would give face—there was no reason to make things difficult.
...
Once Wang Dong had left, Ye Chen decided to visit Tang Ya.
Having just advanced to the Soul Sect level, Tang Ya had become the top student in her class overnight, causing quite a stir.
Her instructor had been shocked by her sudden growth but didn't probe too deeply. After verifying that her power hadn't come from any evil soul methods and that her body was stable, they simply attributed it to some inheritance from the Tang Sect.
After all, the Tang Sect had once surpassed even Shrek in glory. Though its decline was tragic, its foundation surely left behind treasures capable of such miracles.
Using his Heaven and Earth Infinite Eye, Ye Chen quickly located her—she was in the academy's Soul Dueling Arena.
As Shrek Academy valued efficiency, training and lessons often took place in combat venues.
Senior students, especially, spent most of their time sparring in real battles.
When he arrived, the duels had already ended. Tang Ya's class sat cross-legged, meditating to recover soul power. Several students were being treated by healing-type soul masters.
Their teacher stood at the front, analyzing each match in great detail—every move, every mistake, every opportunity.
It reminded Ye Chen of professional e-sports teams from his past life: endless cycles of scrimmages, reviews, and debriefings.
Monotonous, perhaps—but effective.
In this world, training was as essential as studying had once been, and though many found it grueling, the dedication to improve drove them onward day after day.
...
In the arena's resting area, Bei Bei shuffled over to Tang Ya with a fawning smile, handing her a cup of water.
"Xiao Ya, you must be exhausted. Here, drink some water~"
He wasn't sure what exactly had changed between them, but as long as Tang Ya wasn't running off to spend time with that Ye Chen, he still believed he had a chance.
"No need. I'm not thirsty."
Tang Ya didn't even open her eyes, rejecting him coldly.
"Xiao Ya… what's wrong with you lately? Can't we just go back to how things were before?"
Bei Bei's voice faltered, a mix of heartache and frustration.
"I already told you, Bei Bei—I just want to focus on cultivation. Please stop bothering me."
Tang Ya opened one eye and shot him a sideways glance, tone flat and weary.
She still regarded him as a classmate and maybe even a friend—but nothing more.
Because her heart now belonged entirely to Ye Chen.
Her parents' vengeance had been fulfilled, her burden lifted. True peace had finally settled in her chest.
In hindsight, she realized she had only fallen for Bei Bei because of his promise to help her rebuild Tang Sect and avenge her parents. At the time, she had seen him as her only hope.
But now that debt was gone, that seed of attachment had withered.
Worse, she found his persistence more irritating than touching.
Bei Bei might be talented—at least within Shrek—but compared to her Ye Chen, he was simply another fish in the pond.
And lately, his constant pestering made her want to sigh in exhaustion.
"I won't give up," Bei Bei said suddenly, shaking his head, voice firm with resolve.
"Whatever's happened to you, Xiao Ya, just know this—I'll always stand by your side. I'll always be your support."
He couldn't understand what had changed her so drastically. Her strength, her demeanor—everything about her was different.
Still, he was convinced that if he remained genuine enough, she would return to him one day.
As for Ye Chen…
He refused to believe that Tang Ya—so pure, so proper—would ever truly be with someone like that. Whatever had happened must've been a misunderstanding. It had to be.
He repeated that lie to himself over and over.
Tang Ya couldn't possibly be that kind of woman.
"Xiao Ya, come here for a moment. Someone's asking for you."
Just then, her homeroom teacher appeared at the doorway of the waiting area, waving her over with an amiable smile.
"Huh? Teacher, who's looking for me?" Tang Ya asked curiously, standing up.
Bei Bei frowned instinctively, sensing trouble.
"It's that Ye Chen fellow," the teacher said with a knowing grin. "Didn't realize you two were acquainted~ Anyway, training's done for the day, and you've worked hard enough. Take the afternoon off. No need to attend the next session."
Teachers at Shrek were well aware of Ye Chen's reputation. His prodigious talent and perfect control over the ultimate ice soul power had already made him famous among the faculty.
A student capable of crushing entire outer court classes—or even rivaling instructors—could not be treated casually.
Thankfully, he was now an inner court member. Otherwise, every outer court teacher would be living in constant dread of being humiliated in a duel.
And a genius like that was sure to reach the peak of Shrek someday. The wise thing to do was give him a little courtesy.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Tang Ya's face lit up with genuine joy as she bowed politely.
She had wanted to find an excuse to leave anyway—now her teacher had kindly granted her one.
"Go on, don't keep him waiting," the instructor said warmly.
"Mm!"
With a bright smile, Tang Ya nodded and hurried out.
"Xiao Ya—wait!"
Bei Bei instinctively moved to follow, but was stopped by their teacher.
"Bei Bei, and where do you think you're going?"
"Teacher, please—I want to take a leave too! I'm worried about Xiao Ya!"
The teacher's expression hardened. "Worried? You're stuck at Soul Expert, and she's already a Soul Sect. What exactly are you going to do to help her? Stand there and look redundant?"
Bei Bei froze.
His teacher continued sharply, "Ye Chen's a Soul King. Even if you tagged along, you'd just get in the way. If you want a leave, earn it—reach Soul King, and I'll sign your form every day if you wish!"
"I…"
Bei Bei stood speechless, shame burning in his chest as frustration welled up.
"Enough. Break's over! Back to practice!" the teacher barked before turning to dismiss him completely.
As the students resumed their training, the teacher sighed softly, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
Ah, youths and their passions.
Not long ago, everyone thought Bei Bei and Tang Ya were the perfect pair—handsome and beautiful, a match written in the stars.
Who could've guessed they'd drift apart so quickly? And that Tang Ya would fall for a genius like Ye Chen in the blink of an eye.
It was obvious to everyone—except the poor boy himself. Bei Bei was still clinging to hope, unwilling to accept reality.
But that was youth for you—blind, passionate, and stubborn.
And honestly, with his looks and talent, Bei Bei could have a line of girls waiting for him outside the academy. Why waste time chasing a flower that had already been picked?
He sighed again. If Bei Bei kept his head in the sand, heartbreak was the only ending waiting for him.
(END CHAPTER)
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