Chapter Thirty-Two: The Last Straw

"So all these martial souls are body parts, just like mine?"

Suddenly, Huo Yuhao felt as if he had found his true home. "And they are exceptionally powerful..."

It was nothing short of—the aura of his own kind!

In a sect dedicated to the systematic cultivation of Body Martial Souls, his Spirit Eyes could surely flourish, perhaps even providing an opportunity to further unlock the potential of his soul. Whether through awakening or successful evolution, the future looked bright indeed!

"You want to join them?"

Tianmeng knew exactly what he was thinking without even having to guess. "I’d advise you to give up on that idea as soon as possible."

"Why?" Huo Yuhao frowned. "Does the Body Sect also judge people based on innate soul power?"

Having finally found a place that seemed perfect for his growth, he couldn't just give up so easily.

"That's not it. The Body Sect recruits anyone in the world with a Body Martial Soul. Their experts usually only show themselves to recruit disciples or when they get intelligence on a talented individual and swoop in to snatch them from other factions." Tianmeng’s eyes glinted with a mischievous light. "But... the Body Sect and Shrek Academy are natural-born rivals."

"From the moment you joined Shrek, you were bound to this chariot. Shrek Academy is the holy land for soul masters across the entire continent. If you dared to defect and join the Body Sect, you’d be hunted by the whole world."

"Not to mention, that teacher of yours is already out looking for people, likely trying to secure a chance for you to shine before the higher-ups. So, since you're about to be thrust into the spotlight of those powerful figures, you’d better keep your head down."

"If you really want to nurture your Spirit Eyes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities once you’re stronger."

In Tianmeng’s plan, the Spirit Eyes were merely Huo Yuhao’s starting capital and the foundation for his path to godhood. The true priority for intensive cultivation was the Ice Empress martial soul he had already reserved for him.

As for the awakening of his Body Martial Soul, couldn't that wait until he reached a higher realm?

By then, he estimated that the spiritual essence he had left within Huo Yuhao would have been mostly absorbed. With such a massive total of spiritual power, even if the Spirit Eyes were fundamentally useless, they would inevitably undergo some mutation.

Therefore, he had to play it safe during these early stages of low cultivation and follow the path he had laid out.

"Fine."

Having heard this, Huo Yuhao nodded despondently. Because of those days in the Duke's Mansion, he had a tendency to place too much weight on his martial soul. Upon suddenly discovering a path to improve his Spirit Eyes, he had naturally gotten carried away. But with a sensible person to set him straight, he regained his composure.

"...Xiao Xiao?"

As he came to his senses, Huo Yuhao suddenly saw someone walking past him in front, looking deeply troubled. "What are you thinking about?"

Did she lose her match?

That shouldn't be right. At this time of day, those leaving the assessment grounds were all powerhouses who had finished their battles quickly; the teams stuck in drawn-out fights were likely still struggling for another few minutes.

"Ah... nothing." Xiao Xiao was startled, as if she hadn't noticed him at all. She replied somewhat hesitantly, "It’s just... I have something to take care of, so I’ll be going now..."

Unsure if she was truly in a hurry, Xiao Xiao turned and left immediately after saying those words.

"What on earth could she have to take care of?" Huo Yuhao couldn't figure it out, so he decided not to think about it at all. "Whatever. It's been a few days since I set up my stall—tonight, it’s grilled fish!"

Shrek’s food was expensive, after all; he might as well go earn some pocket money today.

...

"Xiao Xiao? You’re looking for me?"

Tang Ya looked as if she hadn't slept well, sitting on the bench with messy, dry hair. But the moment she saw Xiao Xiao, she beamed with radiance. "Oh, right! You should be right in the middle of your freshman assessment. So, are you here to ask for my help?"

Although she, the so-called Sect Master of the Tang Sect, was a small fry who might not even reach the seventh ring, the freshman standing before her possessed twin martial souls.

In the future, the heavy burden of reviving the Tang Sect would likely fall on this child's shoulders.

"That's not it. The freshman assessment is quite easy." Xiao Xiao shook her head.

To this day, she hadn't encountered a single opponent who could take a hit from her 'Great National Artifact' and remain standing. Once the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron fell, their souls were sent flying.

"Sister Ya, I just wanted to..."

Xiao Xiao was quite conflicted, unsure if she should reveal her thoughts to the person before her.

"Just say it! It’s fine; as the Sect Master of the Tang Sect, I’m naturally here to solve your problems!" Tang Ya flexed her arm, pressing on muscles that weren't exactly impressive.

Is she serious?

Then I'll just say it.

Xiao Xiao blinked, carefully gauging her expression. "I want to pass on the Mysterious Heaven Technique to someone, is that—"

"No!!"

Tang Ya’s expression suddenly turned dark and terrifying. She lunged forward, grabbing Xiao Xiao’s shoulders, staring into her eyes with a cold, icy gaze. Her voice turned hoarse and low. "You passed it on to him?!"

"N-no... I haven't..." Xiao Xiao’s voice trembled.

"That’s good... that’s good..."

Having received the denial, Tang Ya suddenly let go of all her emotions. Her expression softened, and she looked off into the distance, dazed, muttering incessantly. "Thank goodness... the Tang Sect wasn't destroyed on my watch... the secret techniques are still here... the foundation of our existence is still here..."

Whether it was an obsession or a delusion, she firmly believed that as long as the things her ancestors left behind were still in her hands, and as long as they continued to uphold the Tang Sect’s rules—

"The Tang Sect still exists."

But... did it really?

"The Tang Sect is dead." Tang Ya sighed deeply, pulling Xiao Xiao into a tight embrace. "The Tang Sect is dead... it’s gone... and they are gone too."

"Xiao Xiao... please don't do that, okay? I’m begging you, sister... I'm begging you!"

"The Tang Sect only has this left... I only have this left! You are my only hope! ...Please, I beg you..."

Tang Ya wailed in a daze, her tears flowing uncontrollably until it devolved into a heart-wrenching sob. "Xiao Xiao... don't leave me... I beg you..."

Don't leave me like my parents did...

Don't be like Bei Bei, who is always trying to cut off my obsession...

Just pretend you’re keeping a madwoman, a fool company, and leave her with the obsession and hope to keep living...

"I won't."

Xiao Xiao stood stunned for a long time, finally raising her hand to gently pat Tang Ya’s back, repeating it over and over again, tirelessly. "I won't..."

...

"Sniff!"

Tang Ya wiped her snot and the still-wet tears on her face, her eyes darting away, not daring to look at Xiao Xiao. Her entire neck and face had turned a deep shade of pink from the embarrassment of her recent outburst.

There was even a faint wisp of steam rising from the top of her head.

"S-sorry... I lost my composure just now."

Tang Ya muttered, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into. "Just pretend you didn't see anything."

"Mhm."

Xiao Xiao twisted the hem of her clothes, a soft rustling sound filling the air.