"Senior Sister!"
Wu Ming called out anxiously.
She hadn't expected Zhang Lexuan to say that.
Do things according to Su Yu's plan?
Wouldn't that mean Tang Ya is doomed?
No matter what, Tang Ya is still the head of the Tang Sect, and she does have some connection with Shrek Academy.
In Wu Ming's heart, she still leaned toward protecting Tang Ya.
Han Ruoruo also spoke up, "Lexuan, Tang Ya doesn't deserve such punishment, does she? She was being controlled."
Zhang Lexuan shook her head and said, "The Holy Spirit Cult wouldn't go out of their way to control a soul master who has nothing to do with them."
"Unless that soul master has some innate talent related to evil soul masters."
"Tang Ya's martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Normally, there's no way that would attract the Holy Spirit Cult's attention."
"But the facts are right in front of us. This means Tang Ya must have shown some evil soul master traits to catch their eye."
"And Tang Ya's soul power isn't low—she's at least at the Soul Emperor level."
"Otherwise, even if Bei Bei was completely off guard, he wouldn't have been so badly injured in one blow."
"You all know Tang Ya's talent. If she cultivated normally, it's hard to say whether she could even reach the Soul King level by now."
"How do you think she achieved Soul Emperor or higher strength?"
"She already has blood on her hands. If we forgive Tang Ya, who will avenge the innocents she harmed?"
"I can understand that Tang Ya was controlled and has her hardships, but that doesn't mean she's innocent."
Hearing this, Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo fell silent.
No matter how you look at it, Tang Ya is now an evil soul master, stained with blood—there's no way to justify it.
As normal people, they sympathized with her fate, but couldn't clear her name.
After all, innocent people had truly died.
"Damn Holy Spirit Cult."
Wu Ming slapped her thigh angrily, gritting her teeth.
Han Ruoruo gave Wu Ming a strange look—the Holy Spirit Cult deserved to die, but could you slap your thigh?
Suddenly being smacked by Wu Ming, Han Ruoruo was a bit dazed.
"Sister Ruoruo why are you looking at me like that?"
Wu Ming asked, confused.
Han Ruoruo looked helplessly at her and glanced downward.
Wu Ming looked down and saw her hand still resting on Han Ruoruo's thigh. Her face immediately flushed red and she smiled awkwardly.
Han Ruoruo rolled her eyes, then turned to Zhang Lexuan and Su Yu, saying seriously, "Actually, I don't quite understand—how did Tang Ya, with just a Blue Silver Grass martial soul, fall so far?"
Blue Silver Grass—a famously useless martial soul.
Even if Tang San's ancestor became a god with Blue Silver Grass, that didn't change the fact that it was usually considered trash.
There have been many evil soul masters in history.
But she'd never seen Blue Silver Grass become corrupted—this was truly eye-opening for Han Ruoruo.
"This..."
Zhang Lexuan paused, instinctively looking at Su Yu.
She knew nothing about Tang Ya's situation.
After all, she'd never really paid attention to Tang Ya back then.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan's reaction, Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming also turned to look at Su Yu.
Three pairs of eyes stared straight at him.
"Hey, don't tell me you think I know everything?"
Su Yu said, exasperated.
Zhang Lexuan giggled, "Well, you are so knowledgeable."
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming nodded seriously.
Su Yu had always seemed to know everything.
They were well aware of how vast Su Yu's knowledge was.
Facing the three women's gazes, Su Yu smiled helplessly. He hadn't expected even Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming to think so highly of him.
He cleared his throat and sighed. "Fine, I do know a little."
"Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass is special—she has an innate devouring ability."
"Devouring ability?"
The three women were stunned.
Su Yu nodded, "Once Tang Ya awakens her devouring talent, her Blue Silver Grass martial soul undergoes a transformation."
"It turns into Dark Blue Silver Grass, which can absorb people's blood, soul power, and life force to strengthen herself."
"That's why I've always had a firm stance—Tang Ya's devouring talent can only be awakened by her own will."
"In other words, Tang Ya fell of her own accord."
"Even if she was later controlled by the Holy Spirit Cult, it must have been after she chose this path."
"With someone like her, if she falls into my hands, I'd have a hard time letting her go."
"I even warned Bei Bei, told him to keep an eye on Tang Ya and watch her mental state. Who knew he'd still let her escape? It can only be called fate."
"What?"
Su Yu's words shocked the three women.
"You knew Tang Ya had this talent all along?" Wu Ming asked excitedly.
"Yeah, my eyes can still see a thing or two," Su Yu replied.
"Then why didn't you..." Wu Ming began but stopped herself.
Because she remembered—Su Yu had warned Bei Bei.
"Senior Wu Ming, I'm not a babysitter. You should understand that, right?"
Wu Ming nodded dumbly, understanding what Su Yu meant.
Han Ruoruo's pretty face grew serious. "Devouring talent... I never imagined Tang Ya had such an ability."
"I get it now. It must have been when Huo Yuhao was taken by the Body Sect—it triggered her."
"Plus, she had a deep blood feud before. With all those factors, she chose to fall."
"Ah, that kid..."
Han Ruoruo sighed deeply as she pieced it together.
"She's too stubborn. Why didn't she contact the Academy?" Wu Ming lamented.
Su Yu almost laughed.
Contact the Academy?
Back then, Yan Shaozhe was more eager than anyone to send people away. In this situation, how was Tang Ya supposed to trust Shrek Academy's integrity?
She probably resented Shrek Academy even more than the Body Sect.
Zhang Lexuan also realized what was going on and coughed lightly.
Who knows how much Tang Ya resented Shrek Academy in her heart?
After all, Huo Yuhao was expelled and forcibly sent away by the academy.
If she were Tang Ya, she'd feel the same way.
But isn't that just how Shrek Academy is?
Back then, they abandoned her too. Tang Ya's situation is hardly unusual.
That's always been Shrek Academy's way.
If Zhang Lexuan hadn't seen through the true nature of the Academy, she wouldn't have volunteered to help Su Yu take control.
She shook her head gently and said, "Alright, what's done is done. There's no point discussing it now."
"What we need to do is face what's already happened."
"Xiao Yu, I'll say it again—be wary of the Holy Spirit Cult."
"As for Tang Ya, however you want to handle her is up to you. We won't interfere."
Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo's faces changed slightly, but they said nothing.
They understood that Zhang Lexuan had her reasons for her approach.
"Then... what about Bei Bei?"
"I'm afraid he won't be able to accept it, maybe even..."
Wu Ming trailed off.
If Su Yu dealt with Tang Ya, Bei Bei might hate him for life.
They could understand Su Yu's reasons, but Bei Bei might not.
People lose their cool when it comes to those they care about.
No matter how reasonable one is, when it's personal, it's hard to stay calm.
Especially since Bei Bei loved Tang Ya so much.
If Su Yu killed Tang Ya, Bei Bei would fight him to the death.
Bei Bei was talented, and a pillar of the academy's future.
They didn't want to see him ruined like this.
Because anyone who became Su Yu's enemy was doomed.
No matter how talented Bei Bei was, he was nothing compared to Su Yu.
Hating Su Yu would only send Bei Bei to an early grave.
If Bei Bei annoyed him, they couldn't guarantee Su Yu wouldn't just kill him on a whim.
They knew Su Yu's character—he only responded to gentleness, not force.
Talk nicely, and it's fine; jump around, and you're in trouble.
Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly, clearly troubled, and looked at Su Yu.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me? I don't care."
He really didn't.
What Bei Bei thought wasn't his concern.
"We know you don't care. You never took Bei Bei seriously—but we do! We're afraid you'll just kill him without a second thought."
"After all, Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin are warnings enough," Han Ruoruo said anxiously.
Su Yu's expression changed. "Hey, what are you saying?"
"Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin brought it on themselves—what's that got to do with me?"
"Sister Ruoruo, we may be close, but if you keep slandering me, I'll have to sue you for defamation."
Han Ruoruo rolled her eyes at Su Yu.
Still pretending?
Everyone with eyes knows who ruined the White Tiger family.
And you're still playing dumb?
Su Yu didn't care about Han Ruoruo's glare. Do you have proof?
No proof, don't talk nonsense.
Even if everyone on the continent suspected him, he'd never admit it.
Who saw it happen?
If no one saw, then it didn't happen.
Of course, even if he admitted it, he wasn't afraid.
"Alright, I'll find a chance to talk with Bei Bei," Zhang Lexuan said, waving her hand.
Turning to Su Yu, she said, "Xiao Yu, don't do anything for now, okay?"
"Wait until the tournament ends—how about that?"
Su Yu shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me."
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. At least it would wait until after the tournament.
Relaxed, Wu Ming teased, "Su Yu, are you guys going for the championship again?"
"But this time, it won't be so easy."
"I heard the Body Sect and some hidden sects have also shown up."
Su Yu smiled faintly, not saying yes or no.
Hidden sects?
The biggest hidden sect in the world is his family's—what did he have to fear?
"Senior Wu Ming, you should worry about your own Shrek Academy team."
"Don't end up not even making the top four."
Su Yu joked.
"No way, absolutely not!"
Wu Ming straightened her face. "Our Shrek students may not be as good as you, but we're not pushovers."
"We might not win the championship, but we'll make the top four."
"Don't underestimate us! Wanna bet?"
"What's the bet?" Su Yu was interested.
"We'll bet on whether Shrek Academy makes the top four."
"If we do, you lose; if not, you win."
"If you lose, you have to give us ten super rocket launchers for free, and prioritize trading with Shrek Academy in the future."
"What if I win?" Su Yu smiled.
"If you win..." Wu Ming bit her lip, as if making a big decision, and said fiercely, "If you win, then I'm yours."
"I'll serve you the rest of my life, as a slave or servant. You can do whatever you want."
Su Yu was shocked.
He looked at Wu Ming deeply and pretended to be surprised. "Senior Wu Ming, you sure have big dreams—trying to stick with me for life?"
"So you've always had your eye on me—your ambitions are exposed."
"But there's no need. I don't like big-chested, empty-headed women."
As soon as he finished, Su Yu slipped away.
Wu Ming froze, then her face turned bright red, her eyes seemed to blaze, and steam almost rose from her head.
"Su... Yu, you bastard!"
Wu Ming slapped the tea table, shattering it, furious.
That bastard dared say that about her.
Calling her scheming?
Big-chested but brainless?
She was smart and clever!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—she couldn't swallow it.
Wu Ming jumped up, ready to chase after Su Yu and give him a piece of her mind, but Han Ruoruo and Zhang Lexuan quickly grabbed her.
"Ming'er, don't get excited."
"Ming'er, calm down, be rational."
Both women tried to calm her.
Wu Ming huffed, "Calm down?"
"How am I supposed to calm down??"
"That bastard dared say that to me—I'm so mad."
"I have to settle this with him."
Han Ruoruo hugged Wu Ming, forcing a smile. "Ming'er, can't you tell Su Yu said that on purpose?"
"He saw through your intentions."
"He said that just to put you off."
"The big-chested, brainless bit was just an excuse."
Wu Ming stopped, her anger instantly deflated, and she sat down dejectedly. "Senior Sister, Sister Ruoruo, am I not good enough for him?"
Wu Ming, nicknamed the living volcano of the inner court, had a bad temper, but she wasn't stupid.
Why would she suggest such a bet out of nowhere?
She just wanted to use it as a way to get close to Su Yu.
If the bet went through, she couldn't lose.
If she won, Shrek would get powerful war machines and easier deals.
If she lost, she could naturally get close to Su Yu.
She wasn't young anymore—she'd attended the Sea God Fate twice, but no one had ever chosen her.
It was all because of her temper.
She truly liked Su Yu; even if she had to share him, she'd never find anyone better.
That's why she proposed such a bet.
Who knew Su Yu would see through her at a glance and just walk away?