The same thought popped into the minds of every "melon-eating" spectator on the scene.
What a persistent fellow...
Translated into plain speech, it was the classic case of: "A 'simp' who licks long enough will eventually have everything."
Huo Yuhao shook his head silently in exasperation. Just as he was about to call Ma Xiaotao over to head to the Inner Courtyard for a meal—
"Yo, Sister Xiaotao, long time no see."
A hearty voice rang out as another pair, a man and a woman, walked toward them.
The speaker was a young man whose navy blue martial attire accentuated his tall, straight stature. He possessed a mature and steady aura; his handsome face and refined, gentle expression easily reminded one of a kind older brother from next door.
The girl beside him had her long black hair tied in a high ponytail that draped naturally behind her. Since it was evening, she wasn't wearing her school uniform but had changed into a light blue dress paired with lace-trimmed white thigh-high stockings.
With her heart-shaped face and phoenix eyes, she radiated a lively, youthful energy.
Ma Xiaotao smiled. "Mhm, it's Bei Bei."
Since his good buddy Xu Sanshi was confessing to Jiang Nannan for the umpteenth time, Bei Bei, acting as the "bad influence" friend, had naturally come to show support. He hadn't expected to run into Ma Xiaotao here, so he decided to come over and say hello.
But when he saw Huo Yuhao standing next to Ma Xiaotao, he froze for a moment.
"Uh... Hello, Junior. May I ask... are you the student Huo Yuhao that Xuanyu mentioned?"
Bei Bei's originally casual, composed expression suddenly stiffened, replaced by a look of grave solemnity.
Carrying the title of the Outer Courtyard Twin Stars, Bei Bei was confident that he was among the top one or two experts in the entire Outer Courtyard. Yet, upon meeting Huo Yuhao today, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—a martial soul at the very apex of the Attack System—gave him an indescribable tremor, as if it were being suppressed.
How was that possible? One had to remember that his martial soul wasn't just a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, but one carrying the lineage of the Radiant Holy Dragon.
However, the feeling vanished as quickly as it came, as if nothing had happened. The person before him seemed to be just a simple, handsome boy.
Meanwhile, Tang Ya was staring at Huo Yuhao without blinking, as if she were possessed.
Huo Yuhao ignored Tang Ya's dazed gaze and reached out to shake Bei Bei's hand. "Mhm, my name is Huo Yuhao. Hello, Senior Bei Bei. I've heard much about you."
Bei Bei shook Huo Yuhao's hand firmly. "No, no, it's the Junior's name that is like thunder to the ears. We should spar sometime."
Huo Yuhao didn't respond to the challenge. He calmly released Bei Bei's hand, having no intention of saying more.
"Um..." At that moment, Tang Ya spoke up, her eyes burning as she stared at Huo Yuhao. "Junior Yuhao, have you joined a sect yet?"
Huo Yuhao's face was a living "Confused Nick Young" meme. "...Huh?"
Hearing this, even Bei Bei's lips twitched in exasperation. Ever since they "fished" Lan Xuanyu out of the Star Constellation Great Forest, Tang Ya seemed to have developed a taste for success. She would issue Tang Sect invitations to almost every freshman who caught her eye.
Of course, she hadn't succeeded once since then.
Facing Tang Ya's eager gaze, Huo Yuhao returned a look that asked: Is there something wrong with your head?
"I don't have any desire to join a sect right now."
"No, no, no... listen to me first, Junior Yuhao." This time, Tang Ya was extremely determined. She stepped out to block Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao. "Our sect is called the Tang Sect. It was once the number one sect in the world."
Initially, Wang Dong had wanted to join the Tang Sect, but Tang Ya set an entry trial for him: he had to win the freshman competition championship.
Unfortunately, Lan Xuanyu's team was eliminated in the first round after running into Huo Yuhao... Though the "trial" wasn't completed, Tang Ya, considering his commendable spirit, made an exception and let Wang Dong into the Tang Sect.
This showed just how much weight the name and potential of the Tang Sect still carried. Thus, Tang Ya thought she should strike while Huo Yuhao was young and naive, tricking him into joining quickly.
[Tang Sect]...
Upon hearing those two words, the expressions on Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao's faces varied.
Huo Yuhao was reminded of the guidance and education he received from Baili Du, specifically his views on the Tang Sect.
A trash sect like the Tang Sect should be tossed into the garbage heap of history...
Furthermore, Baili Du had emphasized that Huo Yuhao must absolutely never involve himself with the Tang Sect or the Clear Sky Sect, otherwise, there would be big trouble.
If Huo Yuhao wanted to study, he could go to the Body Sect.
As for Ma Xiaotao...
Ma Hongjun, the Head of the Tang Sect's Martial Hall and the most steadfast supporter of "Third Brother"—why did his descendants leave the Tang Sect? As the descendant of the Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Family, Ma Xiaotao naturally knew the reason.
If it weren't for the fact that Bei Bei was a descendant of the Sea God Pavilion's Master, Mu En, Ma Xiaotao might have already kicked them out of the way...
Huo Yuhao waved his hand. "Sorry, not interested."
Tang Ya immediately followed up, "By joining the Tang Sect, you can immediately obtain the Mysterious Heaven Skill, the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques, and the Tang Sect's Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons!"
Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes at Tang Ya with a look that said Are you an idiot? before turning to pull Ma Xiaotao away.
But Tang Ya went as far as to use the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to flash in front of them, spreading her arms in a stance that said: If you don't agree, I won't let you leave.
To be honest, Tang Ya was a young girl and didn't usually have such thick skin. In the past, when she invited people and they refused, she wouldn't dwell on it.
But the moment she saw Huo Yuhao, only one thought filled her mind: no matter how much breath she had to waste or how much effort it took, she had to get him into the Tang Sect!
Because from the very first glance, Tang Ya was certain.
This Huo Yuhao is destined to be a talent of my Tang Sect!
"Student Yuhao, as long as you join the Tang Sect, we'll be family. You don't have to take me as your master; you just need to be a part of the Tang Sect."
Tang Ya's voice was tinged with excitement. "I heard your martial soul is the Spirit Eye—your eyes, right? Our Tang Sect just happens to have an ultimate technique perfectly suited for your martial soul called the Purple Demon Eye."
Huo Yuhao's face darkened with annoyance. "You're being very annoying, Senior Tang! I said I have no interest in joining your Tang Sect whatever-it-is!"
Being shouted at by Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya's heart actually started to waver, but she forced her legs to stay put.
"Junior Yuhao, will you really not reconsider?"
"Bizarre... please move!"
Tang Ya bit her lip but still wouldn't budge. At that moment, Bei Bei suddenly reached out a finger and pressed it against Tang Ya's lips.
He looked apologetically at Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao. "Sorry, Sister Xiaotao, Junior Yuhao. We've troubled you." Then, without giving her a choice, he pulled Tang Ya to the side.