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"Xiao Ya!"
"Nan Nan!"
Two slightly immature voices rang out simultaneously, and in the blink of an eye, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi approached Ye Wen.
Even before the barbecue had started, Ye Wen had already noticed Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi. One was a love-struck fool who rejected the gentle older sister archetype for the rebellious Tang Ya, while the other was an ultimate simp, guilt-ridden over his past treatment of a girl and shamelessly devoted to Jiang Nannan.
Hmm, both were obstacles to his disciples' future success.
Both had promising potential. After Mu En's death, Bei Bei's martial soul would evolve into the Holy Dragon of Light, making him a supreme seed for Shrek's future. Xu Sanshi's martial soul, on the other hand, was a semi-awakened Divine Beast Xuan Wu soul—both brimming with potential. Unfortunately, at their current stage, they were unable to fully unlock their innate talents.
In fact, these two were no longer a match for Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan.
After all, they were merely substitutes at this stage.
But Ye Wen planned for his disciples to secure the championship twice, to make a name for Tian Xing Academy.
As rising stars, their opponents couldn't be too weak.
At this moment, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi realized their rudeness. After all, the person before them was a 99th-level Supreme Douluo, equivalent in status to a nation's ruler.
Fortunately, neither of them came from ordinary backgrounds. They exchanged glances and simultaneously bowed respectfully.
"Forgive us, Lord. Our concern made us lose composure and act impolitely."
Ye Wen waved it off nonchalantly and asked, "From your expressions, it seems you're deeply connected to my disciples. Is there something you need? Right now, they're solely focused on cultivation and have no interest in romantic entanglements."
Though Ye Wen's words were calm, they struck the two like lightning. The one most affected was Bei Bei, as unlike Xu San Shi's one-sided pursuit, he and Xiao Ya had once shared deep affection. He had even hunted soul rings for her.
Still, unwilling to give up, Bei Bei asked, "Lord, may I visit Tang Ya?"
Everyone noticed Ye Wen's peculiar gaze at this moment. Finally, Ye Wen spoke softly:
"I remember your name is Bei Bei, correct?"
Bei Bei instinctively nodded.
But Ye Wen's next words left Bei Bei utterly disheartened.
"What makes you think there's still a chance between you and Xiao Ya?
As her ex-boyfriend, don't you know what she's been striving for through her cultivation?
Moreover, Xiao Ya told me herself—if you hadn't been there when the position of Tang Sect leader was stripped from her, she might not have hated you. But you sided with the people of the Hao Tian Sect to take away her last shred of honor.
If you were in Xiao Ya's shoes, could you still hold onto that love in your heart?"
Ye Wen's words were calm but silenced everyone present.
Though they didn't know the full story, they understood the gist.
Helping outsiders strip your girlfriend of her family's legacy—how could you have the face to ask her to continue the relationship?
Especially Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, who shot disdainful looks at Bei Bei, filled with frustration at his lack of ambition.
After all, it was no secret in the inner court that this guy had ignored Zhang Lexuan, the fragrant elder sister of the inner court, to chase after a fallen aristocrat. As her close friends, they had often stood up for Zhang Lexuan, but her perpetually gentle demeanor only fueled their anger.
Still, it was a private matter, so they refrained from commenting, casting a contemptuous glance at Bei Bei before looking away.
At this moment, Bei Bei's face turned ashen. He opened his mouth but found no words to say. What could he do? It had been a divine decree from Tang San himself.
Then he remembered—it was his great-grandfather who had specifically called him to participate.
Now, Bei Bei finally understood. This was all part of a scheme—a scheme to completely sever his ties with the one he loved.
A profound sense of helplessness enveloped Bei Bei. He felt powerless, too weak to do anything about the situation.
But even cornered dogs will leap over walls. In his helpless rage, Bei Bei inadvertently bit his lower lip, and blood dripped down his chin onto the ground.
Seeing the timing was right, Ye Wen decided against pressing further and instead turned his attention to Xu Sanshi, who also appeared somewhat dazed.
"I remember you. When I first visited Shrek to see Xiao Yu'er, you were there too, right?"
Perhaps Xu Sanshi's lack of presence made Ye Wen pause to recall.
"Oh yes, that was when Nan Nan was undergoing the apprenticeship ceremony, and you barged in causing trouble. I found it irritating, so I threw you out. Yes, that was you."
Xu Sanshi's face began to pale.
As a simp, he couldn't bear to see his goddess humiliated, so he had stormed in angrily that day. Only later did he learn that his goddess was undergoing the apprenticeship ceremony. That misunderstanding had kept him from showing his face to Jiang Nannan for quite some time.
Now, an aura of social death in front of an elder enveloped Xu Sanshi, leaving him speechless.
At this moment, Ye Wen continued, "Sigh, just give up. My Nan Nan would never look at you. After what you did to her back then, no normal person could possibly fall in love with you."
The crowd, who had been quietly spectating, immediately perked up. What exactly was "that thing"? Don't leave us hanging! Riddler, get out of Douluo Continent!
Elder Xuan sat quietly, gnawing on a chicken leg. He knew about the mess within the Xuan Ming Sect and reflected thoughtfully.
The affairs of Ye Wen's disciples were no secret among the upper echelons of various factions. Elder Xuan had also reviewed the intelligence. They were merely students of mediocre talent—why would a Supreme Douluo take such an interest in them?
Or had he overlooked something? Seeing the two exceptionally talented youngsters in his reserve team reduced to this state, Elder Xuan suddenly understood.
No wonder he's a Supreme Douluo—his schemes run so deep. Truly terrifying!
Elder Xuan solemnly continued eating.
As a lifelong bachelor who had been pressured to marry but never did, matters of love meant nothing to him. If such trivialities caused someone to waste their talent, it would be a significant loss for Shrek. After all, Bei Bei was Mu En's direct descendant and a candidate to inherit Elder Xuan's light powers—no room for error. As for Xu Sanshi…
Who cares? He's not Shrek's problem anyway.
Seeing the atmosphere was sufficiently charged, Ye Wen decided to deliver the final blow.
"However, in the world of Douluo, strength reigns supreme. If you can defeat Xiao Ya and Xiao Nan, I won't interfere in your affairs. If you prove yourselves worthy enough, I might even help you reconcile."
At this moment, Ye Wen's calm smile transformed into a beacon of hope in the eyes of Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.
Love (or simps) had a chance again~
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