Douluo Continent: The Eternal Dawn

Chapter 11 Both Senior Sister and Tang Ya are Lost
Zhang Lexuan quietly stayed by Elder Mu's side, watching as Bei Bei led Ye Xixuan away from the Sea God Pavilion.

The reason why Elder Mu sent Zhang Lexuan here was not only to have her guide Ye Xixuan's cultivation, but more importantly, to resolve the knot in his heart from back then.

"Le Xuan, what do you think of Xi Xuan?"

“His talent is better than mine, and he will definitely become a pillar of the Guardian Academy in the future.” Zhang Lexuan’s calm face revealed a sincere smile, unaware of Elder Mu’s intention in asking this question.

After a brief pause, Old Mu sighed softly, "Back then, when Beibei's parents passed away one after another, my mindset was far less peaceful than it is now. Now, I actually regret my actions back then. Lexuan, you no longer need to abide by that vow; live your life for yourself."

"Elder Mu!" Zhang Lexuan's emotions suddenly became somewhat agitated, even panicked, and she said stubbornly.

“I have already made a vow that no matter what Beibei chooses in the future, I will only be his child bride. If he doesn’t like me, then I will remain single for the rest of my life and dedicate everything to Shrek to repay your kindness back then.”

"Foolish child, oh foolish child!" Old Mu closed his eyes in anguish, as if he had made some kind of decision.

"You know what I least want to see is you making these things the pillars that keep you going."

"Plop—" Zhang Lexuan stubbornly knelt down in front of Old Master Mu, two lines of clear tears already hanging on her beautiful face.

"Elder Mu, I can never repay your kindness in my lifetime! It has nothing to do with others; this is my own choice!"

"Good!" Old Mu gasped for breath, his face even flushing.

"Since you say you want to repay the kindness I showed you back then, then I'll make you voluntarily tear up and revise the oath you made back then. I demand that you stay by Xi Xuan's side until he grows up and inherits the position of the Sea God Pavilion Master. If you're willing, you can also become his child bride!"

At Mu Lao's level of cultivation and age, his emotions shouldn't have fluctuated so much. However, he felt guilty towards Zhang Lexuan and didn't want her to live a muddled life without finding the meaning of her own existence.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Lexuan took those angry words seriously.

"Yes, Elder Mu! I swear to you that I will stay by Xi Xuan's side in the future and be his childhood bride."

"enough……"

Before Zhang Lexuan could finish speaking, Old Master Mu interrupted her, his aura of decline seeming to grow even heavier. He hadn't expected Zhang Lexuan's stubbornness to reach such a level, and the more stubborn she was, the more guilty he felt.

Only then did he belatedly realize how shameless it had been to make Zhang Lexuan, who was only about ten years old at the time, make such a vow. He had ruined this child's life.

Zhang Lexuan is almost twenty years old now, and she has no romantic feelings for nine-year-old Beibei. Her feelings are more out of a sense of responsibility and a vow she made years ago. So she doesn't resist Old Mu's angry words at all, or rather, she is eager to find a new spiritual pillar and goal.

And that spiritual pillar and goal naturally turned to Ye Xixuan.

……

On the other side, Ye Xixuan and Bei Bei took a small boat to the lakeside path on the outer campus of Shrek Academy.

The lakeside path leads directly to Shrek Square, with the teaching buildings for the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department located on the north and south sides of Shrek Square, respectively.

Beibei explained to Ye Xixuan, "The colors of the teaching buildings in the outer academy correspond to the colors of the school uniforms. White is the teaching building for freshmen, yellow is the teaching building for second and third year students in the outer academy. The teaching buildings for fourth and fifth year students are purple, and black is the teaching building for sixth year students. The gray teaching buildings north of Shrek Square are all for the Soul Guidance Department."

"Senior Brother Bei, are there any inner court disciples of the Soul Guidance Department on Seagod Island?"

“Yes, there are some, but very few, and they're practically invisible in the inner courtyard,” Beibei said in surprise. “What, are you interested in soul tools?”

"I just feel that my first soul skill might be able to be combined with a soul tool." Ye Xixuan did not hide his thoughts from Bei Bei.

In his past life's memories, Xiao Hongchen possessed a similar soul skill to his own. However, Xiao Hongchen chose to use his ability to control metal to create long-range soul tools like soul cannons out of thin air, while his first soul skill, Shadow Condensation, seemed to be more focused on melee soul tools.

Furthermore, using melee soul tools is more in line with the traditional combat style of soul masters. Melee soul tools are merely weapons; martial souls and soul skills are the foundation, so this is not putting the cart before the horse.

Hearing Ye Xixuan say this, Bei Bei also became interested.

"Can the thing condensed from your first soul skill conduct soul power?"

"It should only be able to transmit soul power of the dark attribute," Ye Xixuan said after a moment's thought.

As the two were talking, they unknowingly arrived at the spacious Shrek Square, next to which hung a green sign.

Beibei pointed in the direction outside the square, "This road leads to the east gate of Shrek City, which serves as the outer gate. What are you going there for?"

"I have a friend there." Thinking of what Tang Ya might have gone through, Ye Xixuan quickened his pace.

By now, it was completely dark. The main road within Shrek Academy led straight to the city gate, with bright soul-guiding lamps standing on both sides. At this time of day, there was hardly anyone moving around in the academy. After all, even the outer court's assessments at Shrek Academy were extremely rigorous, and everyone was making the most of their time to cultivate.

Beibei silently followed behind Ye Xixuan, her hands clasped behind her head, a look of confusion on her face.

"friend?"

A petite figure sat huddled on the base of a massive stone pillar outside the East Gate, her dark hair flowing down her back, obscuring her face, and her whole body trembling slightly.

"Sister Xiaoya." Hearing the voice in her ear, Tang Ya subconsciously raised her head and looked at Ye Xixuan's familiar face. She could no longer suppress her emotions, suddenly stood up, hugged Ye Xixuan, and burst into tears.

After absorbing his first thousand-year soul ring, Ye Xixuan grew much taller, and is now only half a head shorter than Tang Ya.

Ye Xixuan held her slender body in his arms, clearly feeling the helplessness in her heart. He didn't utter any empty words of comfort; he knew that wasn't what Tang Ya needed.

Besides feeling helpless and wronged, Tang Ya also harbored resentment, not only towards Shrek Academy but also towards herself.

Her situation and Ye Xixuan's are a stark contrast. If she had Ye Xixuan's amazing talent, would the outcome have been different?
Ultimately, it's because of her weakness.

Driven by these extreme emotions, the power hidden deep within Tang Ya's martial soul essence was once again activated.

Ye Xixuan's martial soul also trembled slightly, and the demonic runes uncontrollably surfaced, causing him to frown. He then placed his right hand on Tang Ya's waist and back, carefully sensing the source of the tremor.

Bei Bei, who was watching from a distance, felt his eyelids twitch for some reason, but he was completely unaware of the seriousness of the situation. He just watched Ye Xixuan's little actions and complained to himself.

"Xi Xuan is too precocious. No wonder he misunderstood what Elder Xuan said earlier."

(End of this chapter)