Th-this…
Zhang Lexuan fell silent.
On one side stood the faith she had upheld for years.
On the other stood a possible truth that could overturn everything.
She wavered between the two.
If she chose to pursue the truth, it would mean questioning everything she had sacrificed in the past.
For Zhang Lexuan, that pressure was even more suffocating than bearing the heavy responsibility of leading the Sea God Pavilion.
"Senior Sister, you don't want Bei Bei to die either… right?"
"Resign from your position as Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion. From now on, stay by my side. In return, I'll revive Bei Bei."
Tang Feng activated the Concept Trait — Insight into Weakness.
Right now, Zhang Lexuan's greatest vulnerability was not the truth.
It was Bei Bei's life.
She had personally raised him from childhood.
How could she accept his premature death?
The opportunity to bring him back was right in front of her.
She had no other choice.
Compared to the future of the Sea God Pavilion, her feelings for Bei Bei were far more precious.
"It's happening again! It's happening again!"
The Ice Empress shouted inside his spiritual sea.
Whenever Tang Feng said that sentence—
No matter who it was—
They always agreed to his demands.
Even if the demand was unreasonable.
For example, she herself had once clung to Tang Feng for a full quarter of an hour.
The power behind that line was terrifying.
"You…"
The Snow Empress, however, thought from another angle.
The current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion was merely a Soul Douluo.
She could not sacrifice herself to become a Spirit Ring.
She could not protect Tang Feng like Gu Yuena.
She could not offer the support of an entire empire like Xu Jiujiu.
So why did Tang Feng want her by his side?
Probably… because he liked her.
"Alright."
Zhang Lexuan agreed.
No matter what, she had to revive Bei Bei.
Everything else could wait.
The title of Pavilion Master was little more than an empty name anyway.
Without peak strength, even as Pavilion Master, she could not truly command the Pavilion's power.
Perhaps…
Following Tang Feng might bring her a different life.
"Inject this ball of energy into Bei Bei's body. He will revive."
"But let me make one thing clear—if he entangles himself with my sister again, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Within that mass of Ultimate Life energy, Tang Feng subtly fused a thread of Destruction power.
Trading a useless Bei Bei for a gentle and virtuous Zhang Lexuan—
That was quite a profitable deal.
In all of Shrek Academy, she was probably the only relatively normal one.
"Alright."
Zhang Lexuan finally let out a breath.
As long as Bei Bei could live, she was willing to accept any condition.
It was both her promise to Mu En—
And the bond she could never sever after raising him herself.
"I hope that when I wake tomorrow morning, I'll see Sister Lexuan here."
"Otherwise… you'll bear the consequences."
Tang Feng was rather curious.
When the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament begins tomorrow—
What kind of spectacle would it be if Zhang Lexuan stood by his side?
The people of Shrek Academy…
Would probably be very pleasantly surprised.
"I will return in the morning."
Zhang Lexuan turned and left.
If she refused, Bei Bei would truly die.
No one else could revive him.
Even Elder Zhuang would be helpless before Tang Feng's methods.
After she left, a stunning figure appeared in the chair beside Tang Feng.
Silver hair cascaded down like a waterfall—soft and radiant.
"Do you value her… or do you like her?"
Gu Yuena asked calmly.
"I like you."
Tang Feng's eyes sparkled.
Compared to everyone else, Gu Yuena perfectly matched his ideal vision of a wife.
In the early stages, she protected him.
In the future, he would help her return to her peak—
And rewrite the fate of the soul beast race.
"I'm asking about her."
Gu Yuena turned her head away.
She did not dare meet his gaze.
As she experienced more of the human world, she had begun to understand human emotions.
That curiosity had softened her.
She was no longer as cold as before—
More like an immortal fairy who had descended into the mortal realm.
"Probably a bit of both."
"And besides, I truly suspect Sister Lexuan may be connected to Kong Deming."
Tang Feng took her hand.
Gu Yuena had grown used to this and allowed him to play with her soft, boneless fingers.
"You intend to gather the power of both the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire?"
Gu Yuena frowned slightly.
She held no goodwill toward humans.
She even intended revenge.
If she could not touch the humans of those two empires—
What revenge would there be?
"It's just for convenience."
"Sister Lexuan is different from Sister Jiujiu. Jiujiu is Xu Jiawei's biological sister."
Tang Feng was very clear about his plans.
Whether Zhang Lexuan was related to Kong Deming or not—
It would not affect his overall strategy.
"Rest early."
"You have a match tomorrow."
Gu Yuena vanished from the room.
If she stayed longer, Tang Feng might try to make her stay overnight again.
She had already fallen for that trick once.
When it came to human cunning—
How could she possibly outplay Tang Feng?
"Heh…"
"She's scared too."
The Ice Empress snickered.
She had personally witnessed the Silver Dragon King being held in Tang Feng's arms—an utterly embarrassing sight.
"Oh? So you're very brave, Ice Empress?"
"Tonight, I'll sleep in the spiritual sea."
The moment Tang Feng said that, the Ice Empress froze.
Her smile disappeared instantly.
Memories of being completely dominated by him resurfaced—
She could not resist.
The next morning.
Tang Feng awoke from cultivation.
Sure enough—
Zhang Lexuan had kept her promise.
She was already inside the Princess Manor.
"You're awake?"
"Wash up first, then eat something before heading to the tournament."
She gestured toward the washbasin.
On the table were several dishes—clearly not made by the manor's chef.
"Sister Lexuan… did you make all this yourself?"
Tang Feng was surprised.
Neither Gu Yuena nor Xu Jiujiu knew how to cook.
Normally, the manor had chefs. No one needed to cook personally.
"I don't know if it suits your taste."
Zhang Lexuan pushed the breakfast toward him.
She seemed… different from last night.
Her pretty face carried a bright, warm smile.
It was as if she had undergone a complete transformation overnight.
Perhaps after leaving the Sea God Pavilion—and letting go of Bei Bei—
She could finally live for herself.
"Then I must try it properly."
Tang Feng picked up his chopsticks and tasted the dishes.
Surely…
No one would be foolish enough to poison him.
Though her cooking could not compare to royal chefs, it had a pleasant, home-style warmth.
"I didn't expect you to have this skill, Sister Lexuan."
Tang Feng praised.
Reaching the Soul Douluo realm in her early twenties meant she had little time for other pursuits.
"I'm glad you like it. I'll cook more for you next time."
"Hurry and finish. You have a match."
Zhang Lexuan urged gently.
Since he called her "Sister Lexuan,"
And since she had chosen to follow him,
She would naturally encourage his cultivation and growth.