Chapter 67: The Challenge with Xu Sanshi, Beating Them Both Together
Ever since that last incident, Xu Sanshi had secretly called for family reinforcements—two Soul Kings sent specifically to target Ye Chen.
It wasn't that he didn't want to hire Soul Emperors; they were simply too rare and held high positions within the Xuanyin Sect.
He had enough influence to ask for help but not enough to keep them stationed in the city indefinitely.
Since no one knew when Ye Chen might leave the academy, those two Soul Kings were ordered to lie in wait, ready to ambush him whenever the chance came.
Only the Young Master of the Xuanyin Sect had enough pull—and money—to keep two Soul Kings waiting full-time.
Anyone else would've been laughed out of the sect for even suggesting it.
"Damn that bastard… tricking my Jiang Nannan again. I swear, the next time I catch him, I'll kill him myself!"
Xu Sanshi clenched his fists, a twisted scowl twisting his face.
Still, despite his growing rage toward Ye Chen, something about the Tang Sect intrigued him.
Beibei was a Tang Sect member, and Xu Sanshi had suffered at his hands more than once—defeated again and again thanks to the Tang Sect's secret techniques.
Even though he hadn't heard every detail of Ye Chen's earlier conversation, he could easily guess what was going on: Tang Ya and Ye Chen were recruiting Jiang Nannan into the sect.
"No… I'll join too. If Nannan's in the Tang Sect, then I have to be there too!"
After all, a senior-junior relationship within a sect was far closer than just being classmates.
Sect bonds were stronger than academy friendships.
Once students graduated from Shrek, they would all go their separate ways, back to their own families or paths.
But those who cultivated under the same banner would remain connected for life—training, serving, or managing the sect's industries.
Senior brothers and sisters shared ties far deeper than schoolmates ever could.
The more Xu Sanshi thought about it, the more impatient he grew—until he rushed after them, shouting,
"Nannan! Wait for me! Where are you guys going?!"
Jiang Nannan, walking beside Ye Chen, had been glowing with anticipation about dinner. Her mood was flourishing—until she heard that annoying, all-too-familiar voice.
Her face immediately darkened.
Turning around, she saw that same smug, irritating face she couldn't stand.
"Oh, Xu Sanshi... it's you again."
Tang Ya sighed in exasperation. She wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Jiang Nannan was basically Xu Sanshi's homing beacon—wherever she went, he followed.
Sometimes when people couldn't find Xu Sanshi, they'd simply look for Jiang Nannan.
If they waited long enough, Xu Sanshi would show up with some ridiculous gimmick trying to get her attention.
It had basically become an unspoken law of Shrek's Outer Court.
"Tang Ya, I heard everything just now. Since Nannan was able to join the Tang Sect, doesn't that mean I can join, too?" Xu Sanshi said confidently.
"My strength isn't low. If I join, I'll definitely contribute a lot to the Tang Sect's growth!"
He got straight to the point.
He'd always appreciated the Tang Sect—especially its secret arts. They were undeniably powerful.
But what mattered most was that Jiang Nannan had joined. As long as he could join too, he'd have an excuse to be close to her every day.
He didn't hate the Tang Sect.
He just hated Ye Chen—for daring to touch the woman he liked.
He swore he would kill that man.
"Ah, well that's great! We—"
Tang Ya had just begun to respond when Ye Chen interrupted coldly:
"Sorry, but Tang Sect no longer accepts male disciples. And your strength is too weak anyway. We don't take weaklings."
Was he kidding? Ye Chen already considered Tang Sect his domain. Beibei was gone, and Ye Chen was planning to make sure Huo Yuhao was next. Why would he ever let another man join?
"You brat! What do you mean by that?! Tang Ya is the Sect Master—what gives you the right to decide?"
Xu Sanshi's expression darkened immediately.
Sure, Ye Chen was technically the deputy—but Tang Ya was still the leader! How dare he take control like this?
"I mean what I said—you're garbage. Without an awakened bloodline, you're half a cripple. If that's not weak, what is?"
Ye Chen sneered, eyes glinting with contempt.
Based on what he remembered from the original timeline, Xu Sanshi hadn't had his awakening ceremony yet—he wasn't even fifteen.
That meant the infamous Qiankun Love Valley incident hadn't happened yet, where Jiang Nannan would later be blackmailed into sacrificing herself for his sake.
And Ye Chen had no intention of letting that ever occur.
"You… you called me garbage...?"
Xu Sanshi's voice trembled, his eyes bloodshot.
Before he could retort, Ye Chen spoke again, smiling faintly.
"Tomorrow, I'll be dueling Beibei. I'm afraid it'll be too easy, so how about this—you two can fight me together. I'll deal with you both at once."
"If you beat me, then I'll consider letting you join the Tang Sect."
Ye Chen stood on the steps, his height giving him an imposing vantage. He looked down at Xu Sanshi with disdain, his gaze like that of a predator eyeing prey—cold, arrogant, superior.
He had sensed faint killing intent in Xu Sanshi.
So why hold back?
If he couldn't kill him secretly yet, then he'd just beat him bloody in broad daylight.
Beating Beibei might earn Mu En's displeasure.
But beating Xu Sanshi? That was risk-free.
The Xuanyin Sect, no matter how strong, couldn't threaten Ye Chen in the slightest.
Without waiting for Xu Sanshi to respond, Ye Chen turned sharply.
"Sect Master Tang, Nannan-jie, let's go. Dinner's waiting—we shouldn't let trash spoil our appetites."
His tone was cool, almost casual.
"Mhm~"
Jiang Nannan nodded softly, refusing to even glance back at Xu Sanshi.
Ye Chen had treated her kindly—she was fully on his side.
And honestly, she couldn't be happier that Ye Chen rejected Xu Sanshi's request.
If the man joined Tang Sect, she'd never know peace again.
"Don't look at me like that, Xu Sanshi," Tang Ya said helplessly, shrugging. "Ye Chen's the one managing the sect's affairs now.
Besides—he already said it. If you can beat him tomorrow, he'll reconsider.
And if you can't even win against Ye Chen…" she paused, giving him a meaningful look, "…then maybe you really are a useless weakling."
Then she turned and walked off too.
She didn't know why Ye Chen was against Xu Sanshi joining, but her trust in him was absolute.
Her revenge and the Tang Sect's revival—all her hopes rested on Ye Chen.
Whatever he said, she followed without question.
"Hahaha! Fine, fine, very well! You think I'm weak? Tomorrow, I'll prove you wrong!"
Xu Sanshi's eyes burned red, his voice cracking with suppressed fury. His killing intent was no longer hidden—rage seethed from him like poison.
It was the first time someone had ever humiliated him so completely—in front of Jiang Nannan, no less.
If not for Shrek's rules, he would've challenged Ye Chen on the spot.
But that restriction wouldn't last much longer. A duel was different—wounds and scars were fair game.
Even though he was only at the peak of level 38, he'd already defeated Soul Sects before.
He was confident.
He admitted Ye Chen was strong—but he was also young, reckless, and lacked experience.
Tomorrow, he would crush Ye Chen—hard enough that Jiang Nannan would see once and for all who was truly superior.
As for teaming up with Beibei? Impossible.
He had his pride.
Still... it made no sense. Why would Ye Chen be fighting Beibei at all? Weren't they both Tang Sect members?
Scratching his head, Xu Sanshi frowned, completely confused.
Surely it couldn't be because of Tang Ya…?
Whatever. He'd just ask Beibei about it tomorrow.
Author's Note:
In the original Doulou Dalu II timeline, the "Qiankun Love Valley" arc changed Xu Sanshi's age to fifteen to justify his upcoming "awakening."
However, it's clearly stated earlier that Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and Jiang Nannan were younger than fifteen when Huo Yuhao entered the academy.
This adaptation follows the later retcon timeline for consistency, so some events are slightly adjusted—but not significantly changed.
(END CHAPTER)
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