Tang Sui, who needed a full day to travel at full speed even for a Titled Douluo, took a full four days due to her slower pace. She arrived at a small village not far from Heaven Dou City at sunset on the fifth day.
For four days of non-stop travel, Tang Sui spent six silver soul coins and stayed one night at the village's only inn. She slept in until noon the next day before groggily continuing her journey towards the direction of the New Shrek Academy.
At two in the afternoon, she finally saw the golden plaque of Shrek Academy. Before a smile could even form on Tang Sui's exquisite little face, her gaze was drawn to several people gathered outside the main gate of Shrek Academy.
Three burly figures stood facing the entrance of Shrek Academy, their exposed arms covered in solid muscle. A younger man looked distressed, mumbling something as he faced an elder who stood with his arms crossed in front of him and another middle-aged man.
The elder at the forefront had white hair and sparse eyebrows, his short hair standing up like steel needles. His robust build was even taller and stronger than the other two, who were considered large men.
Just standing there, he exuded an aura of inherent dignity.
It was only when she got closer that Tang Sui could hear the young man's mumbled words.
"Grandfather, I'm begging you, just go back! If this continues, I'm afraid I'll be expelled from the academy!"
This...
Tang Sui froze. A memory buried deep within her mind palace resurfaced, and she immediately knew who these three people standing at the entrance of Shrek Academy, seemingly looking for trouble, were.
At this point in time, it should be Tai Long, who was studying at the academy, and his father Tai Nuo being defeated by his older brother. This had led the patriarch of the Strength Clan, one of the subordinate clans of the Haotian Sect, Titan, to bring his son and grandson to challenge her brother.
It seemed she had returned at just the right time.
Tang Sui watched Tang San walk out of the academy with Oscar, surrounded by a cheering crowd of students. A smile curved her lips, and she walked towards them at an unhurried pace.
Meanwhile, Titan had readily accepted Oscar's counter-bet for Tang San: if he lost, their family would join Tang San's family.
Oscar cast a glance at the incense stick, lit and easily smashed into the academy gate built with wrought iron by Titan. He patted Tang San's shoulder and sighed, "Good brother, this is all I can do for you."
Xiao Wu had gone to find Teacher Zhao and hadn't returned yet. It seemed this battle was unavoidable...
"Wait, I'll fight in his stead."
A long-lost voice sounded from the side. Tang San and Oscar's eyes lit up almost instantly. They turned their heads sharply, staring at the figure they hadn't seen for nearly half a year.
"Sui Sui!"
They both exclaimed in unison, joy evident on their faces, momentarily forgetting the pressure that Titan brought.
Titan looked at the bold young girl who had answered, his brows furrowed. "Who are you?"
His voice, though aged, carried a resonant power.
Every syllable that left his lips seemed to make the air around him tremble.
An invisible pressure enveloped the space, but Tang Sui acted as if unaffected. She bypassed Titan and the other two, stood beside Tang San, and then cupped her hands towards Titan:
"I am Tang San's biological sister, Tang Sui. I believe that since we are joining our family, I, as the undeniable second-in-command of our sect, should have the qualification to fight in my brother's stead."
"Of course, the terms of the bet between you two will likely need to include me as well, on top of the original conditions."
Tang Sui smiled playfully at Titan, unfazed by his powerful aura.
"Sui Sui!" Hearing Tang Sui's words, Tang San was startled and instinctively reached out to pull his sister back, intending to face the challenge himself.
Tang Sui tilted her head slightly and winked at Tang San. The shrewdness and composure in her eyes immediately eased Tang San's worries.
Having consumed the heavenly treasure, Wang Chuan Qiu Shui Lu, his Purple Demon Eyes had reached the Mustard Seed realm.
Although his sight had not been fully activated, as Sui Sui approached, he clearly sensed that her aura had changed. She was much more composed than half a year ago; he wondered what she had been through.
He would ask her later.
Tang San thought silently, yielding the spotlight to Tang Sui.
"Oh?" Titan scrutinized the young girl, who gave him the impression of being no weaker than that boy named Tang San. While feeling puzzled that he couldn't discern Tang Sui's strength, he narrowed his eyes.
"Very well. My condition is that I will not attack, nor will I release my martial soul. As long as you can withstand the pressure I exert until the incense burns out, you win, and we will join your family."
"Then I will make Tai Long and Tai Nuo kowtow and apologize to your brother. Otherwise, you and your brother will both have to join our Strength Clan."
Tai Long, upon seeing the exquisitely beautiful Tang Sui, who looked like a perfect doll, was stunned.
She, she was that Tang San's sister?
Heavens, was it too late to beg his grandfather to stop now?
Or... did the sect Tang San belonged to take sons-in-law?
He felt he could do it!
Sui Sui... what a beautiful name!
Tai Long began to drift away in thought. Tai Nuo, knowing his son well, looked at his son's dazed expression and looked away, unable to bear it.
What were you daydreaming about, son?
Your grandfather has already offended a young lady, and you have offended her older brother. You're still hoping that their family will agree to let their daughter date you?
"Alright, I have no objections." A flicker of light flashed in Tang Sui's eyes upon hearing the condition.
Pressure, she was most adept at enduring this kind of trial.