Douluo Continent: The Eternal Dawn

Chapter 3 Tang Ya's astonishing words

The Tianling Mountains stretch across the southeastern part of the Tianhun Empire from east to west, with a portion even extending into the Douling Empire. To the north and south, they connect two major plains: the Tianling Plain in the north and the Lima Plain in the south.

Tianling City got its name from its location in the center of Tianling Plain, while Shrek City is located on Lima Plain, south of Tianling Mountain Range.

Because of its unique geographical location, the Tianling Mountains have been a strategic location fought over by military strategists throughout history. Ten thousand years ago, the Jialing Pass was located at the pass of the Tianling Mountains. A tremendous battle there resulted in the deaths of countless soul masters, and the entire Jialing Pass was eventually destroyed.

However, the valley where Jialing Pass once stood has become even more bustling now.

The world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit. Many caravans pass through this valley, especially those traveling between the capital of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Heaven Dou City, and Shrek City.

Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya also walked through this valley.

The valley is flanked by steep cliffs, but it is an astonishing five kilometers wide, which is many times wider than an ordinary official road.

It was late autumn, and the valley was somewhat desolate, with the ground covered with withered yellow leaves and occasional traces of cart tracks.

"We'll reach the Lima Plain, where Shrek Academy is located, once we cross this valley." As they got closer to their destination, Tang Ya's spirits rose considerably, and she walked briskly ahead of Ye Xixuan.

"If things go smoothly, we should be able to arrive in Shrek City tonight."

Shrek Academy covers an extremely vast area and is itself a city. Shrek City is one of the top cities in the Douluo Continent, with more than two million people living in it.

Shrek City, located in the heart of the former Douluo Continent, boasts excellent transportation links. It's not only home to Shrek Academy but also the most important trading city on the continent. With Shrek Academy as its backing, trade here is not only fair and guaranteed but also enjoys a high level of security. Therefore, merchants from the three great empires almost always choose Shrek City for their international trade.

Ye Xixuan, who had been gazing up at the sky, turned his gaze back and quickly followed behind Tang Ya.

"Sister Xiaoya, I remember Shrek Academy is located east of Shrek City, right?"

"Yes, that's right in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest." Tang Ya, filled with longing for Shrek Academy, turned around and smiled at Ye Xixuan. Before their illusions were completely shattered, everyone held onto some kind of idealized view of this so-called number one academy on the continent.

"Legend has it that the Star Dou Great Forest once launched a beast tide against Shrek City, and it was the strongmen of Shrek Academy who led the charge to repel it. How about that, isn't Shrek Academy amazing?"

Ye Xixuan lowered his head in silence. In his memories from his previous life, Tang Ya seemed to have sought help from Shrek Academy, but Shrek Academy ultimately did not offer assistance, citing the academy's neutral stance on the continent.

Just then, Tang Ya suddenly stopped and excitedly patted Ye Xixuan on the shoulder.

"Xiao Xixuan, hurry up, the exit is just ahead!"

About fifteen minutes later, the two finally crossed the Tianling Mountain Range, which stretches across the southern part of the Tianhun Empire. As far as the eye could see, there was a vast and boundless plain, dotted with clear rivers and dense forests.

Golden sunlight streamed down, warming his skin, and Ye Xixuan felt as if he had stepped into another world. The sky was azure, stretching to the horizon, with flocks of birds soaring freely overhead. The fusion of his memories from two lifetimes felt incredibly real at this moment. Bearing the hopes and responsibilities of his family, he possessed extraordinary talent and an unlimited future.

Regardless of Shrek Academy's reputation, going there is his best option at the moment.

Bathed in the warm sunshine, Tang Ya stretched lazily, then walked excitedly to a stream formed by springs from the Tianling Mountains, waving to Ye Xixuan as she did so.

"Come wash up first, then eat something and rest. There should be many caravans passing through here on their way to Shrek City during the day. See if we can ask them to give us a ride." Tang Ya was much more experienced than Ye Xixuan in these matters.

After all, the Tang Clan has declined to the point of being no longer what it once was. Tang Ya learned to manage the Tang Clan's business from her parents from a young age, unlike Ye Xixuan, who, as a direct descendant of the family, always enjoyed the most generous treatment and resources within the family before awakening his martial soul, and never had to worry about anything else.

As for the safety of following the caravan, given the existence of Shrek Academy and the fact that the entire Lima Plain is located in the heart of the original three great empires of the Douluo Continent, it's unlikely that any force or individual would dare to cause trouble here.

Ye Xixuan nodded, following Tang Ya's advice, and took off his clothes, jumping into the stream to wash himself carefully. Water droplets slid down his fair and delicate skin, making Tang Ya, a girl herself, feel a little jealous. She giggled and splashed the cool stream water onto Ye Xixuan's back.

"Give me your dirty clothes, I'll wash them for you."

"No need, Sister Xiaoya." Ye Xixuan turned around somewhat awkwardly. Although his personality was mainly based on this life, his memories from his previous life also influenced him. He felt a little uncomfortable having nine-year-old Tang Ya take care of him.

Moreover, Tang Ya's overly friendly and enthusiastic nature is something most people wouldn't be able to accept.

Tang Ya snorted, flicked out a Blue Silver Grass to forcibly wrap up the dirty clothes in Ye Xixuan's hands, and said coquettishly.

"Stop being so coy. You were wrapped in a blanket with me yesterday, and now you're shy? To be honest, we've slept together before. It's no big deal for your older sister to take responsibility for you and look after you."

"Huh?" Ye Xixuan was taken aback by Tang Ya's surprising words, and this was the first time he had experienced Tang Ya's unpredictable and eccentric personality.

Seeing Ye Xixuan's expression, Tang Ya couldn't help but chuckle, but her eyes reddened as she bent down to wash the clothes.

The reason she took such good care of Ye Xixuan, whom she had only known for less than two days, was partly due to her kind heart, but more importantly because she projected Ye Xixuan, who had similar experiences to her, onto her carefree self from the past.

At just nine years old, she has forever lost the chance to be pampered by her parents.

After washing Ye Xixuan's clothes, Tang Ya lit a campfire by the stream to dry them, while boiling water from the stream in an iron kettle to heat up the dry rations.

Ye Xixuan stood in the stream, which was just knee-deep, washing his naked body, his eyes occasionally glancing at the busy Tang Ya.

Despite being two people burdened with a deep-seated blood feud, the scene they create together has an unusual warmth to it.

(End of this chapter)