Chapter 20: Will You Forever Live in Her Shadow?

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Tang San stepped out of Notting Academy and immediately spotted Tang Nian Nian sitting at a tea shop.

Xiao Wu followed Tang San's gaze and was slightly stunned.

Is that her?

Although they hadn’t seen each other for two years and Tang Nian Nian had lost some baby fat, Xiao Wu easily recognized the girl as the one who had given her money to buy bedding two years ago.

“San, do you know her?” Xiao Wu looked at the person beside her, curious.

Tang San nodded. “She’s the sister I told you about—Tang Nian Nian.”

So it was her.

Xiao Wu shifted her attention to Tang Nian Nian.

Tang Nian Nian smiled and waved greetingly at both of them.

Tang San brought Xiao Wu over.

“Nian Nian, what are you doing here? How have you been this past year? I’ve been worried about you all year. You know, Dad has already left Saint Soul Village, and I don’t know where he went. You…”

Tang San blurted out everything he wanted to say without considering whether Tang Nian Nian wanted to hear it.

Tang Nian Nian didn’t interrupt; probably Tang Hao was watching from some corner right now.

Originally, she didn’t want to come looking for Tang San and Xiao Wu so soon, fearing that Tang Hao might strike her down.

[Don’t worry, host, the system detects that Tang Hao is not nearby right now. You can do whatever you want.]

“...”

Well, lucky—drunken Dad isn’t around.

“So you’re San’s real sister.”

Xiao Wu looked at Tang Nian Nian admiringly. She already liked her, and knowing she was Tang San’s actual sister only deepened that affection.

Tang Nian Nian smiled politely, wondering if Xiao Wu would still admire her after knowing she belonged to the Spirit Hall.

“Xiao Wu, you know each other?” Tang San was a bit surprised.

“Mm, yes.” Xiao Wu nodded, her gaze still fixed on Tang Nian Nian.

Tang Nian Nian wasn’t very keen on the sisterly relationship. She picked up a bundle from a nearby bench and tossed it to Tang San.

“Let’s not talk about that now, San. Here, take these.”

Tang San caught it and instinctively opened it. Inside were some new clothes and several pouches of spirit gold coins.

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Tang San was shocked. “Nian Nian! Where did you get so much money?”

“Scholarship,” Tang Nian Nian said casually.

“Scholarship?!” Tang San didn’t believe it. “Does the Spirit Academy’s scholarship really give that much?!”

“Mm.” Tang Nian Nian nodded calmly.

Xiao Wu’s expression visibly stiffened when she heard the Spirit Academy.

She lowered her head with a complicated look but said nothing, simply trying to diminish her presence.

As for why Tang Nian Nian gave Tang San money and clothes—it was to repay him for taking care of her when they were kids. Now she was returning the favor. Even if their positions diverged later, she wanted to keep things clear so she wouldn’t have psychological hurdles.

After some small talk, Tang Nian Nian received a hidden weapon from Tang San—a sleeve dart.

Upon seeing the sleeve dart, Tang Nian Nian realized her “cheap” brother was somewhat useful after all.

She and Tang San discussed wholesaling these weapons now that they had the financial capital.

Tang San hesitated a bit, but after Tang Nian Nian circled around him a few times, he half-reluctantly agreed.

For a long time afterward, Tang San focused on crafting sleeve darts. He had no suspicions about his sister, merely thinking her expenses were high and she needed lots of money.

Before returning to the Spirit Hall, Tang Nian Nian visited the Beggar’s Sect.

The Beggar’s Sect was now managed fairly well by Zhou Yang. She left some funds with Zhou Yang and told him she wouldn’t appear frequently these years. She also instructed him to keep the real owner’s identity secret since she didn’t want to reveal herself so soon.

Zhou Yang understood and promised to keep quiet.

From then on, Tang Nian Nian regularly funneled money to the Beggar’s Sect. Her spending grew progressively, and the sect’s expenses increased yearly until, within a few years, the entire Notting City was covered with her informants.

* * *

Spirit Hall, Pope’s Hall.

After the council meeting, Bibi Dong summoned Hu Liena.

Hu Liena had heard about the duel between Tang Nian Nian and herself at the Spirit Academy. She initially just wanted to test Tang Nian Nian’s strength but hadn’t expected the girl to exceed her expectations, leaving Hu Liena in a slump for quite some time.

As her direct disciple, being publicly humiliated and talked about was hard for Hu Liena to accept.

There were many moments when she felt too ashamed to face her master.

If not for Bibi Dong’s summons, she wouldn’t have known why to face her.

“Teacher.”

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Bibi Dong deliberately dismissed everyone else to make Hu Liena feel more at ease.

Hu Liena respectfully saluted. Bibi Dong lifted her with soul power and spoke calmly: “Nana, how has your cultivation been progressing lately?”

Hu Liena’s expression was complicated. “Teacher, I…”

Because she was defeated decisively by Tang Nian Nian, she had no heart for cultivation lately. Even if she wanted to train, her mind kept dwelling on the vast gap between them.

She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but it had indeed hindered her cultivation.

Bibi Dong had summoned her to encourage her, but it seemed Tang Nian Nian’s impact on Hu Liena was considerable.

Thoughtfully, Bibi Dong said, “Nian Nian is a twin spirit user with innate soul power at level twenty. Even if you lost to her, you need not feel ashamed.”

At first, Hu Liena hadn’t known Tang Nian Nian was a twin spirit user or that her innate soul power was level twenty, which is why she underestimated her. But even after learning the truth, she couldn’t shake off the shadow. She felt trapped by failure and was distracted in everything she did.

“Also, her constitution is hundreds of times stronger than ordinary people’s, giving her a huge advantage in acquiring spirit rings. You don’t need to compare yourself to her. People like her are rare—once in ten thousand years.”

“Nana, she’s a powerful rival. You can aim to match her, but you must not live in her shadow. Understand?”

“...”

Hu Liena didn’t answer and appeared lost in thought.

Observing her mood, Bibi Dong calmly said, “I intend to have Nian Nian join the Spirit Academy.”

What?

Hu Liena froze.

She looked up slightly and met Bibi Dong’s indifferent gaze.

“Teacher…”

Hu Liena whispered.

What does this mean?

Bibi Dong was blunt: “Nana, I want you to get your position straight. The Saintess of the Spirit Hall will be decided between you and Nian Nian. You are my disciple, so naturally I hope the position is yours, but the gap between you and Nian Nian is currently too great. If you keep dwelling on that matter, you will never catch up to her. Nana, I don’t want you to disappoint me.”