Douluo Zone

It was their first time setting up a stall, so they had not bought much food—only twenty fish. After Huo Yuxi and the others ate three, and one was set aside for Bei Bei, sixteen remained. Yet there were clearly more people in line than that.

Huo Yuhao called out to the people behind them, "Sorry, everyone. Since this is our first day setting up a stall, we didn't buy much food. There are only sixteen fish left, and each person is limited to one. Those farther back in line should come earlier tomorrow!"

Though those people had plenty to complain about, they could not exactly force him to sell them more. After grumbling a few words, they dispersed.

Huo Yuxi was about to say something when she noticed everyone standing still, staring straight at the entrance. She turned to look as well and froze. It was an exceptionally beautiful girl, around fourteen or fifteen years old, tall and well-proportioned, with a cascade of wavy golden hair flowing down her back.

"What a beautiful sister!"

Hearing her, Tang Ya followed her gaze and understood. She explained, "That's Jiang Nannan, one of the most famous beauties in our academy. They call her the number one beauty of the Outer Court."

After hearing Tang Ya's explanation, Huo Yuxi looked at her seriously. "Sister Xiaoya, you're very pretty too. You're also a great beauty."

"Xixi, why is your mouth so sweet?" Tang Ya was delighted by the compliment. Turning around, she cupped Huo Yuxi's little face. Though she did not care much about such things, who would not want to be praised for being beautiful?

Her eyes shifted, and she immediately felt like teasing her. She quietly asked, "Then, Xixi, who do you think is prettier—your Sister Xiaoya or her?"

Huo Yuxi's round little face scrunched up. "Sister Xiaoya, don't compare yourself to others. You two are different. Your beauty is lively and cheerful, while that sister is a beauty with a melancholy temperament. You're opposite types."

"Hahaha... Xixi, you really know how to talk." Tang Ya laughed so hard she could not close her mouth.

While they were talking, the stunning girl had already arrived before the stall. In a gentle voice, she asked, "Hello, junior. Do you have any grilled fish left?"

"I'm sorry, senior, but today's fish are all sold out. If you want some, please come earlier tomorrow."

Jiang Nannan nodded and turned to leave. She herself did not seem bothered, but the people around her were unhappy. Men and women alike wore angry expressions, as though Huo Yuhao's refusal to sell her fish was some unforgivable offense.

"Nannan, one of these is mine. Take it and eat it!"

"Senior Jiang Nannan, I have one too. Take mine first!"

"Thank you, everyone, but there's no need. I'll come buy some next time." Jiang Nannan smiled sincerely as she thanked them politely.

Every person who received her response looked as though their idol had personally acknowledged them, their faces flushed red with excitement.

"Sister Xiaoya, that pretty senior seems to have such a nice personality."

The moment Huo Yuxi finished speaking, something unexpected happened. A flash of golden light streaked through the air, and a Gold Soul Coin embedded itself in the sign Huo Yuxi had just hung up. Then a tall figure appeared before the stall and reached for the grilled fish in Huo Yuhao's hand.

Huo Yuhao had kept his Spirit Eyes open while grilling the fish. Just as that large hand was about to touch it, he drew back his arm and tucked the fish behind him.

The boy who failed to grab the grilled fish was furious. His slightly chubby face turned bright red. "Kid, I paid. Give me the grilled fish."

Seeing the purple academy uniform he wore, Huo Yuhao knew he was a senior from the fourth or fifth year. But that did not change the fact that he would not sell it. "Senior, all the grilled fish have already been sold. If you want some, please come earlier tomorrow."

Xu Sanshi clenched his fists. He suddenly grabbed Huo Yuhao by the collar and snatched the fish from his hand with his other hand. Though Huo Yuhao saw through his opening, the gap in their cultivation was too great for him to dodge.

Seeing her brother being grabbed, how could Huo Yuxi remain calm? The Soul Devouring Spider in her arms flashed with light as she directly activated her first soul skill.

As a sixth-year student, Xu Sanshi was no pushover. The instant he sensed something was wrong, he released Huo Yuhao. A jet-black tortoiseshell shield appeared before him.

The instant the Gui Yan Blade struck the tortoiseshell shield, sparks flew everywhere. Huo Yuxi was furious and controlled the light blade to attack from other directions.

"Xixi."

"Xu Sanshi, stop."

Two voices came from different directions. The first was Huo Yuhao's. This was the first time he had seen Huo Yuxi so angry.

He could understand if he put himself in her shoes. If it had been him, he might have been even angrier. But now was not the time to act impulsively. The difference in strength between Xu Sanshi and her was obvious. If they truly fought, she would definitely be the one injured.

The second voice belonged to Jiang Nannan. She truly had not expected that in the brief moment she turned around, this person would create such a huge scene again.

Bei Bei had just returned from buying something. He stepped in to interrupt the two of them, then took Huo Yuxi's place and began fighting Xu Sanshi.

Huo Yuhao hurried over, pulled Huo Yuxi aside, and began lecturing her.

"Bei Bei, he dared to bully someone from our Tang Sect. Teach him a lesson." Tang Ya was not afraid of making a scene bigger. She fanned the flames from the side while cheering Bei Bei on.

Xu Sanshi was nearly angered to death. He turned and walked toward Tang Ya, but Bei Bei's tall figure suddenly appeared, completely shielding Tang Ya.

"Bleh, bleh, bleh." Tang Ya poked her head out and continued making faces at him.

Xu Sanshi turned to Jiang Nannan with a wronged expression, wanting some comfort, only to find her glaring at him in anger.

"Xu Sanshi, I remember telling you many times that there is no possibility between us. You've crossed the line."

After speaking, Jiang Nannan walked over to Huo Yuxi and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, little junior. Are you alright?"

Huo Yuxi had still been angrily arguing her case with Huo Yuhao, but when the beautiful senior suddenly came so close to apologize, her face immediately reddened.

"N-No, I'm fine."

By the time Huo Yuhao finished lecturing her, Tang Ya and Bei Bei had already prepared to move to the Douluo Zone.

"Sister Xiaoya, what kind of place is the Douluo Zone?"

"The Douluo Zone is a place the academy provides for students to freely duel. Put simply, it's where the academy lets students fight. If there's someone you don't like, you can challenge them here. If you win, you even earn academic credits."

Huo Yuxi nodded, half understanding.

Huo Yuhao handed the remaining grilled fish to several people who were still watching the excitement, then followed them to the Douluo Zone. Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi each paid ten Gold Soul Coins. That was the venue fee. If Huo Yuxi and the others wanted to enter and watch, they had to pay another ten Silver Soul Coins each.

"The academy really knows how to make money." Huo Yuhao looked at the massive crowd and sighed.

"Of course." Tang Ya pulled the two of them to seats in the spectator stands. "Our academy is the number one academy on the continent. The resources here are all top-notch. If they didn't find ways to make more money, how could they support such a huge academy?"

"Do you know why the fees here are so high, yet they still come eagerly?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head. Tang Ya explained, "When people compete here, the academy only takes fifty percent of the spectators' ticket fees. The remaining fifty percent goes to the winner. And if someone successfully challenges an opponent above their level, not only is their venue fee refunded, but the loser must also pay compensation."

"Some of the spectators come to observe battles, gain experience, and perhaps gain insight. Those with high aptitude might even comprehend a Self-Created Soul Skill while watching."

"The other group is simply here for the excitement, just like us. Most students who can enter Shrek Academy come from fairly well-off families. This little bit of money might not even be enough for one of their meals."