First Meeting

Not only had Zhang Lexuan noticed the newcomers; Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and the other Shrek Academy students had also spotted the two people approaching them. Even Xuan Zi, who had been eating and drinking heartily atop a tree dozens of meters away, instantly appeared before Zhang Lexuan and faced the newcomers.

That was because he sensed that one of them possessed an aura no weaker than his own.

As the atmosphere gradually grew tense, Ji Lin and Chi Yuan halted as well.

"Hello, we're from the Star Luo Empire. We mean no harm. We simply caught the scent of food and wanted to mooch a bite. Don't worry, we'll pay."

Ji Lin greeted them with an awkward expression.

This was also because neither he nor Chi Yuan had any experience. When they left, they had forgotten to bring cooking tools and seasonings. Though they had brought rations and fruit, who would still want dry rations when there was cooked food?

Seeing that the one speaking was merely a six-year-old child, Zhang Lexuan and the others lowered their guard. Only Xuan Zi continued staring gravely at Chi Yuan.

"Someone from the Star Luo Empire? I didn't know the Star Luo Empire had a powerhouse like you." Xuan Zi frowned as he stared at Chi Yuan.

Seeing Xuan Zi's wary expression, Chi Yuan smiled lightly. "My name is Chi Yuan, and my title is Chi Yuan. I only recently joined the Star Luo Empire's Worship Hall."

"Chi Yuan! Chi Yuan Douluo, you're Chi Yuan Douluo?" Ma Xiaotao looked at Chi Yuan with delight.

Both possessed martial souls with the Divine Beast Phoenix Bloodline. One was the Crimson Kite Bird, while the other was the Evil Fire Phoenix. Both were top-tier beast martial souls.

Ma Xiaotao had long been interested in Chi Yuan, who belonged to the same Fire Phoenix lineage.

"So it's you, Chi Yuan Douluo. Haven't you always traveled alone? Why did you join the Star Luo Empire?" Xuan Zi also recalled who Chi Yuan was.

"I am Xuan Zi, with the title Taotie. Guests are guests. Lexuan, girl, entertain them."

"Your Excellency, and this adorable little brother, please!"

After hearing Xuan Zi speak, Zhang Lexuan hurriedly led Chi Yuan and Ji Lin over to the large pot in front of Ma Xiaotao.

Seeing the Spirit Beast Meat in the pot and smelling its aroma, Ji Lin swallowed helplessly. Ever since leaving Star Luo City, he had only eaten a little dry rations and fruit. His mouth had long been crying out for something flavorful.

"Hehe."

Seeing Ji Lin's adorable appearance, Zhang Lexuan covered her mouth and chuckled. Even the usually cool Ling Luochen curled her lips into a smile.

Ma Xiaotao immediately prepared a bowl and chopsticks for Ji Lin, filling his small bowl to the brim.

"Thank you, Sister. Where are you sisters from?" Ji Lin's little mouth seemed coated in honey, calling each of them Sister. He was incredibly sweet-tongued.

"Hahaha, little brother, you're adorable too. What's your name? How old are you?"

Ma Xiaotao asked with a laugh.

"Sister, my name is Ji Lin. I'm six this year."

Hearing that Ji Lin was only six, Ma Xiaotao froze.

"Six? You're already out obtaining a soul ring at only six? You have Innate Full Soul Power!" Ma Xiaotao asked in surprise.

"Mhm, mhm." Ji Lin's mouth was stuffed with meat, and he nodded in response.

Seeing Ji Lin eating until his mouth was greasy, Ling Luochen took out a handkerchief from her Storage Spirit Tool and gently wiped the oil from the corners of his mouth.

"Eat slowly. There's still plenty in the pot, so don't choke." Looking at the adorable Ji Lin, Ling Luochen thought of her younger brother, who was the same age as him.

Seeing Ling Luochen acting so gentle and considerate, Ma Xiaotao and the other students were dumbfounded. Even Zhang Lexuan stared at Ling Luochen with a face full of surprise.

It was their first time seeing Ling Luochen act so tenderly.

Chi Yuan also looked at Ji Lin, who was pretending to be cute and acting spoiled, then at the beautiful and gentle Zhang Lexuan, the voluptuous Ma Xiaotao, and the cool, tranquil Ling Luochen. Her expression became extremely strange.

Heavens, my little piglet is only six, and he already knows how to root up cabbages. He even wants to root up three at once.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Lin continued acting cute, while Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen gradually lost themselves amid his repeated cries of Sister.

"Sister's name is Zhang Lexuan. The sister in red is Ma Xiaotao, and the white-haired sister beside you is Ling Luochen."

"As for where we're from, we're all students of Shrek Academy."

Seeing Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen immersed in Ji Lin's sweet words, Zhang Lexuan helplessly introduced their names to him.

She also revealed their identities.

As for the others... well! Extras did not deserve names.

"Shrek Academy? I heard Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the continent. I want to study at Shrek Academy someday too."

Ji Lin looked at Zhang Lexuan.

"Sure. When you come to Shrek Academy, Xiaolin, remember to let me know. I'll pick you up and be your guide."

Ling Luochen chimed in.

"Hahaha, if anyone bullies you at the academy, just give them Sister Xiaotao's name. Sister Xiaotao will protect you."

Ma Xiaotao patted Ji Lin's shoulder and laughed.

"Thank you, Sister Xiaotao. Thank you, Sister Luo Chen, and Sister Lexuan too. With three sisters like you, let's see who dares bully me."

Ji Lin raised his little face and spoke excitedly.

"Hehe."

The three women chuckled in unison.

"Xiaolin, what is your relationship with Chi Yuan Douluo?"

Ma Xiaotao asked curiously.

"Mm, Teacher Chi Yuan is my teacher."

Ji Lin answered while eating.

"Teacher? Xiaolin, you're Chi Yuan Douluo's disciple? Does that mean you also possess a Fire Phoenix Bloodline martial soul?"

Ma Xiaotao asked with a shocked expression.

"No, my martial soul is a Tool Martial Soul, though it is indeed fire-elemental. Another bowl, please."

Ji Lin got another bowl and continued eating.

"A Tool Martial Soul? Chi Yuan Douluo, a possessor of a top-tier beast martial soul, took a possessor of a Tool Martial Soul as her disciple?"

Ma Xiaotao filled another bowl for Ji Lin and muttered to herself in confusion.

"Xiaolin's martial soul must be rather special. Otherwise, I can't think of why a beast soul master would take a Tool Soul Master as a disciple."

Zhang Lexuan pondered.

"Mm, because I have Ultimate Fire." Ji Lin said it casually.

"Oh, so you have Ultimate Fire. Wait. ε=(ο｀*))) Huh? What did you say? You have Ultimate Fire?"

Ma Xiaotao suddenly reacted, leaping to her feet and shouting loudly.

At once, everyone turned to look over.

Xuan Zi also ambled over, drinking as he asked, "Xiaotao, what are you shouting about? What Ultimate Fire?"

"Elder Xuan, Xiaolin said his martial soul possesses Ultimate Fire." Ma Xiaotao immediately told Xuan Zi.

"Pfft, (⊙o⊙)... What did you say? This child is a soul master with the Ultimate Fire attribute?"

Elder Xuan sprayed out the wine in his mouth and asked in astonishment.

"Indeed. A'Lin truly possesses Ultimate Fire." Chi Yuan confirmed Xuan Zi's question.

Xuan Zi looked at Ji Lin with delight and said gently, "Child, may I see your martial soul?"

Ji Lin used Ling Luochen's handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth and his hands. He extended his right hand, and a crimson greatsword appeared in it. An extreme heat spread outward, instantly drying the surrounding air by several degrees.