Ma Xiaotao's Style Was a Little Off

After passing through the broad city gates that had stood for who knew how many years, they found only a few dim Soul Guiding Lamps within the passage. Yet at its far end shone the glow of countless lights.

The moment he stepped into Shrek City, Huo Yuhao froze in place. At a glance, the world had become lively. Before him lay clean, broad roads filled with carriages of all shapes and sizes. Some were even like buses, carrying passengers through the streets and alleys of Shrek City.

Following Zhang Lexuan and the others farther in, he saw crowds of people enjoying the nightlife on the sidewalks. Some were with their families, while others were couples. Noise rose and fell all around, but most faces wore smiles.

The buildings on both sides varied greatly in height, size, and even style. In some places with unusual terrain, covered corridors connected the structures, saving people the trouble of taking detours. What surprised Huo Yuhao even more was that neon advertising signs, which should have belonged in Mingdu, had long since appeared in Shrek City as well.

Colorful signs flashed, though not too frequently. The scent of food drifted far on the breeze, drawing in crowds of Diners.

Outside some shops with signs advertising milk tea, leisure tables and chairs filled the area. Low railings surrounded them, and many young people sat inside, chatting as they enjoyed their milk tea.

The weather was cool at dusk, perfect for going out.

Still... as Huo Yuhao looked at these people, a question arose in his heart. Didn't they have the Moumou Six Blessings Newspaper?

They got off work so early. What a waste of life, and what a waste of their Boss's painstaking efforts.

"Little Yuhao, it's time for us to part ways too. Xiaotao will take you to that barbecue restaurant in a moment."

After walking for around ten minutes, the group arrived at a fork in the road. Zhang Lexuan stopped and turned to Huo Yuhao.

"Alright." Huo Yuhao nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, brothers and sisters, for giving me a ride today. Otherwise, the journey would have taken me several days."

"It was on the way. There's no need to thank us." A smile rested on Zhang Lexuan's gentle, pretty face. Then she added in a cautioning tone, "Shrek City is huge and full of opportunities, but don't lose yourself in that dazzling world. If you don't work hard, this city will abandon you."

"I understand." Huo Yuhao nodded.

"Alright, let's go."

With that said, Zhang Lexuan had nothing more to add. She turned to the others, and they each bid Huo Yuhao farewell. Then they hailed a city carriage and left.

"Little brother, I'll come eat your Grilled Fish again next time."

Just as the carriage was about to disappear into the distance, Yao Haoxuan poked his head out and called cheerfully.

"No problem." Huo Yuhao smiled at Yao Haoxuan. "Brother Yao, however much you want to eat, I'll grill that much for you."

He was not very familiar with this character who had died in an explosion soon after appearing in the Original Work, but after their brief exchange, he found Yao Haoxuan warm and kind.

Right now, he had nothing to his name. Keeping a low profile and being humble could never be wrong. Whenever he met a girl, he would call her sister—unless she was particularly old, calling her sister was always the right choice. When he met a man, he would call him brother or uncle.

"It's good that you're building a relationship with him. That guy has quite a strong background too." Ma Xiaotao crossed her arms over her chest, making her already prominent bust even more eye-catching.

"Brother Yao's family is nobility?" Huo Yuhao subconsciously turned his head, but due to the difference in height, the first thing he saw was those towering peaks. His pupils contracted at once. He quickly came to his senses and hurriedly looked away, yet the image had already been deeply imprinted in his mind.

Having Spiritual Power that was too strong wasn't necessarily a good thing.

Ma Xiaotao said calmly, "He's the only son of the current Lord of Nine Treasures City. He has several younger sisters, and after he graduates from the academy, he'll most likely inherit his father's title and position."

"Nine Treasures City?" Huo Yuhao's thoughts stirred. He instantly forgot the beautiful sight from before and asked with his eyes fixed straight ahead, "I heard that the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is in Nine Treasures City. Isn't the Lord of Nine Treasures City someone from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ma Xiaotao explained, "Nine Treasures City was named in memory of Ning Rongrong, the Nine-Colored Douluo from ten thousand years ago. The entire city still belongs to the Heaven Dou Empire, not to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect itself. Naturally, the position of city lord would not be handed over to them."

"I see." Huo Yuhao pondered.

He had not expected Yao Haoxuan to have such a background.

What a pity that Xuan Zi, that "Supreme Elder," had ruined his promising life.

A dignified Level 98 Super Douluo had actually failed to instantly suppress a Soul King. It was utterly absurd.

Could it be that Yao Haoxuan had eaten "Xuan. Supreme Elder. Zi's" chicken leg and been resented for it?

"That's why I said you should build a good relationship with him in the future. If he gives you even a little help, your life will be much easier." Ma Xiaotao placed her hands on her slender waist and smiled lightly at Huo Yuhao.

"I understand." Huo Yuhao naturally understood what Ma Xiaotao meant. He was weak right now and an orphan. If he wanted to live steadily, he naturally had to seek opportunities.

After all, Zhang Lexuan and the others did not have a god's-eye view and could not know how he would change in the future.

And Yao Haoxuan was the opportunity Ma Xiaotao had pointed out to him.

"You're teachable." A hint of amusement appeared in Ma Xiaotao's light pink eyes. "Alright, Sister will take you to the barbecue restaurant. It isn't too far from here, so we'll walk."

With that, Ma Xiaotao took the lead and walked ahead to guide the way, while Huo Yuhao remained where he was without moving.

He did not understand why Ma Xiaotao was being so enthusiastic toward him. Logically speaking, they were not that familiar with each other.

"Why aren't you coming?" Ma Xiaotao noticed that Huo Yuhao had not followed and asked in confusion.

"Sister Xiaotao, you..." Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment. "You've been very good to me, but I don't think I have any reason for you to treat me this well."

Ma Xiaotao was first taken aback. Then she pinched her smooth chin as though thinking about something. "Why am I good to you? Sister can't be bothered to explain. Alright, stop standing there like an idiot. If you don't move, I'll kick you flying."

As she spoke, Ma Xiaotao playfully made a slight kicking motion toward Huo Yuhao.

"Coming, coming." Huo Yuhao understood that a wise man did not fight when the odds were against him and quickly stepped up beside Ma Xiaotao.

"That's more like it." Ma Xiaotao nodded in satisfaction.

Whoosh!

After they had walked for a short while, the Soul Guiding Lamps by the roadside lit up, illuminating the dim sidewalk and instantly stretching out their shadows. There was no one else on the road at this time, clearly marking this place as a side street rather than a main road.

With her hands behind her back, Ma Xiaotao skipped forward like a child. The sight left Huo Yuhao completely numb.

Something was seriously off about Ma Xiaotao's style. Then again, she should only be around sixteen at this point.

After skipping for less than thirty meters, Ma Xiaotao abruptly stopped. She seemed to have realized that her actions were too childish and did not suit the Older Sister Type image she had always maintained in front of others. She gave a dry cough and resumed walking normally.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao, who was following behind, finally relaxed. Right, this was the Ma Xiaotao he remembered.

But just then, Ma Xiaotao stopped again. She suddenly spun around, her cold, stunningly beautiful face filled with authority. She casually clenched her fair fist and said to Huo Yuhao sternly:

"Remember this. You didn't see anything that just happened."

"Huh? Did anything happen just now?" Huo Yuhao blinked, his beautiful eyes wide with confusion.

Ma Xiaotao's mouth twitched. She said nothing and continued leading the way.

Please keep reading!