A Sudden Phone Call

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Li Jinsheng's Soul Guide Communicator suddenly rang.

Seeing Illusion Brain Douluo's name displayed above, he answered and asked, "Phantom Brain, what do you need me for?"

"Jinsheng, I heard you've broken through to Three Rings and become a Soul Elder!"

"Yeah! What's wrong?"

"Go to the Blacksmith Association in Heaven Dou City for me. Find a cook named Mu Ye."

"Huh?" Li Jinsheng was confused. He didn't have a Body Martial Soul, so why was he being sent to find Mu Ye?

Han Tianyi continued explaining, "I don't know what the true nature of your martial soul is either. It's very unusual—similar to a Body Martial Soul, yet not quite one. When you get there, Mu Ye will use the Body Sect's secret method to test you. Since I've joined the Spirit Pagoda, though, it wouldn't be convenient for me to use such methods on you."

"Thank you, Elder Yi. I'll go!" Li Jinsheng agreed with a smile. He was also curious just how delicious the cooking of the strongest chef of the Legend of the Dragon King era could be.

It would be even better if he could bring Na'er along!

"Li Jinsheng? You're going to Heaven Dou City?" Gu Yue had naturally heard the conversation and asked in confusion, "Will the teacher agree?"

"I'll ask first. If I can't go, then I won't!" Li Jinsheng planned to ask first. If Aunt Leng disagreed, then so be it.

"That's true! Then let's prepare the things we'll need for tomorrow's outing." Gu Yue nodded.

The boy turned to the poker-faced handsome man beside them and said, "Poker Face Uncle, if there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first!"

Poker Face Uncle?

Wu Changkong's eyes flickered faintly. This was the first time anyone had called him that.

But in Li Jinsheng's eyes, no one was more handsome than himself!

Watching the two leave in the distance, Wu Changkong could only smile helplessly. He had originally wanted to recruit them into the Tang Sect, but after hearing that call, these two children were probably from the Spirit Pagoda.

Gu Yue and Li Jinsheng walked out of Snack Street together. The evening breeze scattered the scent of barbecue behind them, while streetlights stretched through the darkness like a river.

With her hands behind her back and light steps, Gu Yue asked, "The teacher's taking us to the seaside tomorrow. What should we buy first? Swimsuits?"

Li Jinsheng looked Gu Yue up and down. "We definitely need swimsuits, but I feel like the person going is wrong..."

Those words hadn't explicitly emphasized anything, but combined with that disdainful look, they seemed to say everything.

"Who are you looking down on?!" Gu Yue's temper flared again!

A warrior could be killed, but not humiliated!

Gu Yue really couldn't take it anymore this time! Moving faster than the eye could follow, she grabbed Li Jinsheng by the earlobe.

"Ow, ow, ow..."

Li Jinsheng cursed inwardly. Gu Yue had actually used real strength this time. What did I even say?

I was only telling the truth!

I'm so honest, yet I still get beaten for it!

"What's wrong with this lady?! You get to go buy swimsuits with me, and you're actually acting disgusted!"

Although Gu Yue was the Silver Dragon King, she was still a girl, and she was extremely sensitive about such matters.

But in Li Jinsheng's eyes, with that little build, there was no difference between male and female at all.

"Ow, ow, ow! Gu Yue, I was wrong! I was wrong! You're the prettiest, and you have the best figure!"

The boy kept begging for mercy, but inwardly he grumbled, She obviously just has a pair of well-developed pectorals on her chest, and she still has the nerve to get angry.

Damn Silver Dragon King!

Only then did the black-haired girl let go, feeling as if she had vented all the frustration she'd suffered over the past two and a half years.

Awesome!

Sure enough, only violence could suppress Li Jinsheng!

Bickering and fooling around, the two had already entered the mall, while Li Jinsheng was still rubbing his ear.

Turning into a swimwear store, Gu Yue planted her hands on her hips and began ordering Li Jinsheng around with absolute force.

Gu Yue first picked out a blue-and-white swimsuit, then casually stuffed a beach ball into Li Jinsheng's arms, followed by a whole pile of other things.

Li Jinsheng could only miserably toss Orange Soda and a dozen bottles of Happy Water into his own basket.

Even as they left, Li Jinsheng did not forget to complain that Gu Yue had bought a pile of practically useless things.

Not even one of his Happy Waters could compare.

The next day, at noon.

The blazing sun hung high overhead, draping East Sea City in a golden veil.

A black sedan drove along the coastal road. Outside the window was a bustling public beach—colorful parasols, shrieking children, volleyballs swept into the air by the wind—all flashing past in rapid succession.

Watching the scene, a trace of disdain flashed through Gu Yue's eyes. Not for any other reason, but simply because there were too many people!

The driver did not slow down. The car continued forward for some distance, then the steering wheel turned slightly. It passed through an unattended electric gate and entered a private road.

The voices behind them abruptly fell silent, leaving only the rhythm of waves lapping against the shore.

The private beach was empty and quiet, like a slice of backdrop cut from the world, standing in stark contrast to the bustling beach in the distance.

The car door popped open. First came a red high heel, its heel landing steadily on the ground, the ankle above it fair as jade.

Leng Yaozhu bent down and stepped out of the car. The sea breeze curled up along her calves, brushing past her knees and stirring her vivid red dress.

Higher up, her fiery red hair hung to her waist like silk set alight. Her eyes were soft in color, like glittering rubies.

She raised a hand and pressed down the hair lifted by the wind, the motion as gentle as turning a page.

Gu Yue climbed out after her, her canvas shoes stepping onto the white sand so softly they were almost soundless.

Her white T-shirt gleamed in the sunlight, its hem tucked into denim shorts. Her waistline was clean and neat, like a sketch completed in one stroke.

She narrowed her eyes at the boundless sea. The sunlight cast fleeting shadows beneath her lashes, and her gaze was tender and captivating.

Li Jinsheng was the last to get out. He glanced at Gu Yue as if to say, What are you pretending to be so gentle for?

What kind of temper you have—how could I not know?

He shut the car door behind him. Dressed in black shirt and black pants, the fabric was pressed close to his skin by the sea breeze, outlining his lean, toned build.

"It's been a long time since I felt this relaxed!"

Leng Yaozhu savored the damp, salty sea breeze, the beauty of sea and sky reflected in her eyes.

"Teacher, are you going to change into your swimsuit?" Gu Yue secretly glanced at Li Jinsheng. This guy had already taken out his surfboard and was getting ready to surf!

"Let's go." Leng Yaozhu gave a faint smile as she watched the two of them.

After reading several books on child psychology, she was basically certain of one thing: Li Jinsheng definitely liked Gu Yue.

The books said boys matured late and did not understand what liking someone meant.

But they would use their own ways to attract a girl's attention.

Li Jinsheng watched as their backs disappeared behind the wooden door as it closed, then inexplicably sneezed.

"Who's thinking about me?" The young man stood where he was with one hand in his pocket, puzzlement glinting in his eyes.

He did not dwell on it. He was so handsome—so many people thought about him every day. It was not as if he could know every single one of them!

Turning around, he faced the empty beach. The sun blazed overhead, and fine white vapor rose from the sand.

Li Jinsheng pulled off his black shirt and casually tossed it onto a lounge chair, revealing his solid physique. His nose twitched slightly as he took in the dampness of the sea breeze, and he said:

"Ah~... this is the smell of the sea..."

After that burst of sentiment, he picked up his surfboard and was about to charge into the water.

The wind chime outside the changing room rang. His gaze instinctively turned toward it, and in an instant, he was captivated.