Roasted Fish

After leaving the classroom, Meng Hongchen skipped along beside Yue Hongchen.

"Brother, was it really okay to tell them about Level 7 Soul Tools?"

Yue Hongchen nodded. He had considered the question. "Shrek's Soul Tool Department may not be much, but they can definitely make Level 7 Soul Tools. And the things I told them about Soul Tools aren't secrets. As long as I don't get into anything above Level 8, it won't be a problem."

Meng Hongchen nodded. She knew a little about Soul Tools, but clearly not as much as Yue Hongchen did.

"Do you have any plans for today?" Meng Hongchen asked. It was only noon, so they still had half a day to spend as they pleased.

Yue Hongchen stretched and said casually, "Let's eat first, then go see what Shrek's Mimicry Training Ground is like."

At the mention of training, Meng Hongchen's face fell. "All right~"

Hearing the displeasure in her voice, Yue Hongchen smiled and ruffled her hair. "Train properly for now, and later I'll take you to the food festival. How does that sound?"

At the mention of food, Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up. "Sure! It's a promise—no backing out!"

"Mm, I promise!" Yue Hongchen replied indulgently.

After a simple lunch in the academy cafeteria, Yue Hongchen took Meng Hongchen to Shrek's Mimicry Training Ground.

His Martial Soul was a sword, so he could train in any Mimicry Training Ground. He had come with Meng Hongchen to an icy plain, whose environment suited her training, and he could keep an eye on her, too.

Time always passed quickly when they were absorbed in training. In the blink of an eye, classes at Shrek were over.

After paying the fee for the Mimicry Training Ground, Yue Hongchen took Meng Hongchen toward the academy gates.

"Yiren, where are you planning to go for fun?" A sweet voice rang out, and Yue Hongchen felt a hand settle on his shoulder.

Katyusha's stunning face appeared before him.

"Finally decided to leave your room and stop being a shut-in?" Yue Hongchen couldn't help teasing her.

Katyusha's cheeks reddened slightly. She turned her head and gave a soft "hmph."

She muttered under her breath, "I can only come out for two or three hours a day. If I come out during the day, how am I supposed to..."

As she trailed off, her cheeks grew even redder.

Her voice was quiet, but Yue Hongchen heard every word. He didn't say anything—he just stood there grinning foolishly.

Noticing the commotion by Yue, Meng turned around and met Katyusha's eyes.

"Sister Katyusha! It's been ages!" Meng Hongchen ran over happily, took Katyusha's arm, and rubbed her cheek against it.

"It has, little Meng." Katyusha smiled and stroked Meng's head.

Ever since Yue Hongchen had become a Soul Elder, Katyusha had been able to leave Yue's Sea of Consciousness for short periods. Meng had been the first person she met, and aside from Yue, she was the one Katyusha was closest to.

As for Jing Hongchen and Xiao, Katyusha hardly saw either of them more than a few times a year.

"Brother said he'd take me to the food street. You haven't tried Shrek's food yet, right, sister? Want to come with us?" Meng looked up at Katyusha hopefully.

"Sure!" Katyusha nodded helplessly. Meng was a good kid in every way, except that she was clingy—especially with Yiren.

"Yay!"

And so, their outing for two became an outing for three.

Katyusha linked her arm through Yue's left one and leaned lightly against his shoulder. Meng simply held Yue's right hand, too shy to cling to him the way Katy did.

The three soon reached the academy gates—the eastern gate of Shrek City. It was crowded with people, so plenty of vendors had set up shop, and some students had stalls there, too.

The three naturally drew plenty of attention. They were a handsome man and two beautiful girls, after all, especially with Yue walking between them. But no one had any bad intentions. They had come out of Shrek Academy—only an idiot would pick a fight with them.

As soon as they entered the food street, Yue spotted Huo Yuhao grilling fish. Since it was his first day running a stall, though, hardly anyone had stopped by.

Yue smiled and asked Katy, "Want some fish?"

Katy shook her head vigorously. "No. You know I don't like fish."

Yue Hongchen stroked her hair, crouched down, and said patiently, "Trust me. His grilled fish will definitely surprise you. Just try one bite. If you don't like it, I'll finish the rest."

Katy followed Yue's gaze and saw Huo Yuhao, head down as he worked.

She could tell at a glance that Huo Yuhao was in poor health and clearly malnourished. Figuring Yue probably wanted to help him out, she gave a light nod.

"I'll try it."

With her agreement, Yue walked over to Huo Yuhao's stall. The few people gathered around it tactfully stepped aside.

"Hey, how much for the grilled fish?" Yue asked.

Huo Yuhao looked up. He remembered Yue as the person he'd met on the day of registration. There was now another sweet-looking girl with him, while the girl who had been at his side that day was standing nearby, holding his hand obediently and curiously eyeing the fish on his stall.

So they really are siblings. This one must be his girlfriend.

As he thought that, he said, "Five copper coins each."

"Not bad." Yue nodded. "Then I'll take three... No, two."

Seeing Yue act like this, the students watching and some nearby vendors assumed he was a cheapskate who wouldn't even spend money on the two girls he'd brought along.

But all those thoughts vanished when Yue took out a Gold Soul Coin.

"I only have Gold Soul Coins on me, so keep the change. If it's good, I'll come back next time."

As he spoke, he set the Gold Soul Coin on Huo Yuhao's stall.

The sudden windfall caught Huo Yuhao off guard. But when he saw the firm look on Yue's face, he gritted his teeth and accepted it. He really was short on money right now.

"Thanks, fellow student. If you like my grilled fish, I'll save three for you every day from now on." As he spoke, Huo Yuhao handed Yue the two grilled fish.

Yue smiled and nodded, accepting the offer.

He handed one of the fish to Meng. She eagerly took a bite. They'd been standing there for ages, and the smell of the grilled fish had been driving her crazy.

Seeing Meng let go of his hand to eat, Yue held the other fish up to Katy's mouth. "Say ah~"

Katy smiled with narrowed eyes and copied him. "Ah~"

The students gathered around watched the two intently, waiting for her verdict. The fish did smell delicious, after all.

Katy took a bite, and her eyes lit up at once. "This is so good! You should try some, too!"

As she spoke, Katy guided Yue's hand to his own mouth.

Yue nodded and took a bite from the spot Katy had bitten.

"It really is good! Hey, give me three more!" After one taste, he quickly asked Huo Yuhao to grill three more, afraid they'd sell out if he waited.

As soon as he finished speaking, the students watching crowded eagerly around the stall, all hoping to find out what the grilled fish tasted like.

As more and more people pressed forward, Yue quickly pulled Katy and Meng behind him. At the same time, three blue-and-white Soul Rings appeared.

"Everyone, get in line!"

Sure enough, strength was everything. When they saw that Yue was so young and already had three Soul Rings, they quickly formed a long line in front of Huo Yuhao's stall.

Huo Yuhao hadn't expected business to be so good. He apologetically addressed the students gathered around the grill. "Seniors, this is my first day in business. I'm only selling twenty grilled fish today. I've already sold five, and two have been reserved, so there are thirteen left. It's first come, first served. If you didn't get in line, please come back tomorrow."