New Student Assessment Concludes

The results of the New Student Assessment finals quickly spread throughout the academy. That evening, Wu Xuan, Qian Gu Ming, and Nanmen Yun'er gathered in front of Huo Yuhao's grilled fish stall.

"Huo Yuhao, the usual—six grilled fish!" Wu Xuan stepped forward to greet him and handed over a Silver Soul Coin.

"Brother Wu Xuan, you're here! Congratulations on winning the championship! There's no need for payment this time. The grilled fish is on me, as a celebration for your victory." Huo Yuhao smiled shyly.

"Haha, then thank you, little brother Huo Yuhao. After tomorrow's class assignments, we might even become friends." Qian Gu Ming stepped up, took the grilled fish, and laughed.

"Hmph! Who's friends with you?" Wang Dong, standing nearby, sounded rather indignant. She was clearly still upset about what had happened during the match.

"Wang Dong!" Huo Yuhao gave Wang Dong a gentle shove and smiled. "Brother Wu Xuan, please don't mind her. Wang Dong is a little shy around strangers."

"It's fine, it's fine!" Wu Xuan waved his hand, then looked toward the petite, delicate figure standing nearby.

Her dark green hair was tied into two little braids with bell-adorned ribbons, making her look lively and adorable.

"This must be your other companion, right? Hello, I'm Wu Xuan." Wu Xuan extended his hand with a smile.

"Hello, Brother Wu Xuan! I'm Xiao Xiao." Xiao Xiao stepped forward, her face slightly flushed. It was her first time shaking hands with such a powerful and handsome older boy.

"Brother Wu Xuan! Could you let me experience your Second Soul Skill's speed boost sometime? I really want to know what it feels like to have such a light body." Xiao Xiao released Wu Xuan's well-defined hand and asked sweetly.

"Of course! We can go to the Battle Soul Arena together next time." Wu Xuan smiled.

As they spoke, a Silver Soul Coin landed on Huo Yuhao's stall with a ding.

"No change needed. Give me three large ones." The newcomer spoke with great generosity.

Huo Yuhao chuckled. "Brother Xu, you really come rain or shine!"

Xu Sanshi grinned. "What can I do? I'm hooked on your cooking. If I don't have a bite every night, I can't even enjoy dinner. I've eaten plenty of grilled fish before, but none of them controlled the heat as perfectly as you do. Even Jiang Nannan says your grilled fish is delicious."

Huo Yuhao nodded slightly and quickened his grilling.

"Little Huo Yuhao! You're all here! Oh, junior Wu Xuan, long time no see. I heard your team took first place in this ranking tournament. Congratulations!" Tang Ya's bell-like laughter suddenly rang out.

Wu Xuan turned around and saw that it was Tang Ya and Beibei.

"Junior Wu Xuan, congratulations!" Beibei stepped forward with a smile and patted Wu Xuan on the shoulder.

"Senior Tang Ya, Senior Beibei, long time no see!" Wu Xuan greeted them both.

Through Beibei and Tang Ya's introductions, Wu Xuan also got to know Xu Sanshi, one of the Outer Court's Twin Stars—the famously devoted simp.

"Little Xu!" Just as everyone was chatting cheerfully, a cool voice suddenly sounded. Hearing it, Xu Sanshi shuddered.

The other students lined up behind Xu Sanshi also fell silent at once. A woman emerged from the academy gates and slowly approached. The crowd naturally made way for her, not even daring to look at her as they lowered their heads.

Wu Xuan turned his head and saw a woman in red. Her figure was tall and well-proportioned, and the first thing anyone would notice was her somewhat exaggerated curves. Her waist was slim, then flared sharply at the hips. Her legs were straight and rounded, and she radiated a powerful air of youthful vitality.

Xu Sanshi clearly knew her. He turned around stiffly without daring to meet her eyes, lowered his head slightly, and said, "Sister Xiao Tao."

The woman in red glanced at Huo Yuhao's grill and slowly walked over to Xu Sanshi. "Little Xu, did you come out for grilled fish?"

Xu Sanshi nodded. "Yes! Huo Yuhao's grilled fish is exceptionally delicious."

A trace of curiosity appeared in the red-clothed woman's eyes. She said to Huo Yuhao, "Give me one too. I'd like to try it."

Huo Yuhao replied instinctively, "Sorry, I only sell thirty fish a day. There are already thirty people in line today, so please come earlier tomorrow." He had said the same thing to countless people before.

But this time, the moment he finished speaking, nearly everyone in line abruptly raised their heads and looked at him in horror, Xu Sanshi included. Then, the people who had been waiting in line scattered in an uproar, vanishing in an instant.

The woman in red smiled. "All right, no one is in line now. I think I should be able to have some."

Xu Sanshi kept shooting Huo Yuhao meaningful looks. Huo Yuhao was no fool and nodded before continuing to grill the fish seriously.

But Wang Dong was displeased. She said indignantly, "Who are you? Why are you ruining our business?"

The woman in red raised her right hand, revealing fingers as delicate as spring onions. A large ruby sat on her right index finger. With a flash of light, a handful of Gold Soul Coins appeared in her palm, which she held out before Wang Dong. "I'll take all the grilled fish today."

Wang Dong showed no courtesy at all. She took the Gold Soul Coins without another word. Although the woman in red had frightened off many people with her overwhelming presence, she did not seem unreasonable. Besides, Wang Dong faintly sensed that something was wrong and could not help feeling some fear toward her.

Huo Yuhao, however, honestly said, "That's too much money. My grilled fish costs ten Copper Soul Coins each."

The woman in red apparently did not wish to speak with him further. "Consider it a deposit with you. Whenever I want to eat your grilled fish in the future, just don't charge me."

Xu Sanshi was visibly unsettled after seeing the woman in red. He was not nearly as eager to eat grilled fish as usual.

The woman in red, on the other hand, slowly lifted her veil and revealed a breathtakingly beautiful face before beginning to eat. She ate carefully and elegantly, but what shocked everyone was that after the fish was eaten, the bones mysteriously vanished from her hands without leaving a trace. She was clearly eating with her hands, yet not the slightest grease remained on them.

She quickly finished two grilled fish and nodded to Huo Yuhao. "Your grilled fish is very good. The flavor is excellent, and your control of the heat is perfect."

"Thank you for the praise!" Huo Yuhao scratched his head and smiled.

The woman in red chuckled. "My name is Ma Xiaotao. It's nice to meet you. I'll come eat your grilled fish again when I have the chance. Little Xu, let's go."

Xu Sanshi said with a bitter expression, "Sister Xiao Tao, can you go a little easier on me today?"

Ma Xiaotao gave him an indifferent glance. Xu Sanshi immediately changed his tune. "No problem, I have no problem at all." As he spoke, he hurried ahead and made a gesture inviting Ma Xiaotao to lead the way.

As they watched the two leave, everyone's mood for conversation noticeably faded.

Wu Xuan stepped forward with a smile. "Senior Beibei, Senior Tang Ya, don't leave tonight. Let's go celebrate at Qingyun Hotel on South Street."

"Qingyun Hotel? Junior Wu Xuan, have you struck it rich? Don't worry, your senior sister won't be polite with you." Tang Ya said with a grin.

"Haha! No problem! Order whatever's expensive, and eat your fill." Wu Xuan waved with a laugh, then looked at Huo Yuhao and the other two. "Huo Yuhao, stop selling grilled fish tonight. You, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong should come too."

"Okay! Thank you, Brother Wu Xuan." Huo Yuhao smiled and began packing up his stall. Ma Xiaotao had frightened away all the customers, so there was clearly no business left for the day. He might as well close early.

As one of Shrek City's largest hotels, Qingyun Hotel naturally offered all manner of dishes with flavors unlike any other.