The Outer Academy's Most Beautiful Woman, Hero Saves the Damsel?

"Oh, little junior sister, don't you think our grilled fish skills are top-notch?"

Tang Ya leaned in toward Wang Dong'er, her face beaming with a smile as she began her sales pitch.

"How about it? Interested in learning a bit about the Tang Sect? It was once the number one sect on the continent, you know! As long as you join, I'll personally guarantee you'll be taught the Tang Sect's supreme arts—the Mysterious Heaven Skill and the Purple Demon Eye. I'll make sure you master them!"

Wang Dong'er was staring longingly at the sizzling, oily grilled fish. Although she was curious about the Tang Sect, she felt that eating the fish was the most important thing at the moment.

She waved her hand dismissively. "That... that, let me think about it."

Just as Tang Ya was preparing to continue her cajoling, a small commotion suddenly erupted toward the east gate.

The crowd instinctively parted to create a path.

A tall girl walked over from the crowd.

Her long, wavy golden hair draped over her shoulders, and her features were so exquisite that not a single flaw could be found; her brow carried an innate gentleness.

She wore only the most ordinary Shrek Academy uniform, yet it could not hide her refined and ethereal temperament.

The Outer Academy's recognized number one beauty, Jiang Nannan.

Jiang Nannan had clearly been drawn in by the intoxicating aroma as well.

She walked straight up to the grilled fish stall, looked at the wooden sign hanging to the side, and frowned slightly.

"Classmate, five copper soul coins for one grilled fish—the price is a bit on the high side."

Jiang Nannan's voice was pleasant, crisp like mountain spring water.

"The cost of the fish isn't that expensive. Even with your special spices, three copper soul coins should be enough."

Huo Yuhao held a bamboo skewer in his hand, flipping the fish without even lifting his head.

"Sorry, I don't haggle here. Besides, these two are already sold. All the grilled fish for today are gone; if you want to eat, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

Jiang Nannan froze for a moment, a flush of embarrassment flashing across her fair face.

"Sorry, I'm just used to bargaining when I buy things. I didn't know your rules." Jiang Nannan bowed slightly. "Then I'll come back another day."

After saying this, she nodded politely at Huo Yuhao and turned to leave.

Jiang Nannan's brief appearance left everyone around them stunned.

Xiao Xiao tugged on Cui Yajie's sleeve and whispered, "Yajie, that girl is so pretty, and her temperament is so good."

Cui Yajie brushed back her own pink curly hair and puffed out her impressive assets, feeling somewhat unconvinced, yet she had to admit: "She is quite beautiful. But..."

Cui Yajie glanced at Wang Dong'er, who was still drooling beside her. "I think our Dong'er is even more beautiful."

Wang Dong'er was staring at the grilled fish and hadn't heard a word of what Cui Yajie was saying.

Dai Huabin was also sizing up Jiang Nannan at this moment.

In all fairness, Jiang Nannan was indeed extremely beautiful; it was a fragile beauty that made one feel an urge to protect her.

However, in his aesthetic judgment, while Jiang Nannan was good, she was still a notch below the vibrant and breathtaking top-tier beauty of Wang Dong'er.

Zhu Lu keenly sensed Dai Huabin's gaze.

Far from being jealous, she leaned closer to Dai Huabin and lowered her voice. "Huabin, that senior sister is really pretty. If you like her, I'll go find out which class she's in for you."

Dai Huabin felt his head throb with irritation and reached out to pinch Zhu Lu's high-bridged nose. "What are you thinking about all day long in that little head of yours? I was just looking at the tag-along behind her."

Following Dai Huabin's hint, the group finally noticed a tall youth following not far behind Jiang Nannan.

The youth looked sturdy enough, but his eyes seemed glued to Jiang Nannan.

One didn't need to think twice to know this was the Outer Academy's famous lovesick fool and troublemaker, Xu Sanshi.

Seeing that Jiang Nannan hadn't managed to buy any grilled fish, Xu Sanshi felt this was the perfect opportunity to show off in front of his crush.

He strode forward, pushing through the crowd, and walked straight up to the grilled fish stall.

"Clink!"

A golden, gleaming Gold Soul Coin was tossed casually by him, tracing an arc through the air before landing firmly on the wire mesh at the edge of the grill.

"This Gold Soul Coin is yours, and those two grilled fish are mine."

Xu Sanshi reached out with a large palm, intending to grab the two sizzling, oily fish from the wire rack.

Huo Yuhao's brow furrowed, and before he could even speak, someone else wasn't having it.

"What do you think you're doing!" Wang Dong'er could never tolerate such a blatant act of snatching food from the tiger's mouth.

She had waited here for half a day for these two fish, and just as she was about to get her hands on them, a gatecrasher had to ruin everything.

Wang Dong'er immediately stepped forward and slapped toward the hand Xu Sanshi had reached out.

"Those are my fish! Don't you know anything about first come, first served?"

Xu Sanshi was a Soul Elder over level thirty, and his Martial Soul was the top-tier defensive Mysterious Underworld Turtle, giving him an incredibly robust physique.

Although he hadn't released his Martial Soul, he sensed an attack and instinctively jerked his arm, causing a thick surge of soul power to rebound violently.

Wang Dong'er was only level twenty-one, and since her strike had been hasty, the moment their palms made contact, she felt a massive recoil force surging up her arm.

"Ah!" Wang Dong'er cried out in alarm, instantly losing her balance and falling backward uncontrollably.

Just as Wang Dong'er thought she was about to land flat on her back in front of so many people and lose all face, a strong arm suddenly reached out and firmly caught her slender waist.

Immediately after, a warm, solid chest pressed against her.

Wang Dong'er caught a whiff of a pleasant, crisp scent. She jerked her head up, meeting Dai Huabin's deep blue eyes, which were filled with a smile.

"You idiot, are you so obsessed with food that you don't even care about your own safety?" Dai Huabin's magnetic voice sounded above her head.

Wang Dong'er's face turned red to the roots of her hair, looking like a ripe red apple.

She was used to being fierce and unruly in the dormitory; she had never experienced being held so firmly in a boy's arms like this.

The large hand resting on her waist felt so hot it made her feel completely uneasy.

"Who, who asked you to save me!"

She struggled with a stiff upper lip, but her voice was soft and lacked any conviction.

In the end, she honestly added in a low voice: "Thank you..."

Dai Huabin took the opportunity to let go and steady her, smiling as he ruffled her short, powder-blue hair, teasing her on purpose:

"Why be so polite with me? We're good friends, after all."

Hearing the words "good friends," Wang Dong'er's heart gave a sudden jolt. She turned her head away to avoid looking at him, muttering:

"Who would be friends with a dead blond like you."

After settling Wang Dong'er, Dai Huabin turned around, the smile on his face instantly vanishing.

He strode to the grilled fish stall and flicked his finger. He pried the Gold Soul Coin embedded in the wire mesh loose.

Dai Huabin flicked his finger.

With a sharp whistle, the Gold Soul Coin tore through the air with a powerful sound, heading straight for Xu Sanshi's face.

Xu Sanshi tilted his head to dodge, and the Gold Soul Coin flew past his ear, slamming into the brick wall behind him with a spray of sparks.

"Kid, are you looking for trouble?"

Xu Sanshi's expression darkened as he glared at Dai Huabin.

"That's exactly what I should be asking you."

Dai Huabin loosened his wrists, his knuckles popping with a crisp sound.

"Forcibly buying my friend's things and then pushing people around. What, is this Shrek City owned by your family?"

Xu Sanshi chuckled.

He hadn't seen many freshmen in the Outer Academy who dared to talk to him like that.

"New here, aren't you? You've got a big mouth." Xu Sanshi pointed at the grilled fish on the wire mesh.

"I'm spending money to buy things today; it's only natural. Nannan wants to eat grilled fish, so I must buy them. What, do you want to spar?"

Seeing this, Jiang Nannan quickly stopped in her tracks and said angrily:

"Xu Sanshi, stop making a scene. They don't want to sell, so don't force them. And I've told you many times, stop bothering me!"

"That won't do!" Once Xu Sanshi heard Jiang Nannan speak, he became even more energized.

"Don't worry about it, Nannan. I must get this grilled fish for you today."