Huo Yuhao: This Humble One, Li Feiyu

Deep within the pupils of Huo Yuhao, a cold ripple flickered and vanished, too swift for anyone to perceive.

Tang Ya and Beibei were characters from the "original work" in Wang Teng's memories.

In his previous life, he had never encountered them, but the threads of fate in this world seemed to have remained undisturbed for some reason, leading to this meeting.

Tang Ya, walking in front, could no longer contain herself. She took two steps in one, "bouncing" toward Huo Yuhao's campfire like a nimble little bird. Her delicate nose twitched slightly as she inhaled the mouth-watering aroma, her large eyes curving into crescents.

"Little brother, are you selling this grilled fish? It smells so good! How did you make it?" Her voice was crisp and melodious, carrying an undisguised sense of gluttony and innocence.

There was no excess emotion on Huo Yuhao's face; he showed neither the nervousness of meeting a stranger nor the pride of being complimented on his cooking.

He calmly flipped the fish in his hand, his voice flat and ripple-free, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself:

"I am. One fish, ten Gold Soul Coins. You provide the ingredients." He did not overcharge.

With the grilling skills he had honed in his previous life—skills capable of drawing praise even from a ninth-rank Soul Master—selling them for ten copper coins at the level of ordinary people in this world could even be considered "cheap."

Hearing Huo Yuhao's blunt, almost cold reply, Tang Ya was visibly stunned.

She had expected this youth, who looked a few years younger than her and was grilling fish alone in the forest, to be either shy or enthusiastically eager to share. She had not expected him to be so "strictly business."

Beibei, standing behind her, felt a flash of realization and deeper curiosity in his eyes.

He stepped forward, pulled a gleaming gold coin from his robes, and handed it to Huo Yuhao with a gentle, polite smile:

"Little brother, here is one Gold Soul Coin. Keep the change; just give us five grilled fish."

He saw that Huo Yuhao had caught over a dozen fish and certainly couldn't eat them all, and he and Tang Ya were too lazy to catch and clean their own, so buying them directly was the most convenient choice.

One Gold Soul Coin exchanged for one hundred copper coins; it was more than enough for five fish, and it could also be considered a gesture of goodwill.

Huo Yuhao glanced at the Gold Soul Coin Beibei offered, then at the few fish just finished on the fire. He did not decline, nor did he show any sign of gratitude, simply nodding: "Fine."

He deftly removed the five most golden, crispy, and fragrant fish, placed them on clean leaves, and handed them to Beibei and Tang Ya.

Tang Ya couldn't wait to take hers. While blowing on the hot fish, she couldn't resist taking a small bite, her eyes lighting up as she let out a muffled sound of satisfaction.

Beibei appeared much more composed. He took his fish but did not eat immediately. Instead, he looked at Huo Yuhao, who had sat back down and begun to eat his own portion in silence, and asked with a smile:

"My name is Beibei, and she is Tang Ya. Little brother, judging by your skill and the courage to be alone on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, you are surely no ordinary person. May I ask your name?"

Huo Yuhao chewed the tender fish, his movements not pausing for a second. He didn't even look up as he replied, his voice still flat:

"This Humble One is Li Feiyu."

When traveling abroad, how could one casually reveal their real name to others?

Especially after tentatively confirming that they might have some connection to Tang San.

Almost subconsciously, he had borrowed a pseudonym frequently used by a protagonist from a novel in Wang Teng's memories.

"Li Feiyu?"

Beibei repeated the name softly, feeling that it carried a certain special significance, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He wanted to ask more—about the youth's background, why he was here alone, and so on—but he saw that Huo Yuhao was already focused on his own meal, clearly having no intention of further conversation.

Seeing this, Beibei, possessing excellent manners, did not disturb him further. He lowered his head and began to taste the grilled fish.

After just one bite, a flash of surprise crossed his blue eyes, which usually held a gentle smile.

It was clearly seasoned with nothing more than the most common salt and perilla leaves, yet the control of the heat, the understanding of the fish's properties, and an indescribable focus seemingly infused into the food made this simple grilled fish turn the mundane into the miraculous.

The meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the savory flavor perfectly balanced, the fresh scent of perilla neutralizing the grease, creating a rich texture and a lingering aftertaste.

It was indeed superior to many so-called delicacies he had tasted before.

Tang Ya was eating with no regard for her image, her small mouth stuffed full, nodding repeatedly with a face full of happiness.

Soon, the five large grilled fish were completely devoured by the two of them.

Huo Yuhao had finished his own as well.

He efficiently extinguished the fire, buried the ashes with soil, washed the wooden skewers, and wrapped the remaining raw fish in leaves to pack away.

Having done all this, he shouldered his small pack, gave a slight nod to Beibei and Tang Ya—who were still savoring the aftertaste—as a farewell, and turned to walk toward the location of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in his memories, his figure quickly disappearing into the forest.

"Ah! He left!" Tang Ya finally reacted. Watching the direction Huo Yuhao had vanished, she licked the corner of her mouth, still wanting more. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she grabbed Beibei's arm, shaking it. "Beibei, Beibei! What do you think... how about we invite this little brother 'Li Feiyu' to join our Tang Sect?

His grilled fish is so delicious! Oh, no... I mean, he's here all alone, and he looks so young, he might be a talent worth molding!"

Beibei looked at his girlfriend, who had clearly been conquered by the grilled fish but was stubbornly trying to pull the banner of "revitalizing the Tang Sect" over it. He couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to gently flick her nose as he teased:

"Xiao Ya, don't tell me you only want to recruit him because you took a liking to his cooking? Since when did our Tang Sect start selecting members based on culinary skills?"

"I, I did not!" Tang Ya's cheeks flushed slightly, as if her thoughts had been exposed, and she hurriedly retorted, "I am thinking of the future of the Tang Sect! Didn't you feel it just now?

He has soul power fluctuations in his body; although not strong, he is indeed a Soul Master.

And look at his clothes—though clean, they are very simple and even patched. His family background shouldn't be very good, so he might just need an opportunity. Doesn't our Tang Sect... need to absorb fresh blood right now?"

By the end, her tone had dropped, clearly reminded of the Tang Sect's current decline.

Beibei put away his playful expression and nodded, his tone turning serious: "Hmm, you're right. I did sense it. His soul power is around rank ten, just reaching the threshold to obtain a soul ring.

Judging by his appearance, entering the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest alone is very likely for the purpose of hunting a soul beast to obtain his first soul ring.

A youth from an ordinary background who has the courage to act alone must have a decent character. And..."

He recalled those eyes of Huo Yuhao, which were excessively calm and even carried a sense of detachment inconsistent with his age. He gives me a rather unique feeling. Perhaps he is truly worth approaching.

"Then let's hurry and catch up to ask him, shall we? He only just left; we should still be able to catch him!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Ya immediately became spirited again, pulling Beibei toward the direction Huo Yuhao had departed.

Beibei stumbled from the tug, smiling helplessly and indulgently. "Alright, alright, don't be so impatient. But remember, Xiaoya, you may extend an invitation, but do not force it. Everyone has their own choices and opportunities."

"I know, I know! Let's go, let's go!"

The figures of the two soon vanished into the woods by the stream, chasing in the direction Huo Yuhao had gone.