Grilled Fish! The Taste of Home!

The campfire crackled in the forest.

Bei Bei was still hard at work. One live fish after another was ruined by his efforts, white juices running out over the flames.

If you ignored the charred skin, they actually looked... rustic.

Rustle, rustle!

Footsteps sounded as Jiang Yi emerged from the darkness.

"Little Brother Jiang, you're just in time! Try my grilled fish and tell me what you think!"

Bei Bei looked up, spotted Jiang Yi, and hurriedly held out a skewer of somewhat blackened fish.

Thanks to Tian Meng's concealment, he hadn't noticed that Jiang Yi had broken through.

"Thanks!"

Jiang Yi took the fish. He glanced at its somewhat carbonized skin, but didn't mind. He ate it slowly.

Having lost both his parents as a child, Jiang Yi wasn't fussy. Back when things had been at their worst, even grass roots boiled with fish bones had counted as a feast to him.

It was only after his Martial Soul Awakening that his life improved. But once he got Xiao Lan, he'd spent all that money again.

"Hahaha! If you like it, eat as much as you want."

Bei Bei laughed heartily. Watching Jiang Yi eat his grilled fish filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

Even Little Brother Jiang likes it, so Teacher Xiao Ya will definitely like it too!

With that thought, Bei Bei grilled even more enthusiastically. Wisps of smoke rose and drifted beneath the night sky.

Jiang Yi watched Bei Bei bustling about and smiled. His impression of this eldest disciple of the Tang Sect was pretty good.

In the original story, aside from being a bit too much of a simp, Bei Bei didn't have many other flaws people could criticize.

Still... Jiang Yi could only respect anyone who pursued true love in Douluo Continent.

As for him, he was a shameless old lecher through and through.

He'd transmigrated into another world. If he still acted timidly, what would have been the point of transmigrating?

The two chatted on and off. Before long, two figures approached from the distance.

"We're back!"

Tang Ya led Huo Yutong over, walking up with carefree ease.

Huo Yutong had been injured earlier, so Tang Ya had taken her nearby to clean her wounds and freshen up.

"Teacher Xiao Ya!"

Hearing her voice, Bei Bei turned around at once with a smile. But the next moment, he couldn't help freezing.

"This is... Xiao Huo?"

He stared wide-eyed at the blue-haired girl beside Tang Ya, unable to believe his eyes.

Huo Yutong had changed into clean clothes. They were plain, but couldn't hide the girl's charm.

Her formerly sallow little face had become fair and rosy, and her youthful features carried a melancholy that made people ache for her.

Just looking at her made you want to hold her close and gently care for her.

"Of course!"

Tang Ya smiled proudly and put an arm around Xiao Yutong, her face full of affection.

By the river, she'd already learned about Huo Yutong's background and had successfully recruited a new member for the Tang Sect.

Tang Ya treated this little sister like her own.

Jiang Yi glanced over, and a flicker of admiration passed through his eyes.

He'd already accidentally seen her just a moment ago, but there really was a difference between seeing her dressed and undressed...

After a couple of glances, Jiang Yi looked away.

Tang Ya led Huo Yutong to sit beside the campfire, then mercilessly roasted Bei Bei for his grilled fish.

"Bei Bei, your fish still stink!"

She picked up a skewer and sniffed it, then stuck it back with a look of disgust.

"Teacher Xiao Ya, I really did my best..."

Bei Bei shrugged helplessly.

Just then, Huo Yutong, who'd been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke up.

"How about I do it?"

Huo Yutong stuck out her tongue. Looking at the blackened fish, she volunteered.

It was one of the few things she could help with.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Xiao Yutong!"

Tang Ya rubbed her hands together and nodded repeatedly, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Huo Yutong.

They'd tried Xiao Yutong's cooking a few days earlier. Her grilled fish had reminded Tang Ya of the taste of home.

"Mm."

Huo Yutong smiled and got to work with practiced ease.

Her movements were deft. She flipped the fish, sprinkled on seasoning, and controlled the heat, all in one fluid sequence. She seemed like a different person from the timid girl she'd been before.

Before long, fragrant grilled fish was being passed around to everyone. Its mouthwatering aroma filled the night air, making their mouths water.

"Jiang Yi, what are you planning to do next?"

Tang Ya asked as she ate her grilled fish, cautiously watching Jiang Yi. Clearly, she still hadn't given up on recruiting this "one that got away."

Compared with a loafer like Bei Bei, people like Jiang Yi and Huo Yutong were the true pillars the Tang Sect needed.

Beside her, Huo Yutong kept grilling fish when she heard the question, but her ears quietly perked up.

She'd already agreed to go to Shrek Academy with Big Sister Xiao Ya, but if Jiang Yi could come too... that would be even better.

Of course, she only wanted to repay his kindness. After all, Mother had said that a good child always repaid kindness.

"Me?"

Jiang Yi paused, then answered without hesitation.

"I've already found my Second Soul Ring. Next... I'll probably apply to Shrek Academy."

It was a goal he'd settled on some time ago. Shrek Academy was a bit ridiculous in the original story, but on the continent it was still one of the few options available to commoners.

The Sun Moon Empire had Evil Soul Masters. Joining the nobles of the great empires would mean becoming their dog, so Shrek Academy was still the better choice.

The Body Sect was decent too, but he didn't have a Body Martial Soul. After weighing his options, Shrek seemed the best place to keep a low profile and develop. He just had to stay away from Tang Wutong.

"Really?"

At that, Tang Ya stood up.

"Join our Tang Sect!"

She grinned and came closer, throwing an arm around Jiang Yi's shoulders like an affectionate elder.

"Xiao Yutong is part of the Tang Sect too. If you join, our sect will be four times bigger..."

Tang Ya started grinning foolishly as she rambled, dreaming about the future.

"I'll think about it some more..."

Jiang Yi glanced at her and politely declined.

Joining Shrek was fine. God King Tang might not even give him a second look, but the Tang Sect was different.

That would be a huge karmic entanglement!!!

"All right..."

Tang Ya pouted and reluctantly let go of Jiang Yi's shoulder. Her disappointment was plain to see.

"But, Junior Jiang, if you run into any trouble at Shrek Academy, you can come to us..."

Bei Bei chimed in with a smile, easing the awkwardness a little.

Given the strength Jiang Yi had shown, he didn't think Jiang Yi would fail the entrance examination.

"Then thank you, Senior!"

Jiang Yi smiled and nodded, accepting the offer.

"By the way, Jiang Yi, what's your Martial Soul? Would you mind telling us?"

Bei Bei asked curiously.

A Martial Soul that could transform part of the body into an animal, just like his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, had to be a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. But he still hadn't seen Jiang Yi fully release his Martial Soul.

Tang Ya and Huo Yutong also turned curious eyes toward him.

Under their gazes, Jiang Yi considered it for a moment, then opened his palm and summoned his Martial Soul.

"This is my Martial Soul!"

A purple sphere the size of his palm appeared in Jiang Yi's hand. A faint golden lightning pattern was etched across its surface.