Influence

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, beside the Lake of Life.

A large golden-furred cat with three eyes raised her head and looked around in confusion.

Just moments ago, she had sensed a burst of Power of Destiny that was extremely similar to her own.

But that Power of Destiny had only appeared for an instant before silently sinking back into dormancy.

"Auspicious Beast, what's wrong?"

As the Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked around, a majestic voice suddenly rang out beside her.

As the voice fell, the space beside her twisted.

A man with black hair and dressed in black robes stepped out from within.

"Di Tian."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's voice carried a trace of confusion.

"I think I sensed the aura of one of my kind."

"One of your kind?"

Di Tian was slightly stunned, then revealed a helpless expression.

"Auspicious Beast, from the day you were born, you have borne the fortune of the entire Star Dou Great Forest. How could there possibly be another being like you in this world?"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion blinked her golden eyes and thought about it. She seemed to feel that Di Tian made sense.

Yet for some reason, deep in her heart, an indescribable feeling of concern continued to linger.

The next day.

Huo Yuhao set up his grill at a relatively clean street corner. Beside him stood a wooden sign bearing the words "Little Huo Grilled Fish."

He first carefully checked the various seasonings laid out on the small table beside him. Once he confirmed everything was in order, he picked up a cleaned green fish from the wooden basin nearby.

With practiced movements, he tore up some perilla leaves, mixed them with several other seasonings, stuffed the mixture into the fish's belly, and skewered it.

He then rubbed his specially prepared sauce mixed with spices into the fish's cavity, evenly brushed a thin layer of oil over the skin, and finally placed the fish skewer over the grill.

The charcoal crackled. Oil dripped onto it with soft sizzling sounds, white smoke curled upward, and the aroma of grilled fish gradually spread through the air.

It had to be said that after discussing culinary arts with Master Rong Nianbing in the God Realm, his skill at grilling fish had improved tremendously compared to his previous life.

An enticing aroma was the best advertisement.

As the scent of grilled fish spread, passersby who had merely been walking past began to slow down. Soon, someone hesitantly approached.

Before long, a small line had spontaneously formed in front of the grill.

Even the other vendors around him could not help casting frequent glances in his direction, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"Little brother, how much are your grilled fish?" At the front of the line, a middle-aged man dressed in black with an honest-looking face finally could not help asking.

"Ten copper soul coins per fish." Huo Yuhao did not even raise his head. He skillfully turned the fish skewers while brushing on more sauce and answered casually.

"Ten copper soul coins? That expensive?"

The middle-aged man's voice rose involuntarily, and surprise and hesitation appeared on his face.

He often came around this area and knew that a similarly sized green fish at the market only cost around one copper soul coin.

Just by processing it, the price had increased tenfold? That was far too expensive.

Yet as he smelled the grilled fish's aroma, he instinctively swallowed. After struggling for a moment, he ultimately followed his heart, took out some copper soul coins from his pocket, and handed them to Huo Yuhao.

"Fine. Little brother, give me one."

Huo Yuhao flipped the grilling fish, continued brushing on sauce, and asked, "Would you like it spicy?"

"Uh, mildly spicy. Mildly spicy is fine," the middle-aged man hurriedly replied.

When Huo Yuhao handed the grilled green fish to the middle-aged man, the people in line behind him and the surrounding onlookers all involuntarily focused their gazes on it.

Oil still rolled across the enticing golden-brown fish skin. A rich fragrance constantly burst from the slits cut into the fish's belly, drilling straight into everyone's noses.

The middle-aged man eagerly took it. Not caring about the heat, he immediately took a huge bite.

When his teeth met the grilled fish, faint crunching sounds could even be heard. The fish skin had been grilled completely crisp, yet it did not carry the slightest burnt taste.

After only one bite, the middle-aged man's eyes went wide. He did not even have time to offer a word of praise. In just a few bites, the substantial grilled fish rapidly disappeared into his mouth.

Still unsatisfied, he smacked his lips and looked at Huo Yuhao again, his eyes pleading.

"Little brother, can I buy a few more? Your grilled fish is just too delicious."

Huo Yuhao raised his head, looked over the number of people in line, and silently estimated how many green fish he had brought.

Comparing the two, he apologetically shook his head at the eager middle-aged man and said,

"Sorry, there aren't many grilled fish left today, and there are still plenty of people waiting behind you. If you want more, you'll have to come earlier next time."

Hearing Huo Yuhao's words, obvious disappointment appeared on the middle-aged man's face. He could only sigh helplessly and turn to leave.

When the people waiting in line saw this and heard the man's evaluation, their faces immediately filled with curiosity and anticipation. They stretched their necks to peer ahead, wondering just how delicious the grilled fish could be.

And every person who ate one afterward exclaimed in amazement, declaring that they had never tasted anything so delicious.

Just like that, in only a few days, through word of mouth among the customers, the name Little Huo Grilled Fish thoroughly spread throughout this part of Heaven Dou City's eastern district.

Every day, long lines had already formed before Huo Yuhao even set up his stall, and people came in an endless stream to eat grilled fish.

However, Huo Yuhao only made a limited amount of grilled fish each day.

For one thing, he could not spend all his time grilling fish. For another, he could not steal all the business from the surrounding vendors.

After learning that the grilled fish was limited, the other vendors nearby secretly breathed sighs of relief instead.

After all, those attracted by the grilled fish but unable to buy any might turn around and try something from their stalls. In that case, they would benefit from it as well.

Several more days passed.

Huo Yuhao was still diligently grilling fish.

Just then, a clear and pleasant yet somewhat anxious voice rang out from beyond the crowded throng.

"Please make way, thank you! Please make way."

As the voice fell, a figure nimbly squeezed through a gap in the crowd. Who else could it be but Jiang Nannan?

She immediately spotted the familiar young figure behind the grill. Her eyes lit up at once, and she let out a long breath. The anxiety on her face was swiftly replaced by delight.

"Yuhao, I finally found you."

She had been searching for traces of Huo Yuhao these past few days as well, but Heaven Dou City was so large that aimlessly looking for someone was simply too difficult.

It was not until yesterday, when she happened to hear passersby enthusiastically discussing Little Huo Grilled Fish and saying its taste was simply unforgettable after one bite, that she realized Huo Yuhao was likely selling grilled fish.

Now that she had come to take a look, it was indeed him.

At last, she could invite Huo Yuhao over and properly thank him.

"Sister Nannan, why are you here?" Huo Yuhao stopped what he was doing and looked at her in surprise. Then he asked with concern, "Is there still some problem with Auntie's illness?"

"No, no," Jiang Nannan hurriedly waved her hands, a grateful smile appearing on her face. "My mother's illness should be almost completely cured. Thank you so much, Yuhao."

She walked over to Huo Yuhao's side, looked at how busy he was, and took the initiative. "Yuhao, let me help you too."

Huo Yuhao looked at Jiang Nannan's expectant gaze. The words about not troubling herself rose to his lips, only to be swallowed back down.

"Then, Sister Nannan, help me collect the money for the grilled fish."

"No problem. Leave it to me."

Jiang Nannan readily agreed and immediately took her place behind the cash box beside the grill, ready to help.