Beibei, Tang Ya, Xuan Zi?

Zichuan opened his eyes, took the grilled fish, blew on the heat, and took a bite.

The skin was crispy while the meat remained tender, seasoned just right. Although it couldn't compare to a professional chef, achieving this standard in the wild was already a rarity.

In particular, the faint water-attribute energy contained within the fish meat served as a decent supplement to his vigorous blood and qi.

"Hmm, not bad. You should eat too." Zichuan nodded, giving his approval of Huo Yuhao's culinary skills.

Watching the thin, frail youth before him—who beamed with joy at a single word of praise—a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Huo Yuhao possessed the Body Martial Soul Spirit Eye. Although its quality seemed average for now, with the remnant soul of Electrolux residing within, his future potential might not be lacking.

Moreover, he was resilient, grateful, and fundamentally good-natured. Having intercepted his greatest opportunity and indirectly caused him to come into contact with Necromancy early, it was hard to predict where his future path would lead.

Rather than letting him follow the original trajectory into Shrek Academy and eventually being completely shackled to Tang San's war chariot, why not... pull him into the Body Sect?

The Body Sect did not discriminate based on whether a martial soul was a body organ; as long as it was a Body Martial Soul, it sufficed. The Spirit Eye was an eye, a classic example of a Body Martial Soul.

With his current status as the Young Sect Master, it shouldn't be difficult to recruit a young brother with decent talent and a clean background into the sect.

In this way, he could not only provide fresh blood to the sect but also, to a certain extent, "protect" Huo Yuhao, preventing him from becoming a complete pawn of the Tang family in the future. Perhaps... he could even cause some trouble for Tang San?

Once this thought took root, Zichuan felt moved. He looked at Huo Yuhao, deliberating on how to broach the recruitment.

Just then, a "rustling" sound came from the bushes not far away. Immediately after, several figures pushed aside the branches and stepped out.

Leading them was a blue-haired youth who looked to be about fifteen or sixteen. He was tall and straight with handsome features, wearing a gentle and scholarly smile, though deep in his eyes lay a trace of imperceptible fatigue and depth.

He wore a well-tailored blue martial outfit, exuding an air of distinction.

Beside him was a girl who looked to be about his age.

The girl was tall with a neat, deep-blue high ponytail, dressed in a form-fitting purple martial outfit that outlined her budding, graceful figure.

She had an exquisite, pretty oval face, fair skin, and lively features. Her large eyes, in particular, were bright and shifting; at this moment, they were filled with curiosity and a hint of vigilance as she sized up Zichuan and Huo Yuhao.

Most striking was the fresh aura she exuded, which seemed to harmonize with the natural vegetation, along with the air of competence and confidence that had replaced her youthful naivety.

However, what made Zichuan's pupils shrink was the person following behind them: a disheveled, messy-haired, short, fat old man.

His dusty cloth robe was stained with oil, and he held a half-eaten giant roasted chicken in his hand, eating with such gusto that his mouth was covered in grease.

While the old man "smacked" his lips at the chicken leg, his cloudy eyes locked precisely onto the golden, oily fish over the campfire, his nostrils flaring forcefully.

"Slurp—"

The old man sucked in his saliva, his eyes lighting up. Ignoring any sense of decorum, he darted toward the campfire in two or three steps.

He reached out with that greasy hand and grabbed directly for the other fish Huo Yuhao had just finished grilling and was about to hand to Zichuan!

"Hiss! This grilled fish, the flavor is spot on! Fragrant! Much better than what those brats in the academy cafeteria make! Let this old man have a taste first!"

His movements were so fast and natural, as if he had grilled the fish himself, that he didn't treat himself as an outsider at all.

Huo Yuhao was startled and instinctively tried to pull the fish back, but the old man's hand, seemingly casual, was as fast as lightning. Before he could react, the fish was already in the other's grasp.

The old man wasn't afraid of the heat; he took a huge bite, his face contorting as he winced from the burn, yet he was unwilling to spit it out. While gasping for air, he mumbled vaguely:

"Mmm... delicious! Beibei, Xiao Ya... you two should try some too! This fish is grilled authentically!"

The blue-haired youth called Beibei saw this and wore a helpless, bitter smile. He cupped his hands apologetically toward Zichuan and Huo Yuhao:

"Apologies, young brothers. Elder Xuan... he has a straightforward temperament and is unconstrained by trifles. This fish... we are willing to pay for it."

His tone was gentle and his manners were impeccable, clearly showing a refined upbringing.

The purple-clad girl with the high ponytail wrinkled her delicate nose, seemingly embarrassed by the old man's actions, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the remaining grilled fish, clearly tempted by the aroma.

Huo Yuhao was completely stunned. He looked at his empty hands, then at the sloppy old man who was devouring the fish without a hint of remorse, unsure of how to react. Who was this old man? How could he be so... naturally familiar? And stealing people's food?

Zichuan's gaze, however, remained locked on the sloppy old man known as "Elder Xuan," alarm bells ringing in his heart.

Elder Xuan? Taotie Douluo Xuan Zi? A veteran of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, a Level 98 Super Douluo, with the Martial Soul Godly Taotie Bull!

At this point in time, why would he appear on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest?

According to the original work, he should be at Shrek Academy right now. Even if he were accompanying students to hunt for soul rings, it wouldn't be his turn to personally step out, nor would he appear in this location, which was quite far from Shrek City!

The God of Destruction's grave voice also echoed in Zichuan's mind:

"Be careful, kid. This old man is not simple. Level 98 cultivation is already considered top-tier among humans in this world. His blood and qi are like a furnace, and his soul power is as condensed as mercury. Though he looks sloppy, his strength cannot be underestimated. His appearance here is by no means a coincidence."

Zichuan's thoughts raced. Elder Xuan appeared, and Beibei and Tang Ya were here too... It was the plot. In the original work, it was precisely Beibei and Tang Ya who met Huo Yuhao in the Star Dou Great Forest just after he obtained his first soul ring and brought him back to Shrek. But the timing seemed to have been moved up?

Moreover, the addition of a Super Douluo like Elder Xuan made things complicated.

Just as Zichuan's mind was spinning, Beibei saw that the old man had nearly finished the fish, while Zichuan was still slowly eating the half-fish in his hand, and the girl beside him kept glancing over.

He hesitated, took out a small coin purse from his bosom, walked up to Zichuan, and with an apologetic yet graceful smile, said:

"Brother, I am truly sorry. Elder Xuan... has a rather large appetite. You see, there doesn't seem to be much grilled fish left. How about we make a deal? The one in your hand... would you mind letting us have it? We can buy it. Hmm... how about 1 Gold Soul Coin?"

He pointed to the half-eaten grilled fish in Zichuan's hand.

In his view, 1 Gold Soul Coin was already an astronomical price for an ordinary grilled fish, enough to express his apology and sincerity.

Zichuan was pondering what the appearance of Elder Xuan signified. Hearing this, he didn't even lift his eyelids, too lazy to respond, and simply took another bite of the grilled fish, chewing it in a leisurely manner.

The smile on Beibei's face stiffened. He thought the other party found the price too low. Although he felt the other was being somewhat unappreciative, in order to maintain his composure in front of Tang Ya, he suppressed his impatience and increased the offer:

"10 Gold Soul Coins?"

Zichuan continued eating his fish, unmoved.

Beibei's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of displeasure rising in his heart.

This guy, isn't he being a bit too disrespectful? Could he be trying to hike up the price on the spot?

He glanced at Tang Ya, who was staring longingly at the grilled fish beside him, and gritted his teeth: "100 Gold Soul Coins! Brother, that should be enough, right? That's enough to buy every fish in this entire forest!"

However, the answer he received was Zichuan unhurriedly stuffing the remaining half of the grilled fish into his mouth, his cheeks bulging as he swallowed it in a few bites. Then, he clapped his hands, shot Beibei a look as if he were staring at an idiot, and spat out a few words indifferently:

"Go catch and grill your own."

Beibei's expression darkened instantly, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.

As a prominent figure in the Outer Court of Shrek Academy, when had he ever been subjected to such treatment? Especially not in front of Tang Ya.

This guy was not only greedy but also completely ungrateful!

Just as Beibei was losing his patience, about to say or do something, the girl in purple with a high ponytail who had been standing beside him, curiously observing Zichuan, suddenly stepped forward as if she had discovered a new world.

She leaned in close to Zichuan, tilted her head, and stared intently at his face with her bright, beautiful eyes, not blinking once.