Exquisite Delicacies Accommodate Three Beauties · Phoenix Nest Exposes Dragon's Shadow

"Cough, cough... I'm fine, Senior. It's just... a sudden dizzy spell. I might have... skipped too many meals," Long Jinyu made an excuse.

"Skipped too many meals?!" Ma Xiaotao grew even more anxious upon hearing this.

She scanned the bustling cafeteria, spotted an empty four-person table nearby, and half-pushed, half-guided him into a chair.

"Sit still! Don't move! Just wait!"

Her movements were swift as a gale, her tone carrying a hint of command.

"Mingming, Sister Ruoruo, keep an eye on him! I'm going to get him some food!"

With that, she didn't even give Long Jinyu a chance to refuse, rushing toward the serving window with such intensity it looked as if she were about to snatch up a limited-edition soul bone.

"Hey! Wait for me! I know what's best for recovery!" Wu Ming's eyes lit up, and she followed suit; she was a regular at the inner courtyard cafeteria and a self-proclaimed "tyrant" of the menu.

Han Ruoruo watched Long Jinyu's pale complexion and the trace of suppressed discomfort between his brows. She walked over gracefully, sat down opposite him, and gazed at him with gentle eyes: "Junior Long, don't be impatient. They will be back soon; Xiaotao is just worried about you."

She reached for the teapot on the table, poured a cup of warm Clear Heart Tea, and pushed it toward him. "Here, drink some tea first to warm your stomach."

Long Jinyu took the teacup with both hands, the warmth seeping through the porcelain. The tea's fragrance was elegant and refreshing, soothing his spirit.

Looking at this senior who possessed such a gentle temperament, formidable strength, and thoughtful manners, a sense of warmth and sincere admiration welled up in his heart.

Sister Ruoruo is truly... gentle yet resilient, a brilliant talent. He took a small sip of tea, the warmth sliding down his throat to soothe his exhausted organs. Such a person... sigh, in the original story, it was a waste on Wang Yan; it felt a bit like casting pearls before swine.

The thought flashed by, tinged with the regret of a "bookworm" (a classic case of middle-school syndrome), but without any malicious intent.

He was well aware of Wang Yan's scholarship and character—the man was decent enough—but in the world of Douluo Continent, where strength reigned supreme and life-or-death battles were constant, that "suitability" lacked the hard power required to protect such beauty, at least in Long Jinyu's eyes.

As his thoughts raced, Long Jinyu's mind moved past the top inner courtyard disciple before him to see a microcosm of Shrek's recent state:

The inner courtyard is so severely lacking in men. Han Ruoruo, Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and Wu Ming are all outstanding figures, yet there are so few male students who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them... I fear it's not just a matter of talent.

His gaze darkened. Combining the "history" he had read with the logic of reality, he instantly cleared up the thread:

The root cause is nothing more than three things—

First.

Xuan Zi's consecutive major blunders while leading teams resulted in the loss of the academy's most elite, prime-aged students, batch after batch. This pain has yet to heal, and the foundation has been severely damaged.

Second.

The continent's situation is turbulent, evil soul masters are rampant, and the Supervision Corps is incompetent. Shrek's men are mostly hot-blooded and willing to take on the most dangerous front-line suppression and border defense duties. To protect the academy and the people, they wither heroically in perilous places like the Star Dou Great Forest or the Ming Dou Mountain Range. This is a matter of duty, but also a form of attrition.

Third.

In these chaotic times, young talents... especially men, have a burning desire to achieve greatness. Compared to the relatively stable environment of the academy, imperial armies and major soul master legions are the battlefields where they see a faster path to earning merit and protecting their homeland. Even if Shrek is a "Holy Land," it is difficult to keep all these men from their ambitions of distant conquest.

Thinking of those "seniors" who might be buried in foreign lands or still bleeding on the frontiers, the sentiment Long Jinyu felt regarding the "imbalance of yin and yang" transformed into a heavy sense of respect and helplessness.

In an era of war, where is there true stability? That these brilliant students could grow to this point—was it not because those predecessors who sacrificed in silence bore the pressure in other ways?

[Tsk tsk tsk, as expected of you, you liberal arts nerd! Such perspective, such depth, such concern for the country and the people! But...]

The voice shifted, filled with mockery.

[Are you sure the original author had even one-tenth of your current brain activity when writing about the "imbalance of yin and yang"? I suspect they just thought "pretty girls are easy on the eyes," don't you think?]

"Nonsense! My deduction is based on the logic of the original plot!"

"Didn't Dai Yueheng join the army after graduation?"

"When Yao Haoxuan went to the Duke's Mansion, didn't he also say he wanted to achieve great things?"

Long Jinyu retorted in his heart, feeling annoyed.

"Stop yapping! Go draft the 'Shrek Reform Plan'! Do it according to my ideas!"

[...Do you have enough points to deduct? You dare order me?]

He gently set down the teacup and offered Han Ruoruo a grateful, gentle smile: "Thank you, Senior Han. This tea is excellent." The appreciation for the senior and the insight into the current situation all settled into this cup of warm tea.

Before long, Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming returned, carrying several trays piled high with food.

"Quick! Kid, drink this first!" Ma Xiaotao placed a bowl of crystal-clear, cool-scented soup heavily in front of Long Jinyu—it was the "Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Soup" that Han Ruoruo had mentioned. "Old Wang said this is the most nourishing. Drink it while it's hot!"

Wu Ming was not to be outdone, pushing over a plate of fragrant, golden-brown, glistening meat chops: "Junior! Try this! 'Crimson Flame Savage Beef', cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, great for replenishing vitality! It's much more substantial than some dragon tendon!" She still remembered the look on Long Jinyu's face when he heard "roasted dragon tendon" earlier and gave him a playful wink.

Han Ruoruo smiled and took a bowl of steaming, soft, and sweet Spirit Rice Porridge from the tray: "Junior Long, your consumption was too high; you shouldn't take heavy tonics on an empty stomach. Drink some porridge to line your stomach first, then eat the meat."

Long Jinyu looked at the table, which was instantly filled with "loving feedings" from three seniors of vastly different styles, all of whom were dazzlingly beautiful: "..."

A red-blooded Hanxia high school student—where had he ever experienced being surrounded by top-tier beauties and fed so frantically?! Especially when these three were famous goddesses of the inner courtyard!

[Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!]

The little person in his heart was already excited enough to take off and spiral into the sky, spamming the screen:

[Ma Xiaotao! The tsundere big sister!]

[Wu Ming! The energetic spicy sister!]

[Han Ruoruo! The gentle goddess!]

[Oh my god! The ultimate dream of a sister-complex has actually come true in Douluo Continent?!]

[Even in my wildest daydreams back on Blue Star, I never dared to imagine this! This transmigration is a massive profit, absolutely no loss!!!]

A torrent of mixed overwhelming happiness and intense embarrassment instantly engulfed him.

[Ahhh! But it's so embarrassing! Do they think I'm a little baby who can't even take care of himself?!]

[Such a huge spectacle! Everyone around is watching!]

[But... but... the feeling of being cared for and fed by beautiful big sisters... it really feels amazing!]

[No, no! Stay steady! Long Jinyu! You are a scholar! You must be reserved! Don't let a perverted grin show! Manage your expressions! Manage your expressions, damn it!]

[You old lecher, didn't you claim to be a decent person?]

[Damn it! Who doesn't like beautiful big sisters? I'm just a normal person, not a saint!]

[What's a teenager without a bit of lust? Are you okay?]

[Besides, I was just expressing a thought! How does that make me a lecher?]

[Fair enough... According to Blue Star data, you teenagers are basically legendary machines... ahem ahem.]

[Machine your head, you're just a Kaidō, aren't you?]

On the surface, he tried his best to maintain the indifferent expression of a "cool, aloof beauty"... ahem, a "well-behaved junior."

However, his fair cheeks were uncontrollably stained with a faint red, and his long eyelashes drooped slightly, attempting to hide the glow of excitement that was nearly overflowing from his eyes:

"Thank you, Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao..."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Wu Ming..."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Han Ruoruo..."

"It's just..."

He pointed at the mountain of food in front of him, his tone tinged with a bit of "anxiety" and "difficulty."

"It's too much, I... I can't finish it all..."

"You have to eat it even if you can't finish!"

Ma Xiaotao immediately glared at him.

"Look at how weak you are! You look like you'd fall over with a gust of wind! You must build your strength back up for me!"

"Exactly, exactly! You need to eat more to have the energy to do... work~!" Wu Ming chimed in with a giggle, her eyes darting between him and Ma Xiaotao.

Han Ruoruo just smiled gently, signaling that he shouldn't feel pressured.

Of course, this so-called "can't finish" was naturally Long Jinyu putting on an act.

He had read the Douluo Dalu III manga! The terrifying appetites of Tang Wulin and Na'er had left a deep impression on him!

As the successor of the Nine-Colored Dragon God, he had long since anticipated his own "potential."

If he were to really let go and eat? This table of food plus the entire kitchen staff's supply probably wouldn't be enough to fill the gaps in his teeth!

If all the students were to stare at the empty cafeteria in shock... that scene was too beautiful for him to imagine!

To avoid scaring people and to leave some food for his fellow students, he had to strategically play weak!

Long Jinyu, under the "earnest" gazes of the three senior sisters, began his "performance."

[Spirit Rice Porridge! Recommended by Senior Sister Han Ruoruo! Fragrant! Sweet! I want to take the whole pot!]

[Ahhh! This beef is so fragrant! I want ten more plates! No! A hundred plates!]

[The Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Soup is delicious too! Three more bowls!]

While "struggling" to finish the food that Ma Xiaotao had defined as "must be finished," he used his powerful willpower to keep himself from thinking about the other tempting delicacies in the cafeteria.

He also had to work hard to maintain that shy expression of "I really can't eat any more."

Finally, just as Long Jinyu felt he couldn't keep up the act, the "battle" ended.

Wu Ming patted her stomach in satisfaction and looked at Long Jinyu curiously: "By the way, little junior, which small courtyard on Sea God Island are you staying in? How's the environment? I'll come visit another day! Get to know the place!"

"Cough! Cough cough cough--!"

"Cough! Uh..."

Long Jinyu and Ma Xiaotao were choked by their own saliva at almost the same time, coughing violently, their faces instantly turning bright red!

The two of them, with extreme tacit understanding, turned to the side simultaneously, backing away from Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo, their heads nearly touching to form a brief, private space.

"What do we do? Should we tell them or not?" Long Jinyu's voice was extremely low, tinged with a hint of panic, his warm breath brushing against Ma Xiaotao's ear, making her earlobes burn.

Ma Xiaotao's heart skipped a beat. Biting her lower lip, she replied in a whisper: "Tell... tell them! We can't hide it! If that crazy woman Wu Ming goes to check on her own... it'll be even more troublesome!"

Watching the two of them in this clearly guilty, head-to-head "conspiracy" posture, Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo exchanged glances, both revealing playful expressions.

Long Jinyu took a deep breath, turned around, and tried his best to maintain a calm face as he looked at Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo, with a sense of resignation: "Uh... Senior Sister Wu Ming, Senior Sister Han Ruoruo, to tell you the truth, I... am currently staying at the Phoenix Perch Pavilion."

"Phoenix Perch Pavilion?" Wu Ming didn't react for a moment, subconsciously repeating the name.

Ma Xiaotao also turned around, as if she had given up, her voice cracking with a hint of shy annoyance as she added: "It's... it's just that big villa! Arranged by Elder Mu En and the teachers! To make it convenient for him to help me suppress my evil fire! And... he needs a quiet environment! It's not what you think!"

After she finished speaking, she felt her cheeks burning as if they were on fire, and she didn't dare look at the expressions of the two people across from her.

"Pfft--!"

Wu Ming sprayed out the mouthful of water she had just taken! Ignoring the need to wipe it away, she covered her mouth, staring at the blushing Ma Xiaotao... and Long Jinyu, who wore an expression that said "I did my best." Finally, she slammed her hand onto the table:

"Phoenix Perch Pavilion?! Living! Together!"

"Oh my heavens! Xiaotao! You're something else!"

"You quietly snatched such a handsome junior and brought him home?!"

"So it really is a 'Dragon Hidden in Phoenix Nest' kind of romance?!"

She rubbed her hands together in excitement, lowering her voice, "You should have said so earlier! If I'd known you were already... ahem, living together! I wouldn't have dared to joke around like that! No wonder you were so jealous! I understand, I understand! Sister here gets it! Elder Mu is wise! Dean Yan is wise!"

"Damn you, Mingming! Stop spouting nonsense!" Ma Xiaotao was both ashamed and furious, reaching across the table to pinch her.

Long Jinyu watched the scene unfold, helplessly rubbing his forehead.

He cleared his throat and looked at Ma Xiaotao, who was still "battling" with Wu Ming from across the table, and reminded her at the right moment: "Senior, it's about time. We have serious business to attend to this afternoon."

"Serious business?" Ma Xiaotao paused, looking at him in confusion, not reacting for a moment. "What serious business?"

Wu Ming immediately seized the opportunity, her eyes becoming incredibly suggestive as she drew out her tone: "Oh~~~? The af~ter~noon's~ serious business? You've already got it planned so quickly? You young people... your energy is truly vigorous~, you must learn to practice restraint, Xiaotao~~..."

"Wu! Ming!" Ma Xiaotao was so angry she was about to explode.

Long Jinyu hurriedly explained: "Did you forget, Senior? You promised me you would go and apologize."

"Oh... oh! Right! Apologize!" Ma Xiaotao realized, tapping her forehead in annoyance.

She was someone who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges; she was willing to accept punishment if she did something wrong, but making her go and apologize...

Especially to a few brats from the outer courtyard... she felt a bit awkward about it.

However, since she had promised Long Jinyu, she wouldn't go back on her word, nor did she dare to...

"Let's go, let's go! Let's go right now!" To escape Wu Ming's teasing gaze and skin-crawling remarks, Ma Xiaotao grabbed Long Jinyu's wrist and pulled him toward the exit, her movements bordering on a "fleeing in panic."

"Hey! Wait for me! Such a fun thing..." Wu Ming immediately jumped up, wanting to follow; she loved seeing Ma Xiaotao get flustered more than anything.

"Ming'er." Han Ruoruo pulled back the eager Wu Ming at the right moment and shook her head gently at her. "This is a matter between Xiaotao and Junior Long; let them handle it themselves."

She looked pointedly at the backs of the two hurrying away, giving Wu Ming a smiling look that said, "Don't disturb them."

Wu Ming immediately understood and chuckled sneakily: "Oh~~~ got it, got it! Alright then! Ruoruo, let's go find the Senior Sister and have some tea!" She shouted toward Long Jinyu's retreating back: "Little Junior! Next time, this sister will come to Phoenix Perch Pavilion to play with you two again!"

Long Jinyu turned his head in his haste, offering them a polite but slightly rushed smile: "Alright, Senior Wu Ming, Senior Han, farewell."

〔Find the Senior Sister for tea?!〕

〔A tea party between girls?!〕

〔Sounds amazing! I want to go!〕

His inner self had eyes sparkling with excitement.

But immediately, the tight grip on his wrist pulled him back to reality, and he could only resign himself to following the "irascible" Phoenix senior as they embarked on their "journey of apology."