Xuan Zi led Cao Longyan and the other eight to an empty forest outside Shrek Academy.
There was a spacious patch of grass there. Clearly, Xuan Zi had chosen the spot long ago.
As soon as they landed, Xuan Zi eagerly pulled a huge pile of ingredients and seasonings out of his Soul Tool, along with a brand-new barbecue grill.
From the looks of it, this had clearly been a long time in the making.
Cao Longyan looked at the ingredients before him and shook his head helplessly.
He knew it. That old geezer was up to no good...
He'd prepared everything so thoroughly. It looked like he'd been craving this for ages...
Still, Cao Longyan resigned himself to his fate and went over to the grill. After all, Xuan Zi had treated him very well when his Martial Soul had been crippled. He expertly lit the fire, set up the grate, brushed it with oil, and laid out the skewers.
But Huo Yuhao and the others stared in astonishment.
He was this good at it?
Bei Bei stood to the side, explaining Xuan Zi's identity to Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi, Hu Meier, and Tang Ya, along with Cao Longyan's peerless barbecue skills.
"Elder Xuan is a Sea God Pavilion Elder. His strength is unfathomable, and he's one of the academy's pillars."
"And Longyan's barbecue is so delicious that even the Sea God Pavilion Elders can't get enough of it. It was even all the rage across Sea God Island for a while."
Before Bei Bei could finish, the air was already thick with the rich aroma of roasted meat.
The fragrance was deep and enticing, as if by magic, instantly stirring everyone's appetite.
The eyes of Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the others shone as they fixed their gazes on the skewers. Saliva flooded their mouths, and they could barely stop themselves from drooling.
Just then, several incredibly powerful auras shot across the sky and landed beside Xuan Zi.
The auras were terrifying, far beyond those of Titled Douluo. They belonged to Super Douluo!
"Longyan, we've been craving your barbecue for half a year. We can finally have some today!"
"Elder Xuan, that's not fair. You asked Longyan to make you a private batch and didn't even invite us!"
"Exactly! That's no way to treat us!"
Several figures appeared in the clearing in an instant.
They were the other Sea God Pavilion Elders, including Yan Shaozhe, whom Huo Yuhao and the others knew.
Usually, they were all imposing, lofty figures. Now, though, they were like greedy children, crowding around the grill and chattering away, not caring in the slightest about their dignity.
Bei Bei was used to it, but the other seven were completely dumbfounded by the unusual sight.
They never would have imagined that Cao Longyan was so popular, or that the Sea God Pavilion Elders would fawn over him without the least regard for appearances.
He really was everyone's favorite wherever he went!
Cao Longyan's first batch of skewers was ready soon.
He didn't play favorites. He gave everyone there an identical skewer.
"Mmm! Fragrant! So fragrant!"
"Longyan's barbecue is still the best. When I go too long without it, I feel uncomfortable all over!"
The Elders ate and praised the food without stopping.
Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and the others also bit into their skewers.
"This is so good! It's even better than Yuhao's grilled fish!"
"Incredible! Longyan, you're amazing!"
For a while, the clearing was filled only with everyone's satisfied exclamations and the sizzle of the roasting meat.
One batch of skewers was gone, and then another was ready.
Everyone ate to their hearts' content.
But two girls in the crowd stood out from the rest.
Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao.
They held skewers in their hands but didn't take a bite.
They waited until their skewers were almost cold. Only when the next batch was ready did they eat the ones that had cooled.
Their eyes remained fixed on the busy blue-haired boy.
He'd been working for so long and hadn't eaten a single bite.
They'd saved these especially for him...
They didn't know when he would finish grilling...
Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Xu Sanshi, and Hu Meier naturally noticed, too.
They exchanged smiles, seeing through everything but saying nothing. They continued eating their skewers, though their gazes kept drifting between Cao Longyan, Jiang Nannan, and Xiao Xiao.
At last, the final batch of skewers was ready.
Everyone had eaten their fill and burped contentedly.
Xuan Zi and the other Sea God Pavilion Elders waved to Cao Longyan and said goodbye.
"Longyan, we're off. We'll come find you for barbecue again next time!"
"Here's a little something for you. Don't complain that it's not much!"
As they spoke, they each stuffed a few things into Cao Longyan's Storage Soul Tool. Then they flashed away and vanished from the spot.
Cao Longyan could finally rest.
He had just started to sit down when two figures of very different styles came to his sides, one on the left and one on the right.
Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao both held out the skewers that were still warm in their hands.
"Little Brother Longyan, have some. I noticed you haven't eaten."
Jiang Nannan spoke softly.
"Longyan, eat up. We saved these especially for you. They'll get cold if you wait any longer."
Xiao Xiao's voice carried a hint of shyness.
Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Hu Meier, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong immediately stopped what they were doing. They ate their skewers as they watched the three with avid interest.
They couldn't even hold back their knowing smiles.
Cao Longyan didn't think much of it. He bent down and took a bite from each skewer, one on either side.
The savory meat blossomed in his mouth, and warmth flowed through his heart.
He lifted his head and smiled at them both.
"Thanks, Xiao Xiao. Thanks, Sister Nannan. I'm good now. I'll warm the rest up for you, and then you can eat."
Just then, a gentle female voice drifted down from the sky.
"Little Brother Longyan."
Everyone looked up.
"Sister Lexuan."
A breathtaking figure slowly descended from the sky and landed in front of Cao Longyan.
It was Zhang Lexuan.
She'd returned early from a mission, and the moment she neared Shrek Academy, she smelled the familiar aroma of barbecue.
Her heart was filled with joy. She could finally see Little Brother Longyan.
But when she saw the scene before her, the smile on her face froze.
On either side of her Longyan stood a beautiful girl, each every bit as lovely as she was.
A surge of jealousy rose in her heart, impossible to put into words. But she hid it well, and her smile returned at once, still radiating warmth,
Jiang Nannan looked at Zhang Lexuan, surprise flashing in her eyes.
She recognized the woman before her.
And when Cao Longyan called her Sister Lexuan, Jiang Nannan hurried forward, thrilled.
"Sister Lexuan, is it really you? I'm Jiang Nannan. It's been so long!"
Zhang Lexuan was surprised, too. She hadn't expected to reunite with Jiang Nannan under these circumstances.
The two immediately began talking, catching each other up on everything that had happened over the years.
Meanwhile, Bei Bei explained Zhang Lexuan's identity to the confused Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Xu Sanshi, Hu Meier, and the others, as well as her relationship with Cao Longyan.
Now, only Xiao Xiao remained beside Cao Longyan.
He watched her eat, her mouth smeared with oil, and couldn't help smiling.
He took a tissue from his Soul Tool and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Xiao's cheeks turned bright red, like ripe apples.
She lowered her head and murmured,
"Th-thank you, Longyan."
Zhang Lexuan saw the whole thing from nearby.
Her heart stirred slightly.
Could Little Brother Longyan like petite, adorable girls like her?
She asked Jiang Nannan casually,
"Nannan, what's the relationship between Little Brother Longyan and that green-haired girl?"
Jiang Nannan answered honestly.
"They're classmates. Little Brother Longyan said they're just ordinary classmates."
Zhang Lexuan nodded. Looking at Jiang Nannan's utterly sincere eyes, she chose to believe her.
But in her heart, she didn't think so.
Would ordinary classmates save skewers for each other and wipe each other's mouths?
They were only classmates for now. What the future held... was anyone's guess.
Before leaving, Zhang Lexuan looked at Jiang Nannan and said earnestly,
"Nannan, I'm glad you and your mother are doing well... Sister Lexuan has a favor to ask you, all right?"
"Of course, Sister Lexuan. Just tell me. I'll do everything I can."
"I'm asking you to keep an eye on Little Brother Longyan. Could you make sure he doesn't go around flirting with girls?"
Jiang Nannan nodded without hesitation.
"Don't worry, Sister Lexuan. I'll definitely keep an eye on Little Brother Longyan!"
However, Jiang Nannan didn't notice the jealousy hidden in Zhang Lexuan's eyes...
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