Ma Xiaotao

After Electrolux helped him fuse with the Gold of Life, Huo Yuhao finally understood just how precious and miraculous a treasure it truly was.

According to Electrolux's explanation, once fused with this Gold of Life, as long as Huo Yuhao's Sea of Spirit remained intact, he could regrow missing limbs or recover from any accident that might befall him.

How terrifyingly powerful...

However, the back-and-forth had made his schedule quite tight, and Huo Yuhao dared not delay any longer, rushing toward Shrek Academy without a moment's rest.

If he were any later, he would miss the enrollment date for Shrek, though it wouldn't have been a disaster if he did.

He managed to register just before noon, right on the dot. With his Soul Master cultivation and the city lord's recommendation letter, his enrollment went very smoothly.

He didn't rush to report to the campus, choosing instead to wander around Shrek City for a while.

At least ten thousand people were gathered outside the city gates, and a multitude of merchants had already moved in response to the crowd, creating a dazzling and diverse display of goods.

Looking at the bustling street scene, Huo Yuhao rubbed his chin thoughtfully. That a city housing an academy could be even more lively and prosperous than a capital like Xingluo City—he truly didn't know if that was a blessing or a curse.

After Baili Du and Huo Yun'er had established a firm foothold in Xingluo City, the mother and son opened a small restaurant. They started by selling the simplest grilled fish and gradually expanded, joining the Xingluo City Chamber of Commerce within two years and registering the trademark [Huo-Style Grilled Fish].

It became quite famous in Xingluo City; not only nobles but even members of the royal family had come to dine there. The profits were substantial, and little Huo could even boast quite generously, "I am a man of considerable means."

While working at his family's restaurant, he had heard some stories about Shrek Academy—positive evaluations labeling them as guardians of the continent's order, executioners of Evil Soul Masters, and the Shrek Inspectorate.

But he had also heard that Shrek wasn't very popular among the royal family and the nobility. As for the reason... it was better left unsaid.

Seeing that it was still early and feeling a bit restless, Huo Yuhao thought for a moment and decided to enjoy the long-lost pleasure of selling grilled fish, laying the foundation for [Huo-Style Grilled Fish] to enter Shrek City.

After all, no one would complain about having too little money.

After slipping a few gold soul coins to the city's law enforcement team, Huo Yuhao successfully set up his stall not far from the academy gate.

As for raw materials, Huo Yuhao carried at least several hundred frozen fish with him, and he had a complete variety of seasonings.

Let's get to work!

Although he was a newcomer to the street-vending scene, the moment the first batch of fish was grilled, the aroma—which acted like a potent lure—attracted a crowd that quickly packed his stall until it was impenetrable.

Well-versed in the tactics of hunger marketing, Huo Yuhao announced, just as he had in Xingluo City, that the first grilled fish for everyone was free, while the second would cost one gold soul coin.

Although the price was a bit steep, it was a testament to his confidence in the quality of his fish. Once you ate the first one, you wouldn't be able to run away; you would obediently become a regular customer.

Let them have a free taste first, then hook them firmly so they couldn't escape even if they wanted to.

Soon, the 100 prepared grilled fish had 98 given away for free. Of course, Huo Yuhao remembered the face of every person who had eaten for free.

Trying to get a free ride? Don't underestimate the powerful memory of the Spirit Eye.

Of course, if they didn't pay, Huo's blade might not be so merciful.

Just as Huo Yuhao was preparing to grill the last fish, a woman walked over slowly. The crowd naturally parted to give her a path, and they were so intimidated they didn't even dare to look at her, bowing their heads in silence as the scene fell deathly quiet.

Originally, Ma Xiaotao had intended to cultivate in the Inner Court today, but she had been unable to suppress her inner evil fire lately. With no other choice, she had to head to the Outer Court to find a certain "tool" to vent.

However, she was drawn by a fragrance and instinctively walked toward the East City Gate. She was no ethereal fairy who didn't eat human food, and she naturally had a keen interest in delicacies.

A little guy, huh? Let's go take a look.

The sound of high heels clicking against the ground stopped in front of him. Huo Yuhao instinctively looked up, and the first things to enter his vision were a pair of exquisite, long legs wrapped in red high-heeled boots.

His first reaction was: long.

His second reaction was: straight.

His third reaction was: fair.

His fourth reaction was: I want to play with them...

Against the backdrop of the red high-heeled boots, the exposed skin appeared even whiter. In the words of certain lechers, this was the absolute "legs-for-years" series.

A fiery red long trench coat draped over her sides and back like a peacock spreading its tail, while a black silk bodysuit hugged the exaggerated curves above her thighs.

As his gaze moved upward, the woman's full, proud chest left Huo Yuhao dumbfounded.

That was a bosom that could suffocate a man to death...

Leaning back slightly, he finally managed to see the full face above those peaks.

She had a pair of enchanting, narrow pink phoenix eyes that gave off a soul-stirring feeling. Her gaze was cold, yet beneath that chill, a raging fire seemed to be hidden.

Her beautiful face was veiled by red silk, but under the vision of Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eye, the veil was as good as non-existent. Every gesture she made was filled with bewitching charm.

Huo Yuhao couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Nice!

A top-tier mature beauty; she hit his aesthetic preferences perfectly!

"What a beautiful big sister..." he blurted out, his voice not loud but filled with undisguised amazement.

Beautiful big sister...

Ma Xiaotao was stunned, taking a long moment to realize that the brat was talking about her.

This child...

How are you so good with words?!

She shot Huo Yuhao a look that was half-reproachful, half-playful, only then noticing how incredibly cute the little guy was... No wonder there were so many girls in this crowd.

No... it wasn't just cute; there was also a strange feeling about him.

Before Ma Xiaotao could dwell on it, Huo Yuhao offered her a gentle smile. "Hello, big sister. Are you here to buy grilled fish too? I'm sorry, but I've sold out for today. Please come back and line up tomorrow."

Meeting Huo Yuhao's clear, sky-blue eyes, Ma Xiaotao felt her heart skip a beat. Even the evil fire within her seemed to settle down.

This little puppy was practically cheating...

"Ahem..." Ma Xiaotao gave a slightly affected cough, then turned her head to cast a calm, sweeping glance at the people behind her. The crowd that had been queuing up scattered with a roar, vanishing in an instant.

Huo Yuhao was unfazed by this; there were simply people in this world who possessed something called privilege, and that was never going to change.

Ma Xiaotao's voice softened with a gentleness she didn't even realize was there. "Alright, little brother, can I have some grilled fish now?" She raised her right hand, revealing a large, pigeon-blood red gemstone on her spring-onion-like finger, and pulled out a generous handful of gold soul coins.

A beauty's smile was worth a thousand gold; what was a little money compared to that?

"Mm, please wait a moment, big sister. By the way, the first fish for every customer is free."

"Oh?" Ma Xiaotao was intrigued. "Free? Then how do you make money?"

Huo Yuhao didn't look up, focused intently on grilling the fish. "Of course, if the customers come back for more, it's one gold soul coin per fish."

Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but laugh. "That price is a bit steep. Little guy, are you that confident in your skills?"

But soon, she noticed that his control over the furnace fire as he adjusted the fish was nothing short of exquisite.

Is this little brother a fire-attribute soul master as well?

After sprinkling on the seasoning, Huo Yuhao smiled and handed the grilled fish to Ma Xiaotao. "Why don't you have a taste and find out, big sister?"

Ma Xiaotao didn't hesitate; she took the fish and began to eat with elegance.

The moment she took the first bite, her eyes lit up.

It was actually this delicious!!