The large herring sizzled on the grill. With his Spirit Eye Martial Soul activated, Huo Yuhao skillfully sprinkled on seasonings and turned the fish, his expression utterly focused. Before long, he had grilled it to a golden yellow.
"Brother Su Ling, here."
Su Ling accepted it. A faint sheen of oil slowly ran across the grilled fish's surface, while a rich fragrance burst forth from its belly.
With a light bite, he found the skin crisp and charred without the slightest hint of burning, followed by tender, juicy fish flesh thoroughly infused with flavor.
"Mm, not bad! Yuhao, your cooking is amazing!"
Su Ling could not help quickening his pace as he ate, giving Huo Yuhao a thumbs-up with his other hand.
The taste was countless times better than any grilled fish he remembered, and the texture was superb, with a bite much like chicken tenders.
Receiving Su Ling's approval, Huo Yuhao gave a simple, bashful smile and lowered his head to continue grilling diligently.
Tang Ya looked at the golden, crispy grilled fish by Su Ling's mouth, then at the pale yellow one in her own hand, and immediately felt a slight sense of disparity.
"Hey, Little Yuhao, you're playing favorites!"
"Teacher Xiao Ya, please don't be angry. I just performed exceptionally well that time. I'll grill you an identical one in a moment."
Huo Yuhao pulled a bitter face and gave an embarrassed smile.
Just then, several female students in purple uniforms walked over. The people around them quickly made way upon seeing them, afraid of offending them.
The commotion was considerable, especially among the male students whose eyes gleamed. Their gazes were fixed on the female student at the front as they excitedly called her a goddess.
Su Ling looked over at the sound.
The girl leading them appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen. She was tall and well-proportioned, with long golden hair cascading behind her in large waves. Her skin was fairer than snow, and her eyes resembled pools of clear water. She possessed an air of refined elegance.
So this was the Outer Court's number one beauty—Jiang Nannan.
"Junior, how much are your grilled fish?"
"Five copper soul coins each."
At that, Jiang Nannan slightly furrowed her brows, instinctively beginning to bargain. "That's a little expensive. Considering your costs and the processing, three copper soul coins should be the most, right? You'd still make a profit."
Huo Yuhao looked up in surprise. He had not expected such a beautiful girl to haggle with him. She did not look like someone short on money either.
"Sorry, I don't bargain over my grilled fish, and they're all sold out for today," Huo Yuhao said flatly.
There were only three grilled fish left. Two were for Teacher Xiao Ya, and the one in his hand was for Brother Su Ling. That was his bottom line.
Hearing that, Jiang Nannan suddenly felt a trace of embarrassment in her heart. She hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, Junior. I just habitually calculate these things. I'll try them next time if I get the chance."
"Yuhao, give the grilled fish in your hand to this senior," Su Ling suddenly said.
Jiang Nannan, who had just turned to leave, paused in surprise. Only then did she notice the exceptionally handsome boy beside Huo Yuhao.
She glanced at Su Ling's freshman uniform and smiled faintly. "Thank you, Junior, but I can't accept something for nothing. I'll just come earlier and line up next time."
With that, Jiang Nannan turned and walked away.
But at that moment, a figure lunged toward Huo Yuhao with lightning speed, reaching for the grilled fish on the rack.
Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat. With his Spirit Eye activated, he could clearly sense the intense pressure radiating from the other party.
That feeling was even stronger than Bei Bei, his senior brother, had been when fighting the thousand-year Mandala Snake.
"Yuhao, watch out."
Su Ling raised his brows and instantly moved in front of Huo Yuhao, shielding him behind his back while gathering Soul Power in his right hand.
"Oh?" The figure glanced at the freshman badge on Su Ling's chest and raised his palm disdainfully, striking forward while holding back his strength.
Seeing this, Su Ling raised his right hand to meet it.
"Xu Sanshi, what are you doing!?"
Jiang Nannan's face filled with shock and anger, but Xu Sanshi ignored her and charged forward like lightning, his palm shooting straight for Su Ling.
Their palms collided.
With a muffled puff, Xu Sanshi staggered back several steps, his palm numb from the impact. Once he steadied himself, he looked up at Su Ling, who had not moved an inch, and could not help feeling inwardly shocked.
Damn, he was tough. Was he really a freshman?
"Kid, get lost. I only want the grilled fish!" His face darkened as he prepared to lash out.
At that moment, Jiang Nannan hurried in front of Su Ling and positioned herself between them. Her delicate features twisted slightly with disgust as she said, "Xu Sanshi, how can you bully a freshman from the academy!?"
Seeing Jiang Nannan's angry expression, Xu Sanshi's imposing manner immediately wilted. His voice weakened, carrying a hint of grievance. "I... I wasn't... Nannan, I just wanted to buy grilled fish for you..."
"Enough. How many times have I told you? There is no possibility between us. Stop harassing me, or don't blame me for being rude!"
After saying that, Jiang Nannan turned to Su Ling. The anger on her face abruptly softened into gentleness, and she asked worriedly, "Junior, are you all right?"
Xu Sanshi nearly coughed up blood at the sight. He hurriedly said, "Nannan, does he look like he's hurt?"
"Shut up!"
Jiang Nannan looked back at him, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
Xu Sanshi immediately fell silent, shrinking up like a little quail. That was a look Jiang Nannan had never shown him before.
At this moment, Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao also stepped forward and stood beside Su Ling. Tang Ya directly took his hand, inspecting it with concern in her eyes.
And this scene was witnessed by Bei Bei, who had just arrived.
His steps halted, and his expression froze, as though something in his heart had shattered. He also felt a touch of coldness.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. That senior held back," Su Ling said helplessly with a smile as he withdrew his right hand.
Only then did Tang Ya breathe a sigh of relief. Su Ling was the future of her Tang Sect; he could not be allowed to get so much as a bump or bruise.
That detestable Xu Sanshi had actually dared attack Su Ling right before her eyes. According to the sect rules, he had simply chosen death!
With that thought, she stepped forward, pulled a golden needle from her hand, and glared at Xu Sanshi.
"Xu Sanshi, you dare bully one of mine? Take this Dragon Whisker Needle!" As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Ya raised her hand, and a flash of golden light shot straight at Xu Sanshi.
"Fuck, your sister!"
Xu Sanshi's expression changed in alarm. In his haste, he immediately summoned his Martial Soul, the Mysterious Underworld Shield. However, Tang Ya's hand was too fast, and the golden needle was specifically designed to counter protective barriers.
The golden needle plunged straight into his body.
Xu Sanshi shuddered all over, his gaze suddenly freezing. Fury blazed in his tiger-like eyes as three Soul Rings instantly rose from beneath his feet—two yellow and one purple.
"Tang Ya, don't think that just because Bei Bei protects you, I wouldn't dare do anything to you!" As he spoke, he controlled the black turtle-shell shield and prepared to smash it at Tang Ya.
Tang Ya was unafraid. She directly summoned her Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, as three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—suddenly lit up.
"Xu Sanshi, stop!"
Bei Bei rushed forward. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul instantly possessed him, and the Thunder Dragon Claw directly blocked Xu Sanshi.
"Bei Bei? Are you an idiot? Didn't you fucking see that your Tang Ya was the one who attacked first!?"
Tang Ya slightly furrowed her delicate brows. For some reason, hearing Xu Sanshi call her "your Tang Ya" made her uncomfortable.
She naturally knew that Bei Bei liked her, but with her great revenge still unavenged and the Tang Sect not yet settled, she had never considered romance.
Nor had she ever agreed to Bei Bei's pursuit. Since when had she become the "your Tang Ya" in Xu Sanshi's words?