Xu Sanshi

Yu Chen shook his head, pushing down the pile of far-reaching plans in his mind.

No matter how much he thought about it, it was all just wishful thinking. Taking care of what was right in front of him was what mattered.

It was time to head back.

Judging by the original timeline, it was about time for Jiang Nannan to make her appearance, followed by that satisfying humiliation of Xu Sanshi.

Xu Sanshi, was it? Perfect. He could use him to test his true strength now. Being his stepping stone was practically a blessing.

A moment later, Yu Chen slowly walked back to the grilled fish stall.

The area around the stall was already packed with Shrek Outer Court students. The crowd pressed in layer after layer, all eyes focused on the slender, captivating figure at its center.

The girl looked no older than fourteen or fifteen. Tall and graceful, she had long, wavy golden hair draped casually over her shoulders. Her skin was as fair as jade, her features clear and delicate, and her temperament refined and gentle. She was Jiang Nannan, the publicly acknowledged number-one beauty of Shrek Outer Court.

Quite a few male students nearby secretly stole glances at her, whispering praise to one another. Her arrival made the atmosphere before the stall much livelier.

"Junior, how much are your grilled fish?"

Jiang Nannan asked softly.

Huo Yuhao was busy turning the fish and did not even raise his head as he replied flatly, "Five copper soul coins each."

Jiang Nannan clicked her tongue twice and teased, "That's way too expensive. You'd still make a profit selling them for three copper soul coins."

Huo Yuhao abruptly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise. He had never expected such a beautiful girl to bargain with him.

"Sorry, my grilled fish aren't negotiable. They're five copper soul coins each, no exceptions. Besides, all of today's fish are sold out. The last two were reserved long ago."

Huo Yuhao silently added that those two were for Tang Ya. No matter what, he could not give them away. The Tang Sect was short on money right now, and this income was extremely important to him.

Jiang Nannan smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I just habitually did the math. Since you're out, I'll come buy some next time."

Just then, an overbearing, arrogant voice suddenly exploded from outside the crowd.

"Kid, you dare refuse to sell?"

Before the words had even faded, a glittering Gold Soul Coin tore through the air. Carried by a fierce gust, it slammed into the grill and rolled into the glowing charcoal, instantly sending up a wisp of smoke.

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a burly youth strolling over. He looked proud and disdainful, as though no one else was worth his notice. It was Xu Sanshi, the infamous playboy of Shrek Outer Court and Jiang Nannan's well-known, ever-present pursuer.

The instant the Gold Soul Coin struck, Huo Yuhao's heart tightened, and he reacted at once.

His wrist flicked with incredible speed. Just before the coin could smash into the charcoal and overturn the grill, he swiftly snatched up the final two grilled fish, holding them securely against his chest.

Having avoided the disaster of flying coals and ruined fish, he looked up at the swaggering Xu Sanshi approaching him, a trace of coldness appearing in his eyes.

Jiang Nannan's face immediately darkened. Fury filled her voice as she sharply rebuked him, "Xu Sanshi, what exactly are you doing?"

"Didn't I tell you not to keep showing up in front of me?"

Xu Sanshi instantly panicked and waved his hands helplessly. "Nannan, it's not what you think. Listen to my explanation."

"I just wanted to buy you a grilled fish, that's all." Xu Sanshi hurriedly explained, his tone carrying a hint of ingratiation.

"There's no need. My hands and feet work perfectly fine. If I want to eat, I can buy it myself." Jiang Nannan's voice was cold, showing him not the slightest courtesy.

After saying that, Jiang Nannan could not be bothered to spare Xu Sanshi another glance. She turned and pushed through the crowd, leaving directly.

"This..."

Watching Jiang Nannan's retreating figure, Xu Sanshi felt utterly stifled. With nowhere to vent the fire in his heart, he immediately turned all his hostility toward Huo Yuhao.

Xu Sanshi's face turned livid as he pointed at Huo Yuhao and roared, "Kid, you refused to sell it to me on purpose, didn't you? I already threw out my Gold Soul Coin. That fish should be mine!"

Huo Yuhao bent down and picked up the Gold Soul Coin from beside the charcoal. Looking up at Xu Sanshi, he replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Senior, I already said the grilled fish were reserved. Not for sale means not for sale."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and tossed the Gold Soul Coin straight back at Xu Sanshi.

"Good kid, you've got some nerve!"

Xu Sanshi caught the returning Gold Soul Coin, then immediately swung his fist at Huo Yuhao's face.

At that critical moment, a figure suddenly stepped in front of Huo Yuhao and steadily caught the heavy punch. It was Yu Chen, who had just returned.

Huo Yuhao was both startled and delighted. "Brother Chen, you're back!"

Yu Chen gave him a faint glance, his tone turning colder. "You're the one who dared lay a hand on my little brother?"

Xu Sanshi frowned, looking Yu Chen up and down before sneering. "And who are you? Looking at that uniform, don't tell me you're a freshman who enrolled this year?"

Two figures hurried over. They were Tang Ya and Bei Bei, returning from outside.

Tang Ya's gaze sharpened as she circulated her Soul Power. The Dragon Beard Needle in her hand shot out instantly. "You've got some nerve, laying hands on someone from my Tang Sect. Have a taste of my Dragon Beard Needle!"

Xu Sanshi hurriedly circulated his Soul Power and formed a barrier before himself, but it could not block the sharp Dragon Beard Needle at all. The thin needle pierced directly into the flesh at his waist, and piercing pain instantly spread through his body.

Xu Sanshi sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body jolting from the pain as cold sweat immediately formed on his forehead.

He glared at Tang Ya and gritted out a threat. "Tang Ya, don't think I can't do anything to you just because Bei Bei is protecting you!"

Tang Ya stood with her arms crossed, her eyes icy. "This is what happens when you dare bully someone from my Tang Sect."

Xu Sanshi grimaced in pain, forcing himself to argue, "You should've told me he was from the Tang Sect! I had no idea before this!"

Bei Bei slowly stepped forward. His expression was calm, yet carried an oppressive force. "Xu Sanshi, you bullied my Tang Sect junior brother?"

Bei Bei's expression darkened as he said in a deep voice, "In that case, come with me to the Soul Fighting Arena."

Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out. "Wait."

The one who stopped them was Yu Chen.

Tang Ya quietly leaned close and whispered a few words into Bei Bei's ear. Bei Bei immediately understood, then looked Yu Chen up and down before recognizing him as the freshman rumored to have reached rank forty-five at eleven years old.

Xu Sanshi's waist and abdomen twitched in pain as he drew breath. He looked at Yu Chen impatiently. "Junior, what do you want? I was planning not to fight you today and was going to let you off, yet you jumped out to stop me instead?"

Yu Chen looked at him calmly. "You seem pretty arrogant. How about the two of us have a spar?"

Xu Sanshi frowned tightly from the pain, then burst into laughter upon hearing that, his eyes brimming with disdain.

"Are you joking with me? Are freshmen these days all this bold? Don't you know your own limits before daring to challenge me?"

The surrounding students also erupted into an uproar, whispering among themselves.

Who did not know Xu Sanshi's reputation? He was one of the twin stars of Shrek Outer Court, known as Eternal Defense. His defensive abilities were nearly unbeatable among those of the same rank.

Even Thunderclap Dragon Claw, unleashed at full strength by a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon inheritor like Bei Bei, could scarcely break through his defense.

Xu Sanshi straightened his body. Though the Dragon Beard Needle at his waist hurt unbearably, he still assumed a lofty, condescending posture, his arrogance plain to see.

"It's not that I'm bullying you for being young, but as a freshman, you simply aren't qualified to fight me. Don't get injured by my backlash later and cry to the teachers."