In Tang Wulin's eyes, Lu Chen was the only guy in all of Red Mountain Academy who could go head-to-head with him at mealtime without falling behind.
So the two hit it off instantly. As soon as they left the train station, they made a beeline for the food street between Eastsea Academy and the Blacksmith's Association, hunting specifically for cheap eateries with generous portions.
After all, they were both still growing, and neither had much money in his pocket. Value for money was king.
They were enthusiastically browsing when Lu Chen suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes glued to the barbecue restaurant across the street, practically unable to move.
The aroma of fatty, lean-streaked meat mingled with cumin seemed to have sprouted legs, burrowing straight into their nostrils.
He grabbed Tang Wulin's arm, his finger practically poking the sign across the street. "Hey, hey, hey! Wulin, look! Barbecue! Pure protein-tasty, filling, and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings! We're eating this today!"
At that, he suddenly paused, his gaze passing through the restaurant's glass door and landing on a familiar figure inside.
Of course, he was only familiar to Lu Chen. Wasn't that Xie Xie?
But they probably didn't know each other yet.
What was this young master doing eating in a dingy little hole-in-the-wall like this?
Had the sun risen in the west?
Without another word, Lu Chen dragged Tang Wulin inside and sat down right beside Xie Xie's table, raising his voice to call to the owner, "Boss! Two extra-large orders of barbecue!"
"Oh, children," a waitress hurried over to advise them, "our extra-large barbecue portions are really generous. You two youngsters probably couldn't even finish one. Don't waste food."
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Lu Chen grinned, thumping his chest in assurance. "We'll definitely finish it! If we really can't, we'll take the leftovers to go. We won't waste a thing!"
"All right, then." The waitress agreed, but as she turned, she caught sight of the recommendation letter clutched in Tang Wulin's hand. Her expression immediately shifted, and she offered no further advice.
Xie Xie had been a little curious ever since hearing "extra-large." Now he finally couldn't resist turning around to look them up and down, asking in puzzlement, "Soul Masters?"
"You bet!" Lu Chen raised his eyebrows, beaming.
"From Eastsea Academy?" Xie Xie looked them over again and thought for a moment before asking.
"Correct!" Lu Chen answered readily, waiting for the barbecue to arrive.
"Mind sharing a table?" Xie Xie raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.
"Why would we? We'd love to!" Lu Chen grinned and waved an inviting hand. "Oh, right, I'm Lu Chen, and he's Tang Wulin."
"Xie Xie," Xie Xie replied, casually setting his number tag on their table.
Then he promptly moved into the empty seat beside Lu Chen, rested his elbows on the edge of the table, and studied the two fellows who had come straight for the extra-large barbecue with interest.
Before long, all three of their meals were brought to the table at once. Fat sizzled on the barbecue, its fragrance wafting straight into their noses.
The two foodies, Tang Wulin and Lu Chen, had no time to talk. Each grabbed a pair of chopsticks and plunged into the plate before him.
Their chopsticks flew like wind and fire, their mouths stuffed full and their cheeks working away like a pair of little hamsters.
At first, Xie Xie picked up his food at a leisurely pace, chewing in small bites, but before long, he put down his chopsticks.
He stared at the little mountains of bones piled before the two fellows opposite him, then watched them continuing to shovel food into their mouths. His eyes nearly widened into circles, his face full of disbelief.
Was this appetite... really normal? Were his two future classmates' stomachs bottomless pits?
Not long afterward, a gleaming black sedan swept to a stop at the entrance to the food street, stirring up a small gust.
Xie Xie waved to them both and said goodbye with a smile. "See you next time, you two big eaters!"
With that, he climbed into the car, which soon vanished in a flash.
Lu Chen and Tang Wulin rubbed their round bellies and paid the bill. One glance at the sky told them-great, the Blacksmith's Association was about to close!
They exchanged a look and took off toward the association, jogging the whole way without daring to pause for breath. They finally slipped inside just one second before the elderly doorman locked the doors.
"Hello, hello!" Panting heavily, Lu Chen pulled Mang Tian's recommendation letter from his pocket and handed it to the young woman at the front desk with a broad smile. "Master Mang Tian recommended us!"
"Please wait a moment, you two."
The receptionist smiled gently and took the recommendation letter. After all, plenty of people came here every day trying to make connections and asking for introductions. She had to check the information carefully to avoid any mistakes.
Before long, she finished checking and returned the recommendation letter to Lu Chen, pointing toward the stairs nearby. "Go straight up to the second floor, to room 301. Master Cen is there right now."
The two clattered upstairs and pushed the door open to find an ordinary-looking middle-aged man fiddling with the forging tools on his desk.
Master Cen looked up, spotted them, and raised his eyebrows, teasing, "Oh, so you two are the little geniuses that old rascal Mang Tian mentioned? What's this, rushing here just before closing? Don't tell me you want to take the second-rank blacksmith exam overnight?"
Lu Chen scratched his head, his face growing a little hot and his voice dropping considerably. "Um... Master, we're here for a place to stay."
Master Cen froze for a moment, then burst out laughing and slapped his thigh. "All right, all right! That's easy enough! Come on, you're coming home with me!"
Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Master Cen drove his soul-powered car straight to Eastsea Academy with Lu Chen and Tang Wulin aboard.
The wheels rolled over the cool morning streets, while a trace of meat fragrance lingering from the food street still rode the breeze. Lu Chen and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance. They seemed to be hungry again...
At the academy gates, Master Cen stopped the car, patted their shoulders, and added another reminder. "Study hard once you're in the academy. Keep your wits about you, and stay safe."
With that, he turned the car around and puttered off toward the Blacksmith's Association.
He still had to get back to work.
Lu Chen and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance, then walked together toward the tents by the gates bearing signs that read "New student reception."
Lu Chen stepped up to a table and handed his documents and recommendation letter to a sweetly smiling senior student behind it, grinning. "Hello, big sister! I'm Lu Chen. I'm here to check in!"
"Hello there." The senior student smiled and accepted his papers, glanced down at them, then looked up and winked at Lu Chen. "My name is Liu Yuxin. I'm a first-year student in the advanced academy, and I'm in charge of welcoming you new students. Here, fill out this form first. Once you're done, you can collect your dorm key."
"A good Martial Soul, though your Soul Power is a little low. Make sure you cultivate hard," Liu Yuxin said with a smile.