At that moment, Xu Zhengyang immediately understood. Judging by the Soul Power levels and clothing of Xu Sanshi and the other three, they were probably new students who had enrolled this year. In other words, he should be a year younger than them.
And judging by their ages in the original story, the age gap between Xu Sanshi and Huo Yuhao should be between two and a half and three years, which meant he should be two years older than Huo Yuhao.
This was the first time since arriving in the Douluo World that Xu Zhengyang had seen characters from the original story, especially members of the most famous Shrek Seven Monsters.
Bei Bei was the oldest of the Shrek Seven Monsters. As expected of one of the outer court's geniuses, he had already reached the Soul Elder realm this early, while Xu Sanshi was much the same and had also reached the Soul Elder realm.
Xu Zhengyang knew very well that not only did these people all possess top-grade Beast Martial Souls and exceptional talent, but their performances in the Soul Master Tournament were also extraordinarily dazzling.
Bei Bei's Martial Soul was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Xu Sanshi's was the Black Tortoise, and Jiang Nannan's was the Soft Bone Rabbit. Whether in executing Soul Skills or using their Martial Souls, all three could be called geniuses, and their backgrounds were also very impressive.
Xu Zhengyang also knew that these people would become enemies of the Sun Moon Empire in the future. He had been born into a collateral branch of the Xu Clan, so the two sides' positions had long since been decided.
Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei faced off, neither willing to yield. Even everyone present had fallen silent as cicadas in winter, clearly aware of the pair's strength and status. These two were genuine star students with unfathomable backgrounds, and no one wanted to provoke them lightly.
Just then, the restaurant manager trembled as he stepped between them, his face filled with extraordinary fear.
"Honored Soul Masters, this is the busiest time for meals. Could you discuss sharing a table? That way, there would be no need to come to blows."
Although Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were faintly at odds, neither showed any killing intent. Instead, they seemed to be displaying a fierce unwillingness to lose. Hearing the restaurant manager's words, their expressions stiffened.
But Tang Ya looked as though she did not mind making the trouble even bigger. "Share what table? First come, first served. Don't you understand that? A table this size isn't even enough for Bei Bei and me!"
By comparison, Jiang Nannan was more tactful and lacked that arrogance.
"Xu Sanshi, forget it. We can only blame ourselves for arriving right at mealtime. There are too many people now. At worst, we can eat at another restaurant."
Xu Sanshi grew anxious instead when he heard this. "Nannan, this restaurant is your favorite! We rarely get to eat together. How could we go somewhere else?"
However, when Xu Sanshi looked around, it was indeed as Jiang Nannan had said. Every table in the restaurant was full. The only empty seats were actually at Xu Zhengyang's table next to theirs. Every other table had at least five or six people.
Clearly unwilling to let the matter escalate, the restaurant manager walked straight over to Xu Zhengyang. "Dear guest, this is the busiest time for meals. Could you let them share your table?"
Xu Zhengyang remained exceptionally calm. "My food alone already takes up half the table. There are four of them. Will they fit?"
Although Xu Zhengyang's words were calm, they were exceptionally blunt, his manner shutting others out. He clearly did not care much about what the manager had said.
The restaurant manager hurriedly spoke. "Dear guest, these are all geniuses from Shrek Academy. We're a small business and don't want to offend such important people. Please be accommodating."
Xu Zhengyang glanced at the others. "You're afraid of people from Shrek Academy, but you're not afraid of me? Aren't you afraid I'll smash your signboard?"
The restaurant manager was left speechless. Although Xu Zhengyang was only eleven, he was already 1.75 meters tall. His clothes were ordinary, but his muscles were faintly visible, and his skin was bronze. His face showed not a trace of childishness; instead, he looked weather-beaten. With the restaurant manager's eye for people, he could tell at a glance that Xu Zhengyang was no ordinary person.
"Well... rest assured, dear guest. No one will disturb your meal."
Xu Zhengyang drained the strong liquor in his cup in one gulp. "Whatever. As long as it doesn't interfere with my meal."
Soon, the restaurant manager returned to Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei. Whatever they discussed, Tang Ya and Bei Bei reluctantly came over to Xu Zhengyang's table, while Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan also sat down.
At first, Xu Zhengyang had been a little surprised by the appearance of Xu Sanshi, Bei Bei, and the others, even extraordinarily delighted. He finally knew where he stood in this world's timeline. After that, however, he no longer paid them much attention.
Xu Zhengyang believed that he was a full two years older than Huo Yuhao. Given time, he could definitely become stronger and change both his own fate and his clan's.
After Bei Bei and Tang Ya came over to Xu Zhengyang's table, they sat opposite him.
Tang Ya still seemed somewhat indignant, looking rather innocent and straightforward.
By comparison, Bei Bei seemed gracious and refined, even nodding to Xu Zhengyang before sitting down.
"My friend, I'm truly sorry to disturb your meal."
Xu Zhengyang also nodded slightly in response. "It's nothing serious. We're just sharing a table. As long as we don't interfere with each other's meals."
Once the two sat down, Xu Zhengyang paid them no further attention. He continued eating alone, downing the liquor in his cup mouthful by mouthful.
Ever since he had started smithing, Xu Zhengyang had liked having a little liquor with his meals. Especially when he went to train in the Ice Sea, he drank even more strong liquor in that extreme cold.
Xu Zhengyang could distinctly feel that whenever the strong liquor passed down his throat, its burning sensation suited his body very well. His entire body seemed to particularly enjoy and adapt to that burning sensation. Had he not spent so much time training away from home, he would have been somewhat tempted to brew the Shaodaozi liquor from Blue Star in his previous life.
Seeing Xu Zhengyang's unapproachable manner as he drank strong liquor alone, Bei Bei and Tang Ya, who were sharing his table, showed a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Tang Ya even muttered, "Weirdo!"
Xu Zhengyang raised his eyes and looked at the two people sharing his table, his gaze exceptionally hard.
By comparison, Bei Bei was more tactful and merely patted Tang Ya on the shoulder.
"Sorry, brother. Please forgive her. Xiaoya is rather lively and curious about everything. Please don't hold it against her."
Xu Zhengyang did not dwell on it either. He merely nodded slightly, then continued drinking and eating meat.
Ever since he had begun training his body, Xu Zhengyang had needed to consume large amounts of food every day to replenish his energy. In particular, the weights he wore had already approached three hundred jin, which placed an enormous drain on his body.
After eating and drinking his fill, Xu Zhengyang paid no attention to those present and left the restaurant directly.
His purpose in coming to Shrek City had essentially been achieved. Not only had he learned the most important information about the timeline, but he had also gained a rough understanding of Shrek Academy's situation. There was no need to remain in Shrek City any longer.