Chapter 434: The Most Familiar Stranger, Part 6
Although Huo Yu´er had secured her spot at Shrek Academy with the Tang Sect's entry slot and Beibei's endorsement, the academy's admissions process was still rigorous. Shrek Academy, as the premier institution on the Douluo Continent, required every candidate to undergo a skills assessment before being formally admitted. This was partly to counter the privilege rule requiring a recommendation letter from a city lord, ensuring that Shrek's academic standards wouldn't be compromised by connections alone.
When Huo Yu´er displayed her first soul ring an unimpressive white ring, equivalent to a mere ten year soul ring she was mocked by her peers. Every other candidate had at least a hundred year soul ring; how could she possibly expect to make it into Shrek with such a paltry level?
Huo Yu´er took their ridicule with calm indifference. Her difficult upbringing had long since accustomed her to scorn, and although her time with Ye Wen had been brief, his teachings had left a lasting impact.
"Don't mind what others say, pay attention to what they do.
Patience and restraint are virtues of the wise.
A true master hides his strength until the right time.
And remember, never reveal your true strength when you're not yet powerful."
With these guiding principles, Huo Yu´er approached her entrance examination with silent resilience. Thanks to her Million Year Soul Ring, she had four soul skills at her disposal right from the start. Combined with the Six Styles combat techniques Ye Wen had taught her, she managed to pass the admissions test and secure her place in the academy's top freshman class.
But Shrek's challenges had only just begun. During the first three months, new students had to undergo intense training. Failure to pass the end of term exams would result in expulsion. And, unfortunately for Huo Yu´er, her instructor was the notoriously strict Zhou Yi. Although Huo Yu´er could always rely on Ye Wen's support as a Titled Douluo, she approached her training with unwavering dedication.
Those familiar with Douluo lore know Zhou Yi's preference for targeting students with low talent, whom she saw as a liability to her track record. With Huo Yu´er's seemingly unimpressive talent, she quickly became one of Zhou Yi's targets. But Huo Yu´er endured, proving that despite her modest soul power, she was still one of the strongest in the class.
Unlike in the original timeline, this time, Huo Yu´er didn't have to fight for a Xuanshui Pill to enhance her soul power and aptitude. To show his gratitude for Ye Wen's guidance, Beibei had already procured one for her. Huo Yu´er accepted it politely but held off on taking it. She'd learned from Ye Wen's teachings that although she didn't fully grasp the Xuanshui Pill's significance, her master was a Titled Douluo and could surely provide even better resources for her in the future. Besides, Ye Wen had cautioned her: "Never accept anything edible from others without caution."
Soon after, Huo Yu´er encountered another problem: she was running out of money. Though Tang Ya and Beibei offered to lend her some, Huo Yu´er, determined and self reliant, declined their charity. She wasn't about to accumulate debts her pride, and her respect for her master, wouldn't allow it. So, she decided to fall back on her old skill, using her remaining funds to start a grilled fish stand.
As a young girl, Huo Yu´er's presence quickly attracted goodwill, and her small business thrived. Tang Ya, one of her few acquaintances in Shrek City, showed up as her first customer, and soon after, the ever persistent Xu Sanshi appeared.
But upon seeing a young girl at the stand, Xu Sanshi's courage faltered, and he didn't dare to cause a scene. Eventually, his "goddess" Jiang Nannan and Beibei drove him off. Huo Yu´er's business instincts proved sharp she sold each fish at half a silver soul coin and wasn't afraid to charge a premium.
Jiang Nannan's beauty was undeniable, which was why Xu Sanshi had initially been chosen as her Awakening partner. Now, years later, Jiang Nannan had blossomed into a sophisticated woman, her waves of dark hair adding to her elegant charm. Her hardships had forged her into a self sufficient and dignified figure. Though barely scraping by, she even tried to haggle over the cost of Huo Yu´er's five copper soul coin fish.
"Would you like to chat sometime, sister?" Huo Yu´er asked.
If it had been a boy inviting her, Jiang Nannan would have declined. But Huo Yu´er's clear eyes won her over, and Jiang Nannan agreed. Through their conversation, the two found common ground and mutual respect. Their shared pasts and determination for self reliance forged an immediate bond. Soon, they began collaborating: Jiang Nannan provided the funds, and Huo Yu´er, the cooking skills. Within days, they upgraded from a street stand to a small grill shop with steady profits.
But Huo Yu´er's ambitions didn't stop there she dreamed of expanding the business to make her master proud. In under two months, the shop grew fivefold in size, with three hired chefs trained in her special seasoning technique, and business was booming.
"Nan nan…" From afar, Xu Sanshi watched Jiang Nannan working the bustling stall. Though longing to approach, he held back, knowing she truly despised him and would likely kick him out. Eventually, Xu Sanshi found solace in silently observing her from the shadows, convincing himself he was her silent guardian knight. But one day, something happened that broke his heart.
On the last day of Huo Yu´er's second month in Shrek City, as the night wore on, Jiang Nannan noticed Huo Yu´er glancing at the street, her gaze wavering between hope and disappointment.
"Is something bothering you, Yu´er?" Jiang Nannan asked. Over their month together, Jiang Nannan had come to see Huo Yu´er as a younger sister.
"It's nothing," Huo Yu´er replied with a sigh. "My master promised to visit me at Shrek after two months, but it's already the last day, and he hasn't come yet."
Though unfamiliar with Ye Wen, Jiang Nannan gently consoled her, "Maybe he got delayed. Or maybe he mixed up the dates. If he promised to come, he will don't worry too much."
Nodding in reluctant acceptance, Huo Yu´er joined the others in tidying up for the night. Then, she felt a familiar, warm hand gently patting her head.
"Haha, you really missed me, didn't you, Yu´er? I'm pleased."
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