After Electrolux helped him fuse with the Life Gold, Huo Yuhao realized just how precious and miraculous this substance truly was.
According to Electrolux's explanation, once fused with this Life Gold, as long as Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness remained unshattered, even an accident resulting in a lost limb could lead to it growing back.
Simply terrifying...
However, the time spent back and forth had become quite tight. Huo Yuhao dared not delay any longer and rushed toward Shrek Academy without pause.
Any later and he would have missed the enrollment date—though missing it wouldn't have been the end of the world.
He finally managed to register just before noon, right on time. With his Soul Elder cultivation and the City Lord's recommendation letter, his admission went very smoothly.
...
He wasn't in a hurry to report to the campus; instead, he began wandering around Shrek City.
At least ten thousand people had gathered outside the city gates. A massive number of vendors had already moved in, creating a dazzling array of goods.
Looking at this bustling street scene, Huo Yuhao stroked his chin thoughtfully. A city housing a single academy was actually more prosperous than a capital like Star Net City. He wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse...
After Baili Du helped him and Huo Yun'er settle in Star Net City, the mother and son had opened a small restaurant. They started by selling simple roasted fish and grew step by step. Within two years, they joined the Star Net City Chamber of Commerce and registered the trademark: Huo-style Roasted Fish.
They were quite famous in Star Net City. Not only nobles but even members of the Imperial Family had come to dine. The profits were substantial, allowing little Huo to say quite boldly, "I have quite a bit of family wealth."
While working at his restaurant, he had heard various tales of Shrek Academy—positive reviews like "Guardians of Continental Order," "Punishers of Evil Soul Masters," and the Shrek Inspection Squad.
But he had also heard that among the royalty and nobility, Shrek wasn't particularly popular. As for the reason... it was better left unsaid.
Seeing that it was still early and feeling a bit restless, Huo Yuhao decided to enjoy the long-lost fun of selling roasted fish, laying the groundwork for Huo-style Roasted Fish to enter Shrek City.
After all, no one complains about having too much money.
After sliding a few Gold Soul Coins to the city's enforcement team, Huo Yuhao successfully set up his stall not far from the school gate.
As for raw materials, Huo Yuhao carried at least several hundred frozen fish with him, and his range of seasonings was, of course, complete.
Let's get to work!
Despite being a newcomer to the stall scene, the moment the first batch of fish was ready, people attracted by the scent—which was like a delicious aromatic bomb—crowded his stall until it was water-tight.
Well-versed in hunger marketing, Huo Yuhao did exactly what he did in Star Net City: he announced that everyone's first fish was free, but the second would cost one Gold Soul Coin.
Although the price was a bit high, it was a testament to his confidence in the quality. Once you tasted the first one, you wouldn't want to leave; you'd be a loyal customer.
First, let them get a freebie, then hook them so tightly they can't escape.
Soon, 98 of the 100 prepared fish had been given away for free. Naturally, Huo Yuhao memorized the faces of everyone who took a free fish.
Want to be a free-loader? Don't underestimate the powerful memory of the Spirit Eye.
Of course, if they didn't pay up, Huo's sword was not necessarily blunt.
Just as Huo Yuhao was preparing to roast the last fish, a woman walked up slowly. The crowd naturally parted to give her a path. Most didn't even dare look at her, lowering their heads in a silence that filled the area.
...
Ma Xiaotao had originally planned to cultivate in the Inner Court today, but recently she had been unable to suppress her Evil Fire. She had no choice but to head to the Outer Court to find a certain "tool" to vent.
However, she was drawn by a scent and instinctively walked toward the East Gate. She wasn't some ethereal fairy who didn't eat human food; she was naturally very interested in good cuisine.
It's a little guy. Let's go take a look.
...
The sound of high heels clicking on the ground stopped in front of him. Huo Yuhao instinctively looked up. The first thing that met his eyes was a pair of exquisite, long legs encased in red high-top boots.
First reaction: Long. Second reaction: Straight. Third reaction: Fair. Fourth reaction: I want to play...
Contrasted against the red boots, her exposed skin looked even more snowy-white. As some "men of culture" would say, this was a "legs-for-days" masterpiece.
A fiery-red long trench coat spread out like a peacock's tail on either side of her jade legs and behind her. A black mesh bodysuit hugged the exaggerated curves above her thighs.
Moving his gaze further up, Huo Yuhao was left somewhat dazed by her full, towering figure.
That's a bosom that could literally smother someone to death...
Leaning back slightly, he finally managed to see her full face above the "peaks."
She had a pair of enchanting, narrow pink phoenix eyes that gave off a soul-stirring feeling. Her gaze was cold, yet beneath that ice, a raging fire seemed to hide.
Her stunningly beautiful face was covered by a red veil, but under Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eye vision, the veil was as good as non-existent. Every gesture she made exuded a seductive charm.
Huo Yuhao couldn't help but swallow.
Nice!
A top-tier "Big Sister" type—a perfect hit on his aesthetic!
"What a beautiful sister..." he blurted out, his voice not loud but filled with undisguised admiration.
Beautiful sister...
Ma Xiaotao paused, taking a moment to realize the boy was talking about her.
This kid... How is he so good with words?!
She gave Huo Yuhao a slightly reproachful look, but then she noticed just how cute the little guy was... No wonder there were so many girls in this crowd.
No... it wasn't just cuteness. There was a very strange feeling about him.
Before Ma Xiaotao could think further, Huo Yuhao gave her a gentle smile. "Hello, Sister. Do you want to buy a roasted fish too? I'm sorry, today's stock is sold out. Please line up tomorrow."
Matching Huo Yuhao's clear, sky-blue eyes, Ma Xiaotao felt her heart skip a beat. Even her Evil Fire seemed to settle down.
This 'little puppy' type is practically cheating...
"Ahem..." Ma Xiaotao gave a somewhat forced cough and then turned to glacially sweep her gaze over the people behind her. The crowd that had been lining up vanished instantly, scattering to the winds.
Huo Yuhao wasn't surprised by this. In this world, there are always people with something called "privilege." You can't change it.
Ma Xiaotao's voice gained a hint of tenderness she didn't even notice: "Alright, little brother. Can I eat a roasted fish now?" She raised her right hand; on a finger as slender as a spring onion was a large, pigeon-blood ruby ring. She pulled out a handful of Gold Soul Coins.
A beauty's smile is worth a thousand gold; what was a little money?
"Mmh, please wait a moment, Sister. By the way, the first fish is free for all customers."
"Oh?" Ma Xiaotao became interested. "Free? Then how do you make money?"
Huo Yuhao continued roasting the fish seriously without looking up. "Of course, if customers come back for more, it's one Gold Soul Coin per fish."
Ma Xiaotao laughed. "That price is a bit steep. Little guy, are you that confident in your skill?"
But she soon noticed that Huo Yuhao's control over the furnace fire while adjusting the fish was nothing short of perfection.
Is this little brother also a fire-attribute Soul Master?
After sprinkling the seasoning, Huo Yuhao smilingly presented the fish to Ma Xiaotao. "Sister, won't you know once you taste it?"
Ma Xiaotao didn't hesitate. She took the fish and began to eat elegantly.
From the very first bite, her eyes lit up.
It's actually this delicious!!