Seeing the scene in the distance, Caelus's face instantly darkened.
He hardly needed to guess to know what was going on.
He was all too familiar with this routine.
Back at the Star Luo Elementary Soul Master Academy, under the leadership of that little Devil King Xu Yun, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo had done this sort of thing plenty of times.
They would use his Soul Tool photos, signatures, or even small items he had used as "bargaining chips" to "bribe" other girls into running errands for them or to achieve some small goals.
He hadn't expected that after arriving at Shrek Academy, these two girls would "refuse to change their old habits" and use that same trick here.
Standing beside Caelus, Ye Guyi took in the entire process.
Seeing Caelus's helpless and slightly aggrieved expression, she couldn't help but raise her hand to lightly cover her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly as she let out a low giggle.
After becoming close with the Lan sisters, she had heard plenty of their stories about Caelus's glorious deeds at the Star Luo Elementary Academy, including the dark history of how he was teamed up on by Xu Yun and the twins, occasionally having his looks sold off in exchange for convenience.
Before long, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo ran back triumphantly holding an oil-paper wrap. They handed a portion of grilled fish—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and smelling fragrant—to Caelus, their faces practically screaming, "Hurry up and praise me!"
Caelus looked at the grilled fish of unknown "cost" before him, then at the still-giggling Ye Guyi and the innocent-looking twins. He could only sigh helplessly and take the fish.
He wanted to taste just how miraculous this grilled fish, which the child of destiny relied on to start his rise, actually was.
As for being "exploited" in such a small way... well, considering the fish smelled quite good, he wouldn't hold it against them for now.
Caelus took the grilled fish that Lan Susu had "worked hard" to get and took a bite.
The moment the fish entered his mouth, his eyes lit up slightly.
The heat control of this grilled fish was excellent; the skin was charred and crispy, while the meat inside remained fresh and juicy. The perfectly balanced seasoning brought out the full deliciousness of the fish without any fishy smell, leaving only a savory aroma and a lingering aftertaste.
'It truly lives up to its reputation.'
Caelus praised in his heart.
To be able to conquer the taste buds of so many people, including noble children who had tasted countless delicacies, the flavor of this grilled fish indeed had its unique merits.
He couldn't help but associate it with Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul Eyes Martial Soul. That extreme observation of detail, if placed in a gourmet anime, would simply be a super-visual divine skill. Combined with the precise control of mental force, perhaps even the legendary "Glowing Cuisine" wouldn't be beyond him.
'Being a Soul Master is a bit of a "waste of talent"; the culinary world has lost a potential Food God.'
Caelus thought with a hint of playfulness.
Of course, this was just a joke. Before he started cheating, Huo Yuhao might have become a top chef, but after gaining his cheats, his stage was destined to be more than a kitchen could contain.
Just then, a slight commotion broke out in the crowd.
A group of girls wearing purple school uniforms walked over gracefully, looking particularly conspicuous in the freshman night market where white and yellow were the dominant colors.
The girl leading them instantly attracted the gaze of the vast majority of people.
She appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a slender figure and long golden hair cascading behind her like waves, her skin as white as snow.
Most moving were those eyes, like a pool of clear autumn water; with every glance, she carried a natural air of elegance and nobility.
Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, like a haloed crescent moon or snow piled on flowers. Her delicate charm held a bright radiance that forbade any desecration. Her world-shaking beauty seemed to make the surrounding lights grow dim.
It was Jiang Nannan, known as the "Number One Beauty of the Outer Court."
Caelus also had to admit that Jiang Nannan was indeed extremely beautiful.
But he subconsciously made a comparison in his heart and felt that the title of "Number One Beauty of the Outer Court" would likely change hands before long.
Jiang Nannan's beauty carried a sense of fragile vulnerability that inspired pity, while Gu Yuena's beauty was the kind of nobility, coldness, and perfection stemming from her life level and Bloodline, making her superior in temperament.
Jiang Nannan, born a commoner, was ultimately a notch below when faced with that innate "divine" temperament.
The girls beside Jiang Nannan also noticed Huo Yuhao's exceptionally popular grilled fish stall. After whispering a few words, they walked toward the stand.
Along the way, the students—both male and female—subconsciously made way for this group of beautiful upperclassmen in their senior uniforms.
Jiang Nannan did not act arrogant because of her beauty. Facing the students who made way, she responded with a gentle, appreciative smile.
Every student who was swept by that gentle smile couldn't help but flush, feeling incredibly excited.
However, when Jiang Nannan wanted to buy grilled fish, she learned that Huo Yuhao's portion for today was already sold out. The few remaining fish were reserved for Tang Ya and were not for sale.
Hearing this, although Jiang Nannan was a bit disappointed, she didn't persist. She simply nodded politely and prepared to turn and leave.
But someone beside her was not pleased.
"Kid, I'm buying this grilled fish."
With a crisp "ding," a gold coin shot out like a hidden weapon, accurately pinning itself onto Huo Yuhao's grill.
At the same time, a figure wearing the black sixth-year uniform flashed out, his large hand reaching directly for those few grilled fish reserved for Tang Ya.
It was Xu Sanshi, known as the "Number One Defense" of the Outer Court and also Jiang Nannan's number one sycophant.
Seeing Jiang Nannan being refused, this Black Tortoise Soul Master, who already had a bit of a temper, instantly flared up with anger. He actually intended to use a single gold coin—worth far more than the fish—to force the purchase.
Seeing this scene, Caelus shook his head and continued eating his grilled fish, having no intention of intervening.
Xu Sanshi's move was certainly domineering and unreasonable, but compared to those truly arrogant scions who bullied others and took things by force, he at least knew to give "compensation" that far exceeded the value of the item itself.
This style of coming from a great clan and being used to solving problems with resources and strength was something Caelus had long since grown accustomed to.
In his eyes, Xu Sanshi wasn't truly evil; his way of doing things was just simple and crude.
Before Huo Yuhao could react, another figure quickly blocked Xu Sanshi. It was Bei Bei.
At the same time, Tang Ya also made a move quietly. The Dragon Beard Needle, as thin as a cow's hair, caused Xu Sanshi no small amount of pain.
The farce triggered by the grilled fish quickly ended with Xu Sanshi suffering a setback, thanks to Bei Bei's confrontation and Tang Ya's secret assistance.
In the end, the two of them agreed to settle the matter in the Soul Dueling Arena.
Watching Xu Sanshi leave resentfully and Bei Bei and Tang Ya comforting Huo Yuhao, Caelus finished the last bite of his fish, a flash of interest in his eyes.
'A duel between the top geniuses of the Outer Court...'
He pondered in his heart.
'Perfect. I can use this opportunity to personally measure just how far the strength of these so-called top geniuses of the Shrek Outer Court has reached.'