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"I knew that scent was familiar—it's you, Little Yuhao, grilling fish again!"
Tang Ya suddenly burst out from the trees behind them, eyes gleaming at the sight of Huo Yuhao's skewered fish. Her nose twitched, and she nearly drooled.
Still, she managed to greet the others with a cheerful wave. "Hi there! Little Junting, Little Ning Tian, Little Wu Feng!" But her gaze snapped right back to the fish, hunger written all over her face.
"Little Yuhao… could I buy one of those from you?" She swallowed hard. Clearly recognizing these weren't ordinary bluefish, she didn't dare just ask for one outright—so she offered to pay.
"Sister Xiao Ya, you'll have to ask Wu Feng about that," Huo Yuhao said with an embarrassed smile.
Though he'd done the grilling, Wu Feng had provided the ingredients—and the cost of ten-year soul beast fish was no small matter.
"Little Wu Feng…" Tang Ya immediately pivoted, eyes pleading.
Wu Feng, ever generous, waved a hand. "It's nothing—go ahead and eat! I brought plenty."
Just as Tang Ya reached for a fish—
"Xiao Ya!"
A voice—laced with exasperation and faint anger—cut through the air. Tang Ya's hand froze mid-reach. Even Huo Yuhao, facing her, saw the flicker of panic cross her face.
Chen Junting's group turned toward the voice—and saw a girl in a purple Shrek uniform approaching. Tall and graceful, with snow-white skin and cascading golden waves of hair, her clear, spring-water eyes burned with annoyance… yet still held undeniable charm.
"Ah! Nannan—I totally forgot about you!" Tang Ya jumped up, but not before snatching the fish.
She hurried over, looping her arm through the girl's and pouting playfully. "Nannan, sweet Nannan—I'm sorry! Forgive me?" She even pressed the grilled fish to Jiang Nannan's lips. "Have a bite, and you'll forgive me, right?"
"As if I'm as easy to bribe as you!" Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes—but the aroma made her nostrils flare involuntarily. "This grilled fish… smells incredible."
Then she took a closer look—and gasped.
"Wait! This must be expensive!"
Her lips, about to open, snapped shut. She refused to take even a bite.
"No trouble at all, senior," Chen Junting said smoothly, meeting Jiang Nannan's gaze directly. Ning Tian, seated beside him, added warmly, "Since you're Sister Xiao Ya's friend, please join us. It's just a few ten-year Azure-Patterned Fish—barely costs anything in gold soul coins."
As disciples of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they hadn't forgotten one key purpose of enrolling in Shrek's Outer Academy: to befriend prodigies and recruit them into the sect.
This girl was clearly a fourth- or fifth-year student—her talent undeniable. And her sensitivity to cost? A dead giveaway she was from a commoner background.
Perfect.
Building goodwill now could pave the way for future recruitment.
"Come on, Nannan," Tang Ya urged, sensing her hesitation. "Don't worry—they're from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. They're loaded. We won't pay a thing."
That settled it. Jiang Nannan smiled faintly. "Thank you, juniors." She tucked her golden hair behind her ear and accepted a freshly grilled fish from Huo Yuhao. The first bite made her eyes light up—flavor exploded in her mouth.
Tang Ya then introduced her:
"This is Jiang Nannan. She's from a commoner family in the Dou Ling Empire. Showed insane talent at her junior soul master academy, got a city lord's recommendation letter, and entered Shrek. We're roommates."
They'd come here today because Jiang Nannan had been in a foul mood after class—and Tang Ya had dragged her out for a walk.
"Senior Jiang Nannan must be incredibly talented," Chen Junting said admiringly.
Tang Ya puffed up with pride. "Of course! She was one of the three Core Disciples of her Outer Academy year!"
Ning Tian's smile grew even sweeter.
Target acquired.
But just then—
"Hm."
Chen Junting's eyes flicked toward a nearby thicket. Soul power laced his voice as he called out, "Since you're here, why not join us? Hiding like that… invites suspicion."
Wind rustled the treetops.
He flicked a bamboo skewer—it shot toward the bushes like an arrow.
Everyone turned—but no one moved. This was Shrek Academy; outsiders couldn't just wander in.
Just before the skewer struck, a large hand shot out from the foliage—catching it midair.
A towering youth emerged—broad-shouldered, with thick brows, tiger-like eyes, and a square jaw. His black uniform marked him as a sixth-year student.
The moment he appeared, the air grew tense.
"Hehe… Nannan. Fancy meeting you here," the youth said, tossing the skewer aside with a forced smile. But beneath the charm, a desperate eagerness lurked.
"Brother Junting," Ning Tian whispered, nodding toward Jiang Nannan.
The change in her was stark. The moment the black-clad youth—Xu Sanshi—appeared, her expression froze like midwinter ice. Disgust radiated from her eyes, unfiltered.
Before Jiang Nannan could speak, Tang Ya stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger. "Xu Sanshi! Nannan doesn't want to see you! Why are you clinging like a damn leech?!"
"Tang Ya, this doesn't concern you," Xu Sanshi snapped, impatient. "Step aside!"
"You—!"
"Xiao Ya." Jiang Nannan grabbed Tang Ya's arm, then walked straight up to Xu Sanshi. At the sight of her face, his irritation vanished—replaced by unnatural tenderness.
"Nannan, I—"
"Xu Sanshi!" she cut in, voice glacial. "I've told you—there's no chance between us. Stop bothering me. Sorry for the disturbance, juniors." She turned to leave—walking faster and faster, until she finally activated her martial soul and sped away.
"Nannan…"
For a moment, it felt like the world heard a heart shatter.
But curiosity quickly replaced sympathy.
"Sister Xiao Ya… what's that about?" Wu Feng asked, sidling up with her fish.
Everyone leaned in.
Tang Ya didn't hesitate—this drama was an Outer Academy legend.
"Honestly, I don't get it either. Xu Sanshi isn't bad—he's got a reputation, sure, but he's never actually cheated on anyone. And he's so devoted to Nannan. If I didn't have Beibei… I might've said yes if he pursued me."
"Bullshit!"
Xu Sanshi, who'd been sulking quietly, finally snapped. "Tang Ya, only a fool like Beibei would put up with you! I belong to Nannan—forever!"
"Xu Sanshi! What did you just say?!"
As the two bickered, Chen Junting's group exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, Wu Feng muttered, "Is this what he calls 'devotion'? He's not a lover—he's a textbook simp."
The other three nodded in solemn agreement.
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