The flames danced with the wind, and the dry branches crackled like popping beans as they burned.
Huo Yuhao skewered several cleaned fish onto thin branches and squatted by the campfire. His deep blue eyes emitted a faint golden glow. Relying on the meticulous observational ability of his Spirit Eyes, he precisely controlled the heat while grilling the fish.
The fire was fueled by the dragon flames of Wu Feng’s Red Dragon Martial Spirit, with temperatures far surpassing ordinary flames. Before long, a rich aroma gradually spread through the air as Huo Yuhao turned the skewers.
The enticing scent wafted around, carrying the allure of delicious food, constantly tempting everyone’s appetites. The tender white fish began to turn a golden yellow color, and from time to time, subtle sounds of people swallowing could be heard.
Due to Huo Yuhao’s limited strength and the somewhat cramped makeshift wooden rack, he could only grill three fish at a time. Following the principle of ladies first, he handed the first batch of grilled fish to Tang Ya, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng. Then he wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued his great culinary endeavor.
"Wow, it smells amazing!"
Tang Ya gazed at Huo Yuhao with eager anticipation. After receiving the grilled fish, she couldn’t wait despite the heat and took a big bite into the crispy skin. The delicious flavor of the fish instantly filled her mouth.
Compared to Tang Ya, who had transformed into a glutton, Ning Tian’s eating manner was much more elegant. Her jade-like teeth took small bites of the grilled fish. Occasionally, she would purse her red lips to gently blow away the steam, a look of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
Truthfully, Huo Yuhao’s ability to win over girls like Wang Dong’er and Ju Zi with his cooking showed how exceptional his culinary talent was. Even a little princess like Ning Tian, who had tasted all kinds of delicacies, couldn’t help but nod her head repeatedly.
Wu Feng noticed that Ning Tian seemed to enjoy the grilled fish very much, and her crimson eyes sparkled with an idea. She quietly started her own fire, snatched two of the fish that Huo Yuhao had prepared, rolled up her sleeves, and enthusiastically began to grill the fish herself.
A few minutes later, she proudly handed a grilled fish to Ning Tian, her pretty face reddened by the smoke and full of anticipation.
Ning Tian took a small bite and, after carefully savoring it, hesitated before saying:
"Um... Xiao Feng, you’ve worked hard today and must be tired. Why don’t you take a rest?"
Low EQ answer: It tastes awful.
High EQ answer: You must be tired.
Ling Bai couldn’t hold back his laughter. There were many clowns out there, but a clownish girl was truly a rare sight.
Wu Feng was dumbfounded. Then she took a bite of her own grilled fish and, after comparing it to Huo Yuhao’s, said gloomily:
"What’s going on? How can there be such a big difference with the same fish?"
"Because you didn’t control the heat precisely, the timing of flipping was off, and..."
Ling Bai accepted the second batch of grilled fish from Huo Yuhao, gave Wu Feng a sidelong glance, and said calmly, "You probably don’t know how to cook, right? You didn’t even use any seasonings when grilling the fish."
Wu Feng was stunned. Then, she angrily threw the grilled fish she had prepared to win over Ning Tian into the river, obviously having her defenses broken by Ling Bai once again.
In addition to Huo Yuhao’s grilled fish, everyone took out some food they carried in their respective Storage Spirit Guidance Devices. They gathered around the bonfire, chatting and enjoying a sumptuous dinner together, bringing them much closer to each other.
Tang Ya was in high spirits. The delicacies made by the Food System Spirit Masters of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were truly among the best in the world. As a result, she ended up eating too much in her excitement. After eating and drinking her fill, she patted her slightly protruding belly and fell asleep leaning against a large tree.
On the other side, the responsible Bei Bei was teaching his junior brother Huo Yuhao the Mysterious Heaven Skill and other secret techniques of the Tang Sect.
Wu Feng was a bit curious and wanted to go over to see what the once-renowned Tang Sect’s secret techniques were like, but was halted by Ling Bai, who grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
"What are you doing?" Wu Feng huffed angrily, looking very much like an angry pufferfish at this moment.
"Are you an idiot?" Ling Bai said bluntly. "Why would they let you see the secrets of their sect?"
"Tsk, I guess you’re right."
Wu Feng begrudgingly gave up the idea of observing and turned back to Ning Tian’s side.
"It’s alright, Junior Brother Ling."
Bei Bei had just finished teaching Huo Yuhao the secret techniques of the Tang Sect and was now letting him practice the Mysterious Heaven Skill on his own. He stood up and stretched his sore muscles. Helping Huo Yuhao clear several blocked acupoints earlier had indeed taken a toll on him. He spoke warmly:
"The Tang Sect is no longer as prosperous as it once was and is currently in a period of rebuilding. If Junior Sister Wu Feng takes a liking to the Tang Sect’s secret techniques and wishes to join, both Xiao Ya and I would warmly welcome her. There would be no need for her to leave the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The same goes for Junior Brother Ling and Junior Sister Ning. As long as you all strive together for the revival of the Tang Sect in the future, that would be enough."
Bei Bei naturally harbored his own intentions. The Nine-Colored Goddess Ning Rongrong had once joined the Tang Sect, creating a historical connection between the Tang Sect and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. If he could attract monstrous talents like Ling Bai and Ning Tian to join, the Tang Sect’s revival would truly have hope, just like ten thousand years ago when the Tang Sect rose rapidly with the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
"Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother Bei, but we currently have no plans to join another sect."
Ning Tian was much savvier than the simple-minded Wu Feng. She politely declined Bei Bei’s overture with an apologetic smile.
What a joke! The Tang Sect didn’t even have enough people to count on one hand. Why should the noble young lady of a super clan lower herself?
Back then, when Ning Rongrong joined the Tang Sect, it was because of her bond with the other Shrek Seven Monsters and because her clan had almost been destroyed by the Spirit Hall!
Ling Bai’s reason for refusing the Tang Sect was even simpler.
The Sect of Tang San?
The recruitment plan having fallen through, Bei Bei didn’t press the issue further. Everyone tacitly moved past the topic and began discussing who would take the night watch.
In the end, the two boys displayed their gentlemanly demeanor and volunteered to take on the night watch duty. The girls fell into sweet dreams, while Huo Yuhao remained immersed in cultivation.
It was his first time, after all; the experience was bound to be special.
Bei Bei looked at Ning Tian, who was sleeping peacefully in Ling Bai’s arms, and curiously asked, "Junior Brother Ling, how did you come to join the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
The flickering yellow flames cast a glow on Ling Bai’s face, revealing a hint of reminiscence. He said softly, "It was fate, I suppose. The Clan Head of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan found me when I was an infant."
Ling Bai was deeply grateful to the Clan Head. With an infant’s body and no ability to protect himself, he wouldn’t have survived without the Clan Head’s care.
Bei Bei seemed thoughtful. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had set aside their hatred from nearly being exterminated by the Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago and was willing to nurture Ling Bai. He could tell that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was investing everything in Ling Bai, perhaps even intending to betroth the next generation Clan Head to him.
He shook his head, thinking that the inner workings of another clan were none of his business, and then said, "With your strength, Junior Brother Ling, among the freshmen... No, I’m afraid you won’t find a match in the entire Outer Courtyard of Shrek Academy."
Bei Bei, known as one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Courtyard, was already among the top combatants in Shrek’s Outer Courtyard. But facing Ling Bai, whether in terms of spirit power or Martial Spirit, he was at a disadvantage, hence his heartfelt admiration.
Ling Bai didn’t respond directly but said, "Senior Brother Bei, you’ve expended a lot of energy after today’s battles. I’ll take the first half of the night watch; you should get some rest."
"Alright, I’ll take over in the second half."
After Bei Bei fell asleep, Ling Bai suddenly murmured to himself:
"The Outer Courtyard... really isn’t that interesting after all..."