Douluo Dalu 2: Peerless Gu master

At that moment, several female students clad in purple school uniforms emerged from the gates of Shrek Academy. The girl leading the group immediately drew countless gazes the moment she appeared.

She appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, with a slender and well-proportioned figure. Her long, golden hair cascaded in soft waves, her skin was as fair as snow, and her eyes resembled a pool of clear water. When she glanced around, she exuded an elegant and noble aura.

Her face was as flawless as jade, like a crescent moon surrounded by a halo, or a snow-laden tree in full bloom—tender, graceful, and utterly captivating. Her beauty was beyond description.

Though her temperament was gentle and warm, there was a hint of lingering melancholy between her brows that evoked a sense of pity. Her stunning presence seemed to dim the colors of the world around her.

"Sister Nan, what's that amazing smell?" one of the girls accompanying her asked Jiang Nannan in surprise.

Jiang Nannan, the breathtaking beauty, had also caught the scent. Her gaze fell upon Huo Yuhao's stall.

Thanks to Jiang Nannan's unparalleled beauty, the students who had been queuing in front of Huo Yuhao's stall instinctively made way for her and her companions, allowing them to step to the front of the line.

Noticing the courtesy, Jiang Nannan smiled gently and nodded in gratitude to the students who had yielded. Those who witnessed her smile blushed, their hearts racing with excitement.

Of course, this did not include Huo Yuhao, who remained expressionless, focused entirely on the grilled fish in his hands.

"Junior, how much for this grilled fish?" the stunning girl asked softly.

"Senior, one gold soul coin per fish," Huo Yuhao replied. "However, the last grilled fish belongs to the senior who was first in line. As for the remaining three, I plan to keep them for myself."

With that, Huo Yuhao activated the Flower Bud Gu and stored three of the four grilled fish on the oven.

The senior in purple, however, waved his hands repeatedly, looking honored. "No, no, I'll give my share to her."

Jiang Nannan was the most beautiful girl in the outer courtyard. To offer her a grilled fish and build a good relationship with her? That was a bargain!

Jiang Nannan frowned slightly. "So expensive? Based on the cost and your effort, it should be worth no more than three copper soul coins. You'd still make a profit."

Huo Yuhao nodded calmly. "Your calculation is correct. The fish costs me one copper soul coin to purchase. At your suggested price, I would indeed make a profit."

"But, senior sister, do you think I'm in need of such a small amount of money? The reason I set the price at one gold soul coin isn't just for profit."

"Besides, there's a reason for the price. I believe my unique grilling technique is worth every coin. If you don't believe me, ask the seniors in line. Everyone here is willing to pay."

"After all, there are plenty of stalls around offering cheaper food. Why come to me if not for the quality?"

Jiang Nannan was speechless. How could someone be so shameless?

She glanced at the crowd, seeking answers. Some students who had tasted the grilled fish spoke up:

"Jiang Nannan, the junior's grilled fish is indeed worth the price."

"Absolutely. I'm paying willingly. If the price were lower, more people would compete for it."

"The junior is right. One gold soul coin is a fair price for this grilled fish. If it were cheaper, I wouldn't even bother."

"Jiang Nannan, if you don't want it, I'll take it. I'd love to see how delicious this fish is."

Jiang Nannan was utterly dumbfounded. The junior in front of her and the students buying the grilled fish were willingly paying such a high price for what was essentially a common black carp. Its value had increased a hundredfold simply due to his unique preparation.

It seemed she was the one out of touch. Poverty had limited her imagination, and she had been ignorant.

Seeing Jiang Nannan stunned, Huo Yuhao asked, "Senior sister, are you still buying? If not, others are waiting."

Jiang Nannan snapped out of her daze and apologized, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking something. If I have the chance, I'll try it another time."

With that, she turned and walked away.

"Kid, you dare not sell it?" A deep, angry voice suddenly rang out, followed by a golden light shooting straight toward Huo Yuhao's stall.

Huo Yuhao swiftly conjured ice in the air to intercept it. Then, a figure strode over, exuding a menacing aura, and reached for the remaining grilled fish on the grill.

The newcomer was a student in a purple fifth-grade uniform. He was tall, with thick eyebrows, fierce eyes, a straight nose, and a strong jaw. His fair skin was flushed with anger, and his slightly chubby face was imposing.

This was Xu Sanshi, who had once met Wang Dong. His right hand shot toward the grilled fish, but Huo Yuhao raised it out of reach. Xu Sanshi's hand instead grabbed a handful of burning charcoal from the oven.

"Kid, are you looking to die?" Xu Sanshi roared, crushing the charcoal in his hand. Sparks flew everywhere, but he seemed unfazed by the heat.

He took a step forward, his right hand aiming straight for Huo Yuhao's chest.

Huo Yuhao's expression turned cold. He activated the Flower Bud Gu to retrieve the grilled fish and then threw a punch without dodging.

Fist met palm, and a chilling energy surged into Xu Sanshi's body.

Xu Sanshi's face changed instantly. His body trembled violently, his eyes froze, and he was forced to retreat several steps.

Three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—rose from his feet. His fair skin darkened, his muscles bulged, and his entire body grew larger. Most strikingly, a black tortoise-shell shield, about 1.5 meters in diameter, appeared in his right hand.

He had been perfectly countered by the junior in front of him, forced to reveal his martial soul in front of everyone. And worst of all, he had lost face in front of Jiang Nannan.

Looking at Huo Yuhao, who stood calmly before him, Xu Sanshi's face turned red with humiliation.

The entire confrontation had happened so quickly that the surrounding crowd only now realized what had occurred.

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

"What are you doing?"

"Stop!"

The first was Jiang Nannan, her voice filled with shock and anger. The second came from Bei Bei, who had rushed over like lightning to shield Huo Yuhao.

Tang Ya also arrived, her pretty face flushed with rage. "Xu Sanshi, how dare you bully my people? I'll fight you!"

As she spoke, Tang Ya raised her right hand, and a golden light shot toward Xu Sanshi.

Xu Sanshi swung his tortoise-shell shield, deflecting the golden light. "Tang Ya, I just wanted to buy a grilled fish. Why are you taking this so seriously? Don't think I won't retaliate just because Bei Bei is here."

His eyes burned with fury.

Tang Ya sneered, "Bring it on! Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Bei Bei was about to intervene, but Huo Yuhao spoke first. "Senior Xu, if you truly want to buy grilled fish, I'm more than happy to sell it. But if you're here to disrupt my business, we can't let this slide."

[Xu Sanshi] 

[Relationship: Acquaintance]

[Achievement Mission: You, Nan Nan, and Jie] 

Let me teach you the proper way to conduct business.

…

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