Beside the small creek, around the campfire...
The Ice Jade Scorpion remained alert a short distance away, standing guard in case any foolish soul beasts wandered too close.
But in reality, just a hint of its aura was enough to keep any soul beast in the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest from approaching.
Zhou Sichen held a grilled fish in his hands, taking slow, deliberate bites, savoring the taste.
He had to admit—Huo Yuhao's cooking skills were impressive.
Even though Zhou Sichen had grown up accustod to luxury, this was the first ti he had tasted such well-seasoned grilled fish.
anwhile, Tang Ya, while eating her own grilled fish, couldn't help but steal glances at Zhou Sichen.
Too handso!
His skin was flawless, better than any girl she had ever seen.
And there was even a subtle, pleasant fragrance about him, making people instinctively feel drawn to him.
Bei Bei, on the other hand, couldn't help but glance at the Ice Jade Scorpion standing nearby.
From his knowledge, it was obvious—this scorpion was nearly ten-thousand-years-old.
As a top-tier soul beast, an Ice Jade Scorpion of this level could likely defeat ordinary twenty-thousand-year soul beasts with ease.
Yet Zhou Sichen, who seed no older than him, had sohow subdued such a powerful creature?
And more importantly—since when could soul beasts be tad?
The stronger a soul beast's bloodline, the more prideful and independent it beca.
But this Ice Jade Scorpion seed to willingly serve a human?
Watching Zhou Sichen's graceful eating posture, Bei Bei's curiosity about him only deepened.
Taking a bite of his own grilled fish, Bei Bei found himself surprised—Huo Yuhao's cooking skills were truly excellent.
This was probably the best grilled fish he had ever eaten.
As they ate, Bei Bei couldn't hold back his curiosity.
"Brother Zhou, did you co to the Star Dou Forest alone?"
Zhou Sichen nodded.
"Yes. Since I was young, I've heard that Shrek Academy is the greatest Soul Master academy on the continent, full of talented geniuses and beautiful people. So, before enrolling, I decided to train myself a little."
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao, who had been focused on grilling fish, unconsciously clenched his fists.
Even soone stronger than him was working so hard—he had to push himself even harder.
Tang Ya, on the other hand, was completely starstruck.
"As expected, handso guys are always hardworking."
Bei Bei, already used to Tang Ya's fangirling, simply chuckled before looking at Zhou Sichen with admiration.
"That's truly impressive. We seem to be about the sa age, yet you dared to venture into the Star Dou Forest alone. I respect that."
Zhou Sichen waved his hand dismissively.
"It's mainly because my martial soul is special. With Ah Da protecting , the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest aren't particularly dangerous."
Hearing him ntion his martial soul, Bei Bei beca even more intrigued.
"Could that Ice Jade Scorpion be a soul skill manifestation?"
But looking at it now... that Ice Jade Scorpion was a real soul beast, not so skill projection.
"Is there actually a martial soul that allows one to form contracts with soul beasts?"
Bei Bei smiled.
"I know it's rude to pry into soone's secrets, but I can't help but wonder—how exactly did you control that Ice Jade Scorpion?"
Tang Ya chid in excitedly.
"Yeah! That scorpion has to be at least a thousand years old, right? How did you ta it?"
Zhou Sichen pretended to hesitate, as if considering whether to reveal his secret.
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Since we'll all be students at Shrek Academy, I suppose there's no harm in telling you."
Upon hearing this, even Huo Yuhao, who had been quietly grilling fish, perked up.
He was eager to learn how Zhou Sichen controlled such a powerful soul beast.
If he could gain the sa ability, wouldn't it help him take revenge for his mother?
Zhou Sichen set down his grilled fish, cleared his throat, and spoke slowly.
"Ah Da follows because of my martial soul. My martial soul is called the Book of Contracts, and it allows to form contracts with soul beasts."
He didn't explain much, just briefly ntioned the reason why the Ice Jade Scorpion obeyed him.
Hearing this, Bei Bei and Tang Ya froze.
They had never heard of such a martial soul before.
A unique and rare martial soul...
For Shrek Academy, recruiting a genius like this was definitely a huge gain.
Bei Bei and Tang Ya nodded in understanding.
"So that's how it works! No wonder—it's not that the soul beast was willing, but rather, your martial soul acts as a bridge between you and them."
Zhou Sichen simply smiled.
"It's not as miraculous as you might think. My martial soul mutated, so my soul skills are just a little different from others'."
Huo Yuhao, who had been hopeful just monts ago, imdiately lost all expectations.
This wasn't sothing he could learn—it was a unique trait of Zhou Sichen's martial soul.
Zhou Sichen glanced at Huo Yuhao, who was focused on grilling fish, and suddenly asked:
"Are you here to obtain a soul ring?"
Bei Bei, seeing no reason to hide it, nodded.
"Yes. Tang Ya just reached Rank 30 and needs a soul ring to advance to Soul Elder."
He then looked at Huo Yuhao.
"And... Yuhao is soone we t just today. He also ca alone to find a soul ring."
Zhou Sichen raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Wow. Young people these days are really brave. Why is everyone hunting soul rings alone?"
Bei Bei chuckled.
"We wanted to train ourselves. We can't always rely on our elders for protection."
Zhou Sichen agreed completely.
Bei Bei wasn't bad at all.
But Huo Yuhao, upon hearing those words, lowered his head slightly, feeling a little sad.
It wasn't that he wanted to co alone—he simply had no other choice.
Noticing Huo Yuhao's mood shift, Tang Ya gently patted his shoulder.
"Yuhao, since you're also alone, why don't you join us? I'll help you find a suitable soul ring!"
Huo Yuhao's first instinct was to refuse.
He couldn't afford to owe people favors.
Although he felt that Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Zhou Sichen were good people, they had only just t.
Would they really risk their lives to help him in the dangerous Star Dou Forest?
But...
If he refused, could he even find a soul ring alone?
Despite being young, Huo Yuhao understood that choosing the right soul ring was crucial.
Before, he had no other choice.
But now, soone was offering to help him.
Could this be his chance to change his fate?
Judging by their clothing and deanor, these three were definitely from wealthy families.
With their help, his first soul ring would definitely be far better than anything he could find alone.
After hesitating for a mont, Huo Yuhao spoke shyly.
"Big Sister Tang Ya, thank you... but I don't have any money. Could I repay you with grilled fish instead?"
Tang Ya frowned.
"What repaynt? We're all Soul Masters. Helping the next generation is just what we do! Just rember—when you grow stronger, you should also help others."
Huo Yuhao's eyes turned red with emotion.
He grilled fish even more diligently—this was the only way he could repay them right now.
"Big Sister Tang Ya, I'll never forget your kindness!"
Zhou Sichen watched this unfold, deep in thought.
Perhaps... Tang Ya was the one who had the greatest influence on Huo Yuhao at the start.
As he was lost in thought, Tang Ya suddenly turned to him.
"Big Brother Sichen, you don't want to leave Huo Yuhao to fend for himself, do you?"
Zhou Sichen snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her blankly.
This girl was way too familiar already...
With a face that pretty, using that kind of tone... Bei Bei sure was brave.
Sighing, Zhou Sichen raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. I'll co with you. That way, we can head to Shrek Academy together."
****
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