Douluo Continent: I, an evil soul master, work nine-to-five in the Tang Sect.

Chapter 8 Huo Gua

"I'm sorry, big brother, I didn't mean to laugh at you."

Seeing that Luo Chen's expression seemed to have darkened, Huo Yuhao realized what was happening and quickly tried to explain to Luo Chen.

Looking at Huo Yuhao, whose clothes were covered in patches, Luo Chen couldn't muster any anger. As fellow sufferers, he saw many of his own past reflected in Huo Yuhao.

"It's nothing, I wouldn't get angry over such a small thing. Besides, I should thank you for the grilled fish; it was crispy but not burnt, grilled really well. What's your name, brother?"

Luo Chen was amazed by the taste of the grilled fish after just one bite. Even though he had eaten many delicacies in his previous life, this was the first time he had ever tasted grilled fish that was grilled to such a perfect degree.

The taste is absolutely amazing!

"Thank you for the compliment. My name is Huo Yuhao."

In response to Luo Chen's praise, Huo Yuhao replied with a smile that he was just an orphan and didn't have anything of value on him, so he was very grateful that he had this skill.

"Huo Yuhao, right? How about I hire you as a chef? This grilled fish is absolutely divine. It would be such a shame if we couldn't have it again."

In just a few words, Tang Ya finished her grilled fish in the blink of an eye, her eyes full of satisfaction, and asked Huo Yuhao with anticipation.

Tang Ya was clearly very satisfied with Huo Yuhao's grilled fish, otherwise she wouldn't have said those words. However, Bei Bei, who was standing next to her, did not try to dissuade her, since he was also captivated by the taste of the grilled fish.

However, Huo Yuhao smiled and shook his head in response to Tang Ya's invitation, declining her kind offer.

He still needs to hunt for his first spirit ring and become a spirit master as soon as possible to avenge his mother, so he doesn't have time to be a chef.

However, he wouldn't tell these things to anyone. His childhood experiences taught him that he couldn't trust anyone except his mother, let alone a stranger he had only met once.

Seeing that Huo Yuhao refused, Tang Ya could only sigh helplessly. Although she really liked Huo Yuhao's grilled fish, she was short of money. Even if he agreed, she couldn't afford to pay his salary. She was poor!

"Well, that's a shame. If you change your mind later, you can come find us at Shrek Academy. My name is Tang Ya, the tall guy next to me is Bei Bei, and the guy behind me who looks like a rabbit is Luo Chen..."

Tang Ya wanted to say something more, but Luo Chen, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand this foolish act of revealing her identity any longer and interrupted her, saying:

"Brother Huo, we can't just eat all these grilled fish of yours for nothing. If you have any difficulties, you can tell us and we'll help you out."

However, Huo Yuhao was still shocked by what Tang Ya had just said. He did not expect that these three people in front of him, who looked to be just passersby of similar age and with different styles, would actually be students of the legendary Shrek Academy!

That's the number one academy on the continent! In the storybooks he read when he was a child, almost half of them were about Shrek Academy. It was known as the hall of strength and the holy land of soul masters!

All those who are able to study in the inner courtyard of Shrek Academy are true geniuses and the future top experts of the continent!

After a moment of stunned silence, Huo Yuhao finally snapped out of his shock. His gaze towards Luo Chen and the other two now held a hint of admiration, but he still politely declined.

"Well, thank you for your kindness, but you don't need to trouble yourself. Consider these grilled fish on my behalf. If there's a chance in the future, I might join Shrek Academy, and then you can treat me back."

After saying goodbye to Luo Chen and the other two, Huo Yuhao packed his things and walked along the stream into the distance.

"What a story this little guy has. Apart from Xiao Chen, this is the first time I've seen a child with such a mature mind."

Watching Huo Yuhao's departing figure, Bei Bei couldn't help but praise him. Apart from Luo Chen, he had never seen anyone so adept at interpersonal relationships at such a young age.

"Not only that, his mental strength is also quite high. Although his vitality is pitifully weak, his mental strength is already at the level of a second-ring Great Soul Master, almost on par with the sect leader."

Earlier, when Luo Chen encountered Huo Yuhao, he had already secretly examined Huo Yuhao's life force. Although Huo Yuhao's life force level was not even up to that of an ordinary hundred-year-old soul beast, his spiritual power was exceptionally high. This was probably related to Huo Yuhao's own will.

Mental strength is the concrete manifestation of willpower. A person's willpower and mental strength are directly proportional. The stronger the willpower, the higher the mental strength. Although Huo Yuhao has the support of the Spirit Eye Martial Soul, he is still just a Soul Master who has not yet completed the first ring.

This is enough to show how terrifying his talent in mental strength is!

"Hmm, he already possesses second-ring level mental strength at such a young age? He's certainly a talent. I suggest we recruit him into our Tang Sect, what do you say?"

Tang Ya did not doubt Luo Chen's words, after all, she knew that Luo Chen himself had certain investigative abilities.

"Come on, I think you're just craving their grilled fish. But what you said makes sense. Our Tang Sect is currently short-staffed, and we happen to have one spot at Shrek Academy this year that allows admission without an exam. Xiao Chen doesn't need it, so why don't we give it to him?"

Beibei agreed with Tang Ya's opinion and chimed in, but the next moment, he suddenly remembered something...

"Speaking of that direction, he wouldn't be heading to the Star Dou Great Forest, would he? Well, I did sense some soul power fluctuations from him earlier. He's probably going to obtain his first soul ring. Wait, hunting for a soul ring all by himself?"

As Beibei spoke, she glanced at Luo Chen and Tang Ya beside her, and then suddenly realized what was going on.

"What are you waiting for? Chase after them! After all, they ate so much of their grilled fish, we should at least protect their safety."

However, only Bei Bei and Tang Ya were truly anxious; Luo Chen's face showed no sign of panic.

Everything was preordained. As someone with extraordinary abilities, how could Huo Yuhao die so easily? Even if they didn't try to save him, the giant worm underground wouldn't agree to it!

"By the way, I reckon the remnant soul of that powerful being will be arriving in this plane soon. We could try to interfere..."

Luo Chen seemed to have thought of something, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

(End of this chapter)