Chapter 44: A Bit Addictive
Lin Yun watched Huo Guo's movements with some doubt, unable to figure out how he did it.
As expected of the Xiao Huo Barbecue that swept through Peerless Tang Sect with grilled fish and even opened chain stores in Douluo Three—there was no choice but to admit his skill.
"All done, here!" Huo Yuhao withdrew his martial soul, let out a long breath, and smiled as he handed four skewers of grilled fish to Lin Yun.
By now, quite a few outer court students from Shrek had been drawn in by the aroma of the grilled fish. They gathered around, waiting for Lin Yun, the first customer, to taste it.
If it was good, they certainly wouldn't mind paying to try it too.
Lin Yun nodded, taking the grilled fish.
The fish's surface was nearly flawless, with only two cuts—one just behind the gills and one just before the tail—where the tendon that carried the fishy odor had been removed. Apart from that, it was perfectly intact.
Green fish had naturally fine scales, which didn't need to be scraped off since they didn't affect the taste. In fact, they could even add a touch of flavor to grilled fish. Once cooked, the scales and skin took on a slight golden-brown crispness, making it look irresistibly appetizing.
Lin Yun didn't hesitate, biting into the fish's belly and tearing off a large piece of meat.
The crispy skin broke under his teeth, releasing tender, juicy flesh that instantly filled his mouth with a rich fish aroma. The crispness and tenderness blended perfectly together.
His eyes lit up, and in just a few bites he finished the entire fish, tossing aside the head and bones before grabbing another.
With Lin Yun's eating, the originally light aroma became more intense, leaving the onlookers around him with no appetite for their own food.
"Junior, how much for the grilled fish? Give me two!" a senior in a yellow school uniform couldn't help but step forward and ask Huo Yuhao.
Already starting the next batch, Huo Yuhao looked up and gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, senior. My classmate here bought twenty grilled fish, and there are still sixteen left to grill. You might need to wait a bit."
"No problem, I can wait," the yellow-clad senior said without hesitation.
"Junior, me too! Give me two!" another senior in a purple school uniform also called out.
"Grilled fish is five copper soul coins each. There are only eight left for tonight," Huo Yuhao replied.
The two seniors exchanged a glance, then immediately handed over a silver soul coin.
Smiling, Huo Yuhao took the money and lowered his head to continue grilling.
And so, while Lin Yun kept eating, Huo Yuhao kept grilling. The remaining four unsold fish were soon bought by three more outer court students.
Even with no fish left, those who hadn't managed to buy any still lingered, watching Lin Yun feast with longing eyes.
"Junior, isn't twenty fish too much for you? Couldn't you spare a few for us?" a purple-clad senior who hadn't managed to buy any couldn't help but ask Lin Yun.
"Hm?" Lin Yun lifted his head, narrowing his eyes as a wave of dragon's might surged out.
Trying to snatch food from this king?
Big courage!
His golden eyes lit up instantly, pupils narrowing into vertical slits. Seeing those eyes, the purple-clad senior shrank his neck and stepped back two paces.
"Oh? Senior wants grilled fish?" Lin Yun's tone was cold.
"No, no, no! I don't! Forget it!" the purple-clad senior fled in embarrassment.
Some in the crowd recognized Lin Yun as the "strongest freshman king." After a brief exchange, they all fell silent.
He might be a freshman, but he had beaten soul emperor–level teachers into the ground. For soul kings or soul elders like them, it was better not to go asking for trouble.
At last, all twenty of Lin Yun's grilled fish were cooked, and he received the final four.
Looking at the six fish in his hands, Lin Yun, after eating more than ten, found the mild flavor less satisfying. From his soul tool, he took out a small bottle and sprinkled some brown powder over the fish.
This was seasoning he had made in the Star Dou Forest, something like chili powder and cumin.
With the seasoning added, the already fragrant grilled fish burst forth with an even stronger aroma.
The yellow-clad senior who had bought grilled fish first was just about to take a bite when the smell reached him, instantly making his own portion seem bland.
"Junior, could you give me some of that too?" the yellow-clad senior asked cautiously.
Lin Yun paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No, no. This is spice that has grown for tens of millions of years, absorbing the essence of sun, moon, and life in one of the most dangerous places in the Star Dou Forest. It's not something an ordinary person can handle."
The purple-clad senior laughed aloud. "By that logic, Heaven on Earth isn't for ordinary people either. Don't joke, junior, just give me some!"
The so-called most dangerous place in the Star Dou Forest? That was not somewhere a human soul master could enter, let alone pick spices from. The purple-clad senior was convinced Lin Yun was bragging.
"Tsk, fine." Lin Yun smacked his lips and sprinkled a layer of seasoning over the grilled fish they handed him, then watched as the two of them ate heartily.
It was delicious, yes—but after eating…
Beside Huo Yuhao's stall now stood two pitiful figures, faces flushed red and noses streaming with blood.
"Feeling a bit lightheaded…" the purple-clad senior muttered awkwardly, wiping his nose with a tissue.
The yellow-clad senior fared no better—worse, in fact, since he was weaker than the other. Stars danced before his eyes as he bled from his nose.
"I told you it's not something ordinary people can handle," Lin Yun said with a helpless shake of his head.
Though to him it was just seasoning, his Dragon's Devour talent made such ingredients commonplace. For ordinary people, this was already a rare heavenly treasure. Anything grown in the Lake of Life was far from ordinary.
At that moment, the crowd watching the two sorry figures parted, and from the end of the street came a beautiful woman with long golden hair, rabbit-ear ornaments on her head, and exceptionally long legs.
Lin Yun recognized her—it was Jiang Nannan, the one who had handled his enrollment.
"Junior, how much for the grilled fish?" Jiang Nannan asked Huo Yuhao gently.
"Sorry, senior, today's grilled fish is sold out," Huo Yuhao replied apologetically.
"That's a shame." A trace of disappointment flickered in Jiang Nannan's bright eyes. She had been drawn here by the aroma, and missing out on such tempting grilled fish left her genuinely regretful.
Her delicate nose twitched slightly, and suddenly she caught a stronger scent. Looking toward its source, a familiar face came into view.
"Hi, senior, long time no see!" Lin Yun grinned.
(End of this chapter)
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