Chapter 45: I Want to Duel You!
Jiang Nannan naturally saw Lin Yun.
Everyone else's grilled fish was plain, but Lin Yun's was infused with his special high-tech seasoning.
"Junior, you still remember me?" Jiang Nannan gave a gentle smile, though when her gaze fell on the grilled fish in Lin Yun's hand, she couldn't help but swallow quietly.
It smelled too good.
"Of course I remember. My memory is quite good," Lin Yun said casually. Noticing her gaze, he raised the grilled fish in his hand and teased, "Senior sister, feeling tempted? Want to try this grilled fish?"
Jiang Nannan nodded with slight embarrassment.
"This flavor really stirs the appetite. If you don't mind, junior, could you sell me one?" she asked softly.
"Sure, here." Lin Yun waved his hand, using soul power to blow away most of the seasoning on one fish before handing it to her.
Jiang Nannan tilted her head in puzzlement, unsure why he did that.
"My seasoning isn't something ordinary people can handle. If a normal person eats it, senior sister, just look over there to see the result." Lin Yun chuckled and pointed toward two senior brothers who were still bleeding heavily from their noses.
Following his finger, Jiang Nannan glanced over and couldn't help but let out a laugh.
The two unfortunate souls, one with a yellow ring and one with a purple ring, hurriedly covered their noses and pushed through the crowd.
They had a feeling that after tonight, they would be the butt of their class's jokes for a long time.
"How much for the grilled fish, junior? I'll pay you now," Jiang Nannan said as she took it from him.
"Huo Yuhao priced them at five copper soul coins each. Considering his skill, I think it's a fair bargain," Lin Yun replied.
Five…
Jiang Nannan's heart gave a small tremor, but she still gritted her teeth and handed him the coins.
It was a bit extravagant for her. If it were two or three coins, she would think it reasonable, but after years of hardship she had developed a habit of careful budgeting. Normally, she would never spend extra for mere indulgence.
Still, since the fish was already in her hands, she could only pay up.
Lin Yun accepted the money without pretending to be generous. They were neither relatives nor friends—only acquaintances from their first meeting at enrollment. Giving her one fish was already being very kind.
Not to mention, the seasoning he had put on it was worth dozens of gold soul coins. Otherwise, those two unfortunates wouldn't have started bleeding from the nose the moment they took a bite.
That was a sign of over-supplementation.
The seasoning alone could speed Jiang Nannan's cultivation for several days. As for those two who overdid it, all the benefits they took in were lost with the nosebleed.
Unaware of the inside story, Jiang Nannan felt relieved after paying and took a small bite of the grilled fish.
Haunted by past shadows, she disliked owing anyone favors and didn't want to be forced into anything against her will.
Her thoughts were similar to Lin Yun's—they were strangers at best, having met only a few times.
If Lin Yun had treated her, she wouldn't have been able to accept it. But if she bought it, even if she thought the price high, she could eat with peace of mind.
Owing nothing to anyone.
The grilled fish entered her mouth with slightly crisp skin and tender, juicy flesh. Combined with Lin Yun's seasoning, it burst into an unparalleled flavor—
A feast for both taste and smell.
Jiang Nannan's eyes widened, her clear gaze brimming with surprise and delight. She felt this was the most delicious food she had ever eaten.
"The flavor's good, isn't it?" Lin Yun laughed heartily, taking a big bite that finished half the fish, then narrowing his eyes in satisfaction.
"It's really delicious! These five copper soul coins were well worth it!" Jiang Nannan said happily.
Great—today she hadn't wasted money.
The little miser's pursuit was that simple and unadorned.
At the edge of the crowd, a tall young man in a black school uniform clutched his chest in pain.
To Lin Yun, Jiang Nannan, and even the onlookers, their conversation seemed perfectly normal and well-mannered. But to that tall youth, the space between them was filled with pink bubbles.
The sight of Lin Yun and Jiang Nannan talking and laughing was like a blade stabbing into his chest.
Especially since both had golden hair, Xu Sanshi thought they looked like a perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl.
"It hurts… it hurts so much!"
"Nannan, why!!!"
A mask of pain spread across Xu Sanshi's face. The bustling, lively snack street became desolate and bleak in his eyes.
Hadn't she said they weren't close? Hadn't she said they hadn't seen each other since the start of school?
Why had they suddenly become so intimate?!
No!
"Kid! Get away from Nannan!" Xu Sanshi suddenly let out a sharp roar, forcing his way through the crowd with powerful hands, striding toward them in fury.
The instant Jiang Nannan heard that voice, her smiling face froze, her expression visibly darkening.
The other onlookers also instinctively turned to look at Xu Sanshi.
A large hand, carrying strong force, reached from behind to grab Lin Yun's collar, clearly intending to lift him and throw him aside.
Lin Yun didn't even turn around. He casually reached back, and with a light block, that thick arm was stopped cold. No matter how hard its owner tried, he couldn't move it an inch.
"What are you barking at?" Lin Yun's smile slowly faded as he turned expressionlessly to meet Xu Sanshi's anger-filled eyes.
If you want to be a groveling turtle, that's your business. But if you provoke me, then you must be blind!
To challenge the Dragon King's might is to pay in blood!
Huo Yuhao, who had been idly standing by, shivered when he heard Lin Yun say those six words again.
The last time he'd heard them was the last time Lin Yun said them—right before their new class's Soul Emperor homeroom teacher was beaten senseless by two punches.
Now hearing those words again, Huo Yuhao instinctively sensed trouble.
Oh no, another victim was about to taste Lin Yun's iron fists!
He couldn't help but glance at Xu Sanshi with sympathy. There was no way Xu Sanshi could win—he would definitely be the one getting beaten.
Originally shocked by Lin Yun's strength, Xu Sanshi's rage flared even hotter at the cold tone.
"Kid, I want to duel you! Do you dare face me in the Soul Battle Arena?!"
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