Zhou Hao turned around and saw the bearded "uncle" pushing a small cart to sell.
He wore simple gray clothes,but his peach-colored eyes stood out sharply against his messy beard.
Although Oscar's soul curse was a little off-putting, his Martial Soul was undoubtedly a first-class food-type Martial Soul, and the sausages he made had excellent effects.
Zhou Hao had been wandering the mainland alone for a few years, and he knew the value of an excellent auxiliary system soul master in a team.
He admired Oscar deeply, emotionally focused, hard-working yet strong, principled, and talented. It wasn't just luck that made him extraordinary.
Seeing the unshaven Oscar, Zhou Hao decided to joke:
"Uncle, here I need two sausages."
Oscar, pushing the cart, stiffened immediately. The word "uncle" clearly shocked him.
He hurried over with a strained expression:
"Brother, what did you call me?"
"Uncle? What's the matter, is there a problem?" Zhou Hao suppressed a smile, pretending to be serious.
"What uncle? I'm not an uncle, I'm only fourteen!" Oscar smiled wryly.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong all glanced over, curious and skeptical.
"Uncle, you look almost old enough to have a grandson, and you're telling us you're fourteen?" Zhou Hao continued teasing him.
"Brother, really, I'm only fourteen and I'm your senior!" Oscar insisted.
"Really?"
"yes, it's true. Ask Boss Dai arrives when he arrives if you dont believe me." Seeing Zhou Hao and the others slowly believe him, Oscar turned to business:
"So Brother, want any more sausages?"
"Yes! If it's cooked properly, I'll definitely take some."
Oscar's face lit up.
In the past, villagers were few in number, and his sausages hardly sold.
But today,the business was much better.
Handing over two steaming sausages, Oscar smiled brightly:
"Ten copper coins, come again next time!"
Zhou Hao directly took out a silver coin and paid his bill.
While Xiao Wu sniffed eagerly and pulled Tang San:
"Brother, I want one too. We didn't have much for breakfast."
Tang San didn't argue, the sausages smelled delicious and were just the right size.
He paid and reached for one.
"Oscar, what are you doing?" Dai Mubai's voice cut through. The half-served sausage vanished instantly.
Zhou Hao ate his sausage intently, feeling the buff effect.
He noticed Dai Mubai approaching, followed by Zhu Zhuqing with a cold expression.
"Xiao Ao, why are you selling sausages again?" Dai Mubai scolded.
"Boss Dai, come out and lets earn some money, and don't worry about it." Oscar replied cheerfully.
"Get lost!"
Tang San looked puzzled and turned to Zhou Hao:
"Dai Mubai, what's wrong? Is there a problem with the sausage?"
Dai Mubai's expression was strange:
"This sausage is… not edible."
"Why?" Tang San became more confused, and Xiao Wu peeked curiously.
"You get another sausage out," Dai Mubai instructed Oscar.
"Boss, the newcomers are here… don't ruin my reputation please."
"Hurry, or ill make you practice extra this afternoon," Dai Mubai smiled kindly.
Oscar had no choice:
"I have a long…"
He clasped his hands dramatically, and a large steaming sausage appeared.
Tang San was dumbfounded, slightly angry.
Xiao Wu blushed bright red and hid behind Tang San, muttering:
"Disgusting… inse-."
Tang San was relieved that Dai Mubai had arrived in time.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced coldly before moving on.
Ning Rongrong felt disgusted, but also intrigued.
"Xiao Ao's Martial Soul is a sausage. Counting him and me, only three students in the academy have had it before. His sausage is effective, but the soul curse is a bit disgusting."
Dai Mubai noticed Zhou Hao eating the last bite of sausage with relish.
"What's the matter? has the next assessment started?" Zhou Hao wiped his mouth in satisfaction and walked over.
Everyone stifled their laughter. Even Zhu Zhuqing had a faint smile.
"Brother, I will always be the first to supply you with Oscar's sausage," Oscar said earnestly. "Eat my sausage, and I guarantee you can pass the final assessment. Want another one?"
"Brother Zhou Hao has strong mental fortitude no wonder he is a Soul elder. With your youthful appearance, many don't realize your strength," Dai Mubai said, patting Oscar on the shoulder.
"A soul elder of the same age as me?" Tang San's eyes widened. When they first met, he thought Zhou Hao was strong, only now he realized Zhou Hao was indeed as powerful as Dai Mubai.
"I may not even be his match," Dai Mubai admitted, uneasy but impressed.
Everyone's eyes grew even wider.
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes flicked to Zhou Hao, revealing curiosity and admiration.
Xiao Wu and Tang San were stunned.
Oscar's eyes sparkled as he hugged Zhou Hao's arm:
"Good brother, you'll protect me from now on right. As a reward you can eat my sausage anytime."
Zhou Hao noticed Zhu Zhuqing's gaze and felt a bit complacent, but Oscar's words gave him a shrewd chill.
Though Oscar looked soft and was polite, he was still a man.
"Okay, everyone, follow me. Teacher Li Yusong said your strength can easily pass the next assessment. Come with me for the final test."
Dai Mubai went to the teacher of the second level, whispered, and pointed at Zhou Hao and the others.
The teacher looked surprised:
"So many little monsters this year! You can take them to the fourth level. Hopefully, our place will be livelier this year."
As Dai Mubai and Zhou Hao moved, other candidates protested:
"Teacher! Why are they exempt from the first tests and are going to the fourth?!"
The teacher calmly replied:
"If your soul power exceeds level twenty-five, you may follow them."
The candidates couldn't believe it:
"Impossible! We're all twelve years old; how could they exceed level twenty-five?"
Dai Mubai coldly snorted:
"Stay in your junior academys. Here in Shrek. If you're weak, you don't have the right to question others."
He produced a white crystal ball:
"Little San, show them."
The test crystals varied in color depending on soul power. White indicated the soul master level; above thirty, the crystal would shatter.
Tang San didn't speak.
Pouring his soul power into the crystal, it shone like a diamond, almost filling it completely, marking his entry into level thirty.
Xiao Wu followed, producing the same brilliance. While the other candidates gawked.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward.
Both were first-class beauties but with contrasting temperaments. Ning Rongrong, fair-skinned and elegant, exuded a spring-like charm.
Zhu Zhuqing, graceful and distant, moved silently like an iceberg, keeping strangers at bay.
Ning Rongrong gently took the crystal from Xiao Wu.
Although the light was faint, it was level twenty-six. A glint of pride appeared in her eyes.
Next, Zhu Zhuqing held the crystal.
Its flicker reached level twenty-seven.
All candidates fell silent, crushed by the prowess of these little monsters.
Zhou Hao admired Zhu Zhuqing's quiet poise even more.
Dai Mubai glanced at her, complicated feelings stirring, he had recognized her as his fiancée by now, one he had never met. He nodded respectfully to the teacher and walked away.
"And him? He hasn't been tested yet." The leading students gawked at Zhou Hao.
His strength was clearly extraordinary.
Dai Mubai handed Zhou Hao the crystal ball.
"I don't need it. It's expensive," Zhou Hao said helplessly.
"If I break it, Ill have to pay 2 gold coins, so not worth it."
Seeing Zhou Hao refuse, other candidates grew furious.
Zhou Hao advanced with a sneer.
Behind him, a terrifying dark golden bear appeared, and three soul rings, yellow, yellow, and purple, rose from the ground.
"Shut up." He waved his palm lightly.
Dark and light intersected, and five deep scratches gouged the earth. The leading examinees collapsed in fright.
They realized testing him was pointless.
Zhou Hao smiled at Dai Mubai:
"It's settled, let's go."
"Brother, how did you cultivate? You're only twelve!" Dai Mubai asked curiously.
"It's nothing. If you are born with full innate soul power, you'd be similar, just like me and Tang San," Zhou Hao chuckled.
"Makes sense" Dai Mubai said with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing followed quietly, observing Zhou Hao in shock and admiration.
Tang San frowned:
"Xiao Hao, my teacher has studied Soul spirits for years. Normally, a third spirit ring can't be beyond 2000 years, yet your third ring seems to be close to 10000 years?"
Everyone was astonished.
"Your teacher's research analyzed the fitness of most people, but you know my physical fitness as a child," Zhou Hao replied, smiling.
He knew Tang San trusted Yu Xiaogang's theories, so it was natural for him to hesitate.
Tang San nodded slowly, ceasing his questions, and began thinking deeply.