After finishing dinner, the two didn't head straight back but instead continued wandering among the vendors outside the East Gate.
Both Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu found some interest in the bustling night scene.
But their tastes differed, so naturally their attention went to different wares. Add in the constant stream of Shrek Academy students passing by, and before they knew it, the crowd had separated them.
Xu Zihuang frowned slightly as he glanced back, and seeing no trace of Tuoba Yu, he didn't think much of it.
Taking the fresh fruit juice the vendor handed him—mixed with a little crushed ice—he took a light sip, left three copper soul coins on the table, and moved on.
Prices here were even lower than in Moon Axis City.
But that was only normal. After all, Shrek City was the trade hub of the former Douluo Continent's three empires.
Before long, a refreshing fragrance of ink orchids reached his nose, making Xu Zihuang instinctively turn toward its source.
It was a shop filled with strange and colorful flowers, arranged across tiered wooden racks. Soul lamps lit the surroundings, their soft glow highlighting the translucent roots and leaves of each plant.
The shop owner was a senior sister in a black sixth-year Shrek uniform. She looked a year or two older than Beibei and Tang Ya, her fitted uniform outlining a figure brimming with youthful charm.
Her black-green hair fell smoothly down her back, and a faint smile lit her delicate features, giving her a friendly air.
"What a handsome little junior. Are you interested in these flowers too? If you've taken a liking to one, senior sister can give you a discount."
"Senior sister, I'll take a look first." Xu Zihuang smiled and nodded.
Many others were browsing the flowers, most of them female senior sisters in Shrek uniforms. Hearing their conversation, several turned curious gazes toward Xu Zihuang.
Their initial confusion quickly became surprise, then delight, their eyes shining.
The flowers around them seemed only to set off Xu Zihuang's presence all the more.
His features were flawless, with strands of violet hair falling naturally past his straight nose, mingling with purple locks at his temples and the dark medium-length hair at his back.
His noble deep-violet eyes and the warm smile at his lips formed a striking, harmonious contrast.
"Wanwan, I think I'm in love."
"Don't be ridiculous. You said the same thing when you first saw Senior Brother Bei."
"No, really. I think this junior is even better looking than Senior Brother Bei. There's that saying—oh yes. This junior perfectly embodies three parts aloofness, three parts warmth, and four parts careless ease."
"…"
Two girls in yellow uniforms whispered back and forth nearby.
Xu Zihuang pretended not to hear, though inwardly he mocked himself.
Seems I've got a hidden talent for pie chart statistics.
Ignoring their chatter, he stepped toward a unique orchid exuding rich fragrance.
When he had been exiled to the lonely island, the castle's garden had also held this very flower.
This orchid was known by the elegant name Mo Xueji. Its petals were deep violet tinged with black, carrying an aura of mystery and a faintly sinister allure.
Since childhood, he had always held a special fondness for this orchid.
But what made this particular Mo Xueji so remarkable was the faint pulse of spiritual power he sensed from it.
This was the sign of a plant evolving into a plant-type soul beast. In other words, this Mo Xueji was already a decade-level plant soul beast.
Yet no one present, not even the sixth-year senior sister shopkeeper, seemed aware of it.
Otherwise, the price tag would never have been just one gold soul coin.
The fragrance of Mo Xueji could calm the mind, and once evolved into a plant soul beast, it could even promote spiritual power growth. Such specimens were highly sought after by high-ranked soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire.
But successful evolutions were extremely rare. Even as the sole son of King Zihuang, he had only ever gathered two of them.
"Tap, tap, tap—"
The sound of light footsteps drew Xu Zihuang's gaze.
The sixth-year shopkeeper approached, bringing with her a girl with long pale-green hair.
This girl looked about Xu Zihuang's age. She wore a light green dress matching her hair, clearly also a new Shrek student. Her long hair spilled down her back, and her dark green eyes shone with gentle warmth, her frail aura stirring instinctive pity.
When she saw Xu Zihuang's face, she froze for an instant. A shy flush flickered in her soft eyes, but her manner remained composed—elegant, like one raised in a great soul master family.
The shopkeeper sister playfully held the girl's wrist, feigning a pleading expression.
"So, Yun'er, how about giving this Mo Xueji I set aside for you to this junior instead? Next time I go to the Sunset Forest, I'll bring another back for you."
"Qin-jie, if you've already decided, then why even ask me?"
Yun'er rolled her eyes lightly, but her gentle gaze held no trace of complaint.
From their exchange, Xu Zihuang caught an important detail.
"Senior Sister Qin, are there more of these Mo Xueji in the Sunset Forest?"
"There are, and not just a few." Qin-jie nodded with a smile.
"But that's part of my livelihood. Handsome or not, I won't reveal the exact location."
Xu Zihuang gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"My apologies, Senior Sister. That was presumptuous of me. I just happen to be especially fond of Mo Xueji orchids. If you get more in the future, could you contact me first?"
"Of course." Qin-jie agreed readily, then suddenly asked,
"By the way, little junior, what class are you in this year?"
"Senior Sister Qin, I'm in Class Nine. My name is Yu Tianhuang."
"You're in Class Nine too?!" Qin-jie glanced at him in surprise, then turned to the girl beside her.
"So you and Yun'er are classmates."
Noticing Xu Zihuang's gaze, Yun'er smiled gracefully and introduced herself with polite composure.
"Hello, my name is Nanmen Yun'er."
Nanmen Yun'er?
Xu Zihuang's heart stirred slightly. He inclined his head politely in return.
At that moment, he felt the Skydream Iceworm stir awake in his spiritual sea again. Understanding its intent, he took out a gold soul coin from his soul tool, handed it to Qin-jie, and carefully picked up the Mo Xueji.
"Senior Sister Qin, Classmate Nanmen, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."