Not only did Zhang Lexuan notice the newcomers approaching them, but Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luocheng, and the other students from Shrek Academy did as well. Even Xuan Zi, who had been eating and drinking heartily atop a tree tens of meters tall, instantly appeared in front of Zhang Lexuan, facing the approaching duo.
He had sensed that one of the newcomers possessed an aura not inferior to his own.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Ji Lin and Chi Yuan came to a stop.
"Hello, we are from the Star Luo Empire. We mean no harm—we just smelled delicious food and thought we'd try to bum a bite. Don't worry, we'll pay for it."
Ji Lin greeted them with an awkward smile.
He and Chi Yuan were admittedly inexperienced and had forgotten to bring cooking tools and seasoning when they left home. Though they had dry rations and fruit, who would eat that when there was hot food available?
Upon seeing that the speaker was just a six-year-old child, Zhang Lexuan and the others relaxed a little. Only Xuan Zi still watched Chi Yuan warily.
"Someone as powerful as you from the Star Luo Empire? I didn't know the empire had such strong individuals," Xuan Zi said, frowning at Chi Yuan.
Chi Yuan responded with a gentle smile. "My name is Chi Yuan, Title Douluo Chi Yuan. I recently joined the Star Luo Empire's Worship Hall."
"Chi Yuan! Chi Yuan Douluo, you're Chi Yuan Douluo?" Ma Xiaotao exclaimed in surprise.
Both her and Chi Yuan's martial spirits originated from the divine beast phoenix bloodline—hers was the Evil Fire Phoenix, and Chi Yuan's was the Scarlet Luan Bird. Both were top-tier beast spirits.
Ma Xiaotao had long been interested in Chi Yuan, a fellow member of the phoenix lineage.
"So it's you, Chi Yuan Douluo. You've always been a lone wolf—why join the Star Luo Empire now?" Xuan Zi also recalled who Chi Yuan was.
"I am Xuan Zi, Title Douluo Taotie. Since we have guests, Lexuan, please take care of them."
"Yes, Your Eminence. And this adorable little brother too—please, this way!"
Following Xuan Zi's instruction, Zhang Lexuan hurriedly invited Chi Yuan and Ji Lin over to the large pot Ma Xiaotao had been cooking over.
Staring at the soul beast meat in the pot and sniffing the fragrant aroma, Ji Lin couldn't help but gulp. Ever since leaving Star Luo City, he had only eaten dry rations and fruit—his mouth had long grown tired of bland food.
"o(￣︶￣)o Hehe"
Seeing Ji Lin's adorable expression, Zhang Lexuan giggled, covering her mouth. Even the usually cold Ling Luocheng couldn't help but smile.
Ma Xiaotao immediately got Ji Lin a bowl and chopsticks and filled his bowl to the brim.
"Thank you, big sister. Sisters, where are you from?" Ji Lin said sweetly, his tone honeyed as he addressed each of them as "big sister."
"Hahaha, what a cute little brother! What's your name? How old are you?" Ma Xiaotao asked while laughing.
"Sister, my name is Ji Lin. I'm six years old."
Ma Xiaotao was stunned. "Six years old, and you're already out here getting your first soul ring? Are you innately full of soul power?"
"Mm-hmm." Ji Lin nodded while chewing on meat, mouth full.
As Ji Lin's face became smeared with oil, Ling Luocheng pulled out a handkerchief from her storage soul device and gently wiped his mouth.
"Eat slowly. There's plenty in the pot. Don't choke," Ling Luocheng said softly, reminded of her younger brother who was the same age as Ji Lin.
Seeing this gentle side of Ling Luocheng stunned Ma Xiaotao and the other students. Even Zhang Lexuan looked surprised—this was the first time they had seen Ling Luocheng act so gently.
Chi Yuan also looked at Ji Lin, who was clearly acting cute, then at the beautiful and gentle Zhang Lexuan, the fiery and voluptuous Ma Xiaotao, and the cool, quiet Ling Luocheng. Her expression turned strangely complicated.
"Oh heavens, my little piglet is only six and already knows how to woo girls—and three at once."
Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Lin continued to act cute. Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luocheng gradually melted under the barrage of sweet "big sister" calls.
"Sister Zhang Lexuan, the one in red is Sister Ma Xiaotao, and the white-haired one next to me is Sister Ling Luocheng."
"As for where we're from, we're all students of Shrek Academy."
Seeing Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luocheng getting lost in Ji Lin's honeyed words, Zhang Lexuan helplessly introduced everyone and clarified their identities.
As for the other students? Well… background characters don't get names.
"Shrek Academy, huh? I've heard it's the number one academy on the continent. I want to study at Shrek Academy in the future," Ji Lin said, looking at Zhang Lexuan.
"Sure! When the time comes, let me know. I'll come get you and be your guide," Ling Luocheng responded.
"Hahaha, if anyone dares bully you at school, just mention Sister Xiaotao's name. I've got your back," Ma Xiaotao added with a laugh, patting his shoulder.
"Thank you, Sister Xiaotao, Sister Luocheng, and Sister Lexuan. With the three of you, I dare anyone to try bullying me!" Ji Lin said proudly.
"o(￣︶￣)o Hehe"
All three girls laughed at the same time.
"Xiao Lin, what's your relationship with His Eminence Chi Yuan?" Ma Xiaotao asked curiously.
"Chi Yuan-sensei is my teacher," Ji Lin replied while eating.
"Teacher? You're Chi Yuan Douluo's disciple? Does that mean you also have a fire-phoenix-type martial spirit?"
Ma Xiaotao looked shocked.
"Nope, my martial spirit is a tool-type, though it is fire-elemental. Can I have another bowl?"
Ji Lin requested more food as he kept eating.
"A tool spirit? Chi Yuan Douluo, a top-tier beast spirit user, took on a tool spirit user as her disciple?"
Ma Xiaotao refilled his bowl, muttering in confusion.
"Maybe Xiao Lin's martial spirit is very special. Otherwise, I can't imagine why a beast spirit user would take on a tool spirit user," Zhang Lexuan speculated.
"Yeah, because my spirit is Ultimate Fire," Ji Lin said casually.
"Oh, so you're Ultimate Fire—wait, what?! You said what? You're Ultimate Fire?!"
Ma Xiaotao suddenly snapped out of it and jumped up, yelling.
Everyone immediately turned their attention toward them.
Xuan Zi also wandered over, sipping his drink. "Xiaotao, what are you shouting about? What Ultimate Fire?"
"Elder Xuan, Xiao Lin said his martial spirit is Ultimate Fire!" Ma Xiaotao reported instantly.
Pfft—Xuan Zi spat out his wine in shock. "What did you say?! This kid is an Ultimate Fire attribute soul master?!"
"Yes, A-Lin is indeed an Ultimate Fire user," Chi Yuan confirmed.
Xuan Zi looked at Ji Lin, eyes full of delight, and asked warmly, "Child, may I see your martial spirit?"
Ji Lin wiped his mouth and hands with Ling Luocheng's handkerchief, then extended his right hand. A crimson greatsword appeared in his grip, and an intense wave of heat burst forth, drying out the air around them.