Douluo Continent: Little Huo Niang Taken Away by Di Tian

Chapter 152 The Tragic Fate of Jing Hongchen

The Hongchen siblings returned defeated from the Soul Master Competition, bringing not only their loss but also information that made Jing Hongchen frown deeply.

"A nineteen-year-old Soul Saint, a twelve-year-old Soul Master..." He put down the detailed report in his hand.

The monsters of Shrek Academy this generation seem to be more illogical than ever before.

As for the 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo, Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes shrewdly—the Star Luo royal family themselves hadn't even made a move, yet they were putting it up for auction?

He had no intention of using the entire Hongchen family's century-long accumulation, plus his own savings for his coffin, to wade through such a deep and complex situation.

However, this opportunity could be used to push forward the long-delayed "exchange student program" and even allow people to visit Shrek City and get a close look at the "Spirit Tower" that seemed to appear out of nowhere but quickly took root.

A few days later, Jing Hongchen led a team of Mingdetang's elite personnel into Shrek City.

The city gate guards meticulously checked the travel permits, and the rigorous procedures made him nod in approval—Shrek's management was indeed unique.

At the entrance of the college, Dean Yan Shaozhe was already waiting in person.

When the two met, they exchanged polite greetings, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious, but in reality, both of them were assessing and evaluating each other.

"Master Hongchen has come from afar and must be tired from your journey. A small banquet has been prepared to welcome you all and wash away the dust of your journey. Please." Yan Shaozhe smiled warmly and stepped aside to lead the way.

Jing Hongchen nodded in thanks and followed silently, his gaze sweeping over the ancient yet vibrant scenery of Shrek Academy while gathering all possible information.

When they were led to an elegant restaurant and saw the tall, elderly man wearing an apron, with an unusually bright smile, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, Jing Hongchen's intuition suddenly rang sharply for a moment.

"This is Elder Xuanzi, a senior member of the Sea God Pavilion in our academy. Upon learning of your arrival, Elder Xuanzi specially prepared a meal to showcase his culinary skills." Yan Shaozhe's smile seemed even more sincere than before.

Jing Hongchen politely cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Xuan. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

Xuanzi personally presented a huge silver plate lid engraved with intricate patterns. The solemnity of the presentation reminded Jing Hongchen of the activation ceremony of the Soul Guidance Shield, which was the latest development of Mingde Hall.

"Distinguished guests, today's first main course is a masterpiece created by me, a fusion of northern and southern flavors, and drawing upon the finest ingredients from heaven and earth—"

"All rivers flow into the sea, merging into the boundless!"

"Buzz—!"

There was no dazzling light, nor any fragrant aroma.

But the moment the lid was lifted, all the visitors from the sun and moon, including Jing Hongchen, felt a slight darkness before their eyes.

What was presented to them could hardly be defined as "food".

On that giant platter, there was no trace of ordinary dishes; it was as if a miniature, raging ocean had been created!

Hundreds of fish heads of various kinds (from palm-sized crucian carp to ferocious shark skulls) are "embedded" in a strange and dense rhythm on a giant pancake-shaped "seabed" that is baked into the shape of a sea vortex.

Each fish head is coated with a secret sauce, making it glossy and dark, with its mouth wide open, holding brightly colored, unidentified chili peppers or candied fruits.

Even more bizarrely, the fish's eyes were hollowed out and filled with a faintly glowing, slowly pulsating gelatinous substance. The eerie blue-green light blended together, like a hundred-eyed monster staring down at the human world.

An indescribable, intense aroma exploded forth, a wave of salty, pungent, and slightly sweet flavors intertwining to create a powerful and impactful odor.

Jing Hongchen's smile froze.

"Come, come, Master Jing Hongchen, you've come from afar, please try this fish eye!"

Xuanzi was enthusiastic and moved with lightning speed. With a single spoonful, she precisely scooped up two of the most "wriggling" fluorescent fish eyes and placed them into the white bone china dish in front of Jing Hongchen without saying a word.

Jing Hongchen: "..."

However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, as the head of the Mingde Hall of the Sun Moon Empire, a ninth-level Soul Master, and the representative of this diplomatic meeting, he could not lose his composure.

He took a deep breath—and immediately regretted it, the strange, complex smell shooting straight to the top of his head—and with all his remaining composure, picked up the silver spoon.

Under Xuanzi's expectant gaze, Yan Shaozhe's "kind" smile, and the mixed feelings of sympathy, fear, and a hint of curiosity from his subordinates, he put a "fluorescent fish eye" into his mouth.

Time seemed to stand still.

It's not simply "unpalatable," but rather a dimensional distortion.

In a daze, he seemed to see double images—no longer the elegant restaurant, but the dark clearing of the Demon Forest, where a group of evil-eyed tyrants were dancing a frenzied and disorderly dance to the piercing demonic sounds.

"Hall...Hall Master?" The deputy beside him called out softly, his voice trembling.

Jing Hongchen snapped back to reality and, with her strong willpower, forced herself to swallow.

"Master Xuan... his culinary skills... are indeed... ingenious."

"Haha, eat more if you like!"

Xuanzi burst into laughter, clearly taking Jing Hongchen's reaction as the highest praise. Without saying a word, he used a specially made pair of large tongs to pick up a "crispy cake" with charred edges, suspicious sauce flowing in the middle, and some unknown seaweed and tiny seashells stuck to it, and boldly placed it on Jing Hongchen's plate.

Behind Jing Hongchen, a clear, muffled thud of a person falling to the ground finally came.

A young researcher, unable to withstand the triple impact of sight, smell, and imagined taste, rolled his eyes and fainted in relief.

The entire meal proceeded "difficultly" in an extremely strange, agonizing atmosphere, where one had to maintain a facade of politeness.

Jing Hongchen used all his wisdom to "taste" Xuanzi's "masterpiece" in various clever and dignified ways as little as possible.

The elites from Mingdetang he brought also showed off their skills. Some pretended to be having a heated discussion about technical issues and forgot to eat, while others "accidentally" spilled soup (which was then enthusiastically refilled by Xuanzi, with double the amount).

When the banquet finally came to a "perfect" end, Jing Hongchen felt that his soul power had not been depleted in the slightest, but his spirit was as if he had just commanded a continuous forging of an extremely high-intensity level nine soul tool, and he was exhausted to the point of death.

Stepping out of the restaurant and breathing in the fresh air of Shrek Academy, filled with the fragrance of grass and flowers, Jing Hongchen felt a sense of being reborn, as if from another world.

He calmly straightened his clothes, adjusted his glasses, and tried to regain the demeanor of the usually shrewd and calculating Master Mingde.

"Master Hongchen, what do you think of the hospitality at our academy?" Yan Shaozhe asked with a smile.

Jing Hongchen remained silent for three seconds, and finally, he answered slowly and with utmost seriousness:

"Your esteemed institution's profound cultural heritage, sincere hospitality, and especially Elder Xuan's unique and unforgettable culinary skills, truly left Jing in awe and an unforgettable experience."

"It seems that we need to take a long-term view and plan carefully regarding the exchange student issue."

Especially regarding the daily dietary needs of the trainees, both sides may need to reach some specific... consensus.

It wasn't until he left Shrek Academy and rested in a forest that Jing Hongchen finally let out a long, slow breath.