77: Chapter 77 Returning to Blue Tyrant Academy

At this moment, Xiao Wu walked over from behind, leaning sideways to look into Ye Lingling's arms, her eyes sparkling as if she wanted to see some rare treasure.

"Lingling, just let me have one look."

Dugu Yan reached out and pulled Ye Lingling over, saying without looking back.

"What's there to see? Didn't you just see it?"

Xiao Wu was left behind and muttered softly.

"Honestly, how stingy. I just wanted to see it again."

After that, her pace slowed down, and she didn't chase after them anymore. Her eyes darted around, and she sidled up to Ning Rongrong's side.

Ning Rongrong smiled and grabbed Xiao Wu's sleeve, whispering.

"What's the rush? You can see it every day once we're back at the academy."

"That's right. Back at the academy, you can go to Lingling's room every day to watch her let the bird egg sunbathe."

Meng Yiran added from behind, her voice not quiet. Ye Lingling, walking in front, felt the tips of her ears redden, but she didn't look back at them.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up.

"Oh, right! Once we're back at the academy, I'll live right next door to Lingling!"

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes at her.

"You live next to Lingling? Your neighbor is Brother Xiao Qi; you're three rooms away from Lingling."

"Then I'll move over."

Xiao Wu's tone was so serious it didn't sound like she was joking.

"Alright, stop messing around."

Bai Qi called out from the very back, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Bleh!"

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.

Zhu Zhuqing walked beside Bai Qi, watching quietly without joining their conversation.

Her gaze occasionally fell on the surrounding mountain forests, observing the environment, before returning to the group ahead.

After walking for about half an hour, everyone stepped out of the Poison Array area.

Xiao Wu stretched, but the movement was so large she nearly hit Ning Rongrong. Ning Rongrong dodged to the side, glared at her, and gave Xiao Wu's bottom a slap; Xiao Wu chuckled, not minding at all.

"Finally out. Walking in that poisonous mist was so suffocating; I didn't even dare to take a deep breath."

As Xiao Wu spoke, she put one hand on her hip and fanned the air in front of her with the other, taking a deep breath of the fresh air scented with plants.

"Suffocating? You seemed to be walking quite happily."

Dugu Yan, leading Ye Lingling, said without looking back.

"That's different."

Xiao Wu huffed, but she couldn't figure out what was different, so she simply took a few quick steps to the front of the group.

The main group continued walking toward the exit of the Sunset Forest.

The sun in the sky rose higher and higher, its light spilling through the gaps in the treetops and casting shadows on the ground.

The occasional chirping of one or two small birds could be heard.

Whenever Ye Lingling heard them, she would subconsciously look at the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow in her arms, her lips curving slightly.

When noon arrived, Bai Qi led them to a stop by a small stream.

The stream water was shallow and clear—so clear that the pebbles at the bottom were visible. The water's surface reflected the color of the sky, with the occasional fallen leaf floating by.

Bai Qi went into the water and caught several large fish. After coming ashore, he held up the fish and said to everyone.

"Come, we're having grilled fish for lunch today. I'll show off my skills for everyone. We'll continue our journey after we eat."

Xiao Wu was the first to approach, crouching by the bank to look at the fish in his hands.

"You know how to grill fish?"

Having lived with Bai Qi for so long, Xiao Wu had never seen him cook before.

Bai Qi smiled and tapped Xiao Wu on the head.

"Just you wait and see; I guarantee you'll eat well."

Then he bought several iron skewers and a knife from the System Mall. After cleaning the fish, he skewered them.

Ah Yin, who was nearby, had already started a fire. Bai Qi naturally placed the fish over the flames to roast.

He then bought a small cloth bag filled with seasonings and opened it; inside were salt, cumin, chili powder, and several other spices, all neatly separated.

Ning Rongrong curiously leaned in, tilting her head to look at the seasonings.

"Brother Xiao Qi, you even carry these things when you go out?"

While sprinkling seasoning onto the fish, Bai Qi replied casually.

"Of course. When traveling, one shouldn't settle for mediocre food."

Xiao Wu crouched beside him, her chin resting on her hands, staring at the fish and swallowing saliva from time to time.

The fish skin slowly curled over the fire, sizzling with oil. The aroma of the seasonings, heated by the flames, drifted out along with the freshness of the fish meat.

Xiao Wu swallowed her saliva and finally couldn't help but say.

"It smells so good. I didn't expect you to have this skill, Xiao Qi."

Dugu Yan, who had been sitting by a tree looking at the egg with Ye Lingling, also looked up when she smelled the aroma. Meng Yiran sniffed. Even Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing guard not far away, let her gaze drift over.

Bai Qi unhurriedly flipped the fish, ensuring every side was heated evenly.

When the first fish was done, the skin was golden and crispy, and the meat where it flaked open was white, tender, and glistening with oil.

Xiao Wu reached out to take it but was tapped on the back of her hand by Bai Qi.

"What's the rush? Give it to Lingling first."

Xiao Wu withdrew her hand and pouted, but she didn't say anything.

Ye Lingling, who had been sitting there looking at the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow's egg, was startled by Bai Qi's words. She then reached out to take the fish he handed her and whispered a thank you.

She lowered her head and took a bite, her eyes widening slightly. She took another bite, chewed quickly twice, looked up at Bai Qi, and her mouth didn't stop moving.

"How is it? How is it?"

Xiao Wu, already dazed by the aroma, leaned in to ask.

Ye Lingling nodded and said only two words.

"It's delicious."

Turning back, Bai Qi finished grilling another one, and this time he handed it to Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu took it and took a huge bite, hissing from the heat, but she still ate voraciously, saying indistinctly.

"Xiao Qi, what you made is just too delicious!"

Bai Qi smiled and said nothing, continuing to flip the remaining fish. Ah Yin sat beside him, helping him pass the seasonings, a smile on her lips.

When Ning Rongrong got her fish, she smelled it first, then took a small bite and chewed. Her eyes curved into crescents.

"It's even better than what's made at my home."

Meng Yiran took her fish but didn't rush to eat. She looked it over first and said, "It's grilled quite evenly," before taking a bite. Her chewing speed also noticeably increased.

When Zhu Zhuqing received her fish, she gave a slight nod and retreated to the side to eat quietly. Bai Qi noticed she was eating faster than she usually did at meals, though her face remained expressionless. He thought to himself, Cats really do love fish.

Dugu Yan took her fish and took a bite, her movements getting faster and faster. Xiao Wu teased her from the side.

"You note say you weren't hungry?"

Dugu Yan ignored her completely and continued eating her grilled fish.

After finishing her own, Xiao Wu's eyes wandered to the one Bai Qi was currently grilling.

Noticing this, Bai Qi said.

"Catch one yourself and bring it to me to grill. I'm only making one per person."

Xiao Wu curled her lip and actually rolled up her pant legs to step into the water.

She splashed around for a long time before catching a small fish not even the size of a palm, proudly holding it up for Bai Qi to see. Bai Qi glanced at it and said.

"Too small. Let it go."

Xiao Wu reluctantly put the small fish back and continued splashing around to catch more. Ning Rongrong watched from the bank, laughing, but in the end, Bai Qi still gave his portion to Xiao Wu.

After Xiao Wu got it, she ate happily, closing her eyes to savor every delicious bite.

After finishing her fish, Dugu Yan leaned against a tree and looked at Bai Qi.

"I didn't expect you to have this skill."

"What did you think?"

Bai Qi said, flipping the fish over. Once it was done, he gave the last fish to Ah Yin.

Ah Yin took the last fish Bai Qi handed her and used a skewer to tear half of it for him. Bai Qi took it, took a bite, and nodded. He hadn't expected it to actually be so good.

Ah Yin looked at him, smiled, and lowered her head to eat her own portion.

Xiao Wu finished hers in just a few bites.

Ning Rongrong looked at Xiao Wu and said with a smile.

"Can't you eat a bit slower?"

"It's delicious."

Xiao Wu said indistinctly, her cheeks bulging.

After eating and drinking their fill, Bai Qi stood up and saw the sun beginning to sink in the west. The group set off again.

By evening, they entered Heaven Dou City.

After walking a bit longer, Lanba Academy came into view. There were only a few students scattered about at the entrance.

They entered the academy, crossed the front courtyard, went around the training grounds, and arrived at the small courtyard deep within the woods.

The gate was still open, and the soil in the flower beds still looked as it did when it was turned a few days ago.

Bai Qi pushed open the gate, looked back at everyone, and said with a smile.

"We're home. Everyone, come in."

Xiao Wu was the first to hop inside. Ning Rongrong, Meng Yiran, and Zhu Zhuqing followed. Dugu Yan pulled Ye Lingling, who was holding the egg, and they entered slowly. Ah Yin, the last to enter the courtyard, gently closed the gate.