Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

Not long after Meng Yiran finished absorbing her spirit ring, Elder Dragon arrived with a look of astonishment on his face.

After Elder Snake gave a detailed account of the events, Elder Dragon remained silent, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward Zhao Ming, showing a hint of contemplation.

This trip to the Star Dou Forest had concluded perfectly.

However, due to the delay, by the time Meng Yiran finished absorbing her spirit ring, it was already late. After a brief discussion between Zhao Wuji and Elder Snake, they decided to rest here for the night and leave at dawn.

Zhao Wuji chose a flat and open area, and Zhao Ming and the others set up their tents. Zhao Wuji also somehow managed to find a few hundred-year-old sheep-type soul beasts, and Oscar, without any prompting, prepared the meat for a barbecue.

By the campfire, Zhao Ming sat with the four girls around him. Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji was catching up with Elder Dragon and Elder Snake. These seniors, who had all made names for themselves across the continent, shared a sense of camaraderie. Now that Meng Yiran had joined Shrek Academy, they naturally had much to discuss.

The firelight cast a golden glow on the four girls' faces.

Each one was an exceptional beauty, each with her own unique charm. For an ordinary person, having just one of these stunning women would feel like a blessing. Yet Zhao Ming had all four by his side. Although Meng Yiran wasn't officially his girlfriend, Zhao Ming had shamelessly decided she was already his.

Sitting beside Xiao Wu, Zhao Ming wrapped his arm around her slender waist and pulled her onto his lap.

This sudden gesture startled Xiao Wu, who immediately blushed and playfully chided, "What are you doing?"

"Can't I hold my own wife?" Zhao Ming teased, pinching the baby fat on Xiao Wu's cheeks with a smile.

"They're all watching," Xiao Wu murmured, her heart sweet but her shyness making it difficult for her to be so close to Zhao Ming in front of the others.

"It's fine." Zhao Ming chuckled, casting his gaze toward Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, causing both of their faces to flush. They pursed their lips but didn't say anything.

He realized he had been neglecting Xiao Wu lately. Reflecting on it now, Zhao Ming felt a bit guilty. It was in his nature to be unable to devote himself to just one person, and he knew that about himself. Thus, he could only try to make it up to her in other ways.

This gesture was also his way of showing Xiao Wu his feelings, assuring her that he hadn't stopped loving her just because he had other women. She still held a special place in his heart. Although Xiao Wu didn't say she needed these assurances, what woman wouldn't want to feel important to her man?

Zhao Ming then glanced at Meng Yiran. At that moment, she was also looking at him, but when their eyes met, she quickly lowered her head.

Unlike Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, who had already made their relationship with Zhao Ming clear, Meng Yiran's situation was different. She had only known Zhao Ming for a day, and their relationship was purely that of classmates—or at least, that was what Meng Yiran thought. Zhao Ming, however, had a different perspective.

Right now, Meng Yiran was feeling anxious.

She couldn't decipher Zhao Ming's gaze just now.

Was it a hint?

Or was it just a casual glance with no deeper meaning?

He already had so many beautiful girls by his side; could he really be interested in her?

After all, those girls were all so beautiful, and their talent and strength were outstanding.

But she was so ordinary, so average. Neither her talent nor her background could compare to theirs.

"I told you, don't underestimate yourself. You're actually quite exceptional," Zhao Ming said as he approached, holding several skewers of grilled meat.

"Am I really exceptional?" Meng Yiran was momentarily stunned. She used to think that way. At the Beast Academy, who among her peers could claim to surpass her in talent and strength?

But after spending time with the Shrek students, she realized there were always greater talents beyond one's knowledge. Especially when she learned that the one who had taken her spirit ring, Oscar, was a food-type spirit master with innate full spirit power. She felt even more disheartened.

Although she believed that through hard work she could eventually bridge the gap between herself and them, at the moment, wasn't she the weakest?

"You are indeed exceptional. Across the entire Douluo Continent, your talent is definitely among the best," Zhao Ming reassured her.

"But compared to all of you, it's nothing," Meng Yiran shook her head.

"No two leaves in the world are exactly the same; each is unique and incomparable. Likewise, I don't think you're inferior to anyone here," Zhao Ming said calmly.

"But withered leaves are different from fresh ones; no one would prefer the withered ones."

"How do you know no one would like them? Someone will," Zhao Ming smiled.

Meng Yiran's heart trembled slightly as she watched Zhao Ming's gentle smile. She wanted to ask, "Do you like me?"

But when the words reached her lips, she couldn't say them.

"All right, don't overthink it. We're all classmates. If you ever feel troubled, you can always come to any of us. Here, this is for you. Eat well, rest up, and have a good night's sleep." Zhao Ming handed the skewer to Meng Yiran with a light smile before walking away.

As she watched Zhao Ming's retreating figure, Meng Yiran felt a little disappointed.

So, was that just a classmate comforting her?

Was helping her obtain a spirit ring just an act of friendship?

Meng Yiran, what are you even thinking? He already has so many beautiful girls around him, all of whom are younger and prettier than you. Why would he ever look at you?

After comforting Meng Yiran, Zhao Ming walked over to Oscar. Perhaps it was his talent as a food-type spirit master, but Oscar also had quite a knack for grilling.

"Brother Ming, you're amazing." Oscar was flipping the skewers when he saw Zhao Ming approaching. He quickly handed him a freshly grilled skewer with a grin. Earlier, he had clearly seen how Zhao Ming almost had Meng Yiran, the new student, wrapped around his finger.

To him, that was truly impressive.

After all, Meng Yiran was the heiress of a prominent beast family and definitely not some ordinary girl. She wasn't someone easily charmed, but Zhao Ming seemed to have already won her over.

At this moment, Oscar was in complete admiration of Zhao Ming.

Even though Zhao Ming had already claimed the four junior sisters of Shrek Academy, Oscar had no complaints. After all, with Zhao Ming being so strong, watching him win over women was a spectacle in itself.

"You're not too bad yourself." Zhao Ming patted Oscar's shoulder as he chewed on the skewer Oscar handed him.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.