Chapter 278: Never Tasted the Same Dish Twice

"Thank you."

Thanks to Qian Ran's intervention, Ye Wuqing and his team felt fully recovered. In fact, they felt even better than they had before stepping onto the stage.

"Thank you so much," said Shangguan Can and the rest of Zheng Tian Academy's team members.

Qian Ran's overwhelming power was evident, yet he remained humble and approachable. This left them feeling both awed and self-conscious.

"Alright. Since you're all fine now, I'll take my leave." Qian Ran waved nonchalantly. To him, this was no big deal. He prided himself on being a decent person—at least more humane than most in this world—as long as no one crossed him.

"Wait… Qian Ran, do you have a moment? I'd like to talk to you," said Yu Mengdi quickly as she stepped forward, her expression serious.

The reappearance of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul had stirred something deep within her. She couldn't let Qian Ran leave just yet.

"Let's talk during lunch," Qian Ran replied after a brief glance at her. His tone was casual, but his gaze lingered momentarily before he turned and left.

"Yu Mengdi, what's up? Don't tell me you've fallen for him?" teased Ye Wuqing, trying to lighten the mood. "Though I can't blame you. If there's anyone worth chasing, it's definitely that guy."

Hearing Ye Wuqing's remark, Yan'er felt her chest tighten inexplicably.

Yu Mengdi's golden eyes remained fixed on Qian Ran's retreating figure as she gently shook her head.

"Doesn't Qian Ran's martial soul seem familiar to you?" she asked, her tone thoughtful.

"Familiar? Sure, it looks a bit like yours, but his has six wings while yours only has two," Yan'er said, her tone half-joking.

Their leader's words puzzled them.

"You're all aware of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, right? Do none of you remember where it's from?" Yu Mengdi sighed, annoyed at their cluelessness.

"The Six-Winged Angel… isn't that the martial soul of the Spirit Hall from a thousand years ago?"

At that moment, even the teachers accompanying Zheng Tian Academy couldn't suppress their shock.

The realization dawned on them like a thunderclap.

The illustrations from their textbooks resurfaced in their minds. The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was legendary—synonymous with the Spirit Hall, a force that had dominated the Douluo Continent in its time.

Though the Spirit Hall was destroyed in the wake of the ancient war, and the Angel Clan was said to have been wiped out, this martial soul had left an indelible mark on history.

And now…

The entire team felt a chill.

Had they just faced off against a direct descendant of the Angel Clan?

Was the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul truly not extinct? Had it merely been hiding in the shadows all along?

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing.

In that moment, their frustration over losing the match was replaced by awe and even reverence.

"Without a doubt, the Angel Clan has returned. I want to follow them," Yu Mengdi declared earnestly.

As a soul master with her own angel martial soul, aligning with the Angel Clan would be a profound honor. If she could become part of such a storied legacy, her entire family would celebrate her achievement.

The match concluded, and the Shrek Academy team promptly left the arena.

Staying any longer would have only invited more scrutiny from the countless eager eyes fixated on them.

Qian Ran's overwhelming performance had removed any remaining suspense from the tournament. Everyone now knew that this year's championship was Shrek's to lose.

Among the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy students, morale was at an all-time low. Even their instructor, Ma Lao, couldn't muster the words to console them. He, too, felt as if his resolve had been shaken.

It was a hard pill to swallow: no matter how much effort they put in, there were always insurmountable obstacles like Qian Ran.

When lunchtime arrived, Yu Mengdi showed up as promised.

She wasn't wearing her academy uniform. Instead, she opted for a casual but striking outfit—a cropped top that revealed her toned stomach and a pair of short shorts that showcased her long, pale legs. Her delicate feet peeked out from stylish sandals, adding to her youthful charm.

Though Yu Mengdi was undeniably attractive, Qian Ran wasn't particularly captivated by her. However, if she wished to join the Spirit Hall, he wouldn't refuse.

At present, what the Spirit Hall needed most wasn't more powerhouses but a reliable middle-management layer to handle affairs. Even less remarkable individuals could still play vital roles.

"I'm here," Yu Mengdi said softly, her demeanor uncharacteristically shy as she faced Qian Ran.

"Let's grab some food. We can talk as we eat," Qian Ran said, stepping closer. Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, relishing the smooth texture of her skin.

Though Yu Mengdi's innate qualities were commendable, they weren't enough to compel Qian Ran to actively pursue her. Only women who triggered the system's goddess rewards warranted his full attention.

His approach was straightforward: if a woman showed interest and was easy to win over, he would oblige. If she required too much effort, he wouldn't bother. His time was better spent with Winter, Ning Tian, and the others.

Adjusting to the values of this new world had reshaped his perspective over time.

Yu Mengdi tensed slightly at first but soon relaxed, tentatively linking her arm with his.

"Is your family large?" Qian Ran asked as they walked.

"Not especially. We're considered a medium-sized clan. My grandfather only recently broke through to the Contra rank," she replied.

"A fresh Contra, huh? Not bad," Qian Ran commented casually.

In this era, titled Douluo were becoming increasingly common. A family whose strongest member was a newly ascended Contra wasn't particularly impressive.

Still, for the Spirit Hall's current stage of development, even small clans like hers could serve useful administrative roles.

Over lunch, Yu Mengdi reaffirmed her family's willingness to pledge loyalty to the Spirit Hall. Her sincerity pleased Qian Ran, and he finalized plans to integrate her clan into his growing organization.

As they finished their meal, Qian Ran took Yu Mengdi by the hand and led her toward a nearby hotel.

Blushing, Yu Mengdi lowered her head but offered no resistance. A faint sense of anticipation even welled up in her heart.

With Qian Ran's current influence, charming women was as easy as sharing a meal.

And indeed, this world's women were endlessly diverse in their charms and personalities.

Since arriving here, Qian Ran realized, he'd yet to taste the same dish twice.

Each encounter was distinct, each experience uniquely gratifying.

(Chapter End)