Sea Star Douluo's cry of "Great Priestess!" was drenched in disbelief.
His trembling finger wavered back and forth between Sea Horse Douluo and the figure still burying herself in her food.
Once.
Twice.
Everyone in the restaurant subconsciously followed the motion of that finger, their gazes shifting in unison.
Sea Star Douluo's expression went through a vivid spectrum.
Shock.
Bewilderment.
Then, an eerie stillness—like the moment before a volcano erupted.
Seeing that look, Sea Horse Douluo's heart sank. A violently ominous premonition surged up.
The aura around the brother he had grown up with felt… dangerous.
"Starfish, you—"
He barely managed to speak.
The next second—
"Sea Horse! I'll curse your Immortal ancestors!"
Sea Star Douluo lunged forward, grabbing Sea Horse Douluo's collar with both hands and shaking him like a rag doll.
"Are you out of your damn mind?!"
"Huh?!"
"What did Sea Dragon send you here for?! He sent you to invite the Great Priestess back—not to squat here stuffing your face!"
"The Great Priestess is right in front of you! Why aren't you persuading her to return? Why are you shoveling this crappy rice like your life depends on it?!"
Sea Horse Douluo was shaken until the world spun. He felt as if his breakfast was about to make a dramatic return.
Stars danced in his vision. His mind went completely blank.
This… this was bad.
Instinctively, he shot a pleading look toward Bo Saixi, who was still trying her best to disappear behind a bowl larger than her face.
Feeling those two burning gazes lock onto her, Bo Saixi knew pretending was no longer an option.
She sighed helplessly and slowly set the bowl down.
"Starfish," she said mildly, "why are you here too?"
Sea Star Douluo instantly released Sea Horse Douluo and rushed up to her, face filled with grievance and urgency.
"Great Priestess! Sea Dragon Douluo saw that you and Sea Horse hadn't returned even after the expected time passed. He grew anxious and sent me to investigate!"
As he spoke, he didn't forget to whip his head around and glare viciously at Sea Horse Douluo, who guiltily lowered his gaze.
It was all this bastard's fault!
"Great Priestess, Sea God Island cannot be without its master even for a single day. Please—return with me at once!"
His voice trembled with earnest pleading.
But Bo Saixi merely lifted her teacup and took a composed sip.
"This Seat cannot return for now."
"The traitor Sea Witch has not yet been apprehended. How could I leave with peace of mind?"
Hearing these familiar words, Sea Horse Douluo's eyes lit up like torches.
Right! Exactly! That excuse!
He immediately stepped forward, straightened his posture, and put on a righteous expression.
"Precisely! I am here to assist the Great Priestess in capturing the traitor!"
"Until the Sea Witch is apprehended, the Great Priestess and I swear not to return to the island!"
Sea Star Douluo's temples throbbed violently.
He completely snapped.
"Capture my ass!"
He pointed straight at Sea Horse Douluo's nose and erupted.
"That blockhead Sea Witch has seawater for brains! Does she even have the courage to defect?!"
"Does she know what defection means?! Does she even understand the word?!"
"And even if—even if—she somehow grew a bear's heart and leopard's guts and truly defected!"
He spun back to Bo Saixi, voice cracking from agitation.
"With your strength, wouldn't catching her be easier than grabbing a chick?! Do you really need him to help?!"
"Oh, Great Priestess! Please stop trying to fool me with such an unbelievable excuse! Sea God Island truly cannot function without you!"
By the end, Sea Star Douluo looked ready to kneel right there on the spot.
He had come under a military order.
If he couldn't bring the Great Priestess back, he didn't need to return himself.
But before his desperate plea could continue—
"You little brat, what nonsense are you spewing?"
A cold, furious voice rang out beside him.
Sea Star Douluo hadn't even turned his head.
Slap!
A crisp, resounding blow landed squarely across his face.
Qian Daoliu had appeared beside him at some point, his aged features brimming with menace.
Before Sea Star Douluo could react—
Slap!
Another backhand sent him spinning twice in place, stars bursting across his vision.
"Xi Xi doesn't want to go back—who do you think you are, forcing her?!"
Qian Daoliu jabbed a finger at Sea Star Douluo's nose, voice thunderous.
"Say one more word and I'll break all five points of your crappy starfish today. Believe it or not?!"
Sea Star Douluo was completely stunned.
He clutched his burning face, staring at the furious old man, then at Bo Saixi, who wore an expression that clearly said this has nothing to do with me.
His heart filled with boundless grievance.
What in the world was happening?!
Bo Saixi, watching the chaos unfold, felt a headache coming on.
How had she never noticed before that all seven of her Sacred Pillar Guardians were more stubborn than the last?
Just as she was pondering how to end this farce, her gaze accidentally landed on the unfinished bowl of egg fried rice in Sea Horse Douluo's hands.
Her eyes brightened.
An idea formed.
She cleared her throat lightly.
"Sea Horse."
Sea Horse Douluo shuddered and immediately looked over.
He saw Bo Saixi subtly gesture with her eyes toward the egg fried rice—then cast a meaningful look at Sea Star Douluo.
Sea Horse Douluo might be simple-minded, but he wasn't that slow.
He understood instantly.
The next second—
With lightning speed, Sea Horse Douluo scooped up a heaping spoonful of golden, glistening egg fried rice.
Before Sea Star Douluo could even react, he reenacted his signature move—
Straight into Sea Star Douluo's still-dazed mouth!
"Ugh—!"
His mouth suddenly stuffed with a hot, unfamiliar mass, Sea Star Douluo almost slapped Sea Horse Douluo into the next life.
But just as he was about to explode—
A domineering, indescribable fragrance detonated across his palate!
He subconsciously chewed.
Once.
Twice.
The fury and grievance in his eyes froze—then melted.
"…Hm?"
What… is this?
So fragrant.
His tense body relaxed on its own. His expression shifted from rage, to confusion, to deep intoxication.
He chewed a few more times, swallowed with effort.
"Gulp."
Licking his lips, savoring the lingering aroma, he asked instinctively—
"This… what is this?"
Before Sea Horse Douluo could answer, Bo Saixi had already stood up gracefully.
She wiped the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, her tone calm and unhurried.
"Nothing special."
"Just a kind of rice that exists only in this restaurant across the entire Douluo Continent."
She glanced once at the dazed Sea Star Douluo, then turned and stepped toward the exit.
"Since you're so eager to return to Sea God Island…"
Her voice carried no emotion at all.
"Then let's not delay."
"We leave now."
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