Slyly Devious

A few days later, Xia Tianling and Zhu Zhuqing returned easily to Suotuo City within the Balak Kingdom by carriage.

Since this was also his first time going out on his own, free from Old Jack and Bibi Dong's supervision, the temperament of a young man was completely unleashed.

Keeping track of the days, he took Zhu Zhuqing sightseeing all the way and experienced the culture of the Star Luo Empire.

As a qualified traveler, he could not forget his old trade even after arriving in another world.

Over the past few days, the two of them had become fairly familiar with each other.

Although Zhu Zhuqing, now free from pursuit, had returned to her usual aloof goddess demeanor and spoke very little.

Whenever mealtime came around, however, the aloof goddess would transform into a little gluttonous cat, waiting expectantly yet with great restraint for Xia Tianling to cook something delicious for her.

That way she kept wrestling with herself was rather amusing.

More interestingly, Xia Tianling learned something during their conversations along the way.

Zhu Zhuqing was not Level Twenty-Seven at this point, but Level Twenty-Nine.

He specifically spent Destiny Points to ask the system about the discrepancy, and this was the system's answer.

"If the host had not helped her earlier, then in the Original Work, Zhu Zhuqing would have used a Secret Technique unique to the Netherworld Family to escape her predicament. This Secret Technique can only be used once in a lifetime. It burns a certain amount of the user's Soul Power Level and potential, allowing the user to briefly enter the Netherworld and escape across an extremely long distance."

So that was it. Xia Tianling suddenly understood. In the original timeline, Zhu Zhuqing had used this Secret Technique to forcibly evade pursuit and flee to Suotuo City, which was why she had dropped to Level Twenty-Seven.

At the same time, this explained why Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul had not undergone any obvious evolution after she consumed the immortal herb later on. It had merely increased her Soul Power and speed somewhat.

After the medicinal power of the Water Lily Jade Muscle Bone repaired the foundation of the damage within her body, the remaining power was no longer enough to complete a transformation of her martial soul. Thus, it only manifested as a slight increase in Soul Power.

During the journey, Zhu Zhuqing expressed a strong desire to become stronger to Xia Tianling. They were the same age, so why could he cultivate to Level Thirty-Nine? He was a full ten levels above her.

Xia Tianling did not hide anything and stated it openly.

My cultivation method is special. Come to Spirit Hall Academy and follow me. I can tell you all kinds of secrets.

This left Kitten extremely conflicted these past few days.

She thirsted for strength and power, but Dai Mubai, to whom she was betrothed, was at Shrek Academy. She still needed to join forces with him against the powerful Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.

At the same time, she did not want someone else to bear the pressure brought by her family.

It really was difficult.

Xia Tianling did not force her, because he was already harboring a wicked idea. He had made up his mind to lure Zhu Zhuqing over to Spirit Hall Academy.

Add Senior Sister Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue from the Golden Generation; then Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and finally himself, and they could put together a Spirit Hall Seven Devils team.

As for Qian Renxue, as the inheritor of the God of Angels and someone destined to become a Limit Douluo, she naturally disdained participating in such competitions.

He could barely wait to see the Shrek Seven Devils beaten until they cried for their parents.

Oh, what? Only four of the Shrek Seven Devils remained?

Then never mind.

"Zhuqing, which academy are you going to? Suotuo City Advanced Soul Master Academy?" Once again, he asked a question he already knew the answer to.

"It's called Shrek Academy."

"Oh? Where is that academy? Do you know?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head blankly.

She only knew that Dai Mubai attended an academy called Shrek, located in Suotuo City of the Balak Kingdom. As for any other clues, she knew nothing at all.

"Fine, let's find somewhere to stay first. It's almost time to eat anyway, and we can continue looking this afternoon."

"Okay."

Completely unfamiliar with everything here, Zhu Zhuqing left all decisions to Xia Tianling. Her savior surely would not harm her.

Thus, he naturally took Zhu Zhuqing to eat something, then led her all the way to a three-story hotel.

"Rose Hotel? It looks pretty good. Zhuqing, shall we stay there?" Xia Tianling pointed at the rose-shaped building.

"Okay." Kitten remained as sparing with words as ever.

Upon entering the Rose Hotel, just as described in the Original Work, a rich fragrance of roses greeted them. The refreshing scent put both body and mind at ease.

He walked up to the counter. "Please get me two rooms—"

Before he could finish, a girl's shout came from outside. "Rose Hotel! Brother, let's stay there!"

"Sure, whatever you say," a male voice replied.

With a creak, the doors were pushed open, and a bright, youthful boy and girl walked in.

They were Tang San and Xiao Wu.

Heh, my timing was perfect. Not a second off.

"Little San?" Xia Tianling greeted him with feigned surprise.

"Brother Ling!" Tang San also spotted Xia Tianling standing at the counter.

Although they had lived in different places over the past six years, they often exchanged letters and had never lost contact. During holidays, they had even gathered twice at Old Jack's house, so naturally they recognized each other.

"This must be the little sister Xiao Wu you mention so often, right?" He looked toward the girl with the scorpion braid beside him.

She did look quite similar to the anime version.

"That's right, it's her. Xiao Wu, this is the Elder Brother I told you about before." Tang San solemnly introduced Xia Tianling to Xiao Wu.

"Hello, Brother Ling."

Xiao Wu curiously looked at the young man before her, wondering what kind of charm he possessed to make the proud Tang San willingly call him Elder Brother.

"Hello." Xia Tianling smiled in response. "This is my companion, Zhu Zhuqing. She's a little cold by nature, so don't mind her."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded faintly, which counted as a greeting.

"Then please get me four rooms. I'll treat Little San and Xiao Wu." Xia Tianling turned back to the attendant.

The attendant behind the counter secretly sighed over how lucky young people these days were with women while waggling his brows at Xia Tianling.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we only have two rooms left."

"Two rooms?"

Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing both frowned, though Zhu Zhuqing said nothing.

Tang San had lived two lifetimes. Whether it was the propriety and shame of his previous life or Brother Ling's constant "lectures" in this one, both had taught him that men and women should keep their distance.

It had been fine for him and Xiao Wu to sleep in the same dormitory as children, but now that they were both nearing adulthood, sharing a room seemed inappropriate, especially when they would have to share one bed.

Of course, in this life, with Old Jack's generous support, Tang San had not shared a bed with Xiao Wu under the same blanket.

The attendant emphasized, "Yes, only two rooms. But don't worry, our rooms and beds are both large, and the facilities are complete. They are more than spacious enough for two people. There's absolutely no problem for you all."

As he spoke, he gave Xia Tianling and Tang San a look that could only be understood, not explained.

Tang San: Is something wrong with this man's eyes?

As a modern person, Xia Tianling naturally understood, while Tang San, that blockhead, did not understand at all.

Xiao Wu said carelessly from the side, "One room is fine. Didn't we live together at the academy too?"

Tang San shook his head helplessly, thinking that he could always sleep on the floor. He usually cultivated at night anyway.

"How about this?" Xia Tianling spoke up at the right moment. "Little San and I can share one room, while Zhuqing and Xiao Wu can make do with the other. How does that sound?"

Although he understood the attendant's look, he did not want that kind of benefit. Even though he was a modern person, his mindset was still rather conservative.

The Hundred-Thousand-Year little rabbit Xiao Wu was one thing, but Zhu Zhuqing was a proper unmarried young lady. Some privacy and propriety still had to be maintained.

"I'm fine with anything." Zhu Zhuqing's response remained indifferent.

"Oh, okay." Xiao Wu pouted. She still wanted to stay with her Third Brother.

"That's for the best." Tang San also let out a sigh of relief.

"Then please arrange those two rooms for us." Xia Tianling made the final decision.

Just as the attendant was about to handle their check-in, a sudden voice interrupted him.

"I say, one of those two rooms should belong to me, shouldn't it?"

He was here, he was here—the playboy Dai Mubai had arrived with twin beauties in tow.

I received a contract offer message today, brothers. Those who haven't invested yet, hurry up.