Rose Hotel

"Brother!" Xiao Wu's simple word shattered the silence between the two.

"Thank you, little sister." Tang San trembled as he took Xiao Wu's hand.

Then Tang San looked at Gu Chen again. "Gu Laoda, are you willing to be my elder brother?"

Ding!

"Detected the host's current circumstances. Plot choices have been activated:

A. Acknowledge Tang San as a younger brother and establish a brotherly bond.

Assistance: Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Soul Power Boost Card ×1 (unconditionally raises Soul Power by one level for anyone below Soul King; cannot be used on oneself).

B. Maintain an ordinary friendship with Tang San.

Assistance: Immortal Herb · Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum ×1, 100-point Mental Power boost."

Gu Chen hesitated. Though he had intended to befriend Tang San, he had never expected Tang San to want to acknowledge him as an elder brother.

However, if he could gain this bond, then in the future, Tang San could only support him, not the Divine Realm.

Don't forget, Tang San was the sort of person who favored family over reason, and was even somewhat selfish!

A powerhouse with dual god positions had tremendous value to exploit!

I choose A, Gu Chen thought.

Ding!

"Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and the Soul Power Boost Card have been stored in the System Backpack. Please check them."

Gu Chen smiled at Tang San. "From now on, call me Brother Chen."

Tang San suddenly asked, "Then, Brother Chen, if one day many people wanted to kill us, but you couldn't defeat them, what would you do?"

A fierce light suddenly flashed in Gu Chen's eyes. "If that day ever comes, then even if I have to fight to the death, I'll tear a piece of flesh from them and leave them unable to pursue you!"

Tang San froze, tears falling from his eyes. "Brother Chen!"

Gu Chen took Gu Yuena's hand and said, "Gu Yuena has been my little sister since childhood. Since I'm now your big brother, you must call her big sister as well. Just like before, call her Sister Na'er."

Tang San and Xiao Wu called out together, "Sister Na'er!"

Xiao Wu had already forgotten the distinction between master and subordinate. In her eyes, Gu Chen and Gu Yuena, who had once been her masters, were now her big brother and sister.

"Tang San, I have to ask you something." Gu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. "If in the future, you and I have no choice but to stand on opposing sides because of our positions, what would you do?"

Tang San paused, then said, "Don't worry, Brother Chen. If you and I must become enemies, I will definitely spare your life."

Gu Chen could no longer hold it in and broke into a smile. "Same here."

Five years later.

The Balak Kingdom lay south of the Heaven Dou Empire and bordered Fasno Province. Though it was called a kingdom, its area was only three-quarters that of Fasno Province. It was subordinate to the Heaven Dou Empire and was one of the empire's four great kingdoms.

The Balak Kingdom directly bordered the Star Luo Empire to the south. Thus, among the Heaven Dou Empire's four great kingdoms, the Balak Kingdom possessed the strongest military force and could be considered the gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire.

Suotuo City lay at the center of the fertile Lima Plain within the Balak Kingdom and was known as the "Barak Granary."

It was just past noon, and the blazing sun scorched the land as two boys and two girls entered Suotuo City through its western gate. They all appeared to be only in their teens and carried no luggage.

The boy at the front wore plain clothes and had an ordinary appearance. If he were thrown into a crowd, he might not even be found again. Around his waist was a belt inlaid with twenty-four jade stones, the apprenticeship gift Grandmaster had given Tang San.

The girl at his side wore a neat Scorpion Braid that hung past her calves. Five years later, Xiao Wu was half a head taller than Tang San. She wore a pink top that tightly wrapped around her body.

Behind them stood a handsome young man.

His black hair hung sleek and straight, with valiant swordlike brows slanting upward. His narrow black eyes held a sharp gleam, his thin lips were lightly pressed together, and his sharply defined features framed a tall, lean physique that was neither bulky nor rough. Like an eagle in the night, he was cold, proud, solitary, and imposing. Even standing alone, he radiated a commanding aura that looked down upon heaven and earth.

This person was Gu Chen. After cultivating to the Soul Elder realm, Gu Chen had completely restrained the domineering, violent aura of the Golden Dragon King, while giving off waves of untouchable chill.

But that was only toward strangers. Around his own people, Gu Chen was still very approachable, like the older brother next door.

The one whose hand Gu Chen held was Gu Yuena, who had changed greatly as well.

After five years of development, Gu Yuena's figure had become even fuller and more alluring. Her pale purple dress perfectly displayed her breathtaking beauty.

Her slender brows rose from time to time, while her large amethyst-like eyes curiously surveyed the sights of Suotuo City.

"We finally made it to this Suotuo City. I really don't know what Grandmaster was thinking. Several intermediate Soul Master Academies clearly said they would admit us unconditionally, yet he insisted on making you take the entrance exam for this lousy academy that doesn't even have a rank!" Xiao Wu complained, raising a hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Tang San smiled faintly. "Teacher told me to take the exam. He didn't tell you to come. Who told you to insist on following us? Luckily, the Balak Kingdom borders Fasno Province. Otherwise, wouldn't you be complaining even more?"

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes at Tang San. "You're so heartless. Brother Chen, Sister Na'er, and I came for your sake, didn't we? Enrollment isn't until the day after tomorrow anyway. I don't care—you have to spend two days playing with me in Suotuo City and make up for the damage to my young heart. Right, Brother Chen?"

Gu Chen merely smiled without speaking and nodded slightly.

Gu Yuena, standing beside Gu Chen, was also amused by Xiao Wu's lively antics and covered her mouth with a soft laugh. Catching sight of Gu Yuena's smile, Gu Chen wished time could stop and remain fixed on that moment.

The group first ate something simple, then began searching for a place to stay. Before long, Xiao Wu spotted a particularly distinctive hotel.

Needless to say, it was the Rose Hotel.

"Rose Hotel. Little San, Brother Chen, Sister Na'er, let's stay here." Xiao Wu pointed at the Rose Hotel's sign.

Gu Chen simply smiled and agreed. Naturally, he knew what kind of place the Rose Hotel was, but he did not dislike it.

The group entered the Rose Hotel. Tang San approached the counter and said, "Please get us four rooms."

The attendant behind the counter hurriedly stood up. Looking at Tang San, then at Xiao Wu, Gu Chen, and Gu Yuena, envy appeared in his eyes. "Sir, are you sure you want four rooms?"

Tang San nodded. "Is there a problem?"

A suggestive look appeared in the attendant's eyes. "I'm sorry, but we only have one room left."

Gu Chen stepped forward, took out a bag of Gold Soul Coins from the System Backpack, and heavily set it on the counter. "Are you sure there's only one?"

The attendant found himself in a difficult position and awkwardly had no choice but to tell the truth. "Uh... there are only two rooms left."

Gu Chen frowned. He and Tang San could make do in one room, while Gu Yuena and Xiao Wu could share the other. That would work.

Seeing this, the attendant thought Gu Chen was dissatisfied and quickly added, "Please rest assured, sir. Our rooms are very spacious and fully furnished. They can easily accommodate two people."

"Fine." Gu Chen handed over the bag of Gold Soul Coins.

Though Gu Chen had nearly ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, that was definitely not enough to last him five years. Like Tang San, Gu Chen had found a part-time job.

But his work differed from that of ordinary people. He had joined a bounty hunter organization. Over five years, he had taken fewer than ten jobs, yet had earned tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins.

Moreover, during one operation, after completing the system mission—escaping the encirclement of ten Soul Ancestors and killing eight of them—he received the system's reward of 100,000 Gold Soul Coins.

So now, he was not short on money at all.

"I say, that last room should belong to me, shouldn't it?" A sudden voice interrupted the attendant's actions.