The Water Spirit Pearl was still here, just as he'd expected!
The moment Hao Shuai sensed the vast, surging water energy within the pearl in his hand, he knew it was the Water Spirit Pearl he'd been looking for.
He wasn't in a hurry to refine it. Instead, he examined the pearl in his hand and fell into thought.
Since the Water Spirit Pearl was still in Li Xiaoyao's hands, didn't that mean Li Xiaoyao hadn't gone back ten years—or that he hadn't gone to trade the Water Spirit Pearl with his younger self?
Either way, it meant that something in the plot had changed.
Hao Shuai didn't dwell on the matter, though.
As far as he was concerned, whatever had changed wouldn't affect his plans to collect the Five Spirit Pearls.
Anyone who dared to stand in his way would be cut down, whether they were a god or a demon!
Hao Shuai flipped his wrist, put away the Water Spirit Pearl, and continued meditating.
"You little rascal! The sun's about to shine right on your backside, and you still haven't gotten up to work!"
Early the next morning, Hao Shuai was roused by a lioness's roar.
Not long after, Li Xiaoyao knocked on his door.
"Guest, I've brought you some water."
"Come in."
Li Xiaoyao set down the wooden basin and said, "Guest, go ahead and wash up. My aunt is already getting breakfast ready."
The moment Hao Shuai thought of Aunt Li's culinary abominations, his face turned green. He quickly pulled out some silver and tossed it to Li Xiaoyao. "Little Brother Xiaoyao, sorry for the trouble, but could you go out and buy us some breakfast?"
Li Xiaoyao caught the silver and gave an awkward laugh. "Guest, that's too much money for breakfast."
"It's fine.