Sick of Sticky Whale Rubber? Maybe You'll Be Eating This Sticky Stuff on Your Own Someday

"We're not in the kind of relationship you think we are!"

Hearing the teasing in Qian Renxue's words, Wang Dong'er's Willow Eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her pleasant voice suddenly broke the silence, carrying a hint of offended displeasure.

Lu Jing turned his head and glanced at her. The maiden's exquisite profile was taut, bearing an innate pride.

"Mhm." He nodded, his voice calm and even as he affirmed, "It really isn't what you think, Sister Xue. We're simply friends. As for the reason... you'll find out in time."

His reaction was too natural, too calm, and it actually left Wang Dong'er momentarily stunned.

She had thought Lu Jing would at least offer an explanation, or analyze the pros and cons like before. Yet he had merely agreed without hesitation.

That clean break was like a gust of cold wind, dispersing some of the inexplicable irritation in Wang Dong'er's heart, only for an indescribable trace of annoyance at being slighted to rise in its place.

She pressed her lips together and said no more.

"Sorry, I overthought it!" Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback, then quickly apologized.

"Then if there's nothing else, Sister Xue, we'll be leaving first!"

With that, Lu Jing took Wang Dong'er's fair, jade-like Small Hand and turned to leave once more.

Under the side corridor of the Worship Hall, Qian Renxue watched the two of them hurry away. The playful smile on her face faded somewhat.

In her beautiful, Milky Way-like eyes, Wang Dong'er's undisguised distance and displeasure were clearly reflected.

"It seems this Sister Dong'er doesn't think as highly of our Spirit Hall as Little Jing does..." Qian Renxue murmured, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the jade ornament at her waist.

She could sense that the maiden's displeasure was not directed solely at that teasing remark. It was more like a rejection rooted deep in her bones.

"Is it the sense of superiority brought by her own status? Or... has the world Ten Thousand Years Later portrayed our Spirit Hall as some monstrous scourge?"

A faintly cold curve lifted at the Corner of Mouth.

A moment later, she gently Shook Head and suppressed those Thoughts.

For now, she had a more urgent infiltration plan to arrange.

The attitude of a maiden from Ten Thousand Years Later who was only a few years older than herself was not worth too much of her attention.

Still, Lu Jing—the variable who had also come from the future—and his subtle attitude toward Spirit Hall were far more worthy of observation and consideration.

She withdrew her gaze and turned toward the depths of the inner hall. Her golden skirt swept across the polished floor, leaving behind an elegant and noble silhouette.

With the Purple Gold Card bearing Spirit Hall's authoritative certification, the Myriad Treasure Pavilion Shopkeeper's attitude changed completely.

The two gleaming pieces of Ten Thousand Year Demonic Whale Rubber were carefully placed into a specially made Jade Box and handed to Lu Jing. The payment process went smoothly, and the Shopkeeper's smile was nearly fawning.

Holding the "treasures" worth fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, the two walked silently along the road back to the Worship Hall.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows across Spirit City's white stone-paved streets.

"Are you planning to absorb both pieces of Whale Rubber yourself?" Wang Dong'er broke the silence, her voice carrying a trace of curiosity.

She looked at the Jade Box in Lu Jing's hands, her clear eyes devoid of any greed.

Lu Jing did not stop walking. Hearing that, he gave her a somewhat surprised look. "Wasn't it one piece each?"

He remembered the shock Wang Dong'er had revealed when she saw the Whale Rubber in the Myriad Treasure Pavilion. This was definitely valuable stuff. After all, even Ten Thousand Years Later, Ten Thousand Year Whale Jelly was extremely rare.

Yet Wang Dong'er's reaction completely exceeded his expectations.

Her rosy red lips curled slightly as she rolled her eyes dramatically. Her disdain practically overflowed, and her beautiful face was full of disgust. "Tsk, no way! When I was little, I ate so much of this sticky stuff like candy that I lost count. I'm already sick of it, okay?"

Her tone was light, carrying the spoiled pride of someone born into a distinguished family, accustomed to the finest resources. "Why do you think my second Soul Ring could absorb one at the thousand-year level? It was because I used all these good things to build my foundation from childhood! When I broke through level twenty, I swore that I would never eat this sticky stuff again."

She lifted her finely shaped chin, as though she were stating the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Sick of sticky Whale Rubber? Never eating this sticky stuff again?"

Hearing Wang Dong'er's answer, Lu Jing blinked, his expression becoming somewhat subtle. He muttered softly, "Not necessarily. Maybe the future you will even eat sticky things willingly."

"Why?" Wang Dong'er's Willow Eyebrows furrowed slightly as she asked softly.

"It's nothing, nothing. I was just talking nonsense." Lu Jing grinned, understanding Wang Dong'er's attitude.

Wang Dong'er was slightly stunned. She blinked in confusion. What did he mean by saying that she would willingly eat this sticky stuff in the future?

How could that be possible?

After returning to the Worship Hall, Wang Dong'er went straight back to her room to rest.

Lu Jing, however, did not return to his room. His gaze sharpened slightly as he held the Jade Box containing the Whale Rubber, turned, and quickly headed toward the side hall where Qian Renxue had been before her departure.

Inside the side hall, Qian Renxue was making her final preparations. Seeing Lu Jing return with the Jade Box in his hands, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

"Little Jing? Is something wrong?" She set down the map in her hands.

"Sister Xue, can we speak somewhere private?" Lu Jing's expression was serious.

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. Though she did not understand what he meant, she still followed Lu Jing outside the side hall to a relatively quiet spot beside a corridor pillar.

"This is for you." Lu Jing did not hesitate. He directly stuffed the Jade Box into Qian Renxue's arms.

The box felt smooth and faintly heavy. Qian Renxue caught it reflexively, lowered her head to look at it, and became even more confused. "For me? Ten Thousand Year Whale Jelly? Your sister here is in excellent health. I don't need this to 'nourish my body' just yet, do I?"

She smiled ambiguously and deliberately brought up her earlier teasing, wanting to see Lu Jing's reaction.

Lu Jing Shook Head, his gaze open and solemn. "That's not the reason. Sister Xue, you've misunderstood Whale Rubber's true value."

"Oh?"

Qian Renxue became interested. Hugging the Jade Box, she leaned against the corridor pillar and asked, "Then tell me. What is its true value?"

"Strengthening the body!"

Lu Jing spoke with absolute certainty. His voice lowered, carrying the air of someone sharing a secret as he explained, "Ten Thousand Years Later, this is a truth proven by countless Soul Masters! Top-grade Whale Rubber—especially Ten Thousand Year Demonic Whale Rubber like this—can greatly temper the muscles and bones after proper refinement, widen the Meridians, and strengthen one's Blood and Qi foundation! Its crucial effect is that it can drastically increase the limit of what a Soul Master's body can withstand when absorbing Soul Rings!"

Watching Qian Renxue's gaze gradually turn serious, he continued, "The reason you currently think it is merely a 'supplement,' and why it has even been misunderstood as being for that kind of purpose, is because no one in this era has discovered and summarized its critically important body-tempering effects! Its value has been severely underestimated! That is why I insisted on buying it."