Little Kitten had run off, but Bai Mu wasn't worried. After confirming the shortest route to Suotuo City, he mounted Zygarde and used Extreme Speed, arriving near Suotuo City in only half a day.
Bai Mu dispelled his invisibility and leisurely headed toward the city gate.
Suotuo City was several times more prosperous than Nuoding City.
Its city walls towered high, its streets were broad, and shops stood everywhere. Guards patrolled the streets at all times.
Bai Mu had a very clear destination in mind: the Zhutian Douluo viral landmark, Rose Hotel.
After asking around the lobby for information about Dai Mubai, he made a grand gesture and booked three rooms that cost ten Gold Soul Coins per night, and for more than one night at that!
Another sunny afternoon arrived, and a dusty black figure finally appeared outside the city gates.
"Yo, Little Kitten, you finally made it!"
Bai Mu leaned casually against the city wall by the gate, smiling at the slightly panting girl before him.
Zhu Zhuqing stiffened, surprise flashing through her eyes.
She had traveled at full speed for the past three days, barely resting as she crossed hundreds of miles of forests before reaching Suotuo City.
Yet Bai Mu—he had actually arrived before her?
"You got here this early?"
She couldn't help asking.
"I took a shortcut."
Bai Mu brushed it off lightly and patted the dust from his clothes. "I've already booked your room. If you're not afraid of me, come with me."
Out in the open, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't worried that Bai Mu would dare do anything improper.
After all, if he had wanted to do something, he would have done it back in the forest.
She silently followed him. One after the other, they passed through the bustling streets and eventually stopped before a lavishly decorated three-story hotel.
The hotel's exterior walls were entirely rose-red, making it look like a gigantic rose.
Its golden sign gleamed beneath the setting sun—[Rose Hotel].
"This is... a normal hotel?"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "Of course!"
Bai Mu looked perfectly composed. "A normal couples' hotel. Rooms have been tight lately, and the place is completely full, so just make do."
He pulled three keys from his clothes and tossed the one engraved with [Green Farewell] to Zhu Zhuqing.
He still held two keys: [Blue Enchantress] and [Pink Tenderness].
"Okay."
Zhu Zhuqing caught the key, inexplicably relieved. So he had booked three rooms.
But then, a trace of disappointment she couldn't explain welled up inside her.
Why would anyone book three rooms at a couples' hotel?
Was that even reasonable?
"Don't overthink it. An old friend is coming, and that pink-whatever room is for him. Go take a proper bath and get some rest."
Bai Mu explained briefly, then tossed her a notebook he had no use for. "This is a Meditation Technique I threw together. It contains quite a few of my research insights. If you want to become stronger, study it yourself. I'll bring dinner to your room, so you don't need to come downstairs. Later, we'll go check out Shrek together."
As he spoke, a mysterious and strange smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand the meaning behind that smile. She merely accepted the notebook with a solemn expression and turned to head upstairs.
The corridor was covered in dark-red carpeting, while abstract paintings filled both walls.
It truly was a couples' hotel. Even the room names carried suggestive undertones: [White Innocence], [Pink Tenderness], [Yellow Sincerity]—
Her [Green Farewell] and Bai Mu's [Blue Enchantress] happened to be beside and opposite the innermost [Red Ocean].
Zhu Zhuqing entered her room. The interior was exquisitely decorated, with green plants arranged into a heart shape in the center.
The bedding, walls—almost everything was green.
She glanced at the bathroom, separated by translucent glass, and frowned.
Still, she went inside and quickly washed away the dust covering her body.
After bathing, she was too exhausted to go sightseeing.
Remembering the notebook Bai Mu had given her, she sat by the bed and began reading.
The moment she did, she was utterly astonished.
"This is what he calls a Meditation Technique he just threw together?"
The notebook recorded several complete Soul Power circulation routes in detail.
Every one of them was systematic and logically rigorous.
It even marked cultivation essentials and common pitfalls.
How was this merely "thrown together"?
It was clearly a precious tome worthy of being preserved by even the great sects as part of their inheritance!
Brilliance flickered repeatedly in Zhu Zhuqing's amber-like eyes, and before she knew it, she was completely immersed in it.
Down in the lobby, Bai Mu found a corner by the window and sat down.
He picked up a copy of the Suotuo Daily to cover his face, tilted his head back, and began meditating with his eyes closed.
At first glance, he looked as if he had fallen asleep.
This bizarre behavior left the receptionist utterly confused.
"He booked three rooms, yet he's sleeping in the lobby? What kind of fetish does this guest have?"
Not long after, a black-haired boy with shoulder-length hair entered the hotel, holding hands with a cute girl wearing a scorpion-tail braid.
Though they were plainly dressed, their bearing was exceptional. They were Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Xiao San, this hotel is so pretty. Let's stay here tonight!"
Xiao Wu's large eyes curiously looked around.
"Mm, we'll rest here today."
Tang San smiled gently and walked toward the counter. "Please give us two rooms."
A hint of ambiguity appeared in the receptionist's eyes. "Sorry, we only have one room left."
"One room?"
Tang San frowned.
"There's only one left. But don't worry, our rooms are more than spacious enough for two people."
The receptionist even gave Tang San a look that needed no words to understand.
Xiao Wu said carelessly, "Then one room is fine. We can save some money to buy pretty clothes."
"Then we'll trouble you."
Just as the receptionist was about to process their booking, a sudden voice interrupted.
"I say, that room should be mine, shouldn't it?"
A handsome youth with waist-length golden hair and double pupils strode inside.
He had an alluring pair of twin girls with similar appearances tucked under each arm, his manner arrogant and flamboyant.
The receptionist was stunned. "You are...?"
"Call your manager."
Dai Mubai stared coldly at the unfamiliar receptionist before him, his expression impatient.
Startled by him, the receptionist immediately ran off to find the manager.
Tang San said, "Big brother, it seems we arrived first."
"So what?"
Dai Mubai frowned.
Xiao Wu was not the understanding sort. "So nothing. Get lost."
Dai Mubai said, "Fine, fine, fine! The two of you can come at me together. If you can beat me, I'll leave immediately. If you can't, then put on a show and roll out of here!"
The atmosphere suddenly tightened, and just as the conflict was about to erupt—
"Yo, it's pretty lively here."
The newspaper lowered, and Bai Mu rose from the corner, walking over with a smile.
"Who the hell are you?"
Dai Mubai shot him a cold glance.
"Bai Mu!"
"Little Mu!"
Tang San and Xiao Wu cried out at the same time, their faces full of surprise.
"I thought that voice sounded familiar. So it's Xiao San and Xiao Wu!"
Bai Mu greeted them with a smile, then turned to Dai Mubai. "Young Master Dai, give me some face. It's all a misunderstanding."
Dai Mubai narrowed his eyes. "You know me?"
"Who in Suotuo City doesn't know the great name of Young Master Dai?"
Bai Mu took out the key to [Pink Tenderness] and handed it to Tang San.
"Xiao San, this room isn't bad either. Just make do with it. Don't hurt the peace."
Tang San looked at the key, then at Dai Mubai, before finally accepting it.
"Thank you."
Bai Mu turned toward Dai Mubai again and pulled out an amber-colored gelatinous substance.
In a low voice, he said, "Ten-Year Whale Rubber. Eat it, and you'll be vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger, with an indestructible body. I'm apologizing to Young Master Dai on behalf of my friend."
"Ahem—a small matter, a small matter. Little brother, you're truly straightforward. You know how to handle yourself!"
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. He accepted the Whale Rubber and weighed it in his hand, the anger on his face instantly vanishing.
Though he considered himself to be in no need of such assistance, twins were twins. One against two was still rather tiring.
With this stuff, he could definitely go all out!
Besides, he had only been trying to save face in front of the twins.
Since the other party was so sincere, naturally he would take the opportunity to step back.
After all, the main event was still to come!
"Young Master Dai, the new employee didn't know any better. Here is your room key."
At that moment, the manager who had come out hurriedly handed him a key.
"Manager Wang, tell your people to keep their eyes open next time."
Dai Mubai accepted the [Red Ocean] key, nodded at Bai Mu, and said, "I'm off, brother!"
"Young Master Dai, give it your all!"
A deep smile appeared on Bai Mu's face.
"Of course!"
Dai Mubai wrapped his arms around the twin sisters and headed upstairs.
Before you continue