Top-Tier Battle of Wits (Part 1): Encountering Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai

The little kitten had run off, but Bai Mu was not panicked. After confirming the shortest route to Suotuo City, he mounted Zygarde and activated Extreme Speed, arriving near Suotuo City in just half a day.

Bai Mu deactivated his stealth and strolled leisurely toward the city gate.

Suotuo City was several times more prosperous than Nuoding City.

The city walls were towering, the streets were wide, shops were lined up in rows, and guards patrolled the streets at all times.

Bai Mu had a very clear goal: he headed straight for the Zhutian Douluo internet-famous check-in spot—the Rose Hotel.

After inquiring at the lobby about information regarding Dai Mubai, he waved his hand grandly. He booked three rooms at 10 Gold Soul Coins per night, and for more than just one night!

On another sunny afternoon, a dusty black figure finally appeared outside the city gate.

"Yo~ little kitten, you've finally arrived!"

Bai Mu leaned against the city wall beside the gate, smiling as he watched the slightly panting young girl in front of him.

Zhu Zhuqing's movements stiffened, and a flash of astonishment crossed her eyes.

She had been traveling at full speed for the past three days, barely resting, crossing hundreds of miles of mountains and forests just to reach Suotuo City.

And yet, Bai Mu—was actually faster than her?

"You arrived so early?"

She couldn't help but ask.

"I took a shortcut."

Bai Mu brushed it off nonchalantly and patted the dust off his clothes. "I've already booked a room for you. If you aren't afraid of me, then follow me."

In such a public place, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't worried that Bai Mu would dare to do anything out of line.

After all, if he really wanted to, he would have done it back in the forest.

She followed him silently, the two of them walking one after the other through the bustling streets, finally stopping in front of a gorgeously decorated three-story hotel.

The exterior walls of the hotel were rose-red, making it look like a giant rose.

The golden sign shimmered in the setting sun—[Rose Hotel].

"This is... a normal hotel?"

Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "Of course!"

Bai Mu looked perfectly calm. "A normal couple's hotel. Hotel rooms have been in short supply lately and are completely booked out, so just make do."

He took three keys from his pocket and tossed the one engraved with [Green Farewell] to Zhu Zhuqing.

He still had [Blue Enchantress] and [Pink Tenderness] left in his hand.

"Fine."

Zhu Zhuqing caught the key, feeling a strange sense of relief in her heart—so he had booked three separate rooms.

But immediately after, a sense of disappointment she couldn't quite explain welled up.

Why would someone book three rooms at a couple's hotel?

Is this reasonable?

"Don't overthink it. An old friend is coming, and the pink one is for him. You should go get a good bath and rest. I'll have dinner sent to your room, no need to come downstairs. We'll go check out Shrek together later."

Bai Mu explained, then tossed over a notebook he no longer needed. "This is a Meditation Technique I drafted myself; it contains many of my research insights. If you want to get stronger, study it yourself. I'll have dinner sent to your room, no need to come downstairs. We'll go check out Shrek together later."

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled into a mysterious and strange smile.

"Thank you."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand the meaning behind that smile, but she took the notebook with a solemn expression and turned to head upstairs.

The corridor was covered with a deep red carpet, and the walls on both sides were filled with abstract art.

As expected of a couple's hotel, the room names were all filled with an ambiguous atmosphere: [White Innocence], [Pink Tenderness], [Yellow Sincerity]—

And her [Green Farewell], along with Bai Mu's [Blue Enchantress], were located right next to and across from the innermost [Red Ocean].

Zhu Zhuqing entered her room. The interior was exquisitely decorated, with green plants arranged in the shape of a heart in the center. Whether it was the quilt or the walls—everything was essentially green.

She glanced at the translucent glass-walled bathroom and frowned, but she entered it anyway to quickly wash away the dust from her journey.

After cleaning up, she was too tired to go out, and remembering the notebook Bai Mu had given her, she sat on the edge of the bed to flip through it.

One look, and she was instantly stunned.

"This is called... a drafted Meditation Technique?"

The notebook recorded in detail several complete paths for circulating Soul Power. Each one had a complete system and rigorous logic, even marking out key points for cultivation and common pitfalls.

How could this be "drafted"?

This was clearly a precious classic worthy of being collected and preserved as a legacy even by large sects!

Brilliant colors flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's amber eyes, and before she knew it, she was completely immersed in it.

Down in the lobby, Bai Mu found a corner seat by the window, picked up the Suotuo Daily to cover his face, tilted his head back, and began to meditate with his eyes closed.

At first glance, it looked as if he were just asleep.

The receptionist stared at this bizarre behavior with a blank expression.

"He booked three rooms, yet he's sleeping in the lobby? Does this guest have some kind of strange hobby?"

Not long after, a youth with shoulder-length black hair walked into the hotel, holding the hand of a cute girl with a scorpion braid.

The two were dressed plainly, but they possessed an extraordinary air; they were none other than Tang San and Xiao Wu.

"Xiao San, this hotel is so pretty, let's stay here today!"

Xiao Wu looked around with curious, wide eyes.

"Mm, we'll rest here today."

Tang San smiled gently and walked to the front desk, "Please, give us two rooms."

A hint of ambiguity flickered in the waiter's eyes, "I'm sorry, we only have one room left."

"One?"

Tang San frowned.

"Yes, only one. But don't worry, our rooms are more than spacious enough for two people."

The receptionist even gave Tang San a look that could only be understood, not described.

Xiao Wu said nonchalantly, "Then one room is fine, we can even save some money to buy pretty clothes."

"Then I'll trouble you."

Just as the receptionist was about to process it, a sudden voice interrupted the action.

"I say, that room should be mine, right!"

A handsome youth with waist-length blonde hair and double pupils walked in.

He had a hot-bodied, identical-looking twin girl on each arm, his posture arrogant.

The receptionist was stunned: "You are----"

"Call your manager out."

Dai Mubai looked at the unfamiliar receptionist with cold eyes, his tone impatient.

Startled by this, the receptionist immediately ran to find the manager.

Tang San: "This brother, it seems we were here first."

"So what?"

Dai Mubai frowned.

Xiao Wu was not the type to be understanding: "It doesn't matter, just get lost."

Dai Mubai: "Fine, fine, fine! You two come at me together. If you can beat me, I'll leave immediately. If you can't, then you can perform a roll for me!"

The atmosphere suddenly tightened. Just as the conflict was about to erupt, "Yo, so lively?"

The newspaper was set down, and Bai Mu rose from the corner, walking over with a smile.

"Who the hell are you!"

Dai Mubai glanced at him coldly.

"Bai Mu!" "Xiao Mu-zi!"

Tang San and Xiao Wu exclaimed in unison, their faces full of surprise.

"I thought the voice sounded familiar, so it was Xiao San and Xiao Wu!"

Bai Mu greeted them with a smile, then looked at Dai Mubai, "Young Master Dai, give me some face; it's all a misunderstanding."

Dai Mubai narrowed his eyes: "You know me?"

"In Suotuo City, who doesn't know the great name of Young Master Dai?"

Bai Mu took the key to [Pink Tenderness] from his pocket and handed it to Tang San, "Xiao San, this room is not bad either. Just make do with it, don't hurt the harmony."

Tang San looked at the key, then at Dai Mubai, and finally accepted it: "Many thanks."

Bai Mu turned back to Dai Mubai, pulled out an amber-colored gelatinous substance, and whispered: "Ten-year Whale Rubber. After eating it, you'll be vigorous and indestructible. I'm offering this to Young Master Dai as an apology on behalf of my friend."

"Ahem---- small matter, small matter. Little brother is truly generous and knows how to handle things!"

Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. He took the Whale Rubber, weighed it in his hand, and the anger on his face instantly dissipated.

Although he didn't think he lacked such things for assistance, after all, with twins, a one-versus-two was quite strenuous. With this thing, he could definitely have a great time!

Furthermore, he was only trying to save face in front of the twins anyway. Since the other party was so sincere, he naturally went with the flow and took a step back.

Anyway, the main event was still to come!

"Young Master Dai, the newcomer didn't know any better. Here is your room key."

At this moment, the manager who had walked out hurriedly handed over the key.

"Manager Wang, next time, tell your staff to keep their eyes open."

Dai Mubai took the Red Ocean key and nodded at Bai Mu. "I'm off, brother!"

"Go get 'em, Young Master Dai!"

A profound smile played on Bai Mu's face.

"You know it!"

With his arms around the twin sisters, Dai Mubai turned and headed upstairs.