Four-Eyed Cat Owl

"Do you know where Shrek Academy is?"

As dawn broke, Feng Xinglie and Zhu Zhuqing successfully entered Suotuo City. Having escaped danger, Zhu Zhuqing visibly relaxed, chatting casually with Feng Xinglie as they walked down the street. She had a good impression of this young man who, despite his strength, was humble and polite. Especially since he had saved her life without asking any questions.

"I only have a general idea, as I haven't been there myself. No need to rush, there's still some time before enrollment. Let's find a place to rest first and then I'll help you with your injuries. We don't want them to affect your entrance exam... Look, there's a hotel."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up, and a pink building appeared before her eyes – the well-known Rose Hotel. Having grown up in the Star Luo Imperial City, Zhu Zhuqing immediately recognized that the hotel wasn't quite proper. But before she could even frown, she saw Feng Xinglie stride into the lobby. After a moment's hesitation, she followed him.

"You're here?"

As Zhu Zhuqing entered, a key with a room number flew towards her.

"The room is ready. I'm in the room next door. Feel free to come find me if you need anything."

Not sharing a room is good...

Zhu Zhuqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a small dissatisfaction arose. With a beautiful girl like me standing here, don't you have any thoughts?

"Thank you."

Suppressing her slightly twisted thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing turned and headed upstairs. After they had completely disappeared from view, the hotel receptionist took out the Gold Soul Coins Feng Xinglie had used to pay. Pressing down hard, he split the coin in two, quickly read the information hidden inside, and then hid it within a copper coin using the same method. Shortly after, a guest came to check out. The receptionist gave the copper coin to the guest as change and subtly drew a line on the third knuckle of his index finger. The message was:

"Give it to the patrol team. Watch the time."

The guest took the copper coin, nodded imperceptibly, and then strode out.

Perhaps it was because she had been on the run for too long, but Zhu Zhuqing slept until the afternoon. Not long after leaving her room, she "coincidentally" ran into Feng Xinglie. After they ate something together, Feng Xinglie suggested they buy some bedding and other school supplies. As they browsed, they somehow ended up in front of a rather peculiar-looking shop.

"Miss Zhuqing, look, this crystal seems nice."

Feng Xinglie casually entered the shop and examined the goods, his gaze falling on a crystal full of impurities.

"Let's forget it, the quality isn't good."

As the second daughter of the Zhu family, she had seen and experienced much, and her discerning eye naturally disdained this broken stone. Little did she know, this was actually a Hair Crystal, containing the Dragon Whisker Needle, ranked eighth among Tang San's hidden weapons in the future.

"It doesn't matter, if the quality is poor, the price will definitely be cheap. Boss, how much is this?"

He picked up the Hair Crystal and waved it towards Flender, who was squinting and pretending to sleep behind the counter. The latter uttered indifferently, "Ten Gold Soul Coins."

"What? That's too much!"

Upon hearing the price, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but exclaim. Feng Xinglie ignored her, took out a small cloth bag, placed it on the counter, and turned to leave.

"Wait, you haven't paid yet. Where are you going with my merchandise?"

"What did you say? Didn't you just give me ten Gold Soul Coins?"

Zhu Zhuqing asked indignantly, only to be met with Flender's sly grin.

"Heh heh, who said it was ten Gold Soul Coins? This crystal of mine is clearly marked at one hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

Feng Xinglie smiled upon hearing this and, before Zhu Zhuqing could stop him, threw out another cloth bag. Flender snatched it, and being extremely greedy, he simply weighed it in his hand to confirm the number of Gold Soul Coins. The smile on his face grew even brighter.

"Haha, kid, I misspoke just now. Actually, I'm selling this crystal for one thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Don't push it!"

No matter how cold Zhu Zhuqing's temperament was, she felt a surge of anger when faced with such a shameless swindler. Feng Xinglie shrugged helplessly and asked, "Boss, why does your price keep changing? Are you reliable?"

"Of course, I'm reliable. If you don't believe me, go ask around. I, Flender, am known for my honesty!"

I don't believe a word you say...

Feng Xinglie cursed inwardly, then actually took out a large bag of gold coins from his storage Soul Tool and placed it on the counter, making Flender's heart bloom with joy, wishing he could hug and kiss it.

"Wait!"

Seeing Feng Xinglie and Zhu Zhuqing about to leave, Flender called out again.

"You misheard me. I was actually saying... ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

"You old cheat!"

Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed with anger. Seeing Feng Xinglie actually walking back, she quickly grabbed him.

"What are you doing? Do you really want to give this old cheat your money?"

Feng Xinglie just shook his head. Under Zhu Zhuqing's angry and confused gaze, and Flender's excited and greedy eyes, he returned to the counter and... put the large bag of Gold Soul Coins back into his storage Soul Tool.

"What!? You brat, what are you doing!?"

Seeing the duck that had flown into his mouth escape, Flender was so angry he almost jumped up, shouting furiously.

But...

Feng Xinglie remained silent, only continuing to collect the money.

"Kid, we can negotiate the price. Just put your hand down first!"

The one hundred Gold Soul Coins on the counter were also taken back. Seeing the money in his pocket being taken away was worse than killing Flender. As Feng Xinglie reached for the last money bag, Flender quickly snatched it.

"Alright, alright, consider it my loss. I'll sell you that crystal!"

Hearing Flender say this, Feng Xinglie shrugged and walked out with Zhu Zhuqing.

"What's wrong? Still unhappy?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still looking angry, Feng Xinglie asked with a smile.

"That swindler, he's so infuriating. You actually gave him ten Gold Soul Coins for this piece of junk."

"Heh heh, it's fine, it's fine. I dug a hole for him too. He'll come looking for us later."

"Huh?"

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was confused, she suddenly heard a roar from behind:

"You little brat, you dare to trick me!"

Turning around, Flender's spirit, Cat Owl, was now manifested, and he was flying towards the two of them.

"Kid, this isn't ten Gold Soul Coins! This is clearly ten Copper Soul Coins! If you don't hand over all your Gold Soul Coins today, I won't let you off!"

After Flender snatched the money bag, he felt something was off. When he opened it, he realized he'd been tricked. He never expected to be outsmarted by his own scheme. Enraged, he chased after them. As soon as he caught up to the two, he was apprehended by the patrol.