The morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell across the bed.
Chen Doudou was sleeping soundly, a little drool still hanging from the corner of his mouth.
Bibi Dong sat beside the bed, looking at his harmless little face, and sighed for the 108th time.
She had spent all night thinking about "Plan B."
From teaching him to ride old ladies across the street to teaching him extortion, none of it felt quite right.
Knowing this kid, it might turn into some bizarre stunt again.
For example, riding old ladies across the street might somehow become helping them across, while extortion might turn into sending people red envelopes.
After mulling it over for a long while, Bibi Dong finally decided to let the kid see just how dangerous Soul Master society could be.
So she woke Chen Doudou.
"Doudou, get up."
Chen Doudou lazily climbed out of bed, rubbed his bleary eyes, and got dressed.
But when he looked down at the faded, coarse shirt he was wearing, its cuffs even a little frayed, he fell into deep thought.
"Sister Dong, why do I have to wear such old clothes? This fabric chafes."
Chen Doudou tugged at the hem, his face full of disdain. In the Divine Realm, even ordinary divine servants wore shimmering divine silk. He had never worn coarse cloth like this.
"Because we're out of money."
Bibi Dong folded her arms, looking perfectly justified. She even tried to pin the blame on him. "Who told you to be so half-hearted about snatching food yesterday? If you're going to experience life, you have to start at the very bottom."
There was no way she could tell Chen Doudou the truth. Otherwise, how could she cultivate his path toward evil?
"Huh? No way, Sister Dong. You really didn't bring a single coin when you came down here?"
Chen Doudou's eyes widened. His worldview had just crumbled again.
The dignified Bibi Dong was actually broke?
Bibi Dong gave him a righteous glare. "Obviously. You don't need money in the Divine Realm. Even the hotel we're staying in now—we got in by making people submit through virtue."
Trade in the Divine Realm usually involved all kinds of spiritual treasures, rare heavenly materials, or the power of faith. Gold and silver were worth the least.
Still, to be fair, she sometimes really admired Doudou's knack for inventing phrases.
The first time she heard "make people submit through virtue," Bibi Dong had thought it meant winning them over with reason.
Who the hell knew it meant winning them over with force?!
"Fine."
Chen Doudou lowered his head.
Ah, a single coin could bring a hero to his knees.
Now he understood why so many transmigrators, even after ending up in Douluo, made earning money their first priority.
Chen Doudou suddenly remembered something more important and asked, "By the way, didn't Dad say when he'd give me a God-Bestowed Soul Ring?"
"Look at you, in such a hurry again."
Bibi Dong tapped him on the nose, then explained gently, "You just absorbed your First Soul Ring, and it was a sacrifice, too. You haven't even completely absorbed all the energy in the Soul Ring yet. Once you've fully consolidated it, your second Soul Ring will reach its maximum age limit."
"Oh, so that's how it works."
Chen Doudou nodded with sudden understanding. He'd learned something new.
Just then, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the respectful voice of a server:
"Excuse me, ma'am. There's a young girl downstairs asking for you."
The corner of Bibi Dong's mouth curled into a meaningful smile. She cupped Chen Doudou's chubby face and pinched it, her tone full of teasing.
"Well, well, that little girl came looking for you. Doudou, how come everyone takes such a liking to you wherever you go? It's only been one night, and she's already following you around like a little tail."
Try as she might, she couldn't figure out where the Demon Pill had gone—the one who'd dared to pee in Tang San's teapot as a child, dared to attach ten extra centimeters of Lone Bamboo to Tang San's stool, and had made Qian Renxue furious.
How had he turned into a White Dumpling that everyone adored the moment he came down to the mortal world?
Chen Doudou: "..."
He blinked innocently.
It wasn't his fault he was good-looking. How could anyone blame him for that?
Downstairs at the hotel, the morning breeze drifted along the street.
Jiang Nannan stood at the foot of the steps, holding a basket of eggs and two hens.
Today, she wore a clean, pale-blue cloth dress, and her hair was tied in a simple ponytail. Her cheeks were faintly flushed from hurrying over.
"Ch-Chen Doudou, thank you for curing my mom."
"These are eggs my family has been saving for a long time, and the chickens we raised at home. Please, you have to accept them. They aren't worth much, but they're a token of our gratitude."
Jiang Nannan stammered as she held the basket out with both hands, not daring to meet Chen Doudou's eyes.
Chen Doudou had planned to refuse. He might be broke, but he didn't need food from the mortal world.
But when he saw the girl's trembling hands and her timid gaze, he hesitated.
Children were sensitive, especially those from poor families. A casual refusal could make them feel inferior.
"All right, I'll accept them."
"Thank you."
Jiang Nannan waved her hands repeatedly and lowered her head, a little embarrassed. "No, I should be thanking you. And I'm really sorry I misunderstood you yesterday."
She paused, then gathered her courage and lifted her head. "You must be new to Qingfeng City. Why don't I show you around?"
"Sure."
Bibi Dong readily agreed, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Then I'll have to trouble you. Take us to the best Soul Master Academy in this city."
She chuckled inwardly. Heh heh, Doudou, just you wait!
A noble academy—that's a place where the hierarchy is rigid, and the rich look down their noses at everyone else.
Those haughty noble brats are sure to block your way because of your shabby clothes, maybe even hurl insults at you.
Then I refuse to believe that you, who've been spoiled since childhood, can stand it. Get ready to be furious! When the time comes, let your evil nature awaken and bully those nobles to your heart's content!
The three of them walked side by side toward the city center.
The closer they got to the academy, the more magnificent the buildings became, and the more brightly dressed the passersby were.
The grand, gilded gates of Qingfeng Elementary Academy appeared before them.
It was enrollment season, and the entrance was packed with people and traffic.
Everywhere they looked, there were young men and women in luxurious clothes and exquisite jewelry, surrounded by servants as they chatted and laughed. Their faces brimmed with an innate sense of superiority.
Against that backdrop, Jiang Nannan, in her faded cloth dress, instinctively clutched her skirt and lowered her head a little.
The inferiority that came from her humble origins quietly crept over her.
Chen Doudou noticed her small gesture. Without saying a word, he simply took Jiang Nannan's hand.
Then he led her straight through the imposing school gates, a symbol of class and barriers.
"Hey, look at those two kids over there. They're so cute!"
"Yeah, they look like little dolls! Especially the one with purple hair—such fair skin and delicate features. She's sure to be a great beauty when she grows up!"
"Hey, hey! The kid has short hair. Maybe he's a boy!"
"Oh, ho ho ho! That's fine, too. I like cute little boys like him!"
"What the heck? Get away from me, you creep!"
As Jiang Nannan listened to the praise around her, her tense body gradually relaxed, and her little face turned rosy.
She looked at Chen Doudou in confusion. "Chen Doudou, why did you bring me in? This is a noble academy. I'm not allowed in here."
Chen Doudou smiled gently. "Sister Nannan, humble beginnings aren't something to be ashamed of. Even the best academy is still a place for teaching and educating people."
Buzz!
At that moment, it was as if something had burst open the door that had long remained shut in the darkness.
A gentle beam of light streamed in, unobstructed.
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