While Ye Guchen in the Dou II timeline was still busy growing stronger, Ye Guchen and Zhu Zhuqing in the Dou I timeline had finally arrived in Suotuo City.
After traveling for most of the day, both of them were famished, so they decided to find a restaurant and get something to eat.
But public safety on the Douluo Continent was nothing like in his previous life. Most of the places that dared to stay open at night were run by Soul Masters.
Ye Guchen had come to Suotuo City for the first time and had no idea what the local specialties were, so he randomly asked a passerby.
When the passerby saw Zhu Zhuqing beside Ye Guchen, he immediately gave him a knowing look, then pointed him toward a hotel.
Before long, they arrived at the hotel. Its decor wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was a little better than average.
Because the hotel was tucked deep in an alley, several little shops in the same alley had put up signs advertising Whale Rubber for sale.
Ye Guchen's mouth twitched. Then he looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Why don't we find somewhere else?"
Zhu Zhuqing had been born into royalty, so she naturally knew what Whale Rubber was used for. Her face had already turned red with embarrassment.
"N-no, it's fine."
However, as they passed a shop selling Whale Rubber, Ye Guchen glanced inside by chance and spotted a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber.
Afraid he'd seen it wrong, Ye Guchen immediately increased the output of his mental power.
"That's right, Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. I don't know why it's here, but I might as well take it."
Without a word, Ye Guchen led Zhu Zhuqing over to the shop.
He pointed at the piece of Whale Rubber.
"How much for this one?"
At first, Zhu Zhuqing hadn't understood what was going on. But when Ye Guchen said he wanted to buy Whale Rubber, unease filled her heart.
We've only known each other for a few days. I'm really against this sort of thing, so why can't I bring myself to say no?
Zhu Zhuqing's face was bright red, and her body was growing warm.
Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuqing, when did you become so shameless?
Of course, if Ye Guchen really tried anything, Zhu Zhuqing would definitely refuse. She didn't understand why she couldn't bring herself to feel repulsed, but she knew this was wrong!
Ye Guchen's attention was entirely fixed on the piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, so he didn't notice Zhu Zhuqing's awkward, uneasy expression.
But even if Ye Guchen didn't notice, that didn't mean the shopkeeper hadn't. Those two are obviously both rookies. Looks like I can fleece them good!
On the surface, though, he kept his expression perfectly normal.
"This is a precious item brought all the way from Vast Sea City! It's a full five hundred years old! Five hundred Gold Soul Coins, and that's my final price!"
At that, Ye Guchen was delighted. It looked like the shopkeeper really didn't know what he had. Still, even if it were the five-hundred-year variety he claimed, five hundred Gold Soul Coins was far too expensive for the Dou I timeline.
"One hundred! Not a coin more!"
"Deal!"
Ye Guchen had expected the shopkeeper to haggle, but he agreed at once and pushed the Whale Rubber toward him.
Damn, I didn't bargain hard enough!
Still, Ye Guchen had made a killing. He promptly took out a pouch of Gold Soul Coins and tossed it onto the table.
"Count them."
The shopkeeper hurriedly scooped up the Gold Soul Coins and weighed them in his hand.
Then his face lit up, and he hastily shoved the Whale Rubber into Ye Guchen's hands, as if afraid he might change his mind.
After taking the Whale Rubber, Ye Guchen led Zhu Zhuqing away.
But as soon as Ye Guchen had walked fifty meters, he heard a door slam behind him.
"Hahaha! I struck it rich! Another fool with more money than sense. He can't even tell ten-year Whale Rubber from hundred-year Whale Rubber. I'd better go lie low for a while!"
Ye Guchen's mental power was immense, so he heard every word the shopkeeper said. The corner of his mouth twitched.
What was this? Both sides thought they'd hit the jackpot!
After they finished eating, Zhu Zhuqing looked hesitant and stumbled over her words.
"Um... will this be too fast?"
"I think... maybe we should spend a few years getting to know each other first. Then, when I'm older..."
As she spoke, she buried her face against her chest.
Looking at her alluring figure, and feeling the same sensations as his body in the Dou II timeline, Ye Guchen felt a wicked impulse flare up for an instant. But he quickly forced it back down.
Keep it together, Ye Guchen. We can't do anything illegal!
Even if people on the Douluo Continent matured early, they still had to be at least fourteen or fifteen to be considered adults, right?
Almost without thinking, Ye Guchen placed a hand on Zhu Zhuqing's head and ruffled her hair.
"What are you thinking? That Whale Rubber isn't for boosting your virility."
"Huh? It's not for that? Then... then what's it for?"
She fired off three questions in a row, her words rushed and revealing just how flustered she was.
"Whale Rubber is used to temper the body and purge impurities. I don't know what idiot mistook the heat from tempering the body for a virility boost and used it to indulge himself. Not only would he fail to get the full tempering effect, he'd also drain his body."
Zhu Zhuqing was still only half-convinced. She looked at Ye Guchen uncertainly, as if waiting for him to prove it.
"You're in luck. The shopkeeper didn't know what he had. This is a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. For you, it's the perfect material for tempering your body."
Then he took out the Whale Rubber, washed it clean, cut off a small piece, melted it in a bowl with pure Soul Power, and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Don't believe me? Try it."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the dark brown gel Ye Guchen held out to her, unsure whether he was pulling her leg.
But Ye Guchen looked completely serious, as if he wasn't faking it.
Forget it. At worst, I'll just stay by his side from now on!
Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned resolute. She snatched the Whale Rubber from him, closed her eyes, and swallowed it in one gulp.
The medicinal power of the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber spread through her body. Though she'd only taken a small piece, it was enough to transform her once.
Suddenly, a warm current appeared out of nowhere in her lower abdomen, then gradually spread throughout her body.
I knew it! He really was pulling my leg!
Zhu Zhuqing had already been suspicious, and now what was happening matched that description exactly. Her composure began to crumble.
Looking at her perfect body writhing before him, Ye Guchen had no choice but to channel even more energy toward Ma Xiaotao. Then he hurriedly reminded Zhu Zhuqing to steady herself.
At the same time, an immense wave of mental power surged from Ye Guchen into Zhu Zhuqing's mental sea, calming her mind before she could lose control.
"Guard your mind!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt a cool wave of Soul Power sweep through her body, and she immediately came to her senses. She followed Ye Guchen's instructions, focused her attention, and guarded her mind.
As time passed, Zhu Zhuqing's clothes grew soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her body. A glimpse of snowy-white skin could be seen through the fabric.
But soon, as the impurities inside her body were expelled, a foul smell gradually spread through the room.
The smell grew stronger, and Ye Guchen could no longer stand it. He left a note and returned to his own room.
They were staying in a suite with two bedrooms. Zhu Zhuqing was absorbing the Whale Rubber in the living room.
Before long, Zhu Zhuqing gradually came out of her state of absorption.
The moment she woke up, a pungent stench hit her, making her gag.
"What happened?"
Still puzzled, she caught sight of the note on the table. It read: Clean up after yourself.
Zhu Zhuqing was so embarrassed she didn't know what to do. She hurriedly grabbed the mat she'd dirtied and rushed into the bathroom.
As water ran over her body, Zhu Zhuqing felt that her skin had become a little fairer. Her body also felt more comfortable and light. When she examined it closely, she could tell her physical strength had improved quite a bit.
Zhu Zhuqing had escaped a disaster, but Ma Xiaotao in the Dou II timeline wasn't so lucky.
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