Departure! Target: Star Dou Forest!

Qin Chuan clutched his entire fortune and headed out, brimming with excitement.

The morning pedestrian street had yet to be overtaken by the bustling crowds, making it feel exceptionally crisp and refreshing.

The blacksmith's apprentice was yawning as he pulled open the shutters, and the first wisps of steam rose from the bun shop's steamers, filling the air with a faint scent of wheat.

Qin Chuan first headed to a shop specializing in fishing gear.

The owner was an elderly man who didn't even bother to lift his eyelids when he saw Qin Chuan enter.

"Boss, I want to buy a fishing rod," Qin Chuan said, getting straight to the point.

"Look for yourself," the old man gestured toward the row of rods hanging on the wall.

Qin Chuan walked over, feeling dazzled by the variety.

There were some made of bamboo, some of unknown wood, and a few that shimmered with a metallic luster, looking quite high-end.

"Boss, which rod is the best?" Qin Chuan asked.

"That one there," the old man pointed with his chin toward the pitch-black rod at the very end, which was carved with strange runes. "It's made of 'Black Dragon Wood'. It won't rot for a thousand years and has excellent flexibility. Never mind a Seven-Colored Spirit Fish, it could even haul in a century-old 'Iron-Armored Crocodile' for you."

"I'll take it!" Qin Chuan's eyes lit up. "How much?"

"One Gold Soul Coin," the old man stated.

Qin Chuan's heart skipped a beat.

One Gold Soul Coin? That's robbery!

"Boss, can... can you make it a bit cheaper?" Qin Chuan attempted to haggle.

The old man finally opened his eyes, looked Qin Chuan up and down, and let out a cold snort. "If you don't have the money, don't touch it. This 'Black Dragon Wood' rod is only for those destined to have it."

Qin Chuan was left speechless by the retort.

But then he thought, Hu Liena is a level 79 Spirit Saint; he couldn't possibly take her fishing with a piece of junk bamboo pole, could he?

That would be far too embarrassing.

Besides, this "Black Dragon Wood" sounded incredibly impressive; it might even increase his chances of catching a big fish.

Thinking of this, Qin Chuan gritted his teeth and stomped his foot. "I'll buy it!"

He pulled 10 Silver Soul Coins from his pocket and handed them over.

On the Douluo Continent, 1 Gold Soul Coin = 10 Silver Soul Coins = 100 Copper Soul Coins.

A trace of a smile finally appeared on the old man's face.

He reached under the counter, pulled out a matching tackle box, and handed it to Qin Chuan. "Since you're a straightforward lad, I'll throw in this set of 'Dark Iron Fishhooks' and 'Ice Silkworm Thread', along with a shorter rod, as a gift."

Qin Chuan took the box and opened it to find a dozen fishhooks of various sizes neatly arranged, glinting with a cold light, along with a spool of white fishing line as thin as hair yet exceptionally tough. The extra rod also felt quite decent in his hand.

"Thank you, boss!" Qin Chuan was overjoyed.

He felt his luck was great today; he had met a benefactor the moment he stepped out.

After leaving the fishing gear shop, Qin Chuan went to the grocery store next door and spent 5 Silver Soul Coins on a tent that could fit two or three people, a portable grill, and various bottles and jars of seasonings.

Cumin, chili powder, five-spice powder, secret barbecue sauce... he bought everything the owner recommended.

After doing all this, Qin Chuan checked his wallet and found only a single, lonely Silver Soul Coin left.

He couldn't help but offer a wry smile; the cost of this "date" was truly not cheap.

However, the thought of eating delicious Seven-Colored Spirit Fish soon made him feel it was all worth it.

He lugged his bags back to the Claw Machine Shop.

There was still half an hour until nine o'clock.

He set up the tent and grill at the entrance and began to inspect his "spoils."

The Black Dragon Wood rod felt heavy in his hand, and the runes carved into it had a peculiar texture to the touch.

The Dark Iron Fishhooks were incredibly sharp, glinting with a chilling light.

The Ice Silkworm Thread was so thin it was almost invisible, yet when he tugged on it, it proved exceptionally tough.

The more Qin Chuan looked, the more satisfied he became, feeling certain he would return with a full haul today.

Just as he was lost in his fantasies, a crisp, melodious voice came from the doorway.

"Brother Chuan, I'm here!"

Qin Chuan looked up to see Hu Liena standing prettily at the entrance, a brilliant smile on her face.

She had changed into a much more agile outfit today.

Her upper body was clad in a tight black leather vest that perfectly outlined her proud figure. The edges of the vest were embroidered with intricate silver patterns, making her look both wild and luxurious.

On her lower body, she wore matching leather shorts that barely covered her hips, leaving her long, slender legs completely exposed to the air, and she wore knee-high leather boots.

Her rose-gold short hair was tied into a crisp high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate features.

She looked spirited and heroic, like a rose with thorns.

"Wow, Nana, you look... truly beautiful today," Qin Chuan praised sincerely.

Hu Liena felt a bit embarrassed by his praise, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It's nothing like that. You're the one looking quite sharp today, too."

Her gaze fell upon the pile of equipment beside Qin Chuan.

"Are these... all things you prepared?" she asked, somewhat surprised.

"That's right." Qin Chuan patted the Black Dragon Wood fishing rod and said proudly, "What do you think? Professional, right?"

Hu Liena stepped forward and picked up the fishing rod to examine it, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

"Black Dragon Wood? This is top-tier stuff. Brother Chuan, you really didn't hold back on the investment."

"Heh, a craftsman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well." Qin Chuan felt a bit carried away by her praise.

"Then let's head out!" Hu Liena rolled up her sleeves and took the initiative to shoulder the massive tent. "Today, I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

"You got it!" Qin Chuan also shouldered the grill and fishing gear, following behind Hu Liena.

Qin Chuan and Hu Liena had only taken a few steps when they ran head-on into four familiar figures.

Under the sunlight, the four girls each possessed their own unique charm.

Xiao Wu walked at the very front, the hem of her pink gauze skirt swaying gently with her steps, revealing the slender calves wrapped in gray silk stockings beneath. The crystal high heels on her feet tapped crisply against the bluestone pavement.

Ning Rongrong followed beside her, her blue skirt accentuating her slim figure. White silk stockings encased her well-proportioned legs, and the short boots on her feet added a touch of capability to her appearance.

Zhu Zhuqing remained in her signature tight black leather outfit, which outlined her breathtaking curves to the fullest.

Bai Chenxiang trailed at the back, her two braids resting quietly against her chest. Her legs, clad in gray silk stockings, were pressed together as she stood, making her appear somewhat reserved.

The four of them had originally planned to come to Qin Chuan's shop together to grind [Member EXP] by helping with the cleaning, and perhaps try their luck at catching some dolls while they were at it.

They hadn't expected the shop to be closed, only to run into the man himself on the road.

"Oh? Brother Chuan, and... Vice President, what are you two doing?" Xiao Wu spoke up first, her voice crisp, though a hint of distance and reserve crept into her tone when she saw Hu Liena's striking attire and Qin Chuan by her side.

Qin Chuan had long forgotten about that day's events and explained naturally, "Oh, Xiao Wu, what a coincidence. The Claw Machine Shop isn't open over the weekend, and the Crystal Ball shuts down automatically, so there's nothing I can do to let you play."

Xiao Wu's eyes darted around, landing on the large pile of fishing gear beside the pair, and she suddenly realized, "Oh, I see. So you two are... going fishing?"

"That's right." Qin Chuan nodded as if it were obvious, patting the grill beside him. "I can't cultivate, so it's boring just staying around all day. I have to find some fun in my spare time."

He said this candidly, but to the four girls, the words carried different meanings.

Xiao Wu muttered to herself that Brother Chuan was indeed a mortal, and his way of thinking was completely different from theirs.

Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, thought that since he liked fishing, she should make a note of this information; it might come in handy later.

Zhu Zhuqing's focus, however, was on Hu Liena; she couldn't understand why this high-and-mighty Vice President would accompany a mortal to do something so boring.

"Vice President, then... are you going too?" Unable to suppress her curiosity, Xiao Wu finally threw the question to Hu Liena.