Rose Hotel, the Playboy Youth

"What does Shrek mean, Brother Ao?"

"Monster! A freakish monster!"

"Freakier than Brother Ao?"

"Uh..."

After packing their simple luggage, Ao Yin and Xiao Wu left the gates of Notting Academy. Chatting and laughing as they went, they headed toward Shrek Academy.

They walked from dawn until afternoon, then from afternoon until dusk.

The road beneath their feet was long and tedious. If Xiao Wu had not been by his side, Ao Yin would have found it boring long ago.

Xiao Wu obediently followed him the whole way. Whenever she grew tired, she would tug on the corner of his clothes and coquettishly ask to rest for a while.

Ao Yin always indulged her, gently keeping her company while she rested.

Walking and resting like this, hurrying onward all the while, they finally caught sight of Suotuo City's walls in the distance before the sky turned completely dark.

The towering city stood in the night.

"Whew—We finally made it!"

Ao Yin let out a long breath, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

After such a dusty journey, exhaustion was inevitable.

Xiao Wu, beside him, was even more worn out. Her little face was flushed red, and fine sweat covered her forehead.

She raised her small hand and gently rubbed her aching shoulders, her entire body leaning softly against Ao Yin's arm with a lazy, exhausted look.

"We're finally here... We can lie down and sleep properly now. I'm so tired, Brother Ao."

Xiao Wu's voice was soft and sweet, filled with dependence.

After living side by side for six years, she had long grown used to sticking to Ao Yin at every moment.

Whether resting, cultivating, or taking a walk, she only felt at ease when she was close to Ao Yin.

Ao Yin lowered his head to look at the little girl clinging to him, his eyes full of affection.

He looked into Suotuo City. Shops lined both sides of the streets, and inns and hotels of all sizes could be seen everywhere.

But after taking a careful look around, his brows furrowed slightly.

More than ninety percent of the establishments had large wooden signs reading "Fully Booked" hanging outside.

Clearly, Suotuo City had seen an enormous influx of people lately, and the rooms had long since been snatched up.

Ao Yin sighed helplessly and looked down at Xiao Wu, who was pressed against him.

"Xiao Wu, it looks like our luck isn't very good. Most of the inns are fully booked. I'm afraid we won't have anywhere to stay tonight."

At those words, Xiao Wu's little face instantly fell. Her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked around pitifully.

After traveling all day, she truly just wanted to sleep well.

Just as she was about to lose hope, Xiao Wu's bright eyes suddenly lit up!

With her sharp eyes, she spotted an exquisite hotel sign in the distance through the gaps between the shops.

"Brother Ao! Wait! There's still one over there!"

Xiao Wu instantly perked up. She pointed ahead with a fair little hand, her face full of delight.

"Rose Hotel?"

"It's the only one here without a fully booked sign! They must still have rooms! Let's hurry over!"

Ao Yin looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw the elegantly decorated Rose Hotel.

Seeing this familiar place, he immediately understood.

Rose Hotel, Suotuo City's most famous... couples' hotel. There was no second place.

Interesting.

A smile curved across Ao Yin's lips as he took Xiao Wu's small hand tightly in his own.

"Come on, let's take a look."

The two entered the Rose Hotel lobby side by side.

The interior was lavishly decorated, brightly lit, and exceptionally elegant.

Ao Yin led Xiao Wu to the front desk and spoke gently.

"Boss, do you have any vacant rooms? There are two of us."

The clerk looked up and sized up the pair before him.

The young man was tall and straight, with an outstanding bearing and an exceptionally handsome face.

The little girl beside him was sweet and adorable, obediently clingy as she pressed close to him the entire time. They were clearly intimate.

Having worked in the hotel for years, the clerk could tell at a glance that their relationship was not ordinary.

He immediately got the idea and put on an understanding expression.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir."

"There have been too many guests checking in today, and all the standard double rooms are full."

"At the moment... the only room left is the last romantic king room."

As soon as he said that, the atmosphere became subtle.

The clerk knew perfectly well what he was doing.

When faced with a young couple like this, even if other rooms were available, he would deliberately keep quiet in hopes of getting a little more in tips.

Besides, this really was the only room left tonight.

Yet Xiao Wu showed no embarrassment whatsoever after hearing this.

She had long eaten and slept alongside Ao Yin, so she was already used to it.

Xiao Wu raised her cute little face and said openly, "One room is fine! It doesn't matter!"

"Brother Ao and I have always slept together anyway. We're already used to sharing a bed!"

The little girl was innocent, her tone candid and natural.

Seeing her adorable, defenseless appearance, warmth welled up in Ao Yin's heart, and his gaze became even gentler.

"Then we'll take it. Check us in."

The clerk immediately smiled. "Certainly! Pay the deposit first, and I'll handle the paperwork right away!"

Ao Yin casually took out a glittering Gold Soul Coin from his storage Soul Tool and gently placed it on the counter.

"Keep the change. Send all the best signature dishes in your establishment to the room."

One Gold Soul Coin was enough to pay for a top-tier feast, and everything left over would be the clerk's tip.

The clerk's eyes lit up instantly, his face full of ecstatic delight. He respectfully put away the gold coin, swiftly completed the check-in, and handed over the room key with both hands.

In just a moment, all the procedures were complete.

Ao Yin took the key and was about to lead Xiao Wu, who was pressed close against him, upstairs to rest.

Just then, a frivolous laugh came from the hotel entrance.

A blond figure strode slowly into the lobby.

The man was handsome and flamboyant, his entire body exuding an arrogant, unruly air.

With an alluring, heavily made-up woman tucked under each arm, he looked every bit the playboy.

The front desk clerk had just been about to put up the fully booked sign when he hurried over and spoke respectfully.

"Young Master Dai, I'm terribly sorry, but all the romantic rooms are full tonight. There really aren't any rooms left!"

Dai Mubai's expression darkened instantly at those words.

His eyes immediately turned cold and haughty, carrying immense pressure as he looked indifferently at the front desk.

"Didn't I reserve a romantic king room? What, that's gone too?"

The clerk's face instantly turned pale.

Hearing the commotion, the hotel owner hurried out from the rear courtyard and immediately berated the clerk.

"What the hell are you doing? Who told you to rent out Young Master Dai's reserved VIP romantic room? You can't accomplish anything without ruining everything!"

After scolding the employee, the owner quickly turned and bowed to Dai Mubai in apology, his face full of panic.

"Please forgive us, Young Master Dai! I failed to manage things properly and did not explain it clearly to my staff beforehand!"

"It's just... that room was rented out to guests only moments ago. It really is difficult to handle..."

Holding the two beautiful women, Dai Mubai's expression turned completely cold, his arrogance undisguised.

"Difficult to handle? Easy."

"Make that kid give up the room willingly. I'll compensate him double for any losses!"

Standing not far away, Ao Yin heard everything clearly.

He gently held back Xiao Wu, who wanted to step forward and argue, then walked forward alone with a calm expression.

"Sorry, but we reserved the room first and paid the deposit first."

"By the rules, it should belong to us."

Dai Mubai raised a brow and turned his head. He looked Ao Yin over disdainfully, and seeing that he was merely an ordinary young man, he did not take him seriously at all.

He casually took out three Gold Soul Coins and tossed them onto the counter.

"Take the money and leave. Find somewhere else to stay. Don't get in my way here."

His posture was one of arrogant wealth bullying.

Ao Yin could not help laughing.

A few gold coins, and Dai Mubai thought he could send him away?

His storage bag was filled with Gold Soul Coins he had obtained from check-ins. Moreover, he was a level thirty-nine, three-ring Soul Elder with three ten-thousand-year black Soul Rings.

In Ao Yin's eyes, Dai Mubai's little display was childish and laughable.

Ao Yin casually pulled out a heavy handful of Gold Soul Coins and tossed them onto the counter.

The coins clinked brightly as they collided.

He looked at Dai Mubai, his eyes carrying faint amusement and utter contempt.

The meaning was obvious: he was not short on money.

Dai Mubai's face instantly turned livid.

In front of two beautiful women and everyone in the hotel, he had been publicly humiliated by an unknown boy. He had lost all face!

He had run rampant through Suotuo City for years and had never suffered such humiliation!

"Good! Very good!"

Dai Mubai laughed in fury, his gaze abruptly turning sharp and vicious.

"Looks like you don't know your place if you dare challenge me, Dai Mubai?"

Boom—!

The next instant, surging Soul Power erupted!

The powerful pressure of a level thirty-seven, three-ring Soul Elder instantly swept through the entire hotel lobby!

A fierce wind rose, his aura terrifying!

The ordinary guests in the hotel turned pale with fright and fled in panic, afraid of being caught up in it.

Faced with such ferocious Soul Power pressure, Ao Yin stood where he was from beginning to end, his posture straight and unmoving, calm as ever.

He spoke lightly. "So, you want to fight?"

The journey had been tedious, and he had not fought in a long time. Dai Mubai was just right for loosening him up.

As his words fell, Ao Yin stopped being polite.

Rumble!!!

Even more vigorous, heavier, and more domineering Soul Power exploded forth!

The terrifying aura of a level thirty-nine Soul Elder instantly crushed everyone present!

The entire hall fell silent!

Everyone was utterly stunned!

This young man's Soul Power was actually stronger than Dai Mubai's!

Seeing this, Xiao Wu immediately rushed over with an angry puff of her cheeks. She tightly hugged Ao Yin's arm and pressed herself firmly against him.

Her eyes were filled with anger as she protested indignantly in a sweet voice.

"This is too much! We were obviously here first! We paid too! What right does he have to steal our room!"

"Brother Ao, don't indulge him! This guy is too overbearing! If you won't fight, I'll teach him a lesson!"

Ao Yin gently raised a hand and rubbed Xiao Wu's head, his tone doting and tender.

"Stand there nicely. Xiao Wu doesn't need to fight."

"Tonight, I absolutely won't let my Xiao Wu sleep on the streets."

Xiao Wu nodded obediently and nestled tightly against his side, trusting him completely.

The sight of their intimate closeness became increasingly irritating to Dai Mubai. He gave a cold smile.

"A Soul Master, huh? Then I'll teach you how to behave!"

Before his words had even faded, Dai Mubai suddenly burst forward!

He was incredibly fast. His right fist carried a fierce gale as it shot straight at Ao Yin's chest, powerful and heavy!

Ao Yin remained composed. Just as the heavy punch was about to land on him, a cool milky-white glow condensed over his palms, and the Icy Cotton Palm met the attack head-on!

Bang!!!

A deafening impact exploded!

Violent shockwaves scattered in all directions!

Yet Ao Yin's feet remained rooted to the ground. He stood as steady as a mountain, not retreating even half a step!

Dai Mubai's pupils constricted sharply, his face filled with shock.

"You've got some skill! Take another punch from me!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A series of heavy punches came crashing out, as fierce and domineering as a tiger descending the mountain!

But Ao Yin's palms danced fluidly through the air.

Every blast of violent fist force was effortlessly and steadily caught, then neutralized!

An ordinary Soul Elder would have had their arms shattered by the shock and been coughing blood from severe injuries long ago.

Yet Ao Yin remained relaxed throughout, completely unharmed!

After several exchanges, Dai Mubai forcibly knocked himself back and landed, surprise appearing on his face.

"Interesting!"