The First 'Weight Loss' Job

The Ashes flickered and danced, but Li Ziran's gaze never left that clump of Ashes.

Although he was still unclear about the exact scope of the cult, he was confident that any member of the Dark Council who was captured would meet the requirements for Judgment.

Unfortunately, the three girls rejected Li Ziran's tempting idea, stretched, and were clearly tired.

"Li, we haven't been getting enough nutrition these past few days, so we can't keep Judgment," Ailey pouted and said. After Judgment the Demon host, she was indeed feeling dizzy.

Nutrition?

Li Ziran didn't understand much. He glanced at the three girls, and even with Aimer, he only said a few words before leaning against the wall and falling asleep.

That's some seriously good sleep quality.

However, this was not a place to sleep. Li Ziran reached out to pick up Ivy, but in an instant, his fingers felt burning hot, as if they were placed in boiling Ashes. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that Ivy's temperature was rising strangely.

He quickly touched Aimer and Ailey, and found that the two were exactly the same.

"What happened?"

Under these circumstances, the temperature will soon exceed the tolerance of living beings, causing them to dehydrate and die.

Li Ziran's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly recalled the situation in the Wasteland, where Cavis seemed to have put the other person in a sleeping bag.

Thinking of this, Li Ziran found sleeping bags, threw them into them one by one, and poured in all the remaining seawater. Instantly, the three girls transformed into Mermaid, lazily lurking in the seawater, pouting slightly.

With a soft moan, tiny, azure crystals rose from the seawater and slowly seeped into the girl's body.

"This is... Body Tempering?"

Li Ziran was somewhat puzzled. This situation clearly involved using seawater to extract physique, which was the most standard training method for warriors. However, Li Ziran had dissected Ivy and had not found any warrior-specific Battle Qi.

Suddenly, he thought of Ivy's delicate, creamy skin; could it have been formed under such circumstances?

He chuckled inwardly. This Witch Doctor was becoming more and more unorthodox. He hadn't made much progress in Curse Art and Healing Spell, but he had inexplicably gained insights into giving women a warm, moisturizing effect on their skin.

In retrospect, it seems that when Cavis put Ivy and the other two girls into the sleeping bags, it wasn't reckless. On the contrary, it was very likely that he needed the seawater to cool them down from the heat of absorbing their souls.

Moreover, the lavish breakfast prepared afterward was not out of pampering; after such a bizarre Body Tempering, one would likely need a great deal of nutrition.

However, Body Tempering that makes the skin and flesh more delicate is indeed not very useful for cultivation.

Make a mental note of this trick, pick up the unconscious Emily, and put her in the sleeping bag as well.

She seems to have absorbed some too; let's see how the seawater reacts.

Sure enough, tiny blue particles floated around. Li Ziran instinctively took out a scalpel, but then put it down. These little things weren't worth operating on Emily.

He chuckled, fastened his sleeping bag, and looked at the Ashes beside him. This feast had lasted a while; he needed to clean up the battlefield quickly.

This reveals that such a Judgment scene is no joke.

The Ashes were quickly cleared away, but Li Ziran was somewhat troubled when he looked at the sleeping bag.

Although he was pleased with the opening gift, Emily's rash actions, which led Ivy and the other two to act, were completely unexpected.

Once it happens the first time, it will inevitably happen again and again.

In the Hippo Ancient City, controlled by the Dark Council, there are countless cultists who meet the criteria for Judgment.

There are many things to do, but even more so, restraint is needed.

One Demon host is no big deal, but if it involves a whole group of powerful factions, then there will be a lot of trouble.

The thought of the girls' fragile survival experience makes this terrible fate predictable.

To survive here, one must be extremely cautious and prudent.

"Looks like we need to start planning some hunting trips regularly."

Li Ziran made up his mind that it was better to guide than to block; simply restricting was completely unrealistic, so it was better for him to handle it secretly.

Firstly, it could increase his affinity with the Mermaid girl and deepen his understanding of the rules of survival. Secondly, Li Ziran also needed this kind of Judgment Spell; as a wizard, he couldn't do without replenishing his soul.

Even this basement isn't safe right now; at the very least, the soundproofing is inadequate, and the cultists' loud shouts will give them away in less than three days.

This necessitates a special Judgment Room, and this Judgment Room really needs careful planning, ideally with reference to Inquisition.

Unfortunately, the Inquisition the Hippo Ancient City, hidden deeper than a rat's nest.

I couldn't help but think of the administrators on Ninth Street. They might have some clues about the Inquisition. If we could cooperate with them, we should be able to find some Inquisition organizations.

Thinking about the endless supply of souls he would be drawing from in the future, Li Ziran leaned against the wall and unconsciously fell asleep.

"Li, wake up!" A hazy voice startled Li Ziran from his sweet dream. He squinted and saw that it was Ivy.

"What's wrong?" He wasn't fully awake, or rather, he hadn't finished his beautiful dream. He dreamt of countless creatures howling in the flames, their souls rushing around like a market, desperately trying to become his spiritual power.

"We're hungry! Lee, can you treat us to something to eat?" Ailey pouted and leaned closer, pointing to her flat little belly.

"Is it dawn?" Li Ziran asked.

"It's already bright, almost noon," Aimer complained. "I saw you sleeping and didn't dare disturb you."

"Noon?" Li Ziran sat down instantly. He had planned to open for business in the morning; how could he have overslept?

He hurried up the stairs and saw that the sun was already high in the sky. He smiled bitterly to himself, thinking, "What kind of nonsense is this? Who opens a business at midday?"

But upon closer reflection, he realized he had neither slaves nor goods, and even if he opened his business, he wouldn't know what to sell.

Looking at the three anxious girls, Li Ziran felt troubled. He really couldn't let them go out and wander around; it seemed he would have to spend another sum of money.

"What would you like to eat?"

"Goat milk! Beef steak! Juice!" the three exclaimed in unison.

Li Ziran was speechless. He should have expected it. These three delicate young ladies would never eat steamed buns with him. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the three of them had clearly lost weight, obviously due to the exertion of the previous night.

He took nine copper coins out of his pocket and handed them over, saying, "That's all, enough for a day's meals. Be careful with your money."

"This is... copper coins?" Ailey pouted. "That's far too few. I usually spend silver coins."

Li Ziran couldn't help but laugh, "Miss, we haven't even opened for business yet. If we really make a sale, I'll treat you to a big meal tonight."

"Really?" Emily suddenly leaned closer. She had felt the benefits of soul absorption and was deliberately trying to get on good terms with the Fishman.

"Of course I could lie, but I have to make money first. I can't make a copper coin and lose a silver coin, can I?" Li Ziran wouldn't fall for it. Anyway, he didn't have any goods on hand right now. Going to the slave market at this time would take a while. By the time the slave transplant was finished, it would be around tomorrow.

Moreover, being hungry might not be a bad thing; it allows them to appreciate the value of money.

Emily's eyes lit up. She leaned over to the three Mermaid girls and whispered something to them, making their eyes light up. Without saying much to Li Ziran, they hurriedly ran out.

"What did she go off to do?" Li Ziran asked curiously.

Snort!

The three girls snorted in unison and angrily turned their heads away.

Li Ziran was speechless. This was just a tantrum; nine copper coins were already a lot.

But a short while later, a chorus of sweet, melodious voices came from the stairwell.

"Emily, is it really as amazing as you say? I'm not missing an arm or a leg."

"Exactly, can it really remove the scars on my face? If it really has that ability, I'll give it a silver coin."

"Could you raise this part of me a bit? The customers all say it's too small and they can't hold on. I only came here because of you."

Upon hearing these voices, Li Ziran frowned, knowing without even looking who they were.

Girl!

The lowest-ranking woman in Hippo Ancient City.

Sure enough, a group of brightly dressed women walked in a short while later, instantly filling the entire basement with a fragrant aroma. However, the inferior fragrances mixed together smelled even worse.

"This is so shabby, Emily, when did your taste become so bad?" A fat Pigman woman frowned and complained the moment she entered the basement.

Emily leaned forward and took the other woman's arm, saying affectionately, "Hey sis, I can't resist how good her cooking is! Let me tell you, this shop just opened, so there are discounts. Look at my eyes, and this arm of mine—if it weren't for our sisterly bond, I wouldn't have called you even if you paid me."

"Can it really make me lose weight?" Pigman woman asked.

"One lap?" Emily retorted. "One lap is enough. I'll make you a skinny little Goblins." She then pulled Li Ziran in front of her, asking with a pious expression, "Master, how much weight do you think he can lose?"

Li Zi looked at Emily with such a devout expression, as if he were worshipping a deity.

As expected of a salesman, his actions were quite professional. Not to mention Pigman the woman, even he might be fooled.

Li Ziran strongly suspected that the other party had taken kickbacks during the rental of this two-story building.

However, Li Ziran did see a glimmer of business talent in the other party, which might be worth nurturing.

Business is knocking on the door, and we can't turn it away. This person may not be of high status, but he is still a business opportunity.

At first glance, this person inherited Pigman's biggest advantage: a large frame and a full hip. Based on the conversation just now, the other person wanted to lose weight.

As for weight loss, it's very simple: removing excess flesh can lead to significant weight loss. However, if you could replace a few bones, losing a large amount of weight would be no problem.

"It depends on the price; the more weight you lose, the more expensive it will be," Li Ziran suggested conservatively.

Pigman woman, however, didn't take it seriously and chuckled, "Oh, quite the boast! Tell me, how much is it per pound?"

"Two copper coins." Li Ziran, so he casually set a price.

"Fine, two it is. I'll be as thin as I want. Let me tell you, I'm not short of money." Pigman woman patted her chubby belly, as if to tell Li Ziran that it was full of gold coins. To make sure Li Ziran wasn't faking it, she called over a few friends. "Look, everyone. This human says he'll pay two copper coins for every pound I lose. I weigh 200 pounds. You guys be my witnesses. If this human doesn't make me lose at least five pounds, I won't pay half a coin."

Her comment prompted others to join in the teasing.

Emily had insisted on coming here, but upon entering, the decor was so new, and there wasn't even a decent waiter. It immediately felt like being scammed.

Although they didn't have much money, they looked down on these low-level scammers.

Li Ziran smiled to himself. At 200 pounds, he should be able to lose 50 pounds without any problem, given his current weight. If he could even get some bone replacement, he could easily lose at least 80 pounds.

Two copper coins for one jin (500 grams), so 80 jin would be 160 copper coins, equivalent to 1.6 silver coins. This business was much more profitable than the slave trade.