The Bed I Just Bought Burned Again?

The benefits of an Immortal Herb were immense. Only five hours had passed before Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong both woke up.

Before either could speak, a notification about Ning Rongrong's affection arrived.

[Ding... Ning Rongrong's affection +21. Obtained Yellow Chest ×3, Purple Chest ×6, Black Chest ×4.]

[Ding... Ning Rongrong's affection is greater than or equal to 90.]

[Bound Goddess: Ning Rongrong]

[Goddess Overall Rating: 96]

[Current affection: 94 (Hopelessly in love; her heart has no room for anyone else.)]

[Binding effect: The host gains 40% of the Bound Goddess's daily cultivation gains without reducing her cultivation speed.]

[Bound skill 1: Support (Even when Ning Rongrong is absent, the host can use her support skills on himself, excluding Martial Soul Avatar, but their effects are only 40% as strong as when Ning Rongrong uses them herself.)]

[Bound skill 2: Slow (Activating this skill reduces the speed of enemies within fifty meters by 20%.)]

[Bound skill 3: Perception (If Ning Rongrong encounters danger within five hundred meters of the host, the host can immediately sense her location.)]

Ning Rongrong's goddess panel appeared before Su Ling. Her affection had broken past 90 in one leap, a considerable increase.

What surprised Su Ling most, however, was her goddess overall rating, which had jumped straight from 93 to 96.

After taking the Immortal Herb, Ning Rongrong looked more confident and a little prettier than before, though her potential had probably improved the most.

With all those aspects improving together, her goddess overall rating had successfully reached 96.

[Ding... Zhu Zhuqing's affection +3. Obtained Black Chest ×1, Red Chest ×2.]

[Ding... Zhu Zhuqing's affection is greater than or equal to 96. Guaranteed to obtain at least a Black Chest, with a high chance of obtaining a Red Chest and a small chance of obtaining a Gold Chest.]

[Bound Goddess: Zhu Zhuqing]

[Goddess Overall Rating: 96]

[Affection: 98 (Will never betray you and is willing to sacrifice everything for you.)]

[Binding effect: The host gains 50% of the Bound Goddess's daily cultivation gains without reducing her cultivation speed.]

[Bound skill 1: Advice Listening (Can be activated once daily. The Bound Goddess has an 80% chance of following the host's advice.)]

[Bound skill 2: Luck (Passive skill. When Zhu Zhuqing is within five hundred meters of the host, the host gains a considerable luck boost!)]

[Bound skill 3: Perception (If Zhu Zhuqing encounters danger within one thousand meters of the host, the host can immediately sense her location.)]

[Bound skill 4: Fusion (Performs a Martial Soul Fusion Skill by merging into the host's body. Can stack with other goddesses.)]

The Fusion skill had finally appeared.

Su Ling had been looking forward to it, and now he finally had it. Apparently, a goddess's affection had to reach 96 or higher.

Zhu Zhuqing's goddess overall rating had also risen to 96, just like Ning Rongrong's.

And with her affection at 98, she would never betray him and was willing to sacrifice everything for him. That put Su Ling completely at ease.

"Big Brother Su!" both girls called at once, their faces brimming with undisguised joy.

"No rush. One at a time."

"Rongrong, you go first," Zhu Zhuqing said.

Of the two, Ning Rongrong seemed the most excited. After all, that Immortal Herb had been incredibly important to her.

"Okay!"

"Big Brother Su, this is miraculous! My soul power really rose to rank thirty-seven! M-my martial soul really evolved from the Seven-S-Seven Treasure... Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"

Ning Rongrong was so excited that she stumbled over her words!

After speaking, she summoned her martial soul, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared before Su Ling and Zhu Zhuqing!

The originally seven-story pagoda now had nine stories!

"Big Brother Su, thank you!" Ning Rongrong withdrew her martial soul, then, unable to help herself, threw her arms around Su Ling and kissed him!

With her affection at 94, she was hopelessly in love. Even with Zhu Zhuqing beside them, she still did it!

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. Affection above 90 was enough for her to accept Su Ling having other women, let alone her current affection of 98!

She merely smiled faintly, gazing at Su Ling with indulgent affection and not a trace of displeasure!

"Rongrong, there's no need to thank me!" Su Ling said.

"No, I absolutely have to thank you, Big Brother Su," Ning Rongrong said.

"Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing is still watching," Su Ling reminded her.

"Ah..."

In an instant, Ning Rongrong's face flushed scarlet, and she immediately released Su Ling.

"Zhu Zhuqing, I-I was just too excited. Please don't mind," Ning Rongrong said.

Zhu Zhuqing smiled. "It's fine. Honestly, I'm just as excited as you are."

"Zhu Zhuqing, how much did your soul power increase?" Ning Rongrong asked.

"I've reached rank thirty-eight," Zhu Zhuqing said.

"What? Rank thirty-eight already? It really happened exactly as Big Brother Su said! Zhu Zhuqing, why does your skin look even better than before? You look much prettier, too," Ning Rongrong suddenly said.

"Mm, perhaps. Rongrong, you've become prettier, too," Zhu Zhuqing said.

"A large portion of the herbs' medicinal effects still remains in your bodies, not fully absorbed," Su Ling said. "If you work hard at cultivating, you'll advance even faster. Take the Intermediate Soul Power Pills from before, too. Their medicinal effects are no weaker than what you just took."

"Both of you should aim to become Soul Ancestors within three months," Su Ling said.

"Big Brother Su, I'll definitely work hard," Ning Rongrong said.

"Me too!" Zhu Zhuqing said.

"It's getting late. Go back and cultivate for a while to consolidate your soul power," Su Ling said. It wasn't that he didn't want them to stay, but evening was approaching, and he still had to visit Liu Erlong.

At that, Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Ling, while Ning Rongrong obediently went outside.

Zhu Zhuqing also threw her arms around Su Ling. Ning Rongrong had just done it, so how could she miss out?

Five minutes later, Zhu Zhuqing stepped outside with a flushed face and left with Ning Rongrong.

But they hadn't gone far before Ning Rongrong couldn't resist asking, "Zhu Zhuqing, is Big Brother Su that quick?"

"Rongrong, what are you talking about? We were only... um... it wasn't what you're thinking," Zhu Zhuqing said.

"That's good. If he finished in five minutes, what would become of your future happiness, Zhu Zhuqing?" Ning Rongrong said.

"Rongrong, are you asking for a beating?"

"Ah, no, no! I was wrong, Zhu Zhuqing! Don't tickle me!"

"But speaking of that, Rongrong, do you like Big Brother Su too?" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked seriously.

"Ah... Zhu Zhuqing, I-I didn't mean to. I just don't know why, but I've already... Don't worry, I'm your best friend. I won't fight you for him," Ning Rongrong said.

"Rongrong, that's not what I meant."

"I don't think we could find another person as wonderful as Big Brother Su in the entire Douluo World, and he's so talented, too. It won't just be us. I imagine plenty more women will fall for him in the future."

"So, rather than another woman, wouldn't it be better to have another close friend? What do you think?"

After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong.

With her affection at 98, she had begun considering everything for Su Ling's sake.

"Ah, Zhu Zhuqing, do you really feel that way?" Ning Rongrong asked shyly.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "If I didn't, why would I bring this up? So, Rongrong, what do you think?"

"I... I don't have a problem with it. It's just my father... um... I think he should be fine with it too," Ning Rongrong said.

"Then that's wonderful!" Zhu Zhuqing said.

"Thank you, Zhu Zhuqing," Ning Rongrong said. Zhu Zhuqing's words had undoubtedly untied a knot in her heart.

She had feared that she might truly lose control of herself and end up at odds with Zhu Zhuqing over this.

Now that Zhu Zhuqing had raised it herself, every problem had unraveled effortlessly.

After reaching rank thirty-seven, Ning Rongrong could hardly wait to return to her sect and show off to Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and the others.

But now that she thought about it, she ought to wait.

Wouldn't it be even better to return once she became a Soul Ancestor?

The two girls returned to their dormitory and resumed cultivating to consolidate their soul power.

Meanwhile, Su Ling had arrived at Liu Erlong's wooden cottage.

"Sister Liu, I'm here," Su Ling said.

"The door's unlocked. Come in," Liu Erlong said.

"I'm here to install your bed. I guarantee this one is sturdy," Su Ling said.

After entering, Su Ling discovered Flender sitting at the table in the cottage's living room.

"What bed? Su Ling, why are you still so disrespectful?"

The moment he entered, Flender scolded him.

"Flender, Su Ling hasn't done anything wrong. What's the problem?" Liu Erlong asked.

"What's this about installing a bed?" Flender immediately asked.

"I accidentally broke my wooden bed while cultivating last night, so I asked Su Ling to buy a replacement today," Liu Erlong finally explained.

"You're injured?" Flender noticed that Liu Erlong walked differently today, as though she was uncomfortable.

"Uh, just a minor injury. I lost focus while cultivating and didn't control myself properly," Liu Erlong said.

"Ah, you still can't forget Xiao Gang. After what he's become... I never imagined he was that sort of person, or I never would have let him have..."

"Erlong, in any case, you don't need to think about him anymore. If I see him again, I'll give him a good beating to vent your anger," Flender said.

"There's no need. None of that matters anymore. Su Ling and I still have something to do, so go back," Liu Erlong said, directly showing him the door.

"Erlong, you... What could you two have to do? Isn't it just installing a bed? Su Ling, hurry up and get to it," Flender said.

"Sure!" Without saying anything else, Su Ling went straight inside.

Liu Erlong had already cleared away the broken bed in the bedroom. Su Ling took the new bed out of his Soul Tool and began assembling it.

"Erlong, won't you really reconsider our relationship?" While Su Ling assembled the bed, Flender once again expressed his feelings to Liu Erlong.

"Boss Fu, I've told you many times. We're the best of friends, but that sort of relationship is absolutely impossible. It wasn't possible before, it isn't possible now, and it won't be possible in the future," Liu Erlong said resolutely.

At her words, Flender hung his head, utterly disappointed.

Love was love, and its absence was its absence. From beginning to end, Liu Erlong had never considered Flender.

"All right, I understand. In that case, I won't bring it up again," Flender said.

With that, Flender pushed open the door and left, thinking nothing of Su Ling's presence.

After all, everyone now knew about Su Ling and Zhu Zhuqing's relationship. There was also such a vast gap between Su Ling and Liu Erlong that the two couldn't possibly get together.

Little did he know, the distance between them had already become negative.

Su Ling had once thought that if Liu Erlong truly liked Flender, he might leave her alone and help them get together. After all, he owed Flender a debt of gratitude.

But Liu Erlong had never liked Flender, so he couldn't be blamed for this.

Now that Liu Erlong was already his woman, he certainly couldn't give her up.

"Done!"

"Sister Liu, come take a look. This bed is absolutely sturdy. Nothing you do will break it," Su Ling called.

Liu Erlong glanced at it. "It looks all right. Doesn't that depend on you, though?"

"You said you'd bring me a fortuitous opportunity tonight. What is it? If you dare lie to me, watch out, or I'll..."

As she spoke, Liu Erlong glanced at Little Su Ling, her face bearing a meaningful, knowing smile that made Su Ling take an involuntary step back.

"Sister Liu, don't joke about that. Come sit on the bed first. I'll feed you your opportunity."

"Hey, I'm not eating that thing of yours tonight," Liu Erlong said, pursing her lips.

"Where did your mind go? This is what I'm giving you to eat."

He took the Dragonflame Flower from his system space. Merely bringing it out seemed to heat the air throughout the room.

"What is this?" Liu Erlong asked.

"It's a medicinal herb," Su Ling said. "According to legend, this rare herb only grows where a fire dragon has fallen. It's especially useful to you. It'll increase your potential and raise your soul power."

"Really?" Liu Erlong swallowed as she looked at the scarlet flower in Su Ling's hand.

"All right, I'll listen to you," Liu Erlong said.

Sitting on the bed, Liu Erlong opened her mouth for Su Ling to feed it to her.

The moment the Dragonflame Flower entered her mouth, Liu Erlong sensed something unusual. Her body felt as though it was burning.

Before long, fire-attribute soul power erupted from her, and flames streamed from her body.

Damn!

The bed I just bought burned again.

Sturdy or not, it couldn't withstand flames like these.

It wasn't only the bed. The entire wooden cottage caught fire along with it.

This was Su Ling's oversight. The system hadn't mentioned that consuming the Dragonflame Flower would produce such an effect.

Su Ling immediately retreated outside. By then, Liu Erlong's Fire Dragon Martial Soul had manifested, like a fire dragon coiling within the flames.

This forced Flender, who hadn't been gone long, to return.

"Erlong, you..."

"Su Ling, what's going on?" Flender asked anxiously, afraid that Liu Erlong was in danger.

"Dean, she's fine. This is Sister Liu's fortuitous opportunity. From now on, her fire dragon will soar to the heavens," Su Ling said.

"Soar to the heavens?" Flender looked doubtfully at Liu Erlong, who had transformed into a fire dragon before him. She was indeed extraordinary.

"A fortuitous opportunity?"

"Dean, I'll give you a fortuitous opportunity in the future too," Su Ling said. He couldn't forget Flender's kindness. Though that kindness had been shown to his body's previous owner, he ought to repay the debt on his behalf.

Besides, when he had absorbed his soul ring that time, Flender had risked his life to protect him, as had Zhao Wuji.

Without the two of them, Su Ling might well have perished in the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Sure. I'd like to see what sort of fortuitous opportunity you can give me," Flender said.

Su Ling glanced at the system's chests and decided to open a few now.

Remaining unopened chests: White ×100, Yellow ×31, Purple ×14, Black ×9, Red ×3

He could make four Red Chests!

"System, exchange ten Purple Chests for one Black Chest, then exchange the Black Chests for a Red Chest. Finally, open all four Red Chests."

[Ding... Successfully exchanged 10 Purple Chests for one Black Chest.]

[Ding... Successfully exchanged 10 Black Chests for one Red Chest.]

[Ding... Opened four Red Chests. Obtained immortal herb singular velvet sky chrysanthemum ×1, Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring ×2, top-tier martial soul ×1.]

The Red Chests had yielded four items. Su Ling glanced over them. The singular velvet sky chrysanthemum needed no introduction-an immortal herb.

Then he looked at the other two types of rewards.

[Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring: Modeled on the God-Given Soul Ring. Its age can vary according to the person absorbing it, up to a maximum of one hundred thousand years. A system product is guaranteed to be top quality.]

That last phrase sounded rather authoritative.

[Top-tier martial soul: Anyone can use it. Generates a martial soul relatively well suited to the user.]

"Excellent. Just what I'd expect from Red Chests. All good stuff."

Looking at the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum, Su Ling had an idea. This herb suited power attack system soul masters.

It would make a perfectly suitable gift to repay Flender and Zhao Wuji for saving his life in the Soul Beast Forest.

Repay every kindness, and all the more so every grudge-that was one of Su Ling's principles in life!

Amid the flames, Liu Erlong's martial soul seemed to be changing, taking on an extraordinary air of might.

Could this Dragonflame Flower actually evolve Liu Erlong's martial soul?

"Dean, the flames here are lighting up the sky. Someone from the academy is bound to come over. Why don't you go stop them? We can't let anyone disturb Sister Liu's cultivation," Su Ling suggested.

"Right, you're absolutely right. I'll go at once. Su Ling, keep Erlong safe." Flender immediately set off, leaving Su Ling alone.

"All right. I'll be sure to keep her safe," Su Ling replied.