Inside the Villa, after Dugu Yan chose the top floor and became his next-door neighbor, another problem arose: how should they divide up the rooms?
Normally, he had wanted Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan to live on the second floor. Although the three would not be companions in the future, they would still be allies.
But as soon as Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu arrived at the Villa, Xiao Wu had beaten Dugu Yan up. The two were now as incompatible as fire and water. If they became neighbors, wouldn't they fight every time they met?
Besides, he had already refused Dugu Yan once. If he refused her again now, wouldn't that be deliberately targeting her?
Therefore, Chen Shi could only nod in agreement to Dugu Yan's idea of living on the top floor.
"All right, Dugu Yan, you can live on the third floor!"
Moreover, Dugu Yan living on the third floor had reminded Chen Shi of something that benefited him: only when others fought could he reap the rewards.
As soon as Chen Shi spoke, the remaining four grew somewhat anxious.
The entire Villa had only six suites. The top floor was already taken, leaving only three on the second floor and one on the first.
But the four of them belonged to two camps. No matter how the rooms were divided, the second floor would end up with one against two, which would put the one on her own at a serious disadvantage.
Faced with this situation, Qian Renxue spoke first:
"Hon... Honesty, let Hu Liena and me live on the second floor!"
Before Chen Shi could answer Qian Renxue, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu protested:
"Why should you get to live on the second floor? Just because your Spirit Hall is a cut above everyone else?"
"Pah! Everyone is equal in this Villa. Besides, when we asked questions earlier, we lost out and let you take advantage of us. We should get to choose our rooms first!"
At these words, Qian Renxue and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, both looking rather displeased.
They really did not have the upper hand in the fight for the second-floor rooms.
Just then, Qian Renxue glanced at Hu Liena and signaled with her eyes.
Hu Liena gritted her teeth, stepped forward, and said:
"Didn't you say we took advantage of you? Fine, I can give up one chance to ask a question in exchange for letting us choose first."
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened at this. She had not expected Hu Liena to be so ruthless, giving up a precious chance to ask a question just to choose a room first.
Could she afford to be so generous just because she could earn chances to ask questions?
Ning Rongrong turned to Xiao Wu, who could also earn chances to ask questions by doing housework.
But she gave up after only a glance. After all, Xiao Wu's situation was complicated right now, and she badly needed that chance to ask a question.
She thought for a moment, glanced at Chen Shi, and then said:
"Aren't the requirements for renewing the lease here pretty high? The next time I return to the Douluo Continent, I'll bring back ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, along with the resources to renew the lease in advance.
"And those ten thousand Gold Soul Coins won't be for renewing the lease. They'll be for you, Honesty."
Both Qian Renxue and Hu Liena were stunned. They had not expected Ning Rongrong to be so ruthless as to offer terms like these.
But on closer thought, they also understood that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect belonged to Ning Rongrong's family. Whatever resources she wanted, its sect master would still support her.
Spirit Hall was different, however. Although Qian Renxue was called its young mistress, the resources she could allocate were not particularly plentiful. If she competed with Ning Rongrong in wealth, wouldn't both sides end up wounded?
Chen Shi, who had been hesitating, was also slightly startled. He had not expected the task assigned by the system to be completed so easily.
Ning Rongrong really was a wealthy young lady. He just did not know whether Gold Soul Coins from the Douluo Continent could be used in the real world.
With that thought, Chen Shi first asked the system inwardly:
"System, can currency from the Douluo Continent be brought to the Villa? Can I use it?"
[In answer to the Host, currency from the Douluo Continent can be brought to the Villa and converted into the currency of the world you are in.] [Note: items from the Douluo Continent will have half consumed before they can reach the Villa.]
Chen Shi had initially been somewhat delighted by the system's explanation, but when he heard that half would be deducted, he inwardly grumbled at the system:
"Half gets deducted? That ruthless? You're not pocketing a kickback, are you?"
[The Host has received one warning. Upon reaching three warnings, the task will immediately be declared a failure. Note: spatial transportation requires energy. Only the first transport was free. When tenants return to the Douluo Continent and come back afterward, they will also need to pay something.]
Chen Shi was immediately speechless and did not dare question the system again.
Still, he also felt that the system had a point. Traveling between two worlds did require paying something.
Having received the answer he wanted, Chen Shi looked at the two groups arguing.
By now, Ning Rongrong had raised her offer to one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins and one lease renewal.
Qian Renxue, meanwhile, was offering eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins plus one lease renewal.
Ning Rongrong's confidence, backed by her deep pockets, left Qian Renxue grinding her teeth in anger, but there was little she could do.
She knew that if she continued raising her offer, Ning Rongrong would keep matching it. That would make the whole thing pointless. In the end, the one who benefited would still be their landlord, Chen Shi.
After thinking it over, she gave up.
Seeing this, Chen Shi promptly announced that Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu would choose their rooms first.
Without the slightest hesitation, the two chose the second floor.
As for Qian Renxue and Hu Liena, after discussing it and taking Chen Shi's suggestion into account, Qian Renxue ultimately chose the remaining room on the second floor, while Hu Liena stayed on the first floor because she would be cooking.
Once the rooms had been chosen, Chen Shi took all five of them around the five suites and taught them how to use appliances such as the elevator and washing machine.
Chen Shi also introduced some of the things inside the rooms.
But he felt somewhat awkward when he opened the wardrobe in each suite. Although the wardrobes held clothes and pajamas, some of the pajamas had rather unusual designs. Both he and the five women, including Qian Renxue, blushed upon seeing them, so he did not explain them in much detail.
Chen Shi also took this opportunity to tell Xiao Wu which areas she needed to sweep.
Once all this was done, Chen Shi told the five of them to familiarize themselves with their rooms and come down to the living room toward evening to prepare dinner.
If they encountered anything they did not understand in their daily lives, they could simply come and ask him.
The Douluo Continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
When Ning Fengzhi heard the terms Ning Rongrong had offered, not only was he not angry, he actually thought it was an excellent bargain.
To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins was practically the same as getting it for free.
As for the items needed to renew the lease, however, he still needed to consider what would be best to bring.
Sunset Forest, inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
After spending some time working, Dugu Bo finally finished harvesting all the Immortal-grade Herbs inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Looking at the now-empty Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo showed a trace of reluctance, but ultimately turned his gaze to the two springs.
"My Soul Power and Soul Skills both exist in the form of energy. These two types of natural primal energy, ice and fire, are at too high a level. Even if I unleash a Soul Skill, I probably won't be able to touch that Tang San."
"In that case, that move is my only option!"
Dugu Bo stared at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
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