The little kitten had run off, but Bai Mu wasn't worried.
After confirming the shortest route to Suotuo City, he mounted Zygarde, used Extreme Speed, and reached the outskirts of the city in less than half a day.
He canceled his invisibility and strolled casually toward the city gates.
Suotuo City was several times more bustling than Nuoding City. The city walls were tall, the streets wide, shops lined both sides of the road, and patrol guards could be seen everywhere.
Bai Mu had a clear objective: head straight for the most famous "check-in" spot in Heaven Dou Empire—Rose Hotel.
After asking about Dai Mubai at the front desk, he waved his hand and booked three rooms at ten gold coins per night—each for more than a single night.
---
On another bright afternoon, a travel-worn black-clad figure finally appeared outside Suotuo City.
"Yo, little kitten—we finally made it!"
Bai Mu leaned against the city wall near the gate, smiling as he looked at the slightly panting girl in front of him.
Zhu Zhuqing froze, astonishment flashing through her eyes.
She had rushed at full speed for three days with almost no rest, crossing hundreds of miles of mountains and forests just to reach Suotuo City.
And Bai Mu… had arrived even earlier than her?
"You got here so fast?" she couldn't help asking.
"I took a shortcut."
Bai Mu replied casually, brushing off his clothes. "I've booked a room for you. If you're not afraid I'll eat you, come with me."
In public, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't worried that Bai Mu would dare do anything inappropriate. If he really wanted to, he would've done it back in the forest.
She followed him in silence. The two walked through the bustling streets one after another, eventually stopping in front of a lavish three-story hotel.
The entire exterior was rose-red, making it look like a gigantic blooming rose.
The golden signboard shimmered in the sunset:
[Rose Hotel]
"This is… a normal hotel?"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly.
"Of course," Bai Mu said calmly. "A perfectly normal couples' hotel. Rooms have been in high demand lately, so you'll have to make do."
He pulled three keys from his pocket and tossed one engraved with [Green Farewell] to Zhu Zhuqing.
"I've still got [Blue Enchantress] and [Pink Tenderness] left."
"Alright."
Zhu Zhuqing caught the key, a strange sense of relief rising in her chest—it turned out he had booked three rooms.
But immediately after, an inexplicable feeling of emptiness followed.
Why book three rooms in a couples' hotel?
Was that… reasonable?
"Don't overthink it. An old friend is coming back. The pink one's for him. Take a good shower and rest."
As he spoke, Bai Mu tossed her a thin notebook.
"This is my preliminary meditation method. It contains a lot of my research insights. If you want to improve, study it yourself. I'll have dinner sent to your room—no need to come downstairs. We'll go to Shrek Academy together later."
A mysterious, unfathomable smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand that smile, but she solemnly accepted the notebook, turned around, and went upstairs.
The corridor was covered in deep red carpet, with abstract art lining the walls. Even the room names were suggestive, as expected of a couples' hotel:
[White Innocence], [Pink Tenderness], [Yellow Sincerity]…
Her [Green Farewell] and Bai Mu's [Blue Enchantress] were positioned on either side of the innermost room—[Red Ocean].
Zhu Zhuqing entered her room. It was exquisitely decorated, green plants arranged into a heart shape at the center, with green tones covering everything from the walls to the bedding.
She glanced at the semi-transparent glass bathroom, frowned slightly, but still went in and quickly washed away the dust and fatigue.
Afterward, too tired to go out, she remembered the notebook Bai Mu had given her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she began reading.
The moment she did, she was stunned.
"This is… a preliminary meditation method?"
The notes detailed complete spirit power circulation routes, each with rigorous logic and a fully developed system. Key points and common pitfalls of cultivation were clearly marked.
How could this possibly be called "preliminary"?
This was a priceless manual—something that should be collected by major sects and preserved as a legacy.
Zhu Zhuqing's amber eyes sparkled with a captivating light.
---
Downstairs, the lobby
Bai Mu found a corner seat by the window, picked up a copy of Suotuo Daily to cover his face, leaned back, and began cultivating using Calm Mind.
At a glance, he looked like he was asleep.
The receptionist stared, completely baffled.
"They booked three rooms… and one of them is sleeping in the lobby? What kind of hobby is this?"
Before long, a black-haired boy entered the hotel with a cute girl who wore her hair in a scorpion braid.
They were plainly dressed, yet carried an extraordinary aura—Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Little San, this hotel's so pretty! Let's stay here tonight!"
Xiao Wu looked around excitedly.
"Alright, we'll rest here today."
Tang San smiled gently and walked to the counter. "Two rooms, please."
The receptionist hesitated, a strange look flashing in her eyes. "Sorry, we only have one room left."
"One room?" Tang San frowned.
"Yes, but don't worry—our rooms are more than spacious enough for two people."
She gave him a knowing look.
Xiao Wu waved her hand casually. "Then one room's fine. We can save money to buy pretty clothes."
"Thank you."
Just as the receptionist was about to process it, a cold voice interrupted her.
"That room is mine."
A handsome young man with waist-length blond hair and sharp, bright eyes stepped inside. Two stunning twin girls clung to his arms, his posture arrogant and domineering.
The receptionist froze. "You are…?"
"Call your manager."
Dai Mubai stared coldly at her, impatience evident.
Startled, she hurried off.
Tang San spoke calmly, "We arrived first."
"So what?"
Dai Mubai frowned.
Xiao Wu wasn't the forgiving type. "Not good enough. Get lost."
"Fine!" Dai Mubai sneered. "Come at me together. If you win, I'll leave. If you lose, I'll show you how I roll!"
The atmosphere instantly turned tense. Just as conflict was about to erupt—
"Wow, it's lively in here."
The newspaper lowered. Bai Mu stood up from the corner and walked over with a smile.
"Who are you?" Dai Mubai snapped.
"Bai Mu!"
"Little Mu!"
Tang San and Xiao Wu exclaimed at the same time.
"I knew those voices sounded familiar—Little San, Xiao Wu!"
Bai Mu greeted them, then turned to Dai Mubai. "Young Master Dai, give me some face. It's all a misunderstanding."
Dai Mubai narrowed his eyes. "You know me?"
"Who in Suotuo City doesn't know your name, Young Master Dai?"
Bai Mu took out a room key and handed it to Tang San. "Little San, this room isn't bad. Just use it—no need to hurt anyone's pride."
Tang San looked at the key, then at Dai Mubai, and finally accepted it. "Thank you."
Then Bai Mu turned to Dai Mubai and quietly produced an amber-colored gelatin-like substance.
"After consuming ten years' worth of whale gelatin, I felt a surge of strength—like possessing a dragon's spirit and a vajra body. Please accept this as an apology on my friend's behalf."
"Ahem… no problem, no problem!"
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up as he weighed it in his hand, the anger on his face vanishing instantly.
Though he wasn't lacking in resources, facing two opponents alone would still be troublesome. With this, he could definitely gain an advantage.
Besides, he just wanted to save face in front of the twins. Since they were being so sincere, there was no reason not to step down.
After all, the real show hadn't even started yet.
"Young Master Dai, here is your room key."
At that moment, the manager hurried over and handed it to him.
"Manager Wang, tell your staff to be more observant next time."
Dai Mubai took the [Red Ocean] key, nodded to Bai Mu, and grinned. "Let's go, brother."
"Do your best, Young Master Dai."
Bai Mu smiled deeply.
"Absolutely!"
Dai Mubai wrapped his arms around the twin sisters and headed upstairs.
-----------Author---------------
There should be 10 advanced chapters by time this chapter is uploaded
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