Chapter 40: Bai Lu: I'm Just Too Considerate! Palm Bone Evolution!
Early the next morning.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, spilling into the room and casting bright patches of light across the floor.
"Why does it feel so soft?"
Zhu Zhuqing stirred awake groggily, sensing that the back of her head was resting on something.
Soft. Like dough. Very comfortable. She subconsciously rubbed against it.
"Comfortable to rest on?"
A familiar female voice sounded beside her ear.
"Comfortable… hmm!?"
Wait. Something's not right.
That doesn't feel like a pillow!
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flew open, all traces of sleep instantly gone.
She slowly lifted her head and saw a face she could see every morning in the mirror.
Cold and delicate features. Deep eyes. Slightly curled lashes. Long hair draped over the shoulders.
That was… herself!
"Ah!"
Zhu Zhuqing let out a scream and shot upright as if she had been ejected.
Waking up only to discover you were lying on "yourself"… what kind of experience was that?
What ultimate horror story was this?
"You! Me! Where are my clothes!?"
Just as Zhu Zhuqing was about to question "Zhu Zhuqing," she suddenly realized her body felt completely bare. Her original clothes had long since disappeared.
"Ha~"
Bai Lu yawned and casually pointed toward the trash bin in the corner.
"You tore them apart, burned them, and threw them away."
"Then why did you turn into my appearance?"
Wrapped tightly in the blanket, Zhu Zhuqing stared at Bai Lu in disbelief.
"Did you even think about how tempting your behavior was last night? And besides… wasn't I trying to save you from embarrassment?"
Bai Lu calmly sat up, reached out to tidy the girl's long hair, and asked,
"Wasn't that considerate of me?"
"…
Zhu Zhuqing almost lost control of her expression.
You call that considerate?!
"You were so heated last night and made such a commotion. I had no choice but to turn into your appearance to serve you. And now you're saying I did something wrong?"
Bai Lu spoke with righteous indignation, as if he had suffered a great loss.
"If anyone should feel uncomfortable, it should be me."
Those words instantly made the girl's face flush red.
She vaguely recalled fragments from last night. It seemed she had indeed lost control… quite a bit.
The memory was too "beautiful." She did not even dare dwell on it.
"I… you…"
Zhu Zhuqing found herself at a loss for words.
She opened her mouth but had no idea what to say.
"What about me?"
Bai Lu took out a brand-new set of black, tight-fitting attire from his soul tool.
"What? Want me to help you dress again?"
As he spoke, his hand reached toward the blanket.
"Get up. Come here. Arms out. Raise your hands. Don't move…"
"No! I can do it myself!"
Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly snatched the clothes and burrowed into the blanket like a turtle retreating into its shell, rustling as she dressed.
When the blanket lifted again, the girl reappeared, her expression blank.
"Hiss…"
She tried to maintain her cold persona, but the moment she straightened up, her body swayed slightly.
Wait… Why did her legs feel a little weak?
It must just be… oversleeping.
Yes. That had to be it.
Zhu Zhuqing convinced herself.
Shaking her head, she forced herself to regain her usual aloofness and said,
"My custom-made clothes can be picked up today. Where are we heading next?"
"So eager to leave? Have you fully recovered?"
Bai Lu pulled her into his arms and gently stroked the little kitty.
"Mm."
Though the little kitty struggled slightly at first, facing "herself" quickly lowered her guard.
She gave a soft hum and quietly enjoyed the embrace.
Suo Tuo City was decent, and Ning Rongrong was cute.
But staying here any longer would not improve her strength in the slightest.
Even moving to another city to try purchasing thousand-year or even ten-thousand-year whale rubber for body refinement would be better than remaining here.
She had a feeling that if she could consume higher-grade whale rubber, her Vigorous Vajra Palm might undergo another evolution.
Bai Lu did not make a decision immediately. Instead, he asked, "To what stage has your Vigorous Vajra Palm evolved now?"
"The overall strength has increased."
Zhu Zhuqing sensed it carefully and said,
"The heavy pressure effect has changed somewhat. It used to only amplify the strength of my left hand. Now it enhances the power of any attack launched by my left hand. The accompanying gravity force pressure effect has also strengthened."
"A pleasant surprise. That's already quite good."
Bai Lu nodded.
It might not seem like a major evolution, but in truth, it was already a minor qualitative change.
At the very least, that golden left hand had become much more formidable overall.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Then next, we head north to Heaven Dou City."
"Is there something important there?"
Zhu Zhuqing could not help asking.
This was not the first time she had heard Bai Lu mention going to Heaven Dou City.
"Two reasons."
Bai Lu raised two fingers.
"First, as the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, it has the largest auction house. It will be easier to purchase high-year whale rubber and other rare resources there."
"Second…"
He paused, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Not far from Heaven Dou City is a place called Sunset Forest. There's something we need there."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked.
"What is it?"
"Immortal herbs."
Bai Lu uttered the two words.
"Like whale rubber? Something that enhances physique?"
Her eyes brightened.
"A hundred times stronger than whale rubber."
Bai Lu said seriously. "A suitable immortal herb can greatly increase soul power, improve physique, and may even trigger martial soul evolution."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Zhu Zhuqing instantly perked up.
"Let's depart now!"
"No rush."
Bai Lu tugged lightly at her head and smiled meaningfully.
"Adjust your condition first. It's a long journey. I have no intention of letting you ride in a carriage."
"With your current state, I'm worried your legs might give out on the way."
Zhu Zhuqing discreetly activated the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone to adjust her physical condition and said seriously,
"I'm perfectly fine! I don't need any adjustment!"
"Tsk~ Clothes make you look bold."
Bai Lu could not help but scoff lightly.
"You'll have to walk the road ahead yourself. I'll continue researching soul rings."
As his words fell, he dispelled the clone and returned to the spiritual sea.
"Phew…"
Alone again, Zhu Zhuqing quietly let out a breath of relief.
After washing up and packing her belongings, she glanced deeply at the bathroom before closing the door.
"Checking out."
Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the hotel front desk and handed over the room card along with a bag of gold soul coins.
"Miss, this money is…"
The attendant looked at the bag, hesitant.
"I accidentally broke the bed."
"You broke the bed?"
The attendant's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing did not understand his shock and nodded calmly.
"Please wait a moment. I'll go check."
The attendant hurried upstairs and opened the door.
"Hiss…"
Seeing the bed split cleanly down the middle, he instinctively sucked in a cold breath.
"As expected of a soul master. Even a solid wood bed can be destroyed."
"Wonder which big brother was so fierce."
"Impressive."
The attendant returned downstairs and respectfully accepted the compensation.
Meanwhile, the girl cast him a puzzled glance before turning to leave.
After retrieving her custom-made clothes, she departed Suo Tuo City alone.
End of Chapter