With sharp eyes, Huo Yuhao spotted a familiar figure up ahead. That round, chubby body was just too recognizable.
Xie Huanyue.
"This is the Treasure Appreciation Gathering. All the core disciples of the outer courtyard are allowed to attend—what's so strange about seeing Xie Huanyue here?" Lin Yun gave Huo Yuhao a strange look.
"Uh… yeah, that's true." Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment before nodding in delayed realization.
"Let's go, we'll talk more inside." Lin Yun curled his lip slightly, didn't bother addressing Huo Yuhao's odd train of thought, and led the way into the Treasure Appreciation Gathering, holding Xiao Xiao's small hand.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng followed closely behind, arms linked, and Huo Yuhao brought up the rear.
As soon as they stepped through the entrance, the distinctive interior style of Douluo Continent revealed itself in the most straightforward way. There was nothing subtle or refined—just a lavish use of gold crystal and all kinds of precious metals and gems. The entire aesthetic screamed gaudy opulence, a tasteless flaunting of wealth.
That said, maybe it was because he had inherited the Golden Dragon King's bloodline—Lin Yun found himself developing the dragons' fondness for shiny things.
He actually found this decorating style… quite to his liking.
How utterly bizarre.
"This place is blinding!" Lin Yun couldn't help but exclaim.
"Welcome, honored guests!" *8Just as Lin Yun's voice fell, eight young girls in golden gowns bowed simultaneously at a perfect ninety degrees in the corridor, greeting them sweetly and respectfully.
Eight... Eight Spider Lances?!These weren't just any welcoming girls—these were clearly energy-draining seductresses!
"Close, but no cigar," Lin Yun walked down the corridor without the slightest change in expression, his gaze not lingering on them even for a split second.
Even in the next corridor, where the girls were of noticeably higher "quality" than the previous eight, Lin Yun remained completely unfazed.
It wasn't that Lin Yun was some paragon of virtue like Liu Xia Hui who could sit with beauties on his lap and remain unmoved.
The truth was, ever since Xiao Xiao had stunned him with her transformation—and now, having become a little beauty herself, nestled sweetly in his arms—it was impossible for Lin Yun to feel the slightest attraction toward these "cheap and vulgar powders."
They were called welcoming girls, but in reality, they were just another form of merchandise at the Treasure Pavilion. As long as one paid, they could take them away and do whatever they wanted.
These girls had been specially raised by the Treasure Pavilion. Taken in at a young age, they were sent to a dedicated training facility where they learned all kinds of skills until they became the "perfect product."
And who did the Treasure Pavilion belong to?
Shrek.
Let's not even talk about the background of these girls—if one were to dig deeper, there'd likely be some very interesting stories there. But just looking at Shrek Academy's actions here—how was this any different from slave owners selling slaves?
And not just any slaves—these were the finest, most exquisite slaves one could find.
Unbelievable.
Each girl started at a base price of 100,000 Gold Soul Coins. And the cost of raising them? Probably not even a tenth of that. Ten times the profit—wasn't that far more satisfying than any tax revenue?
Comparing these "products" raised by Shrek with Xiao Xiao honestly felt like an insult to her. Lin Yun mentally slapped himself twice—how could he have such an absurd thought?
Xiao Xiao, holding onto Lin Yun's arm, had her rosy lips slightly curled upward, and a hint of a smile flickered through her bright eyes.
Lin Yun was an excellent person. Xiao Xiao knew this very well.
Someone like him was bound to be admired by many. In the future, he definitely wouldn't have only her as his woman. Xiao Xiao had already mentally prepared herself to peacefully coexist with the other sisters Lin Yun might bring into his life.
But even so, Xiao Xiao still hoped that the sisters Lin Yun chose would all be people he genuinely liked—not just meaningless relationships born of desire.
Fortunately, Lin Yun wasn't the type to fall for just anyone. He was someone worthy of entrusting her whole life to.
In contrast, Huo Yuhao's eyes were practically overwhelmed.
Xiao Xiao belonged to Lin Yun. Ning Tian clearly had some thoughts about Lin Yun too. Wu Feng, on the other hand, simply couldn't spark any interest in Huo Yuhao. These three girls were all out of his reach.
Yet the springtime of love had quietly bloomed in Huo Yuhao's heart—he longed to experience a sweet, romantic relationship. So when he was suddenly surrounded by so many beautiful girls, it was hard not to lose composure a little.
Once inside the Treasure Pavilion, Lin Yun stopped and turned around."Now that we're here, let's split up for now. Everyone take a look around and see if there's anything that catches your eye. We'll regroup later."
"I'll stay with Brother Yun," Xiao Xiao replied without hesitation. Her hands tightened around his arm, pressing him gently into her youthful budding chest.
"I'll stay with you too. I doubt there's anything here I'm really looking for anyway," Ning Tian said softly, smiling with restraint.
"Where Ning Tian goes, I'll go," Wu Feng also made her stance clear.
And so, only Huo Yuhao was left.
Faced with this, Huo Yuhao could only give a helpless smile and quietly walked away on his own.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you want to fit into a small circle, it just doesn't work. That's exactly the situation Huo Yuhao found himself in. Even though he now possessed the Titan Snow Demon as his second spirit, and in terms of talent he might even surpass Ning Tian and Wu Feng—fully qualified to be part of this little group…
But if you don't belong, you just don't belong. There was clearly no place for Huo Yuhao in this small circle.
So his only option was to leave, rather than stay and make everyone uncomfortable. The only one he was really familiar with was Lin Yun. As for Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng—they weren't close to him at all and had no intention of becoming friends with him.
So what was the point of lingering?
To say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie. But all Huo Yuhao could do was strengthen his resolve to become even more powerful. In Douluo Continent, power couldn't solve every problem—but it could solve most of them.
As long as he had strength, friends would come. Love would come too.
After Huo Yuhao left, Lin Yun strolled around the venue with the three girls. Before long, he encountered a small opportunity straight from the original story: a block labeled "Millennium Whale Glue" that was, in fact, a Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue—he easily bought it.
Seeing Lin Yun purchase the whale glue, Ning Tian and Wu Feng didn't think too much of it. Both of them had used it before. As a precious natural treasure, it could strengthen the body—and back when they were young, they had consumed quite a lot of it.
But Xiao Xiao's thoughts took a different turn.
She already had some budding feelings toward Lin Yun. If the right opportunity came, she didn't mind being the one to take the initiative with him.
And whale glue was also famously known for another effect:It was an aphrodisiac.
"Brother Yun bought whale glue… could he be planning to do that kind of thing with me? Ah…" As that thought crossed her mind, a charming blush bloomed across Xiao Xiao's pale cheeks, making her look incredibly alluring.
Unfortunately, Lin Yun didn't notice the beautiful sight right beneath his nose—his attention had been caught by something else entirely.
"Well now… I just came here to enjoy the atmosphere, and I actually managed to stumble across a hidden gem?"
(End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension]."
"If you want early access to nearly 35+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"