Chapter 493 and 494

Chapter 493: 493: The Girl of Fortune!

"Guoba, we need to get moving. Don't fall behind!"

"Lu Lu~"

After learning of Zhongli's whereabouts, Xiangling and Guoba wasted no time and headed north. After about five days, they arrived at the gates of Heaven Dou City.

This wasn't their top speed, but they were unfamiliar with this world and had to stop frequently to ask for directions, eat, and search for ingredients.

The "ingredients" in this world weren't very aggressive, and Xiangling easily dealt with them using her "fish spear."

"Wow, so this is Heaven Dou City!"

Looking at the towering walls that were a thousand meters high and a hundred meters thick, Xiangling couldn't help but exclaim.

She didn't understand why the walls were so high and thick. Would they really be effective against true powerhouses?

Well, let's just say that even a god would have a hard time breaking through these walls in a short time...

Of course, the "god" here refers to the gods of the Douluo world.

"Lu Lu~"

If it were Guoba at his peak, he could easily smash through these walls with a single strike. Given his size, toppling such a structure would be no problem at all.

After all, Guoba's strength is capable of suppressing natural disasters across the entire land of Liyue!

"Miss, you need to pay one gold soul coin to enter the city."

"As for this bear, is it your martial spirit?"

"He doesn't need to pay the gold soul coin."

The guard, seeing Xiangling's wide-eyed expression, didn't mock her or show any other emotion.

As a guard of Heaven Dou City, he had seen many like her.

As for detached martial spirits, he had seen those too!

After all, the "martial spirit" of the Geo Archon was also a detached spirit!

"Gold soul coin?"

Xiangling was momentarily stunned, but her quick wit soon grasped what a gold soul coin was.

It must be similar to Mora, the currency she was familiar with.

But she didn't have any gold soul coins on her!

As if struck by a sudden thought, Xiangling's eyes lit up, and she pulled out an entire "pig" from seemingly nowhere, slamming it onto the ground.

The commotion at the city gate quickly drew the attention of passersby.

"Big brother guard, can I use this ingredient in place of the gold soul coin?"

She didn't have gold soul coins, but she had ingredients!

Xiangling conjuring a giant Pippi Pig out of thin air left the guard momentarily bewildered.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

As for summoning a Pippi Pig out of nowhere, it wasn't that strange. Storage-type spirit tools, though rare, weren't uncommon in Heaven Dou City among the nobility!

The guard scrutinized Xiangling, noting her earnest expression. She didn't seem like someone looking for trouble, so he turned his attention to the Pippi Pig.

Upon closer inspection, he was shocked.

"Gasp~"

After recognizing the age characteristics of the Pippi Pig, the guard couldn't help but inhale sharply, exclaiming, "This is actually a hundred-year-old Pippi Pig?"

Pippi Pig meat is delicate and favored by the nobility.

Even without any processing, a whole hundred-year-old Pippi Pig could fetch around five hundred gold soul coins!

Of course, the most important point was that even as a great spirit master, the guard wouldn't dare to take on a Pippi Pig alone!

Don't underestimate pigs; their combat prowess is formidable. In the wild, encounters with them are often fights to the death!

Either you become part of the garnish, or you bring it back to your lair...

"Are you sure you want to use this as the entrance fee?"

The guard's tone shifted, addressing her more respectfully.

A girl who could casually produce an entire pig couldn't possibly be ordinary.

"Big brother guard, is it not allowed?"

"I... I don't have any gold soul coins..."

Xiangling widened her eyes, her expression downcast. She had finally reached Heaven Dou City, so close to finding the Geo Archon, yet she lacked the entrance fee!

"Not..."

Before the guard could finish, a sharp-eyed middle-aged man approached Xiangling with a gleam in his eye.

He shot the guard a look, then waved his hand amiably, saying, "Miss, I'll cover your entrance fee. Please, sell this Pippi Pig to me!"

"I'm willing to pay double the market price for this Pippi Pig!"

The middle-aged man exuded confidence, a hint of urgency flashing in his eyes, his heart filled with glee.

But he wasn't a pushover either, feigning generosity and nonchalance.

"Huh??"

Xiangling was taken aback, and before she could respond, the middle-aged man pressed on, "To be honest, this Pippi Pig is over nine hundred years old, very close to a thousand."

"Its meat is even more delicate, so its value can't be compared to an ordinary hundred-year-old Pippi Pig."

"I'm willing to offer twelve hundred gold soul coins for this Pippi Pig!"

Twelve hundred gold soul coins for the Pippi Pig was already a premium, but any higher, and people might question his motives.

Just as Xiangling was about to agree, a voice rang out from the crowd.

"Wait, you old fox, you're not being honest!"

With that, a figure emerged from the crowd and approached Xiangling.

"Who dares to ruin my deal!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man shouted, knowing his scheme was exposed.

Cutting off someone's wealth is akin to killing their parents, and the man was instantly enraged.

But when he saw who it was, his pupils contracted, and he trembled.

"It's you? I'm sorry, I... I just spoke without thinking..."

His anger dissipated the moment he saw the newcomer. Even though the person no longer had the massive backing they once did, he still couldn't afford to offend them.

"Get lost!"

"Yes, yes, I'm leaving, I'm leaving right now!"

The middle-aged man didn't dare to say more. After showing his pass, he hurried into the city, not even daring to look back, let alone make any threats.

Once the middle-aged man was gone, the newcomer cupped his hands towards Xiangling and said, "Miss, this Pippi Pig is dead, but it still emits spirit energy, indicating it has a hundred-year spirit bone, one that's close to a thousand years."

"Its value is no longer that of an ordinary ingredient."

"I'm willing to offer three hundred thousand gold soul coins for this Pippi Pig. Would you be willing to sell it?"

Though he hadn't yet felt for the "gold," the spirit energy emanating from the Pippi Pig suggested the spirit bone was located in the torso.

This was a torso spirit bone!

Among the six standard spirit bones, this was the most crucial part.

Even if it was just a hundred-year spirit bone, its value was anything but low!

With these words, the entire entrance of Heaven Dou City fell silent.

What started as an "entrance fee" escalated to twelve hundred gold soul coins, then to three hundred thousand gold soul coins...

The guard was utterly dumbfounded. This should have been his opportunity!

As the "Girl of Fortune" from Liyue, such a stroke of luck was only natural for Xiangling.

Her master was an adeptus, and she had been accompanied by a demon god since childhood, even obtaining a Pyro Vision. Wasn't she the epitome of a Girl of Fortune?

Though Xiangling didn't know the purchasing power of three hundred thousand gold soul coins, she urgently needed one gold soul coin to enter the city...

"Sold!"

####

Chapter 494: 494: Old Friend, Do You Have Any Money?

If Zhongli and Paimon were here, they would definitely recognize this person, he is the owner of the Seven Treasures Hotel!

Although the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect has been destroyed, the wealth of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is still unimaginable to the world.

To revive the sect, resources are necessary, and soul bones are the perfect resource.

This is why he spent 300, 000 gold soul coins to buy this Pippi Pig.

Without sufficient strength, even if one possesses vast wealth, it is useless. This is the lesson learned after the fall of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.

Moreover, spending a bit more money to befriend a "young talent" like Xiangling is not a bad idea, is it?

The hotel owner acquired the Pippi Pig, and Xiangling suddenly became a very wealthy person!

Many nobles have not accumulated 300, 000 gold soul coins!

It is worth mentioning that Xiangling's city entrance fee was paid by the hotel owner...

In Heaven Dou City, at the entrance of a small eatery, Zhongli suddenly frowned, then closed his eyes as if sensing something.

After a moment, Zhongli abruptly opened his eyes, a glint of light and a hint of joy flashing in his amber pupils, and his frown instantly eased.

He quickly released a trace of his aura to guide his old friend, then looked at Guizhong sitting across from him.

"The breakfast here is good, especially the millet porridge..."

He didn't tell Guizhong that their old friend had arrived, preferring to give her a surprise when he got here.

The girl with the large sleeves looked at Zhongli with suspicion, having noticed all his previous expressions.

She didn't believe there was nothing going on.

But since Zhongli didn't say anything, she didn't press further.

"The taste is indeed good."

She nodded, agreeing with Zhongli, but her mind was focused on his face, as if trying to find the answer to her question.

After a while, a girl's voice broke the tranquility of the street.

"Hey~ Guoba, wait for me!"

"Guoba, Guoba!!"

Because the Heaven Dou Empire was preparing to clash with the Star Luo Empire, the nobles in Heaven Dou City were the first to be affected, resulting in the city being sparsely populated.

The two of them ran through the city without any hindrance.

"Lu Lu!!"

"Guoba!!!"

Xiangling didn't know why Guoba, just after entering the city, seemed to have eaten a Jueyun Chili and was running quickly in a certain direction.

Guoba was her family, and this was another world. She was afraid of losing him, so she had no choice but to follow him.

Heaven Dou City was the capital, and it was quite large.

Xiangling and Guoba entered from the south gate, while Zhongli and Guizhong were at the west gate, so the distance between them was still considerable.

Hearing the girl's shouts, Zhongli's eyes lit up, here he comes, as expected of an old friend.

Although his strength had not yet recovered, his wisdom had.

Guoba, with an excited expression, came straight to Zhongli and stopped.

"Lu Lu!!"

"Old friend, long time no see!"

Reaching out, Zhongli patted Guoba's shoulder, a smile on his face.

"Ah, Lord Rex Lapis!"

"I was wondering why Guoba was running so fast..."

Seeing Zhongli, Xiangling caught her breath and, without worrying about formalities, sat down on her own.

"Greetings Chef Xiangling."

Hearing Zhongli address her this way, Xiangling scratched her head sheepishly and chuckled, not refuting anything. Although she often made dishes that made people's eyes go dark, her culinary skills were indeed excellent!

"Lord Rex Lapis, who is this sister?"

Suddenly, Xiangling's peripheral vision caught the girl with the large sleeves, and her words made Guoba instinctively look at Guizhong.

"Lu Lu???"

Guoba was full of questions, somewhat dazed and stunned, his expression quite vivid.

If he remembered correctly, this person should have returned to dust and earth.

Why, why is she here?

"Marchosius, long time no see."

"Little sister, your name is Xiangling, right? I'm Guizhong!"

Guizhong smiled. She could tell that this girl named Xiangling was from Liyue, a subject of Zhongli, and also her subject.

"Lu Lu!!!"

Guoba's eyes widened in disbelief!

It's really her, it's really her!!

"Haagentus!"

Who would have thought that Haagentus would be resurrected in this other world!

Guoba, whose strength had not yet recovered, couldn't speak human words and could only make "Lu Lu..." sounds.

He was shocked, he was puzzled, but ultimately, he was happy.

No matter how Havria was resurrected, isn't this a good thing?

Guoba quickly walked up to Guizhong, who seemed to understand something and reached out to rub the "bear's" head.

"Ah..."

"Sister, are you also Guoba's friend?"

Xiangling knew Guoba's true identity, he was the legendary Stove God Marchosius. His friends were either immortals or gods.

Even her master was a friend of Guoba.

"Yes, I learned my cooking skills from Marchosius."

Guizhong smiled. Being able to see this old friend again was indeed a fortunate thing.

However, why had the old friend become so small?

He was no longer as tall as a person...

The reunion was filled with laughter, and Guoba and Xiangling also had breakfast.

Having been in the Douluo Continent for several days, they had only eaten what Xiangling cooked.

This was the first time they had eaten someone else's food.

After a while, everyone prepared to return home, that is, to Zhongli's residence.

Suddenly, Zhongli seemed to remember something. Although his expression didn't change, his eyes did.

Having come out with Guizhong for breakfast in a hurry, he had forgotten to bring money!

Glancing at Xiangling and then at Guoba, even with Zhongli's composure, he couldn't help but blush.

"Ahem..."

"Well, old friend..."

Guoba looked at Zhongli with confusion, somewhat bewildered. In his memory, Zhongli wasn't like this.

When had he become so "shy"?

"Lu Lu?"

Guizhong and Xiangling also looked at Zhongli with confusion, but this didn't stop Zhongli from saying what he wanted to say.

"Old friend, do you have any money?"

Hearing this, Guoba was slightly stunned and looked at Zhongli in disbelief. He was just a little "bear" how could he have money?

"Has Morax's erosion worsened?"

Guoba couldn't help but complain in his heart.

He spread his hands, indicating that he didn't have any money either.

"Lord Rex Lapis, why are you still the same, always going out without money!"

"And bullying Guoba!!"

Xiangling's eye twitched. As a Liyue native and the young owner of a shop Zhongli often visited, she knew Zhongli all too well!

This Geo Archon had no concept of money and often went out without any.

Hu Tao is so pitiful, having to deal with such a debt-ridden consultant at such a young age.

Sighing, Xiangling took out a gold soul coin and placed it on the table.

Would Xiangling, having just found Lord Rex Lapis, end up becoming a "worker"?