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As night draped Soutuo City in shadows, Ning Tian shed his mask and black robe, emerging from the two-on-two soul fighting tunnel alongside Zhu Zhuqing. Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun had already wrapped up their matches. Everyone had scored a win, everyone except Dai Mubai, who'd lost to Ning Tian and earned himself a hefty dose of scorn from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. All in all, a decent haul for the group.
"Little Sixth, How'd it go? Black Bro and I swept both our fights!" Xiao Wu chirped, bounding over the moment she spotted them.
Ning Tian chuckled. "Not bad."
Dai Mubai let out a sharp snort, turning to Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, didn't the dean say to meet him at his shop? I'll tag along."
Ma Hongjun's small eyes glinted with mischief. "Oh? Boss Dai, finally dropping the noble act, huh? About time, you shouldn't be pining over one tree when there's a whole forest out there. That's not your style."
Dai Mubai glared. "Shut it. You coming or not? If you're out, I'll go find those twins myself."
He was laying it on thick, making it painfully obvious to Zhu Zhuqing that he was headed for the brothel. A cheap shot to twist the knife and make her regret siding against him.
But Zhu Zhuqing didn't even flinch. She stayed silent, her gaze fixed elsewhere, as if he hadn't spoken at all.
It only stoked his anger.
"Of course I'm in," Ma Hongjun said, glancing at Tang San. His chubby face flushed with excitement. "Tang San, are you joining?"
He figured Tang San awkward and single must be pent up, he might as well tag along for the ride.
Whether he was playing dumb or genuinely clueless, Tang San frowned. "Joining what?"
Xiao Wu huffed. "What else? The lecher's off to see those twins, and Fatty's probably got his evil fire flaring up, ready to prey on some girls."
"Hey, it's not 'preying,'" Ma Hongjun shot back. "We're helping out some lost souls. Ever heard of a little place called a brothel?"
"You're seriously going there?" Tang San's face twisted in disbelief.
Dai Mubai flicked his eyes toward Zhu Zhuqing again. Still no reaction. His frustration hit a boiling point. "Enough yapping. Tang San, you in or out? If you're in, I'll hook you up with a top-tier girl."
"Nah, you guys go ahead." Tang San said, casting a quick, nervous glance at Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai didn't bother pushing. He grabbed Ma Hongjun and stormed off.
Once they were out of earshot, Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke, her voice low. "Men really are filthy."
Xiao Wu giggled. "Well, I can't vouch for everyone, but Ning Tian's squeaky clean."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't argue.
Tang San, terrified of Xiao Wu getting the wrong idea, blurted, "Xiao Wu, I'm clean too!"
"Yeah, yeah, you're spotless," she replied absently, turning to Ning Tian. "Let's head back, Little Sixth."
He shook his head. "You guys go on. I've got something to handle. I'll catch up later."
With Dai Mubai off to the brothel, Ning Tian saw an opening he couldn't resist. 'Only a broken Dai Mubai is a good Dai Mubai,' he thought, a wicked glint in his eye like a certain king of cures,
He turned and slipped away.
"He's not heading to the brothel too, is he?" Tang San asked, feigning shock—anything to nudge Ning Tian's shining image down in Xiao Wu's eyes.
It backfired spectacularly.
"You're the one who'd go to a brothel!" Xiao Wu snapped. "Tang San, how many times do I have to tell you, stop trash-talking Little Sixth behind his back! Keep it up, and I'm done with you!"
Zhu Zhuqing, usually reserved, chimed in. "I can't stand people who slander others like that."
"Exactly!" Xiao Wu grabbed her hand. "Let's go."
The two strode off, leaving Tang San in the dust, seething. His anger wasn't for them, it was all aimed at Ning Tian. Still, terrified of losing Xiao Wu's favor, he scrambled after them, apologies tumbling out in a frantic stream.
..........
Meanwhile, Ning Tian slipped out of the Grand Arena and into the quiet streets. He pulled on a half-face mask and ducked into a shadowy alley, stopping at a small shop with a sign that read 'Pleasure.'
Inside, it was bare-bones: a single shelf packed with lewd books and a counter cluttered with bottles and jars. The shopkeeper lounged in a rocking chair, barely sparing him a glance. "Stuff's on the counter. Big bottles, five silver soul coins. Small ones, three. No haggling."
Ning Tian didn't waste breath. He tossed a bag of gold soul coins into the man's lap.
The shopkeeper hefted it—over a hundred coins. His eyes lit up, and he shot to his feet, pocketing the bag with a greasy smile. "What's your pleasure, sir?"
"Strong. Long-lasting. Lots of it," Ning Tian said, voice flat.
"You've come to the right place!"
The shopkeeper darted behind the counter, shoving aside the smaller bottles. He hauled out three distinct jars, each labeled neatly, then paused as if struck by a thought. From a hidden compartment, he produced a tiny vial. "Our crown jewel: 'I Love a Stick.' Don't let the size fool you, one whiff, and even an elephant's sprouting a fifth leg."
"Perfect. I'll take it all," Ning Tian said, stashing the jars in his soul guide tool. He snatched up the vial.
"Sir, a word of caution, don't drink it. Just sniff," the shopkeeper warned.
"What happens if you do?"
That was exactly what Ning Tian was banking on.
With a smirk, he uncorked the vial and downed it right there, in front of the shopkeeper.
A searing heat flared through him.
[Ding! Detected side effect: I Love a Stick. Please select a target to bear the consequences.]
'Target: Dai Mubai.'
The system text shifted.
[Side effect: I Love a Stick. Designated bearer: Dai Mubai.]
"Dai Mubai is a power-attack soul master with a beast martial soul," Ning Tian muttered. "He's sturdy enough to survive this. Enjoy my little gift, pal."
The heat vanished, transferred seamlessly. Ning Tian strolled out like nothing had happened, leaving the shopkeeper staring, utterly baffled.
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