CHAPTER 243: CHAPTER 157: BAI TANLANG, FORM A CONTRACT WITH ME! (SECOND UPDATE – PLEASE VOTE FOR ME)

"You know so much," Filio said with a sigh.

"I saw that’s what teachers say in young adult comics; going to war is different from strategizing on paper."

Ji Minghuan paused, then added, "But actually, it’s fine... Anyway, the Mentor will send someone to watch over us. If you can’t win, someone will come to rescue you."

After speaking, he rolled his eyes and looked up at the penguin-shaped broadcasting device overhead:

"Isn’t that right, you old thing?"

After a brief silence, the Mentor’s response came from the broadcasting device, "That’s correct. I will secretly send one or two specialists to protect you."

"You heard that, didn’t you? We’re basically just going out to have some fun, no need to overexert ourselves; otherwise, it would be counterproductive."

Ji Minghuan said, casually tossing a White Rabbit candy to Filio.

"No worries, I’ll protect you no matter what," Sun Changkong said, sitting on the Somersault Cloud, puffing up his chest and humming.

"I don’t have high expectations for you, just don’t suddenly go berserk and kill us all," Ji Minghuan thought while eating candy, "I’m really afraid you’ll take out my little sister..."

The three of them concentrated on watching the movie.

Kong Youling was quietly sitting on the side sketching with a pencil. After a moment, she placed the pencil on the ground and turned the sketchbook towards the three.

They turned to look, and the sketchbook depicted a television set.

The TV showed three small animals: a cheekily smiling little monkey lounging on the Somersault Cloud, a slyly smiling little fox in a hospital gown, and a droopy-eyed, black-haired, black-eyed little dog.

"Ah... Why did I become a monkey?" Sun Changkong frowned his fiery red eyebrows, "Well, a monkey it is then, at least it’s drawn quite cute."

"I’m a wolf, not a big dog," Filio protested softly while scratching his wolf ears, though there was a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Ji Minghuan looked at this crazy zoo group photo expressionlessly for a while, then looked up at Kong Youling, confused, and asked:

"Why didn’t you draw yourself, you silly penguin?"

Kong Youling thought for a moment, "I’ll draw it next time." She shook her head, white hair swaying, "I’m not a penguin."

Ji Minghuan dismissively asked, "Then what are you?"

"A little white rabbit," Sun Changkong said.

"A little snowman," Filio said.

"Ah, big dog, did you read my mind?" Ji Minghuan asked, turning his head towards Filio, "I’ve called her a little snowman before. Soft and gooey, easily crushed."

Kong Youling puffed out her cheeks, covering the lower half of her face with the notebook and gave Ji Minghuan an angry glare.

Ji Minghuan changed the subject: "Alright, let’s watch the movie; it’s almost over."

After the four finished watching the movie, the Mentor’s voice promptly came from the broadcasting device, "Children, it’s time to rest. Get ready and then head back to your rooms."

Simultaneously, the metal door of the confinement room slowly opened, revealing a person wearing a white lab coat standing quietly outside waiting.

Ji Minghuan sighed, "You should go; we’ll talk again when we reach London."

"Bye-bye." Sun Changkong jumped off the Somersault Cloud, put away the cloud, and reluctantly waved to the three before running towards the entrance without waiting for others to bid farewell.

"Goodbye, Ji Minghuan, Kong Youling," Filio said softly.

"See you in London," Ji Minghuan said, "Remember to brush your teeth more often; you’ll be chasing others to bite them later."

"Mm." Filio lightly chuckled and nodded, then quickly walked out of the confinement room.

The experimenters took Sun Changkong and Filio away, leaving only Kong Youling remaining in place.

Kong Youling thought for a moment, wrote in the notebook: "Going to London..." Her pen tip paused slightly, "Will it be okay?"

"It’ll be fine..." Ji Minghuan smiled, gently touched the top of her head, silently saying, "If they cause trouble for you, I’ll take them all out."

After speaking, he looked up, expressionlessly glancing at the surveillance camera, "Isn’t that right?"

No response came from the Mentor’s side, leaving the confinement room in dead silence.

The experimenters outside issued a warning, and Kong Youling quickly got up and left. The door closed, and the room’s lights gradually dimmed, leaving Ji Minghuan alone sitting on the ground in a daze.

The TV continued to emit noisy sounds, its screen’s glow illuminating his indifferent face.

Soon after, Ji Minghuan got up, lay sideways on the plain white bed like a fish.

Then closed his eyes, synchronizing his consciousness with the second body.

....

....

July 24th, 0:00, Venice, a hotel room 3015.

Xia Pingzhou opened his eyes from the soft bed.

He spaced out at the clock on the wall for a bit, then turned his head to look at the adjacent bed.

He could see sleeping Ayase Origami, resting her head on the sleeve of her kimono. Moonlight elongated the shadow of the curtains, flickering on her pale face.

Perhaps due to not sleeping well last night, the young lady opened her eyes today and played several rounds of the strategy game with Xia Pingzhou before returning to sleep, quite capable of sleeping indeed.

Today she tried on some new clothes, but ultimately changed back into the familiar tawny kimono for sleeping, as if treating it like pajamas.

Xia Pingzhou withdrew his gaze, opened the second body’s role-playing panel. Because he completed the "Winter of the Wild Hunt" system’s character cultivation task yesterday afternoon, he received an attribute point.

He swiftly allocated the point to the attribute panel.

[Your second body "Xia Pingzhou" has a change in the "Spirit" attribute: B++ Grade → A Grade (Your "Chess Species" strength will also be enhanced)]

[Current attributes of the second body: Strength: D Grade; Speed: B+ Grade; Spirit: A Grade]

He glanced at the added introduction column.

[Currently holding a one-time "Demon Chess Species": 1, Blue Electric Mouse Demon (1 piece)]

"I’ll find an opportunity to test the power of the demon chess pieces. If, upon arriving in London, my sister attacks me without hesitation, then I’ll let the Blue Arc Demon deal with her."

Thinking of this, Xia Pingzhou closed the panel, then moved to leave the hotel, heading to a nearby tavern.

He pushed open the tavern’s wooden door, revealing a bustling scene within, where patrons drank merrily under the warm yellow lights. Some even began dancing the tango, with others clapping to the beat. The owner, instead of having staff stop them, put on a famous tango tune "A Step Away."

Xia Pingzhou, expressionless, crossed the crowd and found compartment three, twisted the handle, and pushed the door open.

Before him were the four members of the travel group—Andrew, Bernardo, Bai Tanlang, and Bloodline.

"Yo, newcomer," Andrew greeted while sipping his drink, "still haven’t found your contracted demon?"

"Not yet," Xia Pingzhou shook his head, "Actually, I have a very groundbreaking idea, it’s just not convenient to share."

"What idea?"

Bloodline sipped some red wine, turning his crimson eyes towards him.

Xia Pingzhou remained silent, suddenly turning his head and gazing meaningfully at Bai Tanlang seated in the corner.

"One plus one is greater than two, and we can free up space for a new member," he stated earnestly.