Chapter 260: Dragon Phoenix Inn

One piece of equipment and one pill—not a bad haul.

Chu Danqing tried putting on the Moonshadow Demon Armor, hoping to gain some stat boosts.

But it clashed with the Flowing Cloud Moonstep Robe and simply wouldn’t fit—no effect at all.

After all, this wasn’t a fully digitized game; perfection was impossible.

What mattered was synergy and suitability—no random stacking.

As for the Hundred Qi Bone-Forge Pill, Chu Danqing planned to give it to Bai Bai.

But Bai Bai had no physical body, only a soul—so he couldn’t consume it directly; Chu Danqing needed another method.

He could guide the medicinal energy through his Qi, storing it within the Five Element Spirits, then chop and mix it into food for Bai Bai.

Switching from medicinal supplement to dietary supplement.

This would waste some potency, but better than wasting it all.

Da Bao had no inherited skills; under Chu Danqing’s cultivation, he could convert it into bloodline density, but the conversion rate was far too low.

Da Gu had an inherited skill, but it was just a bone scripture—its compatibility was abysmal.

Only Bai Bai could maximize the benefit.

Afterward, Chu Danqing didn’t rest at all—he worked until dawn.

Yang Qianyuan and Li Wanwu also rose early, stepping out as the sky just began to lighten.

“Up already? Want something to eat before we go?” Chu Danqing asked Yang Qianyuan.

Li Wanwu had eaten before sleeping—she wouldn’t be hungry.

“We’ll eat on the road—no time to delay,” Yang Qianyuan replied; he’d clearly eaten, or he’d be hungry too.

“I know a shortcut—it’ll cut the travel time in half,” Li Wanwu said, having finally recognized her location.

Earlier, it had been too dark to see the path clearly.

“Let’s go!” Chu Danqing said, pulling food from his storage space and handing it to Yang Qianyuan.

They set off just as dawn broke—refreshingly crisp.

They encountered no incidents and arrived at Meilong Town without trouble.

The moment Chu Danqing stepped into Meilong Town, a notification flashed: trial mission complete.

[Mission Complete: You gain 2000 Paradise Points, +2 Attribute Points]

[Trial Mission: Obtain the Dragon Pendant or the Phoenix Pendant within one month]

[Trial Difficulty: B-Rank (Brave)]

[Trial Reward: 5000 Paradise Points, +3 Attribute Points]

[Trial Failure: -10,000 Paradise Points, Forced Return]

Chu Danqing checked the mission—it had refreshed—but where the hell was he supposed to find the Dragon Pendant or the Phoenix Pendant?

The Paradise didn’t give any location—only hope to stumble upon a side quest by searching slowly.

Otherwise, finding them on his own would be nearly impossible.

“You’re finally back! You two, newcomers without a place to stay,” Li Wanwu said, “I run an inn—feel free to stay with me.”

After returning, Li Wanwu felt a weight lift—these two were truly good people; her earlier suspicion had been unwarranted.

“No wonder you’re so decisive and smooth-talking, Li Wanwu—I see you’re in the inn business,” Chu Danqing complimented, then added, “Then my brother and I will take you up on your offer.”

“But let’s get this straight—since you’re the host, no room fees,” Chu Danqing teased.

Li Wanwu was straightforward: “Not just room fees—I’ll feed you daily.”

With Li Wanwu leading, they soon reached the inn.

Chu Danqing looked up at the sign: Dragon Phoenix Inn—likely no coincidence.

“My inn’s name—lucky, right?” Li Wanwu said, pointing proudly at the sign.

Before Chu Danqing could answer, the inn’s young waiter spotted her.

“Master! You’re finally back!” the waiter cried, frantic: “You vanished all day—were you alright?”

“What could happen to me? I’ve been walking since dawn—get Shao Ge to bring us a full meal to calm our nerves,” Li Wanwu said, ushering them inside.

The inn’s bookkeeper and helpers rushed over.

Because the master had vanished, Dragon Phoenix Inn had closed all day.

Li Wanwu soothed them, then ordered staff to reopen and send out for supplies.

Though her methods were crude, her emotional intelligence and competence were high—she quickly stabilized the situation.

She only said she’d been kidnapped by a trafficker and rescued by Chu Danqing and Yang Qianyuan.

She mentioned nothing of Ning Wang.

Li Wanwu knew such secrets had to die with her.

With her status, how could she oppose Ning Wang? If this leaked, not only would she die—everyone in the inn would be doomed.

A fine meal was soon laid out.

Ordered by the master herself, this meal far surpassed the one at the Wilderness Inn.

Chu Danqing tasted lightly; Da Bao devoured everything.

The same waiter approached Li Wanwu: “Master, that so-called gourmet Sun Dashou has spent the whole day washing dishes.”

“Fine, let him go,” Li Wanwu waved dismissively. “If he’s broke, he could’ve just said so—I’m not stingy with a bowl of noodles.”

But the waiter added: “He might not be able to leave—he broke twelve bowls and sixteen plates yesterday alone, and—”

Li Wanwu’s smile froze. “He must’ve dropped a basin—how else could he break so many? I’ve punished him enough—let him go.”

“No—he broke them one by one,” the waiter said, equally baffled.

Li Wanwu felt her vision darken; she couldn’t imagine anyone capable of such a feat.

Chu Danqing was equally stunned—he could understand breaking many at once, but breaking them one at a time? That was deliberate provocation.

“That bastard!” Li Wanwu cursed, then stormed toward the kitchen.

“Waiter, what’s this Sun Dashou’s story?” Chu Danqing asked casually.

“Ah, a couple days ago…” the waiter, unguarded, explained.

He’d shown up dressed like a gentleman, eaten, then refused to pay.

If he was truly poor, he could’ve ordered simple dishes—but Sun Dashou ordered only premium meats, seafood, and fresh fruits.

When he tried to leave without paying, they detained him to work off the debt.

“Work off the debt” was really just Li Wanwu’s way of teaching him a lesson—his meal alone would’ve taken a year of dishwashing to repay.

No one expected washing dishes would cause more damage—this was absurd.

Soon, chaos erupted from the kitchen.

Out stumbled a pudgy middle-aged man, dressed in ill-fitting hemp clothing.

A cabbage hung from his head.

“Master, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” he cried, fleeing with his hands over his head.

Li Wanwu chased him, wielding a rolling pin, face flushed with rage.

Diners burst into laughter—they found nothing amiss; clearly, this was Li Wanwu’s usual behavior.

Sun Dashou was likely not the first to suffer this.

But Chu Danqing and Yang Qianyuan exchanged a glance.

They reached the same conclusion: Sun Dashou was suspicious.

Just his pudgy build was suspicious.

Only a wealthy noble or powerful official could maintain such a physique.

Second—he bore wounds from a spiritual beast’s death backlash.

Combined with his build, Sun Dashou gasped for breath after only two steps.

He leaned against a table, panting heavily.

Seeing this, Li Wanwu merely grabbed his ear and dragged him along.

“You break so many dishes washing them? From today, you sweep the stairs!” Li Wanwu dragged him to the staircase and shoved a broom into his hands.

Sun Dashou’s face fell, but he obediently began sweeping.

He swept slowly, clumsily.

Especially with his build—he took up two-thirds of the staircase, the scene absurdly comical.

Yang Qianyuan studied him closely, whispering to Chu Danqing: “That sprint just aggravated Sun Dashou’s injury.”

“If nothing else, he might—”

Before Yang Qianyuan finished, Sun Dashou, mid-sweep, rolled his eyes back and collapsed backward.

Worse—he was on the stairs, and his weight far exceeded normal.

Falling and rolling down would be catastrophic.

Minor injury at best, death at worst.

Chu Danqing shot a glance—Da Bao immediately dropped his food, tore open his claws, activated Blood Fury, and lunged up the stairs.

He caught the falling Sun Dashou, then carried him down, unconscious.

“Li Wanwu, get a physician quickly,” Chu Danqing said.

The event had unfolded too fast—Li Wanwu hadn’t reacted until Chu Danqing spoke, then she snapped to: “Yes, yes— Xiao Li, hurry and fetch a doctor!”

Chu Danqing didn’t want Da Bai to heal him—Da Bai could be used in combat or emergencies, or when the injury type was known.

This was backlash damage—uncontrolled healing might worsen it.

Besides, he won’t die in a moment, so it’s no rush—wait for the physician to examine him first, and only then let Bai Long treat him if there’s truly no issue.

“Leaving him in the inn’s main hall isn’t proper, Fengjie—why not find a private room for him to rest properly?” Chu Danqing continued.

“Yes, yes, rest.” Li Fengjie had never encountered such a situation before and was truly flustered; with Chu Danqing’s second reminder, she hurried ahead to lead the way.

Chu Danqing then had Da Bao lift Sun Dashou, while he and Yang Qianyuan followed behind, lest any further mishap occur.

(End of Chapter)