Chapter 197

【Ability: Dark-Dark Fruit, Shake-Shake Fruit, Two-Color Haki】

【Effect: Two-Color Haki (☆ unlocked) Devil Fruit Ability (☆ unlocked) King's Haki (☆☆ unlocked) Dual Fruit Awakening (☆☆☆ unlocked)】

With Blackbeard's appearance, the emotional value Lin Cheng had gained from this script dropped by more than half at once.

Three hundred seventy million dropped straight to seventy million emotional value.

Even so, Lin Cheng wasn't bothered.

The situation was still brewing; over time, the lost emotional value would quickly recover.

Moreover, three hundred million emotional value—Blackbeard himself was worth that price; more directly, in Lin Cheng's view, the price was even a bit low.

Blackbeard Ma Xieer D. Teach's stats, though not as terrifying as Aizen's, were still astonishing!

With dual fruit abilities, even without mastering King's Haki, he possessed Two-Color Haki and possessed extremely high potential.

This was evident from his dual fruit abilities alone.

Whether the Dark-Dark Fruit or the Shake-Shake Fruit, both were among the top-tier Devil Fruit abilities in the One Piece World.

At one-star status, Blackbeard possessed his original combat power, with average mastery of his fruit abilities.

But once he broke through to three-star, with dual fruit awakening, his strength would surpass every single puppet Lin Cheng currently had, except Aizen!

'Upgrade Blackbeard by one star.'

So, after Blackbeard successfully exchanged, Lin Cheng immediately upgraded him to two-star without hesitation.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully obtained a two-star puppet: Blackbeard Ma Xieer D. Teach】

【Ma Xieer D. Teach】

【S-Rank Puppet】

【Star Level: ☆☆】

【Pirate Series: Yonko, former member of Whitebeard Pirates】

【Ability: Dark-Dark Fruit, Shake-Shake Fruit, Two-Color Haki】

【Effect: Two-Color Haki (☆ unlocked) Devil Fruit Ability (☆ unlocked) King's Haki (☆☆ unlocked) Dual Fruit Awakening (☆☆☆ unlocked)】

……

With the puppet's upgrade, Lin Cheng finally concluded this script.

But the end of one script meant the beginning of a new one.

Clearly, however, it was not yet time to open a new script; Lin Cheng needed to wait a while, until events developed further—that would be the perfect moment to launch the next script.

"Mmm~"

Exiting the puppet system, Lin Cheng rose from bed.

Morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room; he raised both hands and stretched out a long yawn.

A gentle pull let him feel how his entire body's bones had relaxed after a night's rest.

Lately, Lin Cheng had expended tremendous energy; before the next script began, he planned to rest properly.

After all, only with sufficient energy could he perform the plot well.

Thinking this, Lin Cheng descended from the tavern's loft.

At dawn, the tavern had few customers; Eclair and Mengmeng were cleaning.

The creak of the wooden stairs instantly drew both their gazes.

"Lin Cheng, you're awake. Here."

Mengmeng flapped her tiny wings, flew to Lin Cheng's front, and offered a pair of washbasin tools with her pale yellow hands.

"Mm, thanks."

Reaching out, Lin Cheng smiled and gently ruffled Mengmeng's head.

"After you're done washing up, come eat—I've already prepared your breakfast."

On the other side, still in that flat tone, Lin Cheng could now sense a subtle shift in Eclair's voice.

· ·······Requesting flowers····· ······

Some things can't be rushed; they need time.

From initial resistance to gradual acceptance, Eclair's heart had softened a little.

For Lin Cheng, this was already a promising sign.

After a quick wash, Lin Cheng sat on a stool outside the bar counter, watching Eclair wipe dishes alongside Mengmeng, enjoying the breakfast she had prepared for him.

Perhaps sensing Lin Cheng's gaze, Eclair initially pretended calmness and continued her work.

But slowly, seeing Lin Cheng still staring, her eyes grew flustered.

Inadvertently, while wiping dishes, she picked up a cloth already used.

Seeing this, Lin Cheng couldn't help but smile.

"What are you laughing at…?"

Seeing Lin Cheng smiling down, Eclair's cheeks flushed visibly.

After a resentful glance at Lin Cheng, she abandoned her task and turned toward the kitchen.

"Huh? Lin Cheng, why did Eclair suddenly leave?"

Left behind, Mengmeng looked utterly confused, gazing blankly at Lin Cheng.

Perhaps too innocent, Mengmeng was utterly adorable right then; Lin Cheng couldn't resist reaching over to ruffle her little head again.

"Nothing. Eclair has other things to do. After I finish eating, we'll clean together."

……

As time passed, the tavern gradually filled with customers.

"Let's go shopping—the evening festival seems to be happening; it'll be lively."

However, before nightfall, Lin Cheng decided to close the shop early.

"Why suddenly decide to close? You know nighttime is when the tavern does its best business."

Seeing Lin Cheng close the shop suddenly, Eclair objected.

Although Lin Cheng had enough money to cover the three of them's food and clothing, they still couldn't waste it carelessly.

Nevertheless, in the end, Eclair followed Lin Cheng and Mengmeng's persuasion and stepped onto the street together.

Perhaps because of the festival, tonight's street where the tavern stood was much livelier than during the day.

People came and went along the street; stalls on both sides displayed all kinds of snacks and trinkets, dazzling the eyes.

Shouts echoed one after another, like the New Year.