Chapter 46

Chapter 9: Not Going Back Tonight

Before coming, Xin Lan and Yi Jie had never imagined that befriending Bai Ling would be such a bumpy journey.

First, they were met with mockery from the Blonde Busty Girl straddling their faces, then endured various forms of torment during dinner.

Finally finishing the meal, they thought they’d get a chance to chat with Bai Ling, but the Blonde Busty Girl returned with a ball:

“Let’s do some exercise after dinner. How about we spar?”

Xin Lan and Yi Jie initially wanted to decline, but seeing Bai Ling agree, they reluctantly accepted.

But Xin Lan tried to negotiate for a different sport: “Can we play beach volleyball? I’m not really comfortable in water…”

“With all those people outside, beach volleyball involves jumping around and smashing serves. The straps might break off. Do you want me to give free shows to passersby?” Yuan Xiaoling placed her hands on her hips, proudly displaying her impressive bust. “You small-chested girls don’t care, but us big ones have lots of concerns.”

Noticing Bai Ling’s disapproving gaze, Xin Lan quickly shook her head. “No, it’s just… I’m not a good swimmer.”

“Why don’t you use a float then?” Yuan Xiaoling suggested.

In the end, they all stood in the shallow sea, Xin Lan wearing a swimming ring that seemed more for psychological comfort than practicality, anxiously waiting for the blonde to start the game.

“Don’t worry, she’s not that strong,” Yi Jie reassured her. “Busty girls usually aren’t good at sports.”

“Hey!”

With a cute shout, Yuan Xiaoling sent the inflatable ball flying. It might have been challenging for ordinary people, but for Xin Lan who controlled wind elements…

Bang!

Her foot slipped in the water, unable to catch it, and the ball hit her head. Though light, getting hit right on the head was embarrassing.

Yi Jie was surprised, seemingly puzzled why even this wasn’t caught.

“I’m really not good in water; my foot slipped.”

Xin Lan didn’t suspect anything unusual, thinking it was her fault. Her wind couldn’t penetrate the ocean, so she couldn’t detect the strange current.

They failed to catch several balls afterward—not only her but Yi Jie too.

The sound of bangs echoed continuously as the ball repeatedly landed on their heads.

“Every time I try to catch it, my foot slips. Is it because I’m standing in the wrong spot?” Yi Jie was furious.

Yuan Xiaoling steadily caught the ball, holding it against her chest before nodding seriously:

“You’re absolutely right. Poor performance is due to slippery grass.”

Yi Jie paused, feeling something was off with that statement.

“We’re in water,” Bai Ling said calmly. “We’re not on grass.”

“There’s grass underwater too—seaweed and stuff. Anyway, it’s because of the slippery grass.” Yuan Xiaoling earnestly suggested, “Eat some sea cucumbers. They’re fresh here.”

Realizing what she meant, Yi Jie and Xin Lan blushed… or maybe it was from being hit by the ball.

Bai Ling used telekinesis to create a scoreboard in the air showing the score 40:0. One point per ball, Yuan Xiaoling had hit them forty times.

“Really sorry,” the Blonde Busty Girl placed her hands on her hips, “I didn’t expect you two to be this… uh, bad at ball games. But it makes sense since you lack natural talent.”

Such blatant insults left the two girls humiliated.

Even though they weren’t enhanced by foundation stones, spiritual energy itself boosts physical abilities. As young experts already at the second-tier level, suffering such a crushing defeat was truly embarrassing.

If Yuan Xiaoling was genuinely skilled, it would’ve been one thing, but she made it look so effortless. They were simply terrible.

Their expressions grew vacant.

“Alright, Xiao Ning,” Bai Ling stepped forward, “go buy some drinks for me.”

That was enough. If they got too broken, how could Bai Ling trick them into helping?

“Okay~”

Yuan Xiaoling pouted cutely, put down the ball, and went ashore. After all, her mission completion rate was maxed out; doing more wouldn’t earn extra rewards.

[Ding Dong! Congratulations on completing optional task: You two are like Shu Ke and Bei Ta. Reward: Half a tier of spiritual power,殉爆 damage coefficient +0.1, maximum number of creations +2, True Dragon Manifestation duration +30 seconds.]

Now fully advanced to peak third-tier, she was happy.

With the oppressive presence of the Blonde Busty Girl gone, Yi Jie and Xin Lan felt their breathing ease significantly.

“As I mentioned earlier, I do need companions,” Bai Ling directly stated, “but I don’t know much about your abilities yet.”

Under their hopeful gazes, she pretended to think for a moment and said, “I want to learn more about the largest Spiritual Energy Manipulator faction in Tianhai City. Help me connect with Hai Tian Yi Se Commerce… specifically Yunhai Company.”

The entire commerce group was too large for them to handle anyway, so no need for smokescreens. Just let them approach.

Xin Lan’s eyes lit up with joy. “Alright, Miss Bai Ling, we won’t disappoint you.”

Thinking they’d lost any chance of friendship today, they were pleasantly surprised to find another opportunity.

They wanted to talk more with Bai Ling—about the current trend of spiritual awakening, about their thoughts on the emerging Spiritual Energy Manipulators—but noticed Yuan Xiaoling returning, her “big white rabbits” bouncing aggressively.

“…Then we’ll take our leave. Please wait for good news.”

Xin Lan and Yi Jie bid farewell to Bai Ling and hurriedly walked away in the opposite direction without looking back.

“I’m back~ Which do you prefer, pineapple or coconut juice?” Yuan Xiaoling asked upon returning, noticing the pair hastily leaving. “Why are they leaving so soon?”

“They might have headaches,” Bai Ling replied, taking the coconut juice from her.

Getting hit forty times, even if the ball was light, still had weight. Maybe there was also a psychological factor—seeing larger spherical objects triggered phantom pain.

“Should we go back soon?”

Yuan Xiaoling stretched lazily, realizing her swimsuit strap was about to snap, quickly adjusting her posture.

Swimsuits really weren’t convenient for sports; playing ball required restraint.

“It’s almost evening rush hour. Driving back will take at least two hours. It’ll get dark later,” Bai Ling reclined on the beach chair. “If you want to do anything else, do it now. We’ll pack up and leave soon.”

Hearing this, Yuan Xiaoling immediately picked up her surfboard and said, “Then I’ll go surfing.”

Surf what?

By the time Bai Ling realized, the blonde was already rushing toward the sea.

Eh, whatever. She’s a third-tier water-type expert. There’s no way she can drown.

Today’s gains were decent. Bai Ling thought, having met future traitors, she collected some interest upfront by tricking them into helping her while testing Yunhai Company.

Though plentiful, something still felt missing.

Just then, her mobile phone buzzed. Checking it, it was a QQ message from her roommate—

[Bai Ling, how was your day? Did you enjoy Yuan Xiaoling’s swimsuit?]

[She probably isn’t coming back tonight, right? We’ve already excused you from the dorm supervisor. Hehe.]

University roommates really… should’ve turned on silent mode earlier.

Still, Bai Ling glanced up and saw the Blonde Busty Girl freely gliding through the waves far out at sea, seemingly showing off her swimming skills. In reality, it was just water manipulation.

But the pose was undeniably attractive. The stronger the waves, the wilder the bounce.

Half an hour later, Yuan Xiaoling happily returned to shore: “Done surfing. Let’s go back.”

But the next second, Bai Ling suddenly picked her up and started walking upward.

“Not going back. We’re staying at the beach hotel tonight.”

“…Eh?”