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So, why did they buy two oak cake rolls?Well, that was because Meteor wanted one too—he was curious about the taste of this oak cake roll that Firefly was always raving about.
"Ah-wooo!"
Firefly took the oak cake roll from Luan Yu and took a huge bite. Her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster—super cute. As she chewed, her face lit up with happiness—way more than when she was eating that strawberry sundae earlier.
Meteor looked at her in surprise, then glanced at the roll in his own hand. Was it really that good?He took a bite, started chewing... and his face twisted in pain.It's like chewing wood! It was dry, flaky, and he swore he had a mouthful of sawdust.He looked at Firefly's delighted expression—was she even eating the same thing?
"Pfft! No wasting food, got it? You better finish it!"Luan Yu grinned, clearly enjoying his suffering, and even threw in a jab for good measure.
Then she turned to look at Firefly with a gaze full of admiration, like she was looking at a brave warrior.This little one... she's not ordinary at all. Totally has what it takes to be a Titled Douluo one day!
Meteor's face scrunched up miserably.Well, he had no one to blame but himself.You wanted one, didn't you?Now suck it up and finish it—even if you have to hold your nose to do it.
Firefly had already finished hers in just a few bites. She turned to Meteor, who still looked like he was in agony, and asked, surprised, "You don't like it? But oak cake rolls are so yummy! I wanna eat one every day from now on!"
Meteor stared at her like she was an alien.Scratch that—she was an alien.
Firefly clasped her hands behind her back and smiled gently. "If you don't like it, don't force yourself. I can eat it for you."
Without missing a beat, Meteor handed her his half-eaten oak cake roll like it was a sacred offering."You're my savior, Yingbao!"
Firefly didn't even mind that he had already bitten it. She smiled as she took it."You call me Yingbao, so does that mean I should start calling you Xingbao?"
Meteor gave her an awkward chuckle."Eh... maybe don't. If we keep calling each other like that, it'll start sounding weird…"
Firefly blinked and teased with a smile, "I think it's cute, though. Xingbao~"
"Stop, stop, stop! I'm begging you, Firefly—don't call me that!"
Meteor broke out in goosebumps.Calling her "Yingbao" didn't feel too strange, but being called "Xingbao" by her?Nope. Whole body rebellion.
Luan Yu watched the two little ones laughing and bantering. She just smiled, full of warmth and hope for the future.
She led the two of them toward the northern part of the city.She was planning to go to the Extreme North to search for rare ice-type metals to craft ice-type soul tools. Since she'd be staying in Dragon City for a few months, she'd already rented a house in the northern part of town for a whole year.
Why a whole year?Because she had no idea how long it would take to find the materials she needed. If she couldn't find them, well… she'd just have to return and try her luck at the auction house.
Common materials were easier to find—auction houses and merchant guilds had plenty.But the rare ones? Especially the ice-type metals?Super rare. Just like light, dark, and space elements—ice was one of the rare attributes, and metals infused with those elements were practically priceless.
Sure, the Sun-Moon Empire had those rare materials, but even though Luan Yu was a Titled Douluo, she hated dealing with royalty and those bootlicking nobles.She didn't belong to any faction—besides her sister, she was pretty much alone. A true wandering Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent.
After all, cultivating as a soul master required a ton of resources.Hunting soul beasts, refining pills, absorbing heavenly treasures, getting high-level meditation techniques, or using specialized training grounds—none of that was easy to get as a solo cultivator.
She only got this far with her sister's help, slowly working her way up to become a level 9 soul engineer. Of course, her talent also played a huge role.Her martial soul, Ice Phoenix Sword, might not be as legendary as the Clear Sky Hammer or the Seven Kill Sword from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but it was still a top-tier tool-type martial soul—and a rare ice attribute one at that. That's what gave her the foundation she needed to grow so strong.
With her sister's position, she could get some high-level materials.But the really rare ones? Those were a different story.In fact, the Sun-Moon Empire had officially banned the private sale of top-tier rare metals.
Sure, if Luan Yu was willing to join the empire, she'd probably get access to them based on her strength and her sister's status.But she had no interest in following in her sister's footsteps or getting involved with that kind of stuff.
So, she had no choice but to go out and hunt the materials herself.
But now that she had Meteor and Firefly, there was no way she could bring two four-year-olds into the dangerous Extreme North.Even she, a level 9 soul engineer, would have a tough time there.If she ran into one of the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North, survival wouldn't even be guaranteed.Bringing two kids along? Out of the question.
So the plan was simple—take them to the house she rented, find someone reliable to take care of them while she was gone, and just make sure they didn't starve to death before she got back.
"Hey! It's you guys again! I'm Nan Qiuqiu. What're your names?"
A pink-haired little girl stood in front of them, beaming.Meteor immediately felt a headache coming on.He hadn't expected to run into that same little girl from earlier, along with her group, on the road again.
"I'm Meteor. This is Firefly," he said, pointing at her.
"Whoa! Are you guys siblings?"
Nan Qiuqiu put her hands on her hips and tilted her head.
"Nope."
Meteor shook his head.
"Liar. Your hair's the same color, and your names are super similar. How can you not be siblings?"
The pink-haired girl pouted, clearly not buying it.
"We're really not. It's just a coincidence," Meteor said helplessly, throwing up his hands.
"I don't believe you. Unless…"
Meteor saw her big round eyes spinning with mischief.She was clearly plotting something.With a sigh, he asked, "Unless what?"
"Unless you both call me 'big sis'!"
Nan Qiuqiu looked at the two with hopeful eyes.Back at Earth Dragon Gate, she was the youngest and most spoiled. All her childhood playmates were older and doted on her.What she really wanted was someone younger than her to call her "big sis."But sadly, her mom hadn't given her any younger siblings.Ughhh, she sighed dramatically.
"…Forget it. If you don't believe us, that's fine," Meteor said casually.
No way in hell was he gonna call this little girl "big sis."That was just not happening.Even if you told him to jump off the city wall of Dragon City, he'd take the fall before saying those words.
"Come onnn~ Just one time! If you call me 'big sis,' I'll treat you to something yummy! I've got lots and lots of money—unlimited cake!"
"....."