36: Chapter 36: Tired of the sticky whale glue? Maybe you'll even want to eat this sticky stuff again in the future!

"The relationship between us is not what you think!"

Listening to the teasing in Qian Renxue's words, Wang Donger's willow brows furrowed slightly. Her melodious voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence, carrying a hint of displeasure at being offended.

Lu Jing turned his head to glance at her. The young girl's exquisite profile was tense, carrying an innate arrogance.

"Hmm." He nodded, his voice steady and calm, confirming, "It is indeed not what you think, Sister Xue. We are just simple friends. As for the reason, you will know when the time comes."

His reaction was too natural and too calm, which instead made Wang Donger freeze for a moment.

She had expected Lu Jing to at least offer a defense or analyze the pros and cons like before, but he had simply agreed.

This clean and crisp clarification was like a cold breeze blowing past, causing the inexplicable irritation in Wang Donger's heart to dissipate slightly, yet it also brought up a subtle, indescribable annoyance at being slighted.

She pursed her lips and said nothing more.

"Sorry, I overthought it!" Qian Renxue was slightly stunned, then wore an apologetic expression and hurriedly said.

"Then, Sister Xue, if there is nothing else, we will leave first!"

After speaking, Lu Jing took Wang Donger's fair, jade-like, delicate little hand and turned to leave again.

Under the side corridor of the Elder Hall, Qian Renxue watched the backs of the two hurrying away, the playful smile on her face fading a little.

In her beautiful eyes, as deep as a galaxy, Wang Donger's undisguised alienation and displeasure were clearly reflected.

"It seems this Sister Donger's impression of our Spirit Hall is not as good as Xiao Jing's..." Qian Renxue muttered to herself, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the jade pendant at her waist.

She could feel that the young girl's displeasure was not merely directed at the teasing, but more like a rejection originating from her very bones.

"Is it because of the sense of superiority brought by her own status and position? Or... has the World ten thousand years later painted our Spirit Hall as some kind of monster?"

A slightly cold arc curled at the corners of Qian Renxue's mouth.

A moment later, she shook her head gently, suppressing these thoughts.

Right now, she had more urgent infiltration plans to deploy.

The attitude of a young girl from ten thousand years in the future, who was not much older than herself, was not worth her spending too much effort on.

However, Lu Jing, the variable who also came from the future, and his subtle attitude toward Spirit Hall, were more worthy of her observation and contemplation.

She withdrew her gaze and turned to walk into the depths of the inner hall, her golden skirt sweeping across the clean floor, leaving behind an elegant and noble figure.

With the purple-gold card authorized by Spirit Hall, the attitude of the Wanbao Pavilion shopkeeper was like a different person.

Those two pieces of ten-thousand-year-old Demon Whale Glue, shimmering with flowing light, were carefully placed into a specially made jade box and handed to Lu Jing. The payment process went smoothly without any hitches, and the smile on the shopkeeper's face was almost fawning.

Holding the "treasure" worth fifty thousand gold coins, the two walked silently on the road back to the Elder Hall.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long, spilling onto the white stone road of Spirit City.

"Do you plan to absorb both of these pieces of Whale Glue?" Wang Donger's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of curiosity.

She looked at the jade box Lu Jing was holding, her eyes clear, without a trace of covetousness.

Lu Jing did not stop walking, but upon hearing this, he glanced at her with some surprise: "Isn't it one piece each?"

He remembered the shock Wang Donger showed when she saw the Whale Glue at Wanbao Pavilion; this was definitely a good thing. After all, even in the future, ten-thousand-year Whale Glue was extremely rare.

However, Wang Donger's reaction was completely beyond his expectations.

She curled her pink lips slightly and rolled her eyes in a large, vivid manner. Her disdain was practically overflowing, and her beautiful face was full of disgust: "Tch, no way! I don't know how many times I ate this sticky stuff like candy when I was little. I'm already sick of it, okay!"

Her tone was light, carrying the arrogance typical of a noble family child who was accustomed to top-tier resources: "Otherwise, why do you think my second spirit ring could be of the thousand-year level? It's because I've been using these good things to build my foundation since I was a child! When I broke through to level twenty, I swore that I would never eat this sticky stuff again."

She lifted her beautifully lined chin, as if talking about the most ordinary thing in the World.

"Tired of eating sticky Whale Glue and won't eat this sticky stuff again in the future?"

Hearing Wang Donger's answer, Lu Jing blinked, his expression somewhat subtle, and he muttered softly: "That might not be certain. Perhaps your future self will take the initiative to eat sticky things."

"Why?" Wang Donger's willow brows furrowed slightly as she asked softly.

"Nothing, nothing, I was just talking nonsense." Lu Jing grinned, understanding Wang Donger's attitude.

Wang Donger was slightly stunned and blinked her eyes in confusion. What did he mean by her future self would take the initiative to eat this kind of sticky stuff?

How could that be possible?

After returning to the Elder Hall, Wang Donger went straight back to her room to rest.

But Lu Jing did not return to his room. Instead, his gaze tightened. Holding the jade box containing the Whale Glue, he turned his steps and walked quickly toward the side hall where Qian Renxue was staying before her departure.

Inside the side hall, Qian Renxue was making final checks of her luggage. Seeing Lu Jing return, still holding that jade box, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

"Xiao Jing? Is something the matter?" She put down the map in her hand.

"Sister Xue, let's talk in private." Lu Jing's expression was serious.

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. Although she did not understand what he meant, she still followed Lu Jing to a relatively quiet corridor pillar outside the side hall.

"This, for you." Lu Jing did not hesitate and directly stuffed the jade box into Qian Renxue's arms.

It felt warm and slightly heavy in her hands. Qian Renxue caught it subconsciously, looked down at the jade box, and became even more confused: "For me? Ten-thousand-year Whale Glue? My body is very healthy, I don't need this to 'nourish my body' for the time being, right?"

She smiled with a playful look, intentionally bringing up the previous teasing to see Lu Jing's reaction.

Lu Jing shook his head, his eyes frank and solemn: "That is not the reason. Sister Xue, you have misunderstood the true value of Whale Glue."

"Oh?"

Qian Renxue became interested, leaned against the corridor pillar while holding the jade box, and asked: "Then tell me, what is its true value?"

"Strengthening the physique!"

Lu Jing said categorically. His voice lowered a bit, carrying the flavor of sharing a secret, and he explained: "Ten thousand years later, this is a truth verified by countless Spirit Masters! Top-tier Whale Glue, especially this kind of ten-thousand-year Demon Whale Glue, after being properly refined, can to a great extent temper the bones and muscles, broaden the meridians, and enhance the foundation of qi and blood! Its key role lies in its ability to significantly increase the body's endurance limit when a Spirit Master absorbs a spirit ring!"

He watched as Qian Renxue's eyes gradually became serious, and continued: "The reason you think it is just a 'supplement' now, and is even misunderstood for that other use, is because no one in this era has discovered and summarized this crucial body-tempering effect! Its value is far underestimated! This is also why I insisted on buying it."