Zhu Zhuqing steadied herself, clenching her fists.
Such a precious gift… why was it given to her?
She needed an answer.
And so, Zhu Zhuqing made her decision. She would search for that person—no matter what it took.
♤
Later that afternoon, Lili was walking through the streets while holding Zhu Zhuqing in a princess carry. She was still asleep, her breathing calm and steady. Lili wanted her to have proper rest—a place where she could sleep peacefully, without fear or disturbance.
After searching for a while, he found a high-end hotel.
The moment Lili stepped inside, everyone in the hotel did their absolute best to accommodate her.
Honestly… just look at that face.
And then look at the girl she was carrying in her arms.
Anyone would understand why no one dared to say a word.
Soon, Lili placed Zhu Zhuqing gently onto a soft bed.
There was no lust. No greed. Not even a hint of desire.
To Lili, he was like a stray cat—fragile, exhausted, and unsure where she belonged next.
he simply stood there, watching Zhu Zhuqing sleep peacefully.
Lili didn't speak.
he just stared at her face in silence.
Then, something crossed his mind.
Earlier… before he made that impulsive decision… he had heard a sound.
A ding.
Lili frowned slightly.
"Shakky," he muttered in her hoarse voice,
"what was that DING earlier?"
DING—
□ MESSAGE
– Oh, such a caring boy… here's my gift for your future hare— I mean, for your girlfriend.s—
Good luck.
From your mommy.
DING—
□ DOULUO DALU WORLD SHOP — Level 1
(0 EXP / 1,000,000,000,000 EXP to reach Level 2)
Level 1 items:
Items available from Episodes 1–50 of Douluo Dalu
Level 2 items:
Episodes 51–100
Level 3 items:
Episodes 101–150
Level 4 items:
Episodes 151–200
Level 5 items:
Episodes 201–250
Level 6 items:
...…and so on.
♤
Lili stared at the newly opened panel in silence.
"A gift… for my girlfriend?"
He repeated the words slowly.
Then his gaze drifted to the bed.
Zhu Zhuqing was still sleeping peacefully, her breathing soft and steady, completely unbothered by the world—or by whatever absurd label had just been placed on her.
Lili's expression didn't change.
"…Merzzy."
That was all he said
Lili shook his head, drifting back into the void space where he first met Merzzy. She was mumbling. something about him, but he hadn't heard it clearly—her voice had been a whisper. Now, though, he finally understood what those broken whispered words meant.
♤
A guy like him… having a girl.
T-that was something.
A phenomenon.
An unseen event.
A paranormal activity.
But he didn't dwell on it for long.
He looked back at the system panel. He hadn't even checked what the item actually was, but just from the description alone, he could already guess. The items available in the Level 1 shop were those introduced in Episodes 1 to 50 of Douluo Dalu—the donghua, or anime, or whatever people liked to call it.
And the rest of the levels followed the same logic.
"But how do I gain EXP…?" he asked himself quietly.
"How do I level this thing up?"
He waited.
Silence.
No response from Shakky.
Lili blinked.
Then, being himself, he didn't give a fuck. He shrugged it off like skipping a math problem on a test and moving on to the next one, hoping it would be easier.
"😐"
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Shakky," he asked casually, "what are the most valuable items in the Level 1 shop?"
DING—
□ How should I know? I never watched Douluo Dalu.
"…Huh?"
Lili froze for a second.
Time seemed to stop for a while.
Silence fell over the man—dumbfounded, frozen—yet his expression remained as nonchalant as ever. In front of him, only the glowing panel hovered quietly, offering no explanation, no apology.
Ten full minutes passed in silence.
Lili, who had been staring into absolute nothingness, finally snapped back to his senses.
"Well… you haven't watched it," he muttered flatly. "It is a long one, after all. And I heard they're planning to animate every book."
He paused, then added casually,
"Douluo 1 is finished. Douluo 2 is already airing…"
And he could feel it the change in the tone of the system.. then he asked himself, if this was Luffy's ship then shakky you're like Merry.
He exhaled.
"Well, I guess I gotta use my brain a little."
His eyes returned to the panel.
"I can buy anything," he said slowly, thoughtfully, "but the problem is… what?"
The shop was full of possibilities, but possibilities without direction were just noise. He leaned back slightly, gaze drifting, mind finally starting to work.
Episode 1 to 50 items…
Spirit rings… soul bones… herbs… weapons… techniques…
Too many choices.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, Lili realized something slightly annoying—
He actually had to think.
♤
"Wait, Shakky."
Lili tilted his head slightly, eyes half-lidded, voice flat as ever.
"If everything within Episodes 1 to 50 is available… does that mean I can buy Martial Souls too?"
His gaze drifted lazily.
"Like that hammer this world loves to brag about," he continued casually. "The one they treat like some holy relic."
"Or the white wings of that blonde girl who spared the main character."
"Or that dog that just farts."
"Or the dragon of that incest woman."
"What about poison-type Martial Souls? Or the pagoda?"
He paused for a moment, then added with the same uncaring tone,
"Can I buy those here?"
Despite the absurdity of the question, his expression didn't change even a little—still that unmistakable don't-give-a-fuck look.
Ding—
□ NEGATIVE.
□ Research Result:
In the world of Soul Land, a Martial Soul is not an item.
It is a spiritual manifestation of a person's inner power—an extension of their soul essence.
• Part of the Self:
A Martial Soul is born within a person and awakened at the age of six.
It cannot be dropped, traded, sold, or permanently removed—doing so would result in the host's death.
• Tool Souls:
Manifest as objects such as hammers, flutes, needles, pagodas, etc.
While they resemble physical tools, they are formed entirely of soul energy.
• Beast Souls:
Manifest as animals or legendary creatures.
They merge with the user's body, enhancing physical traits, instincts, and combat abilities.
♤
Lili stared at the panel for a long second.
"…hun."
So no buying god-tier bloodlines like groceries. No instant hammer flex. No winged waifu package deal.
He leaned back slightly, not really affected , nope he don't give a damn...yup that's the right term.
"Figures."
His gaze shifted toward Zhu Zhuqing, still sleeping peacefully on the bed, breathing slow and steady.
"So Martial Souls are off-limits," he muttered. "That means the shop's only useful for external things…"
Herbs.
Techniques.
Weapons.
Poisons.
Soul tools.
Consumables.
A faint glint crossed his dark purple eyes—not excitement, not greed.
"…Fine," he said quietly. " I'll play by your rules."