Originally, Zhu Zhuqing had intended to tell Su Xiaoqi about her idea in the morning, but he had been training the whole time, and she never got a chance to bring it up.
> "If only Su Xiaoqi could come here... With his understanding of our world, he could help me change the plot more effectively. Plus, I wouldn't have to pretend to get along with those disgusting people."
Just as that thought appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's mind, a notification popped up in the chat group:
> **\[System: A story mission has been triggered. Group member Zhu Zhuqing is about to enter the 'Shrek Academy' plotline. Zhu Zhuqing may alter the plot as needed; the more substantial the changes, the more points awarded. One additional group member may be invited to join this mission.]**
> **\[System: This is a long-term mission. Points will be calculated daily at midnight based on the degree of plot alteration. The invited member may freely travel between the Douluo Continent and their own world during the mission period.]**
As soon as this notice appeared, the chat group exploded with excitement.
---
**\[Lu Linglong]: I just woke up and saw this message — scared me so much my morning grumpiness vanished. Zhuqing, how did you trigger this mission?**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: I'm not sure. I was just thinking about how I wanted to change the plot, and it suddenly popped up.**
**\[Nami]: So that's possible? I'll try that too once I get back to Cocoyasi Village.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Still, even though the method is a bit different, Su Xiaoqi really called it! Where is he anyway? Still not up?**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: He's taking a shower.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: ???**
**\[Nami]: ???**
**\[Lu Linglong]: How do you know he's showering? Don't tell me you two were together last night? Since when did the chat group unlock the world-hopping feature? Or did I wake up wrong?**
**\[Nami]: Something's fishy. You two are definitely hiding something. Come clean — what have you been doing behind our backs all night?**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: No, it's not like that. You're misunderstanding. He got up early to train, and we just talked a bit.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Oh yeah? Where? I didn't see any of your conversation in the chat log.**
**\[Nami]: Linglong-jie, they probably private messaged each other. Of course we wouldn't see it.**
---
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed red as she read their teasing. She had only said something totally normal — why did they have to twist it into something else?
---
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Alright, that's enough from you two. I'm a guy, so I don't mind, but she's a girl — she has to get married someday. Don't joke around like that.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Oh my, someone's feeling protective now\~ We didn't even say much.**
**\[Nami]: Exactly. Some people explained *everything* to her yesterday, but only said a few words to me. That obvious favoritism really makes a girl wonder.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Fine, I surrender. Whatever you want to know today, I'll tell you everything one by one. Satisfied now?**
**\[Nami]: Don't bother. Your schedule's already been booked. I wouldn't dare interrupt.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: What do you mean?**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Don't play dumb. Obviously, Zhuqing invited you. No way she's inviting Gintoki. That white-haired, curly-haired guy hasn't even said a word yet — probably still asleep.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Nonsense! Diligent Silver-san woke up at 6 AM today!**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Like I believe that. There's still sleep crust in your eyes.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Impossible! Silver-san just washed his face seriously!**
**\[Nami]: See? Totally exposed.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: You two women ambushing me — how cruel! But Silver-san is generous and won't stoop to your level. Zhuqing, Silver-san knew since yesterday that you're different from these two, so you'll definitely invite Silver-san, right?**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: Sorry, I've already made my choice.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Nooo! My precious points! That was Silver-san's only source of joy right now!**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: Su Xiaoqi, do you have time today? You know a lot about my world, so I'd like to invite you to do the mission with me.**
---
**\[Lu Linglong]: As if he has anything else going on. Just say yes already, stop beating around the bush.**
**\[Nami]: Exactly.**
---
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: I really appreciate the invite, but I don't have much strength right now. Won't I just hold you back?**
Su Xiaoqi *was* tempted — of course he was. He used to read *Douluo Dalu* (Soul Land) fanfics like crazy, and they were all filled with wild, flashy stuff. But there was always one constant: bullying Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
Any author who wrote a story following Tang San's path either got flamed by readers or their story just flopped.
But it made sense. The terrible things Tang San did were disgusting — especially by *Douluo Dalu 2*, which reached the level of being downright offensive.
Still, even though he wanted to go, there were some things he had to clarify with Zhu Zhuqing first.
---
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: It's okay. I'll protect you.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Wah\~**
**\[Nami]: Can you two consider the feelings of the rest of us?**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Silver-san suddenly has no motivation left.**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: Wait, you misunderstood. I meant I don't mind if Su Xiaoqi is weak right now. It's just temporary. Someday, he'll be the strongest among us all.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Ever heard the saying, 'If you're explaining, you're just covering it up'? I ship this couple 100%.**
**\[Nami]: What's "ship"?**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: "Ship" means an officially recognized couple — like Lu Linglong and Zhang Chulan. By the way, Zhang Chulan is the male lead of *The Outcast* ("一人之下").**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Nonsense! Zhang Chulan and I aren't a thing. I've seen *The Outcast*, and I binged the first two seasons last night.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Right now in my timeline, there's still a month left before the Luo Tian Dajiao. I haven't even met Zhang Chulan yet. Don't slander me.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: This is called "fighting fire with fire." Oh, by the way — how's that 'virgin mark' looking?**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Ahhh!!! Don't bring that up again, or I'll flip out!**
**\[Nami]: What happened??**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Noted. Silver-san is going to binge *The Outcast* tonight under the covers.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Nothing. She just got triggered. Ignore her.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: @Zhu Zhuqing — I'll go change clothes and prep a few things. I'll ping you when I'm ready.**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: Okay. I'll get ready too.**
---
After closing the chat group, Zhu Zhuqing washed her face again and tidied up her appearance. Knowing Su Xiaoqi would be arriving soon, she started to feel a little nervous and anxious.
On the other side, Su Xiaoqi casually changed into a clean T-shirt and sweatpants. He didn't care about fashion — as long as it was comfortable.
Then he went to the bank and retrieved a few gold bars. He planned to exchange them for gold soul coins once he arrived in the Douluo Continent.
Since they were called "gold soul coins," he figured they were probably made of actual gold.
After preparing everything, Su Xiaoqi messaged Zhu Zhuqing in the group, telling her he was ready whenever she was.
Soon, he received a system prompt from her:
[System: Group member Zhu Zhuqing has invited you to enter "Douluo Dalu." Accept?]