Chapter 171: The Colorful Bed

Time passed by minute by minute. Finally, Old Ding could no longer bear Lin Dong’s staring gaze. He set down the wine jar on the table, stopped competing with Yun Cangqiong in drinking, and turned to glare at Lin Dong with his blood-red eyes. “Hey, why are you staring at an old man like that?”
“Am I?” Lin Dong asked, puzzled.
“Don’t think I didn’t see it. Your eyes never left my face,” Old Ding snapped irritably.
“Is there something on your face?” Lin Dong remained confused.
Old Ding was speechless, having encountered someone even more stubborn than himself.
“Drink, drink…” Picking up the wine jar again, he gave up on paying attention to Lin Dong. After all, being watched wouldn’t make him any thinner. He resumed competing with Yun Cangqiong.
Both of them were experts in drinking, especially Old Ding. Even without using spiritual power to expel alcohol from his body, he could still drink a thousand jars without getting drunk. Yun Cangqiong was slightly less skilled, but he could still stay sober when slightly intoxicated and expel some alcohol when pushed to his limit. His courage in drinking was no less than Old Ding’s.
The two drank furiously, tossing empty jars onto the ground everywhere. Around the stone table, every step taken could result in stepping on a wine jar.
Lin Dong stared intently at Old Ding, his heart beating much faster than usual. Until the mission rewards were revealed, he couldn’t shake his concern about whether Old Ding had completely given up hope.
In the distant sky, the warm and gentle sun, like a kind old man, slowly moved toward the center. Their elongated shadows shrank under the sunlight before slowly stretching out again after reaching their limit, but this time in the opposite direction.
As the shadows grew longer, about to reach the distant door, suddenly, a long-awaited sound rang in Lin Dong’s ears.
Ding: Congratulations! You have completed the hidden task “Peak Warrior” and healed your internal injuries. You have received the reward: the Colorful Bed.
Lin Dong stood up abruptly, punching the air fiercely under the confused looks of the two others.
Old Ding’s injuries were completely healed, and the super mission was completed!
“What are you doing? Acting so startled…” Old Ding muttered.
Lin Dong grinned happily. “You two keep drinking. I’ll go back to my room for a moment.”
“Go ahead!” Old Ding waved impatiently. Having been distracted all day and no longer showing the boldness of previous days, he was just a burden staying here.

Lin Dong immediately started running. Before the two of them could pick up the wine jar, a thud was heard. Instinctively turning to look at the source of the sound, they saw that the door to Lin Dong’s room had already been closed.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm his excited mood, Lin Dong then activated the inn system. With his eyes slightly closed, he silently thought about claiming his reward. A flash of colorful light appeared before his eyes, and he quickly opened them to see a wooden bed emitting a faint multicolored glow right in front of him.

Its grand and luxurious appearance, the white, misty curtains, and the smooth, even surface of the bed… Lin Dong was stunned for a moment before recalling the system prompt he had heard earlier—the reward seemed to be a bed indeed.

If he could choose the task reward, Lin Dong would definitely pick decorations suitable for placing in or hanging in the lobby. The reason was simple: if it were a medicinal recipe, the reward for a super task would surely be extraordinary. Though its medicinal effects and costs would be astonishing, they would definitely not be suitable for public promotion. If it were furniture or tableware, or decorations suitable for guest rooms, although their effects would be terrifyingly impressive, they would still have certain limitations.

What Lin Dong wanted most at this stage was to enhance the competitiveness of the inn. A bed was undoubtedly only suitable for use in guest rooms, and its attributes would likely be limited to just one room.

Though somewhat disappointed, it was still better than a medicinal recipe. Lin Dong immediately checked the attributes of the multicolored bed.

Multicolored Bed: Upgradable. Level 1, 0% efficiency. Once activated, it consumes a bit of spiritual energy per hour, allowing a person to fall asleep within fifteen minutes.

Lin Dong was delighted; his previous disappointment vanished instantly.

The attributes of this multicolored bed weren’t very impressive—just a bit of spiritual energy per hour to help someone fall asleep in fifteen minutes. This meant it would only be attractive to those who often suffered from insomnia. If, in addition, it required a spiritual stone per hour, it would only be appealing to extremely wealthy people who frequently suffered from insomnia.

If that were all, how could it be worthy of being a reward for a super task? The most important aspect of this multicolored bed was that it was an upgradable item.

From Lin Dong’s memory, upgradable items were essentially equivalent to legendary artifacts in other games. With each level-up, an additional attribute would be added, and those attributes would become increasingly powerful. Lin Dong had no doubt that the attributes of this multicolored bed would eventually spread throughout the entire inn, becoming its greatest attraction in terms of accommodation.

Compared to the lobby, there’s currently no lack of competitiveness in terms of accommodation, but the revenue differs vastly. The reason is that comfort alone in guest rooms isn’t enough to make people spend heavily. Once the Colorful Bed is upgraded to a level that affects the entire inn and all its branches, it’s no less than developing a profitable project. Moreover, if its attributes can attract local elites as well, not only will the profits be enormous, but it can also increase room occupancy rates.

In the short term, the Colorful Bed might not be as cost-effective as a painting or vase that can boost appetite, but in the long run, its value is ten to a hundred times higher. After all, there’s still significant potential to make money from diners, but very little potential from guests.

After placing the Colorful Bed in the mobile counter, Lin Dong opened the door to the room with satisfaction. The smile on his face was a million times brighter than the setting sun.

“Found a treasure?” Old Ding asked drunkenly from afar.

“Indeed, I found a treasure, old man. You haven’t forgotten our agreement, have you?” Lin Dong’s smile grew even brighter. By curing Old Ding, he not only received a super reward but also had Old Ding officially become the inn’s ultimate bodyguard.

Old Ding said nonchalantly, “I won’t forget. It’s just staying in an inn! And don’t forget to ensure I get good wine every day and get to go out for a stroll every now and then.”

Yun Cangqiong asked with a smile, “Old man, planning to find a place to retire?”

“I’m almost a hundred years old. With someone to take care of me and good food and wine…” Old Ding stroked his wet beard and chuckled, “Would I be stupid if I didn’t stay in such a great place to retire?”

“Makes sense!” Yun Cangqiong raised the wine jar in his hand. “Congratulations on finding a place to retire. Let’s drink a jar!”

“Let’s drink a jar!” Old Ding clinked his jar against hers before gulping down the wine like a whale sucking in water.

Walking over to the stone table and picking up a jar of wine, Lin Dong also started drinking heartily without hesitation.

They kept drinking until midnight. Despite constantly using his spiritual energy to expel the alcohol from his body, Lin Dong still felt dizzy. Then, Yun Cangqiong threw his empty jar on the ground and stood up.

“That’s enough. It’s time for me to go.”

“Where to?” Old Ding and Lin Dong looked at Yun Cangqiong drunkenly.

“Of course, to keep searching for my spiritual materials and beasts,” Yun Cangqiong said with a smile. “I’m not like you two—one sitting at home counting money, the other just drinking to retire. There are hundreds of ninth-tier spiritual materials and beasts in the world waiting for me to find them.”

Lin Dong opened his mouth but hesitated before speaking.

“Go on, go! You’re so worried about everything.” The old man Ding waved his hand impatiently. “If I get seriously injured again someday, remember to come early.”
“Okay. If I happen to pass by the Sky Sword Sect, I’ll also remember to check on you.” Yun Cangqiong tapped the wine jar on the table. “If I’m here, you’ll definitely get some good wine.”
Hearing this, the old man Ding grinned widely and nodded happily.
Seeing Yun Cangqiong’s figure blur and disappear, Lin Dong instinctively raised his arm. “Wait…”
“The person’s already gone. What’s there to wait for?” Fate brings people together and separates them. The old man Ding didn’t care at all about Yun Cangqiong leaving. He grabbed a jar of wine, lifted the mud seal, but before he could raise it, Yun Cangqiong reappeared before his eyes.
Looking at Lin Dong, Yun Cangqiong smiled. “I thought you didn’t have anything to ask me.”
Lin Dong stammered, “You left too quickly. I hadn’t decided yet whether to ask.”
“You want to ask about Yun Lan, right?” Yun Cangqiong said irritably. “If you want to ask, just ask. It’s a shame Yun Lan said your personality is a bit like mine. I think there’s a huge difference.”
“There really is a huge difference,” the old man Ding nodded in agreement. “When you first started out with nothing, your face was thicker than a city wall. With his character, there’s no comparison at all.”
Lin Dong was stunned. “From the way you speak, it seems like you all know what I’m going to ask.”
“It’s just that you want to know what Yun Lan is doing and when she’ll come to the inn!” the old man Ding said leisurely. “Although I’ve never been married, I do know a bit about matters between men and women.”
Lin Dong was at a loss. “Did you misunderstand? I’ve only known Yun Lan for a little over a month, and it’s just been casual chatting. Asking about her whereabouts is just out of concern for a friend.”
The old man Ding asked, “Can a man and a woman be friends?”
Lin Dong didn’t bother explaining. Let them misunderstand! It wouldn’t cost him anything. Besides, he really did have some indescribable feelings for Yun Lan. During breaks in his cultivation, he would occasionally think of that dreamlike figure.
But since he didn’t even know what Yun Lan looked like, Lin Dong would never believe he could reach a level where he could fall in love with someone regardless of their appearance.
“Yun Lan is in seclusion at the Sky Sword Sect. With her talent, she should be able to make some progress in three to five months,” Yun Cangqiong said. “As for whether she’ll stay at the Sky Sword Sect or go on a journey and stop by Xilan City to see you or the silver rabbit staying with you, I’m not sure.”
Lin Dong nodded.
“Are you sure you have no other questions?” Yun Cangqiong asked meaningfully.
Lin Dong shook his head with a wry smile. “What else could there be to ask?”

Yun Cangqiong said slowly, “For example, my attitude toward the two of you, the sect’s rules regarding the succession of the sect leader…”
Lin Dong was quite surprised and said, “Uncle Yun, why does it seem like you really approve of my liking Yun Lan? With my current strength and the sect’s rules, I shouldn’t have even the slightest chance.”
Yun Cangqiong replied nonchalantly, “I’m just giving you some mental preparation, so that if Yun Lan develops feelings for you later, you won’t be unprepared.”
Lin Dong retorted resentfully, “If I’m prepared but Yun Lan has no interest in me, wouldn’t I have worked for nothing?”
“That’s your problem; it has little to do with me.”
Yun Cangqiong smiled, vanished in a flash, and disappeared back into the darkness.
Lin Dong was speechless—this Uncle Yun was truly biased to the extreme.
“Kid, work hard!” Old Ding patted Lin Dong’s shoulder. “Back in the day, Young Yun single-handedly fought his way into the Holy Spirit Sect to bring back Zhuo girl. By then, his strength was already the best among the younger generation, and the Holy Spirit Sect was just a mid-tier sect. Look at you now—still not even past the Lingdong stage. How can you expect to fight your way into the Heavenly Sword Sect and take someone away?”
Lin Dong was confused—this old man really didn’t know what he was talking about.