Skinwalker Belle – Chapter 188 – Trade and Strongholds

The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the cracks of the wooden window, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow in the room.

Lin Fan sat up in bed. Her silk nightgown slipped halfway down one smooth shoulder, revealing a delicate collarbone and fair skin.

She glanced at Su Xiaoxiao, who was still fast asleep beside her with a glistening trail of drool at the corner of her mouth. A helpless smile flashed in her rainbow-colored eyes.

“Time to get up, little lazy cat.” Lin Fan reached out and gently pinched Su Xiaoxiao’s fluffy fox ears.

“Mmm… Big Sis…” Su Xiaoxiao mumbled, her eyes fluttering open. She yawned, then rubbed against Lin Fan’s arm like a kitten.

Lin Fan didn’t press her further. Instead, she retrieved the Long Ningshuang Skin—with its dark green hair and dark gold scales—from her Storage Space.

Su Xiaoxiao was instantly wide awake.

Her amber eyes widened as she stared, curious and tense, at the object in Lin Fan’s hands.

The Skin was light and ethereal, yet it emanated a heart-stopping, majestic Dragon might.

Without a word of explanation, Lin Fan, right in front of Su Xiaoxiao, began to slowly slip her own body into the epic-grade Skin.

Su Xiaoxiao held her breath.

She watched as the Skin, as if possessing a life of its own, started from the ankles, perfectly adhering to and enveloping Lin Fan’s body.

The moment it touched her true form, the Skin seemed to come alive, shimmering with a flowing luster as it spread upward.

Slender calves, a perky rear, a waist that could be encircled by a single grasp…

Finally, when Lin Fan pulled her head into it, the entire Skin flashed with light and completely merged with her.

The peerless, silver-haired, rainbow-eyed goddess vanished.

In her place stood the Dragon Clan woman with Dragon horns, long dark green hair, and an aura of nobility and dominance—Long Ningshuang.

“Big… Big Sis…” Su Xiaoxiao stammered, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

This feeling was a hundred times more impactful than just hearing her sister describe it!

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“Come, help me get dressed.”

Lin Fan stretched her limbs, feeling the explosive surge of power within her body. Her voice had returned to its cool indifference.

“Yes!” Su Xiaoxiao jolted and scrambled off the bed, retrieving a set of clothes that had already been prepared from the wardrobe.

It was a smart-looking outfit of black and gold, paired with a horse-face skirt, exuding a certain archaic solemnity.

Su Xiaoxiao first carefully helped Lin Fan put on a pair of flesh-colored pantyhose, starting from her toes. The silky sensation made her own little face flush slightly.

Then, she served Lin Fan in putting on the long skirt, tying the belt, and finally slipping on a pair of simple, white embroidered cloth shoes.

After she was fully dressed, the image of a heroic, noble, and aloof woman, as if she had stepped out of an ancient scroll, appeared in the mirror.

“Let’s go.” Lin Fan looked at her reflection, nodding in satisfaction. “We have a lot to do today.”

The two left the inn.

The streets were still bustling with people, a mix of various demi-human races creating a noisy and vibrant scene.

But today, Lin Fan was in no mood for a leisurely stroll.

With Su Xiaoxiao in tow, she headed straight for the Slave Market in the western part of the city.

Even before they got close, the familiar stench of blood and despair washed over them.

At the entrance to the Slave Market, Hu Wei’s corpulent figure had been waiting for some time. Beside him stood a stern-faced Hu Ben.

Seeing Lin Fan approach, Hu Wei’s face immediately broke into a fawning smile as he hurried to greet her.

“Lady Long Ningshuang! You’ve finally arrived!”

Hu Ben, on the other hand, gave Lin Fan a slight bow and said in a deep voice, “Lady Ning Shuang, the City Lord has already given the order. Everything you requested has been prepared.”

His attitude was more than a notch more respectful than it had been the day before.

Evidently, the lie about the “Space Pouch” had been exceptionally effective.

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“Where are they?” Lin Fan couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries and got straight to the point.

“This way, this way!” Hu Wei hurriedly led the way.

Passing through the noisy front area, they arrived at the Slave Market’s rear courtyard.

In the courtyard, three hundred female slaves of various races, their expressions numb and their clothes ragged, were penned together like livestock.

Cat-girls, rabbit-girls, wolf-girls, deer-girls… there were all sorts of races.

Their eyes were hollow, filled with fear and despair for the future.

“Lady Ning Shuang, look. Three hundred, not one less. The City Lord said the previous thirty slaves are a gift to you, Lady Ning Shuang!” Hu Wei gestured at the group of female slaves as if showing off his merchandise.

A gift… It seemed that fellow Hu Lie was planning on a long-term trade relationship with her.

But this wasn’t a loss. After all, if she wanted to continue fusing with high-grade Skins in the future, her demand for these low-grade Skins would only increase.

Lin Fan’s gaze swept over the slaves without a ripple of emotion.

In her eyes, these were not living beings, but “materials” that could make her stronger.

She took out the cloth pouch full of Crystals from her robes and poured them out.

An endless stream of multi-colored Crystals poured out of the small pouch, piling up into a small mountain on the ground.

“Ten thousand grade-one Crystals. Count them.”

The dazzling, colorful Crystals made the eyes of everyone present swim.

“N-No need!” Hu Ben quickly bowed respectfully. “What Lady Ning Shuang gives naturally needs no counting.”

Was he joking? Who would dare to count the belongings of a great figure who possessed a “Space Pouch” to her face?

“Very good.” Lin Fan took back the pouch. “I’ll be taking the people,” she said faintly.

She then looked at Hu Wei. “Also, do something for me.”

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“My lady, please, just give the order!”

“Are there any large manors for sale in Azurewood City?” Lin Fan asked. “It needs to be big enough and quiet enough. I don’t like to be disturbed.”

Staying at an inn was not a long-term solution, after all.

Especially since she would be mass-producing Skins next, she needed a base that was absolutely private and secure.

Hu Wei and Hu Ben exchanged a look.

It was happening!

The City Lord was truly prescient!

This Lady Ning Shuang really did plan to stay in Azurewood City for the long haul!

“Yes! Of course, there is!” Hu Wei said at once. “In the eastern part of the city, there’s the mansion of the former city defense officer. That guy was dealt with by the City Lord for corruption, and the house has been empty ever since. It’s vast, with three main courtyards, and even comes with a huge basement. It will absolutely meet your requirements!”

“Take me to see it,” Lin Fan said concisely.

“Yes!”

Hu Wei immediately arranged for his subordinates to chain the three hundred female slaves together, and they followed behind Lin Fan in a grand procession.

Along the way, this peculiar troop attracted countless astonished gazes from passersby.

A Dragon Clan woman, followed by three hundred female slaves of various races.

This spectacle was even more extravagant than when the City Lord Hu Lie himself went out.

Soon, they arrived before the mansion in the eastern part of the city.

The vermilion gates, the high courtyard walls, and the two imposing stone lions at the entrance all spoke of the former owner’s status.

Lin Fan pushed the gate open, and her Mental Strength instantly swept through the entire estate.

The size of the property, the layout of the rooms, and especially the massive, twenty-meter-deep basement all left her very satisfied.

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“This will do.” Lin Fan turned to face Hu Wei. “How many Crystals?”

“Lady Ning Shuang, you jest!” Hu Wei waved his hands frantically. “Consider this mansion a welcoming gift from the City Lord! From now on, if you need anything in Azurewood City, you can come to me at any time!”

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.

This tiger was quite the smooth operator.

“Thank City Lord Hu Lie for me.” Lin Fan didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it directly. “Tell him I’ve noted his goodwill.”

This was the effect she wanted.

To make Hu Lie feel that she had accepted his friendly gesture, creating the possibility of bringing their relationship a step closer.

“I will! I will!”

With the transaction complete, Hu Wei and Hu Ben didn’t dare to linger and tactfully took their leave.

At the mansion’s entrance, only Lin Fan, Su Xiaoxiao, and the three hundred numb female slaves remained.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the magnificent mansion, then at the group of female slaves behind them, her little face filled with excitement.

From this day on, this would be their home!

“Big Sis, we…”

“Xiaoxiao,” Lin Fan interrupted her.

She turned around, looked at the three hundred pairs of hollow eyes behind her, and the corners of her mouth curled into a cold, eerie arc.

“Count them. There are a few of our fox-kin sisters inside. Bring them out and have them manage the daily affairs of the mansion.”

“As for the rest, send them to the basement to wait for me.”