Passing by the ancient gates of Shrek Academy, Chen Fu turned around and stood still, his thoughts drifting.
Chen Fu was born in the war-torn border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire. His resourceful father, a refugee, unified both sides under his high reputation and established a new city from the ruins. Although the residents had diverse backgrounds, the town leaned more towards the role of "defenders" associated with the Star Luo. As the town grew, the Star Luo authorities eventually recognized its legitimacy and incorporated it into the ruling system.
Chen Fu's admission to Shrek Academy was facilitated by the recommendation letter from the city lord, thanks to his innate Spirit Power at the 5th level, qualifying him for a special enrollment in the Soul Guidance Department. Even for a genius, a stage to showcase one's talents was essential.
"I always thought your political instincts were dull, but I didn't expect you to pave the way for the social ascent of future generations with your life."
Thinking of the current city lord of that place, Chen Fu felt that the man, who could never establish his father's authority, was not worthy.
Just a small duke's mansion and general; trash.
"Young Master."
A middle-aged man who had just arrived called out softly.
"Let's go, Uncle Fu. I'll be relying on you more in the future."
Chen Fu turned and, accompanied by the middle-aged man called Uncle Fu, walked towards the end of the street.
"How are things?"
"All the shops have been transferred. The total in Gold Soul Coins is 180,000. I rounded it down as per your request."
Uncle Fu had accompanied Chen Fu to Shrek City and rented a shop in the city to sell the low-end conventional Soul Guidance devices that Chen Fu used for practice. The high quality of the devices won many loyal supporters for the shop.
"Good, well done."
Chen Fu nodded, turned a few corners, and arrived at the busiest main street of Shrek City.
This street had entrances to both the inner and outer courtyards, making it exceptionally bustling.
However, 180,000 Gold Soul Coins wouldn't make much of a splash here.
After a brief observation, Chen Fu finally entered a large classical-style flower shop.
"Hello, customer. May I help you with anything?"
Seeing someone finally entering, a young girl who had been pretending to doze behind the counter quickly tidied her skirt and peered out.
"Ah! A rare customer! What's the occasion that the gatekeeper of the library came out today?"
After seeing the visitor clearly, the girl was extremely surprised. This younger brother was quite famous at the time.
"I heard before that Senior Sister, you opened a shop on the commercial street, but I didn't expect it to be here."
Selling low-value flowers in such a prime location was indeed unexpected.
"Hehe, like it?"
The girl chuckled and didn't explain much.
"I want to discuss a collaboration with you."
"Sure, go ahead."
The girl invited everyone to sit down and prepared tea.
"I want to rent a part of your shop to sell Soul Guidance devices."
"Sure thing."
The girl was a bit surprised but agreed readily.
"You don't need to worry about rent. I remember that if it weren't for the academy's ban back then, the low-end Soul Guidance device market in the city would have been monopolized by you alone." Perhaps thinking of something interesting, the girl, with a slightly chubby face, flashed a playful smile.
"So, Senior Sister Mo, what would you like?" Chen Fu also smiled. New technology, new materials, new designs, and a more streamlined process—back then, he didn't expect the Soul Guidance device market in Shrek City to be so weak. Later, he found out the reason. The 1st and 2nd level Soul Guidance devices he produced were equivalent to others' 2nd and 3rd level devices, and the quality was even better.
"Anything is fine, right?" With a cheeky face, Mo Ling tapped her chin, her beautiful big eyes twinkling.
"You can make a wish first, and I'll try to fulfill it."
When researching [Nirvana], Chen Fu consulted many students about the nature of their Martial Souls. As a result, he made many promises, and in the end, he fulfilled them perfectly, earning him the nickname of "Little Wish Machine."
"Hehe, I don't aim too high. I just wonder if you can help me with my Martial Soul poisoning." Mo Ling looked at Chen Fu with a playful smile.
"Snake-type Martial Soul... Is it the Azure Scale Snake Martial Soul?" As a classic snake Martial Soul with typical poisoning symptoms, the Azure Scale Snake was a typical example.
Wait, those round eyes, the chubby face, and the not-so-bright gaze didn't match the signs of Azure Scale Snake mutation. Chen Fu had some doubts in his heart.
"I always feel you're thinking about something impolite." Giving Chen Fu a glance, Mo Ling continued, "When I was a child, I ate a remnant pellet of the Azure Scale Snake Emperor. Although I was saved in the end, I left behind a lingering illness. My Soul Power carries some toxicity, and as my cultivation deepens, the toxicity gradually increases."
This was also why Mo Ling chose to lie low after graduating—higher cultivation made her more prone to sudden death.
Her Martial Soul was the Treasure Goldthread Bear, a kind of hamster Martial Soul that brought good luck. It had weak combat power, but her luck had always been good.
Chen Fu didn't ask why she didn't follow the standard detoxification plan for Azure Scale Snake venom. Azure Scale Snake Soul Masters could control it actively, but Mo Ling couldn't.
"Manifestation of Martial Soul contamination." Chen Fu understood, and in his research on Martial Souls, he had achieved quite a bit. Compared to the uncontrollability of the Evil Fire in the spiritual root, this snake venom contamination had more operational depth.
Both spiritual and bloodline factors composed Martial Souls. In Mo Ling's case, her bloodline factor got infected, leading to an incongruity between the spiritual and bloodline factors.
At this point, either clearing the contamination or enhancing it to promote Martial Soul mutation were the choices. Chen Fu proposed two options and awaited Mo Ling's decision.
Looking at Mo Ling's tangled expression, Chen Fu suggested, "Promoting Martial Soul mutation might take more time, but the upper limit could be higher."
"Alright! Then clear it!" Mo Ling slammed the table, making a decision. She wanted to be a pure little bear.
Is this making things more difficult for people? Chen Fu felt somewhat helpless.
The clearing plan would involve some knowledge of human anatomy, an area he rarely delved into.
"Give me about two months. I'll first solve your cultivation problem, and then we'll see about clearing the toxins in your body."
With a plan in mind, Chen Fu laid out the steps for resolution.
"Yay! The little bear is alive again!" Sending off the happily bouncing Mo Ling, Chen Fu instructed Uncle Fu and Mo Ling's manager to make some minor changes to the store.
First, he hung his golden sign [Qilin] outside, next to Mo Ling's [Orchid Fragrance Pavilion]. Even though Chen Fu wasn't afraid, he wanted to
make his presence known.
He also posted an advertisement outside: Periodically selling 1st to 5th level Soul Guidance devices, supporting customization of 4th and 5th level Soul Guidance devices, limited to ten people per month.
With the dense flow of people on the street, many came to watch when they saw activity at [Orchid Fragrance Pavilion].
"The Qilin Pavilion has moved here. That's good. I've been eyeing [Orchid Fragrance Pavilion] for a while."
"I heard Chen Fu didn't enter the inner court. Those forces that were confused at first wanted to approach him after realizing but ended up with nothing."
"Master Chen has excellent skills. He finally opened up the sale of 4th and 5th level Soul Guidance devices."
People passing by were discussing, and those interested approached Uncle Fu to inquire about the exact opening time.
After a while, Chen Fu looked at the densely packed appointment requests in his hand and couldn't help but feel a headache. Did they really take him for a wish-fulfilling machine?
"Young Master, someone from Nine Treasures City is here." Uncle Fu came to inform. There were some people he could refuse, but the face of this material supplier couldn't be ignored.
"Well, let's see if he also wants to make a wish. Also, tell those who requested customization that they can pick up their orders on time next month."
Rubbing his forehead lightly, Chen Fu thought, the schedule for intelligent technology should be on the agenda. Basic programming was currently achievable, but how to implement shortcut Soul Spirit technology was a challenge.
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