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At this moment, Gu Yue'na, lost in thought, completely unaware of whether her numerous questions would arouse Tang San's suspicions about her identity?
Fortunately, Tang San had long known Gu Yue'na's identity, but chose not to reveal it.
"Thank you, Lord Count!"
Five minutes later, Lingmeng came running back, excitedly hugged Tang San, kissed him on the lips quickly, then swiftly backed away, maintaining the dignity of a servant, her face flushed like a ripe apple.
It's understandable why she was excited. Anyone who could directly become a Soul Douluo from a Soul Master would react the same way.
Although this peculiar soul ring did not bestow any soul skills upon her, Lingmeng could sense that it was integrated with her, evolving with her cultivation. Every time she operated her soul power in a specific way, the three flowers within the soul ring would slightly open and close, as if pulsating, helping her refine the heavenly energy more quickly.
With her innate full soul power talent, becoming a Titled Douluo within fifty years is not just a daydream!
As for soul skills, Lingmeng didn't mind.
Titled-level soul power is sufficient to deal with the vast majority of soul masters. Moreover, she is now a maid at the Silver Blue Estate. Although the contract of indenture has been torn up and the Count has retained her and her mother through employment, how could she not repay this kindness?
She even thought of offering herself... However, over these past two days, she has realized one thing: the Count is a sentimental person. Perhaps he may joke with her later, but unlike other nobles, he won't be lecherous. It's just harmless banter.
Just like Miss Qiubao of the Seven Treasure Glass Sect, Lingmeng can tell she also has feelings for the Count, but the Count's relationship with her is not as intimate as with Xiao Wu and Guang Ling, these two ladies.
As for Miss Lan Yinzi, Lingmeng is not quite sure what her relationship with Tang San is...
"No need to thank me. It was just a sudden whim of mine to have you try it out, and now it's just a success," Tang San interrupted Ling Meng's thoughts, mentioning some precautions for her future cultivation, "When you reach level forty in your cultivation, the key to breakthrough is to shatter the chains with a combination of soul power, vitality, and spirit."
"You've felt the benefits of breaking the chains, haven't you? It can directly infuse heavenly energy into your body, reducing the time needed to cultivate soul power."
"However, I estimate that each time you break through a chain in the future, you'll need twice the energy compared to the previous time."
Just like a beast crossing the calamity, Lingmeng's situation is akin to a humanoid beast, and she doesn't need to endure heavenly tribulations. As long as she isn't killed by someone, as long as she keeps cultivating, theoretically, she can live forever.
Unfortunately, most people with mutated martial souls like her, due to lack of suitable cultivation methods, are unable to break through the tenth level of soul power. Many die young and are manipulated to death by others.
"I'm happy just being able to cultivate. How can I dare ask for more?" Lingmeng shook her head, not minding at all, her eyes filled with admiration for Tang San.
Next, Tang San tested Lingmeng's soul power attribute, which turned out to be wind.
Then, he had someone call Ling Xi over to help check her body. Then, it was a matter of repetition, just like when he condensed the soul ring for Lingmeng, he condensed a soul ring for her in the form of three blooming flowers.
However, the flowers representing soul power were a mix of blue and white.
After testing, Ling Xi's soul power attribute was found to be lightning.
Mother and daughter, one wind and one lightning, complement each other well.
"Thank you, Lord." After condensing the soul ring, Ling Xi's soul power reached level forty-nine, just one step away from becoming a Soul King.
Apart from the infusion of heavenly energy from breaking the chains, it was also because she had not neglected her cultivation over the years, adhering to the idea that "even if soul power cultivated cannot break through realms, it can still enhance physical fitness." She persisted day after day, month after month, year after year, under Tang San's guidance, finally becoming a Soul Ancestor.
Even Ling Xi had a feeling that after the condensation of this peculiar soul ring, her soul and body seemed to have been cleansed, refreshed, and returned to a pure state as if reborn! To her, this sensation was incredibly marvelous, as if she had regained her youth, even her soul felt rejuvenated! When Ling Xi and Lingmeng stood together now, they no longer looked like mother and daughter, but rather like a pair of charming and shy twin sisters!
It was truly unbelievable!
"Lingmeng, you keep an eye on Gu Yue'na. I'll take your mother to the soul tool manufacturing workshop in Tian Dou City," Tang San instructed, then turned to Ling Xi, "Let's go, see if you really have talent in management."
"I will not disappoint you, my Lord," Ling Xi smiled gracefully, slightly bowing with a hint of playfulness.
It seemed that after undergoing the purification of both body and mind, her character had become more lively.
[It seems that condensing one's own soul ring has some side effects...]
With a pensive look, Tang San left the estate with Ling Xi, heading towards the small workshop in Tian Dou City where soul tools were produced.
Though it was called a small workshop, it was actually quite large, covering an area of two thousand square meters with over a hundred employees, divided into three main departments: financial management, procurement, and assembly line for crafting.
As for the final sales, most of the products were transported to the Seven Treasure Glass Sect for their industrial responsibility. A small portion was sold at retail in small shops within Tian Dou City at relatively affordable prices.
"Ling Tang Soul Tool Technology Unlimited Company?" Ling Xi lifted her head and saw these words written on the plaque outside the workshop, looking puzzled. "Technology, company... what do they mean?"
"Technology is something that can change the world, and a company, you can think of it as a workshop," Tang San explained in terms Ling Xi could understand, then continued, "Originally, it should have been called a limited company, but upon careful consideration, I don't need to be confined by reality. So I directly chose the word 'Unlimited,' meaning unlimited soul tool technology. It also welcomes anyone with similar aspirations to join the Ling Tang Soul Tool Technology Unlimited Company."
"I see." Ling Xi seemed to understand, then asked, "What does Ling Tang mean?"
"Ling for Guang Ling, Tang for Tang San," Tang San patiently explained, "It signifies our joint creation, but because Guang Ling researched the soul-guiding camera, photography box, and parent-child soul-guiding camera, I only provided some theoretical support. The main research was still done by her. Therefore, it's called Ling Tang, and she comes before me."
Ling Xi chuckled, saying, "Ling Tang sounds better than Tang Ling. The latter sounds like a person's name."
Entering the Ling Tang Soul Tool Technology Unlimited Company, the gatekeeper approached Tang San immediately, saying, "I'm sorry, but random people are not allowed to enter here, even if you disguise yourself well."
Tang San could only smile wryly and extend his right hand, releasing his Blue Silver Emperor martial soul and those five soul rings, asking, "It seems that during my absence from Tian Dou, many people have tried to imitate me and sneak in here."
"It's really you, my Lord!" The gatekeeper immediately became flustered, and his cry attracted nearby staff.
"My Lord, it's my fault for not keeping a closer watch. I'll dismiss him immediately," the staff member first apologized to Tang San with a smile, then immediately scolded the dumbfounded gatekeeper, "You blind fool, can't you even tell the real from the fake? Who can disguise themselves to look exactly like him, even in appearance and temperament? Can't you see that? Don't come back tomorrow..."
Tang San raised his hand to stop the steward from speaking further, saying, "He's just doing his duty, what's wrong with that?"
The steward was dumbfounded. In his previous position elsewhere, when encountering similar situations, he would scold his subordinates in front of the master, deduct their monthly wages, and kick them out... This was the first time he encountered a master who spoke up for the erring servant.
"How much is his monthly wage?" Tang San asked.
"Two hundred silver soul coins per month," the steward replied.
"Two hundred a month. It's barely enough to get by in this expensive city of Tian Dou," Tang San analyzed, "His wage will double to five hundred a month."
"Thank you, my Lord!" The gatekeeper was pleasantly surprised. He thought he would lose his job, but unexpectedly, he got a pay raise.
"However, this three hundred isn't a freebie," Tang San said with a faint smile, "Getting an extra three hundred without reason might breed jealousy among the other gatekeepers. So, I'll give you two options. Firstly, you take five hundred this month, and your wage will revert to two hundred after that. Secondly, I promote you to be the captain of the gatekeepers, in charge of all the gatekeepers at the east gate. Do you feel confident about that?"
The gatekeeper showed a thoughtful expression, then gritted his teeth and said, "I'll take the one-month increase."
He knew he wasn't cut out for managing others.
"Very well." Tang San nodded, instructing the steward to give him the three hundred silver soul coins in advance, then proceeded to enter the financial management department of the Ling Tang Soul Tool Technology Unlimited Company with Ling Xi.
"My Lord, that steward seems a bit arrogant, doesn't he?" Ling Xi asked.
"Perhaps he's just afraid of me blaming him, so he exaggerated the situation and pinned it on that gatekeeper," Tang San saw through it, "Keep an eye on him. If he exceeds the three-strike rule and overly harshly disciplines his subordinates more than three times within a month, then dismiss him."
"Understood," Ling Xi said, understanding.
Afterward, Tang San summoned all the personnel from the financial department and announced that Ling Xi would be the head of affairs for the Ling Tang Soul Tool Technology Unlimited Company, responsible for all company matters.
Ling Xi's sudden insertion naturally caused some dissatisfaction among the staff, but when Tang San announced that Ling Xi was a Level 49 Soul Ancestor, everyone accepted it.
After all, Soul Masters were the most respected profession on the continent!
Tang San couldn't change this mindset, and for Ling Xi, it was a good thing as it would greatly reduce instances of subordinates going against orders.
As long as Ling Xi didn't become too obsessed with the privileges brought by her own power...
(End of this chapter)