Chapter 134: Are You Her Lover?
"Level seventy?" Qian Renxue had no objections to Su Cheng's arrangement, but she was somewhat puzzled.
"You mentioned this before, why are you in such a hurry to have me reach level seventy?" she asked.
"This is related to another matter," Su Cheng replied, turning to look at her.
"Regarding what you said before, the girl I took away, she comes from a place called Shrek Academy and is also preparing to participate in this year's Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament."
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly at his words.
Although her previous anger had dissipated to some extent, she still cared about this matter and was waiting for Su Cheng's explanation.
"Among the members of that team, there is a member who has transformed into a hundred-thousand-year soul beast," Su Cheng continued, "You remember how powerful the Martial Soul True Body brought by a hundred-thousand-year soul ring can be, right? Moreover, the souls of soul beasts above a hundred thousand years have a chance to be preserved in the soul ring."
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast transformation?!" Qian Renxue's spirit shook.
She naturally remembered the power of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring vividly, especially when combined with a Martial Soul True Body, the strength could undergo a qualitative transformation.
Although losing the enhancement of two soul skills brought by the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, she could gain a significant enhancement in domain and martial soul, completely different from the Martial Soul True Body used by ordinary Soul Saints.
In a dream in another world, she had absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring as her seventh soul ring, so she was very clear about its significance.
Her original plan was to wait until level seventy before finding an opportunity to hunt down the hundred-thousand-year soul beast in the dream.
But doing so would involve greater risks.
Killing the beast itself wasn't a problem; with the intervention of the Title Douluo from the Martial Soul Hall, she only needed to deliver the final blow.
But the problem lay with Bibi Dong.
In the simulated world, she could do this because Su Cheng had reached an understanding with Bibi Dong, making this soul beast a bargaining chip between them.
But in the real world, trying to obtain that soul ring would be akin to snatching food from Bibi Dong's mouth, with huge variables involved.
Qian Renxue thought for a moment before asking, "If that's the case, why don't we just take action directly? What does it have to do with the Academy Tournament? I've never heard of this Shrek Academy before, and I doubt there are any strong individuals there, right?"
Su Cheng shook his head, explaining, "No, we can't. That transformed soul beast is secretly protected by Tang Hao. Unless you can persuade your grandfather to take action, we won't stand a chance."
"The Tang Hao who disappeared for more than a decade?"
"Yes, him. He should have reached the peak Douluo level by now, and he even possesses a ninth hundred-thousand-year soul ring."
Qian Renxue fell silent at his words.
It was highly probable that Qian Daoliu wouldn't be willing to take action, and she didn't want to plead with him either.
Qian Daoliu's tolerance towards members of the Tang Sect was unusually high.
Not to mention that Tang Hao was the inheritor of this generation's Tang Sect Supreme Douluo.
Even during the previous battle with Qian Xun, he hadn't said much, let alone make an exception for a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Even if she didn't tell him the truth beforehand and tricked him into going, the most he would do would be to save herself at the end, never putting too much thought into that hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
With a change of heart, Qian Renxue now understood Su Cheng's intention.
With a serious expression, she said, "So, you want that transformed soul beast to be exposed in front of everyone, and then we'll take advantage of the chaos?"
"That's right," Su Cheng nodded calmly. "Once that soul beast's true form is exposed, there will inevitably be conflicts between Tang Hao and the Martial Soul Hall. Bibi Dong has a second martial soul and is determined to obtain the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, but Tang Hao won't let her succeed. We'll seize the opportunity to strike during the chaos. As long as you can kill it on the spot, the Martial Soul Hall will naturally support you in absorbing the soul ring. Even Bibi Dong won't be able to say anything by then."
Listening to this plan, Qian Renxue didn't show much joy on her face; instead, she seemed worried.
"But have you considered the risks involved? With just the two of us, our chances are slim," she said.
"There are risks, but when strength is lacking, we have to take risks. This is the best opportunity. Neither Tang Hao nor Bibi Dong is someone we can contend with. They have their own grievances, and that transformed soul beast won't often expose itself to the view of Title Douluo. The only chance to bring them together is during the finals of the Soul Master Tournament."
Su Cheng remained calm, indicating that he had already considered this plan for a long time.
"At least by then, you'll have the support of some forces from the Martial Soul Hall, and I have a peak Douluo-level combat power on my side. When I reach the Soul King level, my strength will be at least at the level of a high-level Soul Saint."
"Besides, our presence is not strong, we'll be lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment, and we have absolute initiative."
"With this advantage, as long as the timing is right, there's at least a thirty percent chance of success!"
A thirty percent chance was already worth a try.
And that was just Su Cheng's conservative estimate.
Dugu Bo excelled in group attacks, and with his improved strength, restraining the existence of all Title Douluo present was not difficult.
Chen Xing and Gu Rong won't necessarily take action then.
Their relationship was one reason, but the key was that they didn't need the soul rings on Xiao Wu, and it wasn't possible to grab them and raise them until Ning Rongrong reached level ninety.
It might be possible for the foolish Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect to do this, but with Ning Fengzhi's wit, they would definitely understand the principle of cherishing what they already had.
Of course, Su Cheng's greatest confidence still came from himself.
Until now, he couldn't be sure how much the fifth soul ring would enhance him.
If the effect exceeded expectations, there might be an additional twenty percent chance.
And in this three-way confrontation, having a fifty percent chance of winning was an absolute advantage.
"There's another question," Qian Renxue said, looking at Su Cheng with probing eyes.
"If I absorb the hundred-thousand-year soul ring and ascend to Soul Saint, do you still have a chance to win the final championship?"
"That's when it gets interesting," Su Cheng chuckled lightly.
"With your current strength, it won't be enough once I ascend to Soul King."
...
Less than a month later, Su Cheng came to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone.
After Qian Renxue fully understood all the details of the plan and waited for Su Cheng to make all the necessary preparations, she returned to the Spirit Hall City in advance to take the heart broken Red.
This visit to the Heavenly Dou Empire, apart from some personal reasons, was mainly to inquire about the use of the Immortal Herb and the dormant host personality.
Now that she had received relatively satisfactory results, and even had some unexpected surprises, she couldn't afford to delay any longer.
The risky plan that Su Cheng had mentioned, even with her current temperament, couldn't help but feel alarmed, not daring to take it lightly.
And this time, Su Cheng's return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Glass Sect was for the purpose of promoting the potion.
There was no faction more suitable than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with its vast wealth and business spread across the continent.
Moreover, it was a win-win situation. Considering the risks Su Cheng had to bear, it was hard to say who would benefit more.
"Xiao Cheng, you're saying that this potion, when consumed by a Soul Master, can help them conceal their own aura and cultivation base, making it difficult even for Title Douluo to perceive?" Ning Fengzhi looked surprised as he watched Su Cheng take out the potion.
Not only him, but Chen Xing and Gu Rong beside him also had serious expressions.
Although they knew that Su Cheng had deep research in this area, they still had some doubts in their hearts, thinking that this child might be underestimating the perception ability of Title Douluo-level experts.
In the Douluo Continent, the most straightforward way to judge a Soul Master's strength is to observe their soul ring quantity.
But for powerful individuals with strong spiritual power, such troubles were unnecessary.
If there was a significant difference in cultivation level between two Soul Masters, one could easily discern the approximate level of the other.
"That's right, Sect Master, you also know that I have some research in herbal medicine. This is one of my achievements in recent years. I hope you can promote it on my behalf, and the profits can be distributed according to the situation. The effect is guaranteed, I have already let Senior Dugu Bo try it before, and Master and Senior can also experience it."
Su Cheng looked at Ning Fengzhi seriously and said, "I have only one request. I hope that when the medicine is sold in the early stage, the price set should not be too high. First, promote it as much as possible so that the vast majority of soul masters are aware of the existence of this medicine."
He wasn't worried that Ning Fengzhi would be driven by greed.
The benefit of doing business with smart people lies here. The other party has enough sense to know how to balance each other's psychological expectations.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi picked up the medicine and observed it for a while.
Then he opened the bottle and drank it in one gulp.
In just a moment, the powerful aura of a Soul Saint-level completely converged and became invisible.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong were stunned. Ning Fengzhi's soul power level, which was clearly distinguishable in their eyes, became as indiscernible as that of an ordinary person without cultivation.
Even with their peak Douluo-level perception ability, they couldn't see through the depth of the other party.
Of course, with Ning Fengzhi's demeanor and temperament, he was obviously not an ordinary person.
So if he walked outside like this, it would actually make people more cautious, only feeling that this person's strength far exceeded their own.
As a powerhouse at the peak of the Soul Saint level, Ning Fengzhi was equally sensitive to his own situation.
After silently concentrating for a while, he raised his head and said, "The effect of the medicine can last for about three days. If it is used by a soul master below the King rank, one bottle of medicine is enough for more than ten days. The lower the cultivation level, the longer the duration."
At this moment, his face still showed a mixture of disbelief and excitement.
His surprise came not only from the visible commercial value of this bottle of medicine but more importantly from his keen sense of the strategic significance it possessed.
While earning profits, the potential influence gained was even more astonishing.
Not all soul masters like to act ostentatiously.
Talented individuals abound on the continent, and apart from the Title Douluo, there are few soul masters who dare to claim that they won't encounter stronger opponents.
In the world of soul masters, strength always comes first. With a medicine that can conceal one's cultivation level, even without considering other effects, just the ability to obscure one's strength could play a significant role, greatly enhancing the personal safety of many lone soul masters.
Moreover, although this kind of medicine is precious, it is not too extravagant. At least with the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Glass Sect, they can definitely afford it.
After contemplating for a while, Ning Fengzhi looked at Su Cheng, his excitement still evident in his eyes.
"Xiao Cheng, after selling the medicine, the sect will take 15% of the profits. What do you think?"
This price is quite fair, and it can even be said that Ning Fengzhi has made quite a concession.
In terms of business, the Seven Treasure Glazed Glass Sect's channels are second only to the Martial Soul Hall and the two great empires on the continent.
Just this kind of resource alone could be worth a considerable share.
However, Su Cheng refused with a wave of his hand.
"Master, this proportion doesn't seem appropriate. I suggest a fifty-fifty split."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's face did not show any joy. Instead, he felt a tightening in his heart.
Although he did make a concession in the previous ratio, no matter how powerful the sales channels are, they are not worth a fifty percent profit.
After exchanging a glance with Chen Xin in silence, he gently smiled and said, "Xiao Cheng, fifty-fifty is too much. It seems you haven't done much business, so you don't have a concept. Even if we are like a family, you can't make endless concessions."
"Yes, Cheng'er, since Fengzhi has spoken, let's go with his previous proposal," Chen Xin also advised in a low voice, pretending to be displeased. "As a teacher, how can you take advantage of your disciple?"
Su Cheng quickly bowed and apologized, "It was my rashness. Let's go with what the Sect Master said."
However, he sighed inwardly. Since it was like this, he would just give up all the profits.
He didn't expect Ning Fengzhi's perception to be so keen, seemingly sensing some of his thoughts just from this detail.
What Su Cheng didn't say was that there were antidotes specifically tailored to this kind of medicine.
After completing the plan, he planned to give the antidote to the Seven Treasure Glazed tile Sect as well, to avoid too many additional variables due to the emergence of this medicine.
He had no intention of tricking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
During this period of time, how much money the other party could earn and how much they could expand their network would depend on Ning Fengzhi's own methods.
...
After leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Su Cheng returned to Tian Dou City.
This time, he didn't return to the academy but wandered around the city.
From a distance, he saw a long line outside a fruit shop, extending out of sight.
At the entrance of the fruit shop, a woman was busy back and forth.
The woman had a graceful figure and a slender waist. Even if you didn't look at her face directly, just her back was enough to make people unable to hold back their admiration.
Then she turned her head, wearing a plain headscarf on her head. Although her face looked a little dusty, her beauty was still evident.
The long line in front of the fruit stall, how many people were genuinely there to buy fruit, and how many were there to steal glances at the woman's beauty, it's hard to say.
After seeing this scene from a distance, Su Cheng shook his head with a light smile and walked over, swaggering to the front of the line.
This behavior immediately caused a lot of dissatisfaction and commotion.
"Hey! Don't you know how to line up?!"
"Where did this kid come from? So rude!"
"Aren't Soul Masters supposed to line up? Look carefully, I'm also a Soul Master!"
"I'm still a big customer of Moon Pavilion."
...
At this moment, hearing the commotion, Ah Yin, who was standing with her back to the store, turned her head and saw Su Cheng smiling at her. Her face first showed a moment of surprise, then quickly lowered her head.
In these days, what she did was no different from an ordinary person. She had never used soul power, so she didn't feel Su Cheng's approach just now.
Otherwise, given their relationship, she should have sensed something.
The next moment, a middle-aged woman suddenly rushed out of the shop, angrily shouting, "Who dares to cause trouble here?"
She could run a small shop in Tian Dou City, where every inch of land was valuable, although she was not a soul master, she evidently had some background.
In the Tian Dou Empire, the environment was different from the Star Luo Empire. Here, the strength of the nobles varied, and it was difficult to say which ordinary person had connections with which noble family.
Soul Masters were rare, but as long as the Imperial City's public order was good, she wasn't afraid of anyone.
"You, madam, misunderstood." Su Cheng said politely to the woman, smiling, "I'm here to pick someone up."
He pointed to Ah Yin, who was standing silently next to him.
The woman was first startled when she heard this, then she carefully looked at Su Cheng and nodded inwardly. His words were pleasant, and his demeanor was extraordinary. He didn't seem like a bad person.
Seeing A Yin's embarrassed expression as she stood there with her head down, she smiled and said, "Are you her lover? With such a beautiful wife, you should take care of her well. I've seen her wandering around the city for a few days, not saying anything, just staying in the shop to take care of it. Be sure to take good care of her in the future, don't let her get angry and leave home again."
Soul masters mature early. Although Su Cheng looked slightly younger than Ah Yin, considering A Yin's innocent demeanor, the two indeed looked like peers.
Su Cheng didn't mind being misunderstood by a stranger, but seeing Ah Yin's face flush red and her struggling expression as if she wanted to speak but didn't know how to, he explained with a smile, "Sister, you misunderstood. She's my sister."
He pointed to the side of his head with his right hand, "She has some problems. She went missing for a while before, and our family was very worried. I spent a lot of effort to find her."
"No wonder." The woman nodded in understanding.
Although she didn't think the girl was stupid, her words and actions were indeed overly naive, as if she had never left home before and was ignorant of everything.
Thinking of this, she looked at Ah Yin with a little pity and earnestly advised, "Then you must take good care of your sister in the future and never let her go out alone again."
Ah Yin noticed Su Cheng's movements and words, and her heart suddenly surged with anger. She wanted to refute.
Then she saw the woman's reaction and her face turned red instantly.
Turning around and lowering her head, she felt extremely embarrassed.
Recalling her experiences and the things she had done during these days, it seemed indeed that she couldn't be called smart.