Fleeting Bloom, First Meeting with Flender

A black-haired, black-eyed boy walked out of a shop in Suotuo City, accompanied by a girl with rabbit ears and a blond boy.

"Ding-dong!"

Congratulations, you have completed a two-star mission and gained ownership of ten shops under Holy Soul Village. Reward: 1,860 Soul Power. Reward: 18 Contribution Points. Prosperity gained: 10 points.

The black-haired, black-eyed boy was Ning Qiu of Holy Soul Village. The girl beside him was Xiao Wu, while the boy was Dai Mubai. Seven more children followed behind Ning Qiu—six boys and one girl.

"Brother, it wasn't easy for us to come all the way to Suotuo City. Can we stay here and have fun for a few more days?" Xiao Wu was practically growing mold from staying in Holy Soul Village, and she looked at Ning Qiu pleadingly.

"How could a few days be enough? We should stay for at least three months." Ning Qiu smiled.

"Three months?" Xiao Wu's expression tightened before she smiled thoughtfully. "Brother, are you planning to assign us another mission?"

"Xiao Wu really knows me best. Mubai, give everyone ten Gold Soul Coins. Buy whatever you want, but remember to gather at the hotel at six tonight. I'll begin your second round of training then," Ning Qiu instructed.

"Yes, Ning LaoDa."

Everyone, including Dai Mubai, answered Ning Qiu in unison before going their separate ways.

After everyone had left, Xiao Wu could not help asking curiously, "Brother, tell me. What does the second round of training involve?"

Ning Qiu shook his head. "Why the rush? You'll find out tonight. Come on, go shopping with me."

Over the past six years, Ning Qiu, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai had not wasted a single moment. Ning Qiu in particular had handed nearly all the village's miscellaneous affairs over to Old Jack, while Dai Mubai managed the finances.

Of course, Ning Qiu had not truly become a hands-off shopkeeper. Over those six years, whenever he had time, he read books, completed system missions, or issued a series of orders.

During the past six years, Ning Qiu had instructed the villagers to keep an eye out for children among their relatives who possessed Soul Power when awakening their martial souls. After six years of searching, he had finally gathered seven children with martial souls that satisfied him. His purpose was simple: the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

In preparation for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Ning Qiu had already completed the first round of training for these children, including Xiao Wu.

Ning Qiu's first round of training had been simple: complete one thousand village missions within two years.

One thousand missions was no small number. Fortunately, all of the children had completed them. Now, each of them could stand proudly above others their age.

"Huh, this shop's signboard is rather unusual."

Ning Qiu stopped in front of a shop. Its signboard was somewhat different from the rest. It bore a circular emblem containing several unusual symbols.

Ordinary people might not know what those symbols represented, but Ning Qiu did. Like the tokens of Spirit Hall, they depicted a sword, a hammer, and a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

The signboard indicated that this was a shop for soul masters.

The door was open. A bespectacled middle-aged man lay in a rocking chair with a book in his hands, completely unconcerned that customers might steal from the shop.

Ning Qiu looked around.

In the original storyline, the protagonist Tang San had obtained a natural hidden weapon here—the Dragon Beard Needle. The Dragon Beard Needle required no crafting and formed entirely naturally. It specialized in piercing Protective Qi Auras, making it particularly effective against soul masters like Zhao Wuji and Titan.

"Brother, are these all Soul Tools?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"Some are, while some aren't. The best way to tell is to test each one with Soul Power." As Ning Qiu answered Xiao Wu, he searched for what he wanted.

"The Treasure Pavilion in the village is still better. As long as you spend enough Contribution Points, you never have to worry about buying fakes," Xiao Wu remarked.

"Mm." Ning Qiu nodded, his gaze landing on a crystal beside the wall.

The crystal was only the size of a human head. It was transparent, but large patches of dark impurities filled its interior.

Ning Qiu walked over to the wall, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

"Brother, why are you looking at that worthless crystal? It doesn't have any luster at all. Only purple crystals are valuable," Xiao Wu kindly reminded him.

Ning Qiu shook his head, signaling for Xiao Wu not to speak.

"Boss, how much is this crystal? If the price is right, I'll take it," Ning Qiu asked.

"Not expensive. One hundred Gold Soul Coins." The middle-aged man answered lazily from his rocking chair.

"One hundred Gold Soul Coins? For this lousy crystal? You might as well rob us," Xiao Wu snapped.

"One hundred Gold Soul Coins is already the cheapest price in my shop. Pay if you want it. Leave if you don't," the middle-aged man said lazily.

"Fine, I'll buy it." Ning Qiu took out one hundred Gold Soul Coins and placed them on the table.

"Your money isn't enough. My crystal costs two hundred Gold Soul Coins," the middle-aged man continued.

"Wha... mmph." Just as Xiao Wu was about to speak, Ning Qiu covered her mouth with one hand.

"Deal. Two hundred Gold Soul Coins." Ning Qiu took out another small bag from his Storage Soul Tool and picked up the crystal again.

"You... have no objections?" The middle-aged man opened his eyes and looked at Ning Qiu.

"The deal has already been made. What objection could I have? Here are two hundred Gold Soul Coins." Ning Qiu smiled.

"Fine, then it's five hundred Gold Soul Coins. Final price," the middle-aged man continued.

"What? Five hundred Gold Soul Coins? Sorry, it belongs to me now. I'm not selling it." Ning Qiu gave a smug smile.

"What do you mean? The crystal is mine. The price is five hundred Gold Soul Coins. If you don't have enough money, I can take two hundred Gold Soul Coins first. You can pay the rest gradually. Twenty Gold Soul Coins every month, and you'll finish paying the balance in just one year," the middle-aged man said calmly.

Ning Qiu's heart trembled. He had not expected Flender to see through his current Soul Power Level at a glance, even though he had concealed it so well.

That was right. Ning Qiu's Soul Power Level was now level 48, and he possessed four soul rings. He was a level-48 Battle Soul Grandmaster. Every month, he could collect twenty Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall.

That was precisely why Flender had said Ning Qiu could pay twenty Gold Soul Coins each month.

"Didn't you understand what I said? You named a price of two hundred Gold Soul Coins just now, and I placed the money on your table. The item is already in my hands. In other words, our transaction has been completed. The crystal is mine now." Ning Qiu put the crystal into his Storage Soul Tool, a smug smile curling his lips as he looked at the unscrupulous merchant Flender.

Ning Qiu refused to believe that, with his knowledge of the Douluo storyline, he could not handle a local like Flender.