I've Been Too Nice to You, Damn It!

Xiao Qiang felt Tian Meng's control over his digestive system. His belly, which had been gradually swelling, slowly shrank back down, and he breathed a sigh of relief while marveling at how right his decision had been.

Xiao Qiang's Soul Power was only level 32. If he relied solely on cultivation, reaching level 40 in less than a year was practically impossible.

After all, even Tang Ya, who possessed a devouring ability, had taken a year to go from three rings to four. If he wanted to raise his Soul Power as quickly as possible under such circumstances, he had to make use of every resource available to him.

That meant Xiao Qiang had to find ways to develop both his own potential and Tian Meng's as much as possible.

Back when he had read Douluo Continent: Legend of the Dragon King, Xiao Qiang had greatly envied Tang Wulin's ability to improve his physical constitution through massive amounts of eating.

Thus, the moment Xiao Qiang recalled everything from his past life during his Spirit Awakening, he began researching methods of improving his physical constitution through eating large quantities of food.

But the Xiao Qiang of before had ultimately been nothing more than a Soul Master who had not even reached level 30. Creating a Soul Skill—especially one that did not suit his martial soul very well—was obviously unreliable when he thought about it.

After dozens of attempts, Xiao Qiang eventually discovered that his control over his physical body, as well as his control over Soul Power and spiritual power, was severely lacking.

So, before obtaining Tian Meng, Xiao Qiang had already considered what he would do afterward.

Whether Tian Meng could extract Soul Power from food or extract something that could improve his physical constitution from it, both would bring Xiao Qiang nothing but benefits. Therefore, as soon as he obtained Tian Meng, Xiao Qiang had him begin researching this method of becoming stronger through eating.

It could be considered a slight reduction in the difficulty of raising his Soul Power by eight levels in less than a year.

Although Xiao Qiang was not sure by how much it would reduce the difficulty, any reduction was good. After all, without Immortal Herbs, gaining eight levels in less than a year was no easy task, even with Xiao Qiang's knowledge of the plot and despite all his limitations.

"All right. It's only a rough prototype for now, but it's more or less usable. I'll slowly improve the rest."

"As expected of Brother Sky Dream. I knew you could do it."

Xiao Qiang spoke flattering words, giving Tian Meng a sense of satisfaction and pride he had never felt before. Since he was putting on an act, he had to see it through. Besides, there would be many things in the future that required Tian Meng to take charge, so he could not let Tian Meng lose confidence.

Just as Tian Meng, using Xiao Qiang's body, was wolfing down meat and savoring the delicacies of the human world, someone wearing a Shrek Academy uniform entered. He raised a hand and called the barbecue shop owner over, then whispered a few words into his ear.

The barbecue shop owner was startled. Then he looked at the Shrek Academy uniform and seemed to make up his mind.

Before long, the barbecue shop owner came over to Tian Meng's version of Xiao Qiang and interrupted him while he was eating.

"Pay up."

Tian Meng had wanted to lose his temper, but Xiao Qiang immediately seized control of his body and placed a Gold Soul Coin on the table.

Gold Soul Coins, Silver Soul Coins, and Bronze Soul Coins had a value ratio of one to ten. One Gold Soul Coin was worth one hundred Bronze Soul Coins, while a Bronze Soul Coin was worth around twenty yuan. It was more than enough to cover this meal.

"Xiao Qiang! What are you doing? That guy interrupted my meal! I was eating so happily!" Tian Meng said indignantly within the sea of consciousness.

"All right, Brother Sky Dream. The House of Ice Splitting does not raise cattle or sheep. As Soul Masters, especially people like me who intend to strive for godhood in the future, we are already among the upper class of this world."

"As members of the upper class, there's no need to argue with them over this. Ordinary people already have a hard enough time surviving, and we did eat quite a lot this time. It's understandable that he would be worried about us skipping out on the bill."

Xiao Qiang explained it to Tian Meng. Having once been at the bottom himself, he understood the hardships of those at the bottom, so he did not mind being asked to pay early in the middle of his meal.

"This is enough, right?" Xiao Qiang pointed at the Gold Soul Coin.

"Enough, enough, it's—" The barbecue shop owner instinctively pocketed the Gold Soul Coin. Halfway through his words, he looked toward the Shrek Soul Master.

Thinking that this was the only chance in his life to come into contact with a Shrek Soul Master, the delighted expression brought by receiving a Gold Soul Coin vanished at once, replaced by fury and malice.

"Enough! Stop eating!"

The barbecue shop owner stopped Tian Meng's version of Xiao Qiang from eating again, angering Tian Meng so much that he wanted to hit someone. Xiao Qiang also frowned slightly.

"So far, you've served a total of eleven portions of beef, eleven portions of lamb, and eleven portions of lettuce. They're all ordinary beef and lamb, not soul beast meat, so each portion only costs two or three Bronze Soul Coins. Even including the lettuce, I've eaten less than seven Silver Soul Coins' worth at most. Do you think I don't know the prices, or is this a scam shop?"

The barbecue shop owner was instantly intimidated by the aura of a Soul Master emanating from Xiao Qiang. But when he thought of the task that Lord Soul Master from Shrek had given him, and thought of this being his only chance to connect with a Shrek Soul Master, he still forced himself to speak sternly. "You used too much dipping sauce!"

"Huh?" Xiao Qiang was dumbfounded by the owner's words.

"The ingredients used in Thousand Mile Fragrance Barbecue's dipping sauce are extremely precious. The costs are incredibly high! Who told you to dip it like that?"

"The dipping sauce is precious? No wonder it tastes so good," Tian Meng said in the sea of consciousness, leaving Xiao Qiang somewhat speechless.

He truly had never eaten anything good before, so the first time he tasted something even slightly good, he could not stop.

Xiao Qiang took out another Gold Soul Coin and placed it on the table. "Is this enough with this added?"

It was ultimately not much money, so Xiao Qiang had no intention of wasting too much energy on it.

The barbecue shop owner quickly pocketed the second Gold Soul Coin. He had accepted the money, but...

"Get out. You're not welcome here."

The barbecue shop owner pointed at Xiao Qiang. Between two Gold Soul Coins and making friends with a Shrek Soul Master, he knew perfectly well which mattered more.

"You took the Gold Soul Coins, didn't you?"

"Get out!"

"You took the money, but I've only eaten half the food. You want me to leave?"

"I said get the hell out. You're not welcome here."

"Then return the Gold Soul Coins."

"No! Get the hell out already!" As he spoke, the barbecue shop owner prepared to shove Xiao Qiang outside.

In an instant, Xiao Qiang's eyes turned into the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. His eyes clearly caught the owner's movements as he casually knocked aside the hand reaching for him. Then he grabbed an empty bowl beside him and slammed it onto the owner's face, sending him flying five meters away.

Then three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—pulsed around Xiao Qiang, displaying his cultivation as a Soul Elder.

"I've been too nice to you, damn it!"