First Meeting

Cries of "So handsome!" rang out as the girls who had just called Jasmine a lovestruck fool all stared with stars in their eyes.

The Golden Cudgel that had been tucked horizontally in her hair like a hairpin was pulled out and enlarged in the man's hand. Feeling the overwhelming power within the staff, the man's attempt to strike back was suppressed.

Shen Ranxi stepped on the man's shoulder and leaned down slightly, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth as her gentle voice rang through the small shop:

"Had a little Horse Urine and forgotten what you are, huh? A Soul Master raising his fist at the weak—does that satisfy that self-esteem of yours, smaller than a needle's eye? At your age, you're still only at the Second Ring. If I were you, I'd find somewhere to hang myself. You really are Two-Face—shameless on one side, thick-skinned on the other. You reek like a garbage dump. Setting foot in such a cute shop is pollution, lowering its standards."

The string of trash talk insulted him without using a single curse word, hitting the man right where it hurt. His face flushed red as his defenses crumbled.

Xiao Wu and Tang San stared at the scene with Wide Eyes.

Shen Ranxi looked at the man with a half-smile. "Do you have anything else to say?"

Feeling the force on his shoulder, the man knew that if he said another word, his bones would be crushed. Tears streaming down his face, he shook his head in terror.

"I won't do it again! I won't! Wah—sob, sob—"

Shen Ranxi looked speechlessly at the man, whose face was smeared with snot and tears. Where had that arrogance from earlier gone? Damn it, she looked like the villain bullying someone.

She moved her foot away in disgust. "Tch. Useless."

The man scrambled away.

"Wait. Hand over the money on you." Trembling, the man took out his money and placed it on the table before fleeing at top speed.

Shen Ranxi handed the Money Bag to Jasmine.

Jasmine stared blankly at her as those Golden Pupils reflected her flushed cheeks.

It's all because of this damned charm of mine. I'm such a heartthrob.

She smiled at the girl. "Take it. Consider it compensation for your emotional distress." With that, she picked up her packaged drink and left.

Sensing two unusual gazes, she looked up and saw a beautiful girl who looked like a bunny-eared maiden and a delicate-looking boy watching her.

Shen Ranxi gave them an unreadable smile and left calmly.

Xiao Wu blinked and said to Tang San, "Little San, she's so cool. I like her. I wonder if we'll see her again."

Tang San smiled faintly. "She's not weak. We'll meet again someday." Her moves had been so swift, her footwork elusive. She was definitely no ordinary person.

Qingshan Fu.

Shen Ranxi brought the gifts she had bought on this outing to Sister Mosna and received a gentle smile from her.

"Sister Mosna, where's Little Bell? She didn't come with you?" Shen Ranxi asked lazily, leaning back in the large chair that seemed custom-made for Mosna and crossing her legs.

"Look at the way you're sitting. How is that proper for a girl?" Even Mosna's reproachful words sounded impossibly gentle.

Shen Ranxi said indifferently, "Who decided what a girl should look like? Drag him in front of me and let him explain it." I'll smash his damned mouth to pieces.

"Besides, nobody says men are allowed to visit brothels, yet they still can't control what's below their belts. Tch." Shen Ranxi placed both hands behind her head and curled her lips sarcastically.

Mosna was persuaded by her. She had merely mentioned it casually; etiquette was still useful on certain occasions.

"Haha, Sister Mosna, you taught me my etiquette. Of course I know it. When I need to, I can put on an act. Right now, I just don't want to make things difficult for myself."

Yet she thought that the weak needed to abide by worldly conventions, while the Strong Expert could act as though no one else existed.

With a flip, she left the room. "I'm going to look for Little Bell."

After leaving Qingshan Fu—the Beauty Salon—Shen Ranxi arrived at a secluded corner and entered a courtyard. She pressed a switch on the wall, revealing a long staircase, then walked down it at an unhurried pace.

By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, the view had suddenly opened up.

It was a huge, spacious, curved hall with two long tables in the center. Doors stood every four meters along the stone walls, some closed and some open.

Knocking sounds came from behind the closed doors.

Someone had already noticed Shen Ranxi. "Pavilion Master."

This was the Technology Pavilion Shen Ranxi had assembled by gathering talented people, intended for researching Soul Tools and technology.

Shen Ranxi felt that the power in this world was far too good to waste. They already had electricity, yet the technology tree had not been developed at all. Society was still primarily agricultural and reliant on manpower, with only simple industrial and commercial activities. If they had to farm thousands of acres like they did in the Northeast during her Previous Life, wouldn't that exhaust people to death?

She had decided to give the Douluo Continent a shock.

She provided the ideas while these people researched and implemented them. With all kinds of rewards dangling before them, the group of donkeys who never rested worked with tremendous enthusiasm.

"How is the progress?"

Yu Ke, wearing glasses, looked at the young Pavilion Master with admiration. "The first version of the harvester has completed testing and has already been sent to the Auction House. There are also some simple household appliances."

"Not bad. Those Nobles will fight to get them. They save manpower and resources, and the money we spend will soon return to us in another form. Have this round of bonuses been distributed to everyone?"

Yu Ke nodded repeatedly. "Pavilion Master, you're brilliant and mighty! I want to follow you forever!"

...Is this the joy of being a leader? Getting flattered feels pretty good. No wonder so many people in my Previous Life liked being leaders, Shen Ranxi thought happily.

"Where is Little Bell?"

"The Deputy Pavilion Master is in the laboratory. She hasn't come out for two days." Yu Ke looked somewhat worried.

Shen Ranxi walked to the door, pushed it open, and entered.

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb me?" Little Bell said without looking up when she heard the movement.

"Didn't I tell you that you can't do this? It's bad for your health." Shen Ranxi frowned in disapproval.

Little Bell heard the familiar voice and turned around in delight. Seeing her sister, she hastily put down what she was holding and pounced on her, tightly wrapping her arms around Shen Ranxi's neck.

"I missed you so much, Sister."

Shen Ranxi curled her lips and patted her back. "All right, all right. You're not a child anymore."

Little Bell puffed up her cheeks, stared with Wide Eyes, and pouted. "No matter how old I am, I'm still Sister's little sister. I want to be this clingy."

"Then why didn't you listen to Sister?" Shen Ranxi said irritably.

Little Bell rubbed her fingers together and changed the subject. "Sister, look. My Soul Tool is almost finished. Its power definitely won't be small!" Her face was full of love for Soul Tools.

Two days later.

At the entrance to Shrek Academy.

Tang San and Xiao Wu arrived at the end of the long line.

Xiao Wu curiously looked at the formidable Shrek Academy Master had spoken of. "Brother, why is it so shabby? Isn't this just a small village?" Disdain flashed through her eyes.

A table stood at the village entrance, behind which sat an Old Man in his sixties. What left Tang San and Xiao Wu staring with Wide Eyes was the somewhat battered plaque hanging from the wooden archway at the entrance. Five simple words were carved upon it: Shrek Academy.

Before those five words was a green portrait that looked like the head of some humanoid monster. It was green and rather cute. The Old Man behind the table also wore a similar round green badge on his chest. It was likely Shrek Academy's school emblem.

Tang San concealed the surprise in his Eyes and could only comfort his little sister first. "Let's take another look. Since Teacher recommended it, it must have something special."