Preparations Before Departure

Early the next morning, Luo Can woke up early.

He did not set off immediately. Instead, he first walked to the Fate-Defying Spring, took out his fishing rod, and prepared to use up today's Fishing time before leaving.

He cast the rod, and the hook sliced through the water's surface.

The upgraded Fishing Spot was astonishingly efficient. Barely two minutes passed before a distinct tug came from the line. Luo Can flicked his wrist, and a mass of dense black light burst from the water.

The light dispersed over the grass, revealing a small jade bottle.

[Soul Power Pill (Black)]

[Description: Greatly increases Soul Power; immensely effective for those below Soul Douluo]

Luo Can opened the bottle. Five black pills the size of longan fruit lay quietly inside. Their medicinal fragrance assailed his nose, and merely smelling them made him feel refreshed.

He took one out and swallowed it.

The Pill melted the instant it entered his mouth, turning into a surging flood of Soul Power that poured into his dantian. Within only a few breaths, the Soul Power in his body had clearly increased by a considerable amount—equivalent to at least three years of arduous cultivation.

"A black one already has such an effect..."

Surprise flashed through Luo Can's eyes, soon followed by an even deeper anticipation.

"Then what would the higher-quality red ones, or even those beyond them, be like?"

The Fishing efficiency grew even higher afterward. The second cast reeled in a thousand-year Whale Rubber, the third brought up a beast hide scroll recording an ancient Pill Recipe, and the fourth through eighth casts yielded various supplementary herbs and refining materials in succession...

By the time the two hours of Fishing ended, Luo Can had obtained fifteen items in total. The most precious among them was a Spirit Bone that was crystal-clear throughout and glimmered with a pale blue radiance—

[Ice Demon Ape Left Arm Bone (Black · 30,000-Year Grade)]

Although it did not suit his own attributes particularly well, a 30,000-year Spirit Bone was a treasure that would make even Soul Douluo-level powerhouses green with envy anywhere.

[Ding! This Fishing session has ended. Overall rating: Excellent. Reward: 1,000 Points]

[Current Points: 3700]

After glancing at the Points Panel, Luo Can put away his fishing rod. He did not hurry to dismantle the Spirit Bone—one of this level might prove useful in another way someday.

Luo Can took out two jade bottles and filled them with Spirit-Grade Life-Reversing Spring Water. Then he spread his wings, but rather than flying directly toward Sunset Forest, he headed in the direction of Qingshi Town.

This journey would last at least one or two months. The herb shop and the arrangements in the rear had to be properly settled. Although Bai Liuwu and Bai Qiba were reliable, it was ultimately their first time leaving the village and taking charge on their own. Some matters had to be explained clearly in advance.

East Street in Yaowang Town was already bustling in the early morning.

The doors of Luo's Herb Shop had opened early. Bai Qiba was carefully wiping down the counter with a rag, while Bai Liuwu stood before the medicine cabinets, taking inventory of the herbs with swift, attentive movements.

"Good morning, Boss!"

Upon hearing the footsteps, the two looked up at the same time. Seeing Luo Can, they immediately greeted him in unison.

"Morning." Luo Can nodded, walked to the counter, and picked up the account book to look through it.

After reading only a few pages, satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

In just a few days, the two had managed the shop in perfect order. The medicine cabinets, once somewhat cluttered, now had labels on every compartment, with herbs arranged clearly according to their properties and age. Even the empty medicine bottles in the corner had been washed spotless and stacked neatly.

The small ledger on the counter had been kept with meticulous care—what medicine was sold each day, how much money was received, and how much stock remained. There was not even half a copper coin unaccounted for.

"How has business been these past few days? No trouble, I hope?" Luo Can asked casually as he sat in the chair behind the counter.

"Business has been great!" Bai Liuwu immediately replied with a smile. "When the regular customers heard you were back, they all came to buy goods. People from nearby villages also heard that our herbs were high quality and fairly priced, so they came especially for us. We've been making dozens of silver coins every day these past few days!"

As she spoke, she pulled out another ledger from beneath the counter. "This has the detailed transactions for the past few days. Please look it over, Boss."

Bai Qiba added quietly, "No one came looking for trouble. The townspeople have all been quite polite... though a few people asked whether we buy wild herbs they gather. I did not dare make the decision myself, so I told them to wait until you returned."

"You did right." As Luo Can flipped through the account book, he could not help but praise them. "You two have done well—better than I expected."

Their faces flushed from the praise. They hurriedly waved their hands and said it was only what they should do, but the joy in their eyes could not be hidden.

They were both ordinary villagers from Baican Village. Their Innate Soul Power was low, and their martial souls were useless. They could only gather herbs and farm for their entire lives. No one had ever praised them for being capable, much less entrusted such a large shop to them.

Seeing their expressions, Luo Can revealed a gentle smile.

He took out the two jade bottles filled with Spirit-Grade Life-Reversing Spring Water and placed them on the counter. Then, with a wave of his hand, the shop doors silently closed, shutting out the noise outside.

The two looked at him in confusion.

"I said I would lead you onto the path of Spirit Masters."

Luo Can's voice sounded especially clear in the quiet shop.

"This medicine bottle contains a potion that can change your aptitude. After drinking it, it can raise your Innate Soul Power by at least five levels. Take it and drink it now."

The moment his words fell, the shop became so quiet that one could hear a needle drop.

Bai Liuwu and Bai Qiba stared blankly at the two jade bottles. Their hands reached halfway out, then drew back again.

"Th-this is really for us?" Bai Liuwu's voice trembled slightly.

Luo Can nodded. "Yes."

Only then did the two carefully accept the jade bottles. The instant Bai Liuwu opened the cap, a crisp fragrance spread through the air. Merely smelling it made them feel clear-headed, as though even their thoughts had become sharper.

"To avoid any complications, drink them now," Luo Can said.

"O-okay!"

The two stopped hesitating and tipped back their heads, draining the spring water in the bottles in one gulp.

The moment the liquid entered their throats, it transformed into a warm, gentle current that flowed through every part of their bodies. The siblings shuddered at the same time, and a faint golden glow appeared over their skin.

Their Soul Power began to rise—

Level two, level three, level four...

In the end, it steadily stopped at level six.

At the same time, a layer of sticky black filthy blood seeped from their bodies, and a foul stench spread through the shop.

The upgraded Fate-Defying Spring is more than twice as effective as when I first drank it back then, Luo Can thought.

A moment later, the siblings opened their eyes at the same time.

Feeling the unprecedented abundance of Soul Power in their bodies, then seeing the layer of filth covering each other, tears suddenly rolled down their faces without warning.

With two thuds, they both knelt before Luo Can.

"Boss Luo, we will never forget your grace in giving us a new life!"

Luo Can waved his hand, and invisible Soul Power lifted them both to their feet.

"As long as you work for me faithfully, there will naturally be no shortage of benefits."

After saying that, he willed it into being.

The Golden Dragon Moth martial soul appeared behind him, and nine Spirit Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet—

Purple, purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.

The radiance of the nine Spirit Rings turned the entire shop dreamlike and unreal.

Bai Liuwu and Bai Qiba were completely stunned.

The strongest person they had ever seen was the Spirit Hall deacon who had awakened their martial souls years ago—that lord had possessed two Spirit Rings, which had already seemed impossibly lofty to them.

Yet this young boss before them, who had always treated them so gently... had nine!

Nine!

"We swear to follow Boss Luo unto death!"

The two knelt once more, their voices trembling with excitement. From this moment onward, they had given Luo Can their complete loyalty.

He took a book from his Storage Soul Tool. The cover bore the words Embryonic Breathing Meditation Method.

Luo Can had acquired it in his early years. While it was not the most exceptional meditation method, it was enough to support a Spirit Master's cultivation up to the Spirit Saint level.

"This is a high-level meditation method. Take it and cultivate with it. Aside from watching the shop and selling herbs, you must devote the rest of your time to cultivation. Do not slack off." Luo Can's tone was stern.

Bai Liuwu respectfully accepted the ancient book, her voice choked with emotion. "Please rest assured, Boss. We will definitely, definitely cultivate properly!"

"Good." Luo Can nodded. "Next, I will be leaving on a long journey. I expect to be gone for one or two months. I am leaving this shop to you."

"Rest assured, Boss!" the two said in unison. "We will not let you down!"

"Go wash up in the back room first."

Only then did the siblings notice the filth on their bodies. Blushing, they hurried toward the back room.

When they came out again, surprise flashed through Luo Can's eyes as well.

The changes in the two after Cleansing Marrow and Washing Meridians were even greater than he had expected.

Bai Liuwu's skin had become fair and delicate. Her already pretty features had become even more refined, and she exuded the gentle charm of a sweet girl next door. Bai Qiba had also grown taller and sturdier, with a touch more heroism between his brows. He no longer looked as timid and shrinking as before.

Over the next half day, Luo Can explained everything in exhaustive detail: the shop's supply channels, how to tend the Herb Garden, how to contact the Ye Clan in an emergency, and even several ways to deal with local thugs... He made every matter clear.

The two listened with utmost attention. Bai Liuwu even took out a notebook and wrote everything down word by word, afraid of missing even half a word.

By the time all the arrangements had been made, it was already afternoon.

Luo Can stood at the entrance of the shop, taking one last look at the herb shop before looking at the siblings.

"I'm leaving."

"Have a safe journey, Boss!"

The two stood at the door and bowed deeply.

Luo Can spread his wings and soared into the air, turning into a streak of golden light that swept toward the horizon.