Set a Short-Term Goal First

The second day after Le Bai and Oscar were brought to Shrek by Dean Flender.

"The weather is nice today, too."

Le Bai pushed open the window of his room, took a breath of fresh air, and looked toward the azure sky, sighing with genuine emotion.

"Next, I need to plan things out properly."

Taking advantage of his clear head after waking up this morning, Le Bai made a simple plan for the things he needed to do over the coming period:

"First is increasing my soul power. Since my Innate Soul Power isn't zero, I can improve it through cultivation. With the data-digitizing effect of the Panel, even if I only have two levels, I should be able to cultivate to over level 100... right? At the very worst, level 90 shouldn't be a problem."

"Right now, I don't have a method to cultivate soul power. I can't count on Tang San for the time being; the Mysterious Heaven Skill of the Tang Sect is not taught to outsiders. If I pretend to be a Tang Sect disciple, I'll likely be easily exposed, and then the relationship will become awkward, which would be even worse."

"So, the only way to obtain a Cultivation Method currently is through Shrek Academy. I wonder if Oscar can teach me after he learns it."

"If that doesn't work, I'll have no choice but to rely on the Martial Soul Hall. Even if I can only get a basic cultivation method, with the help of the Panel's effects, I should be able to upgrade the method."

"There's also the ultimate fallback: conducting experiments on soul power cultivation bit by bit... No matter how I look at it, this is a massive project that will consume a huge amount of time, so I'll keep it as a 'safety net' option for now."

"Next is the issue of money. After Oscar becomes a Soul Master, he can go to the Martial Soul Hall to receive a subsidy. Shrek Academy, or rather, Dean Flender, will likely provide some help as well, so for now, I just need to ensure I can cover my own living expenses."

"Suotuo City is nearby. Should I go to the city and do woodworking for wealthy families? No, this body is too small right now; it's hard to say if anyone would even hire me. Plus, if all my time is spent making money, I won't have time for soul power cultivation. I have to think of a way to balance both..."

Even while making breakfast, Le Bai did not stop thinking.

But there was no need to worry about accidents, because two years ago, when he was four, the skill [Parallel Thinking] had already appeared on his Panel. Perhaps the name "Distraction Dual-Use" could explain the effect of the Parallel Thinking skill more simply.

Currently, the skill level of Parallel Thinking is Lv12. Le Bai can focus on thinking about one thing while doing other tasks that don't require much mental effort.

Just as Le Bai finished considering things and was pondering how to start taking action (grinding), Oscar arrived.

"Le Bai! I'm here to hang out!"

Oscar pushed the door open and walked in: "Wow! You've already finished the repairs and tidied up so quickly? As expected of you!"

"I've also cleaned the floor, feel free to sit anywhere."

Le Bai came down from upstairs and brought two glasses of water out from the kitchen: "I only have water here for now, make do with this."

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Oscar finished the water in one go and excitedly boasted: "Le Bai, Dean Flender said he'll take me to hunt a Soul Beast tomorrow morning to get my first Soul Ring! Once I do, I'll be a Soul Master!"

"That's truly great!"

Le Bai smiled and congratulated him: "Did the Dean teach you anything else? Did he say when I can go to the academy for classes?"

"Ah, I almost forgot because you didn't ask."

Oscar recalled what Flender had said before he came to find Le Bai: "The Dean said that starting today, you can go walk around Shrek whenever you have free time to get familiar with the teachers at Shrek. The classes you can audit and the classrooms are fixed; you can just go there yourself."

"Alright, I understand."

Le Bai nodded and asked again: "Then, did the Dean teach you a method to cultivate soul power?"

"He did, and he told me to take advantage of today to get familiar with it."

Oscar said with a headache: "It's just those meridians and such that the Dean talked about. I can't remember them, and even now, I can only make the soul power in my body move a little."

"Then, did the Dean warn you not to teach the soul power cultivation method to others?"

Le Bai asked.

This point was very important. If Flender had given such instructions, Le Bai would not press further and would honestly look for other ways.

"No."

Oscar was very decisive: "And the Dean said that you would definitely need it, so he told me to learn it well so I can teach you once I've mastered it!"

"Dean Flender is absolutely right."

Le Bai nodded in deep agreement: "You must master it first before you can teach me."

"Right, I'll definitely strive to master it soon!"

Oscar now had a goal: "Then I'll head back first!"

"Go ahead."

Le Bai waved his hand: "Get some rest early tonight, otherwise you won't be able to wake up tomorrow morning."

"I kno~w--!"

Watching Oscar, who came and went in a hurry, leave, Le Bai began to tidy up the things in the room, preparing to use the remaining wood from the repairs to make something:

"The issue of a cultivation method is barely settled, so for now, it's the money problem."

"When I left yesterday, I had two Silver Soul Coins on me. After subtracting the ten Copper Soul Coins I used to buy ingredients last night and this morning, I have one silver and ninety copper left. If the price of ingredients doesn't change over the next few days, I'll need about fifteen copper a day for food. That means it will only last for thirteen days; I must start having an income before then."

"While I haven't learned the soul power cultivation method yet and still have time, I should go find a suitable way to make money."

After Le Bai finished considering this, the work at hand was also completed.

He cleaned up the wood shavings, pulled some vines from the nearby grass to weave into a basket, packed the two Huarong Roads, one Kongming Lock, and one Luban Ball he had made, and headed out.

The village near Shrek was not large, and the local customs could be considered simple and honest.

When Le Bai was buying ingredients yesterday and this morning, the villagers did not raise the prices just because Le Bai was a child or an outsider—Le Bai had hidden in a corner and observed for quite a while before buying anything.

In addition, Le Bai discovered that the children in this village were mostly smarter than the children in Meat Fragrance Village.

This was likely the benefit of having a "neighbor" like Shrek Academy.

Although the village was not large, to facilitate daily transactions for the villagers, a suitable area had been designated as a vegetable market. This was where Le Bai had bought his ingredients yesterday.

When he came yesterday, Le Bai had already inquired that the village market did not charge stall fees, nor were there fixed spots; generally, whoever arrived earlier could claim a better position.

However, in most cases, it was decided through negotiation between familiar villagers.

Le Bai was not there to buy or sell ingredients, so he found a spot near the entrance of the market that wouldn't obstruct passersby. He set out a few wooden toys he had just made, sat on the ground, and while playing Huarong Road, he tried to control the meager Level 2 Soul Power within his body.

Soon, a child was attracted by the items Le Bai had displayed. He pulled his mother, who had just finished shopping, over and asked, "What are these things? Are you selling them for money?"

"These are all toys, toys that smart children will like."

Le Bai smiled and demonstrated how to play. The child's eyes sparkled as he watched, and he hugged his mother's arm, acting like a spoiled child.

Unable to refuse her child, the mother asked Le Bai, "Child, how much are these toys?"

"These are all made of wood, they aren't worth much."

Le Bai pointed to the three smallest ones: "These three small ones are ten Copper Soul Coins each, and these two large ones are fifteen Copper Soul Coins each. If you buy them all, big sister, I'll give you this basket for free."

This mother was not a Soul Master and had already passed the prime of her life. Coupled with the daily chores, she looked much older than her actual age. Hearing such a young child call her "big sister" instead of "auntie," her mood improved significantly: "You child, you have such a sweet mouth, you really know how to do business!"

She then decisively gave him sixty Copper Soul Coins, put the four toys into the basket Le Bai had gifted, and stuffed the smallest Huarong Road into her son's hands.

"Big sister, I just arrived here and am not very familiar with the area. Do you know where in the village I can buy iron?"

Le Bai asked while maintaining a smile.

"Iron?"

The mother recalled for a moment and pointed in a direction: "Only Master Huang at the entrance of the village sells it; his family runs a Blacksmith Shop."

"I understand, thank you!"

Le Bai thanked her sincerely, stood up, and walked in the direction she had pointed.

Before long, Le Bai could faintly hear the sound of hammering coming from ahead, so he quickened his pace.

Following the sound, Le Bai successfully found the Blacksmith Shop.

The person forging iron was an elderly man who looked quite robust. However, the scale of this Blacksmith Shop looked very small, which made Le Bai feel a bit worried.

Le Bai stood to the side and watched the old man forge iron intently, remaining silent until the old man finished his current work.

"Child, you've been watching from the side for a long time. Is something the matter?"

The robust old man looked up and asked Le Bai.

"Grandpa, is your shop hiring apprentices?"

Le Bai asked directly: "I want to learn the craft of blacksmithing."

"Learn blacksmithing? With your small frame?"

The old man smiled and shook his head, not agreeing: "Child, this is the first time I've seen you today. You shouldn't be from our village, right?"

"I came with the Dean of Shrek Academy; he took a liking to my brother's talent."

Le Bai explained briefly: "It's a pity my talent wasn't enough to enter Shrek. Now I want to find something to do to earn some money, otherwise, I'll go hungry."

"Oh, Shrek, huh."

The old man picked up a water bottle nearby and took a gulp: "According to what you said, why didn't your brother help you out? Those who can enter Shrek are basically all Soul Masters. I heard they can receive one Gold Soul Coin from the Martial Soul Hall every month. Isn't that much more comfortable than learning to forge iron with me?"

"I can't rely on my brother for my whole life."

Le Bai shook his head and continued to promote himself: "Grandpa, I look small, but I have plenty of strength, and I learn things quite quickly."

"Oh? You really have strength and really want to learn blacksmithing?"

The old man asked, seemingly skeptical.

"Really!"

Le Bai said very seriously, looking into the old man's eyes as he spoke.

"Alright then, you can start by learning Fire Stoking here with me."

The old man narrowed his eyes: "When the fire you stoke satisfies me, I will teach you how to hold a hammer."

"Okay! Thank you!"

Le Bai walked quickly to the old man's side, gripped the handle of the bellows with one hand, and pulled—then pushed—the flames in the furnace suddenly shot up high.

"Yo-ho, you really do have some strength!"

The old man saw at a glance that Le Bai was exerting quite a bit of force: "But that's not how you pull the bellows, and that's not how you stoke the fire. Watch closely, it should be like this..."

As the sun set, Le Bai finished his half-day internship at the Blacksmith Shop and prepared to go home to rest.

Before leaving, the old man said to Le Bai: "Kid, you learned well today. Remember to come early tomorrow."

Le Bai looked at the 14/100 progress bar for [Fire Stoking] which was already at Lv2 on his Panel, and nodded repeatedly: "Okay! I will!"

Thanks to Monster Fang for pointing out the bug; the content of this chapter has undergone minor modifications of a few words.