The Definition of Power Isn't Just One Kind

"Stop! What do you think you're doing, committing violence within Suotuo City!?"

Seeing the patrol team approaching, Flender couldn't help but shrink his neck. Normally, law enforcement wouldn't dare to interfere when soul masters fought. But in the past two years, the Martial Soul Hall had inexplicably provided significant support to local security. Especially since Flender ran a small shop, he'd have nowhere to cry if it were shut down.

"Sir, it's not that I'm bullying them. Look, he was supposed to pay ten Gold Soul Coins for my crystal, but he only gave me ten Copper Soul Coins. He's trying to cheat me!"

Facing Flender's "villain sues first" tactic, the leading patrol captain looked at Feng Xinglie:

"Is what he's saying true? Where's the crystal you bought?"

"Here."

As instructed, he handed over the crystal. The patrol captain took it, looked it over, then glanced sideways at Flender:

"This thing, you're selling it for ten Gold Soul Coins?"

"This..."

Flender was momentarily speechless. Of course, he knew this item was worthless and wouldn't even take it if it were given for free. Seeing that the situation was escalating, he quickly put on a smile:

"Haha, sir, I must have made a mistake. It was supposed to be ten Copper Soul Coins. There was just a small misunderstanding with this young man. My apologies."

"So it was a misunderstanding. Then you're not going to give me those Gold Soul Coins you mentioned?"

"Yes, yes, no need to give them, no need to give them..."

Facing Feng Xinglie's teasing and the patrol team's sharp gazes, Flender waved his hands repeatedly and scurried back into his shop.

"I never imagined that that unscrupulous merchant was actually a powerful individual..."

"Of course. Didn't you hear him say his name was Flender? That's Flender, the Four-Eyed Cat Owl, one of the Golden Iron Triangle. A true Soul Sage."

"What!?"

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned. Hunted by her sister and abandoned by her fiancé, she desperately wanted to become stronger and paid close attention to all powerful things. But Flender's powerful strength juxtaposed with his unreliable personality left her unable to adapt.

"Never underestimate anyone, but don't be overly fearful either. Even with Flender, we still have ways to deal with him, don't we?"

"Deal with... a Soul Sage?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still lost in thought, Feng Xinglie gestured towards the patrol team that had already walked away:

"There's more than one definition of strength. In this world, even if you cultivate to become a Titled Douluo, there will always be someone stronger than you. But if you're good at utilizing things, the weak may not necessarily be unable to defeat the strong."

These words struck a nerve in Zhu Zhuqing's heart. Her eyes immediately blazed with intense curiosity, and she eagerly asked:

"How do I do it? What can I use to win? To become stronger?"

She didn't receive the answer she expected. All she saw was Feng Xinglie's troubled expression. She then realized that they had only met for less than a day, and their relationship wasn't that intimate. To rashly ask for the secret to becoming stronger was indeed a bit presumptuous, especially since he was her savior.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright."

Feng Xinglie waved his hand dismissively. He didn't mind guiding Zhu Zhuqing, but things obtained too easily are often not cherished. So, occasionally playing hard to get was necessary. Otherwise, all the effort he'd put into her would be in vain.

In reality, Zhu Zhuqing herself didn't possess the ability to warrant Feng Xinglie's attention. Neither her strength nor her intellect stood out among the protagonist group. However, as long as he could win over Zhu Zhuqing, her and Dai Mubai's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Hell White Tiger, would be rendered useless.

After all, the best way to counter a move was to ensure it never appeared in the first place.

Furthermore, when dividing the protagonist group, Feng Xinglie indeed needed a supporter on his side. Of course, Zhu Zhuqing's character was also one of the few among the Shrek Seven Devils that passed the minimum standard. The others were either impossible to recruit or he didn't want to recruit them.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, who frequented brothels as minors, were out of the question. Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast; if he brought her back to the Martial Soul Hall, she'd be instantly killed. Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, so it was impossible to bring her to the Martial Soul Hall. Oscar, although a decent person, was adopted by Flender from a young age and was deeply tied to Shrek.

As for Tang San...

Well, there was always a chance.

"Actually, to defeat someone stronger than you, you just need to find their weakness. By grasping a few small weaknesses, you can make them suffer minor losses, just like Flender earlier. But if you know more of his weaknesses, let alone defeating him, you can even make him serve you."

For example, Shrek, or Liu Erlong, or Yu Xiaogang. There were too many cards that could be played against Flender, to the point that this Soul Sage didn't even make it onto Feng Xinglie's target list. However, these words had a significant impact on Zhu Zhuqing. She had always believed that only by improving her own cultivation could she become stronger, but now it felt like a new world had opened up. Sitting in the restaurant, she had long forgotten the food in her hands, constantly pondering how she, if it were her, would use such methods to counter the Star Luo Empire and her own destiny.

"This is a bit difficult for me..."

Zhu Zhuqing sighed helplessly:

"You... should know my identity by now, right?"

"Those people mentioned it. Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat, the symbol of the Zhu family of Star Luo."

"Yes..."

Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned somber. She knew very well what kind of behemoth she was up against and couldn't imagine how to find the weakness of an empire.

"Actually, sometimes it doesn't need to be so complicated. As long as your potential is high enough, joining a major sect or a large family can solve everything. If your strength isn't enough, then seek out the strong to protect yourself during your growth period. This is a common method. On the Douluo Continent, there are quite a few forces capable of confronting the Star Luo Empire."

"But... why would they offend the Star Luo Empire for me?"

"That depends on how much potential you have and how much value you can create."

He secretly planted the seed of seeking protection in Zhu Zhuqing's heart, hoping it might sprout and grow, drawing her closer to the Martial Soul Hall. Clearly, Zhu Zhuqing took his words to heart, and she remained lost in thought even as they returned to the Rose Hotel.

Back in the room, Feng Xinglie casually locked the door and then retrieved a secret letter from a hidden compartment in a drawer.

"Buying the Rose Hotel in advance was a wise choice. It makes transmitting information and personnel movements so much more convenient."

Feng Xinglie finished reading the letter quickly, filled with emotion. It recorded the recent movements of Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Shrek Academy.

"They'll arrive in Suotuo City tomorrow?"

After confirming the information, he crumpled the letter into a ball of paper and threw it into the trash can. The rest of the time was spent meditating in his room. He went to bed early that night and woke up early the next morning, sitting by the window and watching the passersby. It wasn't until noon that a boy and a girl appeared at the end of the road. The boy looked ordinary, but the girl was exquisitely beautiful, wearing a pink dress and a long pigtail, instantly capturing Feng Xinglie's attention.