When Innocence Enters the City

The gentle breeze rustled outside the window. In the quiet night, Feng Xinglie stood in the spacious room, rubbing the Gold Soul Coins in his hand, speechless for a long time.

After a moment, he turned his head and looked at the food box that Qian Renxue had sent earlier. On an impulse, he walked over, opened it, and put a delicate pastry into his mouth. The crisp outer layer and sweet filling filled his mouth. Feng Xinglie suddenly let out a cold laugh and threw the Gold Soul Coins in his hand onto the table:

"A few pastries and you think you can buy me to serve the Martial Soul Hall? What a joke."

Even though he thought this, the figure who had stood in front of his mother, blocking the Titled Douluo's pressure for him, flashed in his mind.

"That won't do either! You messed up my perfect plan all by yourself, and I haven't settled the score with you yet!"

He plopped back onto the bed, and it was as if he saw Qian Renxue with red eyes, wiping away tears and thanking him for being willing to help her. Yue Guan's words echoed in his ears:

"Miss said you are her first friend. If you are willing to risk your life for her, whom you've only met once, then she naturally won't let you be in danger."

He irritably patted his cheeks and repeatedly advised himself in his heart:

"Calm down, calm down, Feng Xinglie. There are still opportunities to escape the Martial Soul Hall. You absolutely cannot act foolishly at this critical juncture. Not to mention whether you can deal with Tang San and his group of overpowered protagonists, the mess within the Martial Soul Hall alone is enough to give you a headache. Even if you cultivate to become a Titled Douluo, can you withstand the Upper Three Sects and the two empires? Can you withstand Sea God Island and the four great academies? Can you withstand the Single Attribute Four Sects, or even the Sea God and Asura God Kings? To the entire continent, you are just a nobody. In this place where you have no one to rely on, you absolutely cannot let your emotions get the better of you..."

Even though he thought this, the scene of the Martial Soul Hall's destruction ten thousand years later appeared in his mind. On the Douluo Continent, completely controlled by Tang San, geniuses with innate level eight spirit power had to sell their bodies to obtain medicine to save their mothers. And no matter how heaven-defying their luck and talent were, they had to obediently wear a collar and be dogs to King Tang Shen. This was the fate of Huo Yuhao.

"That's also something that happens ten thousand years from now. Whether I can live for another hundred years is still up in the air. Why should I risk my life for them?"

He took several deep breaths, and just as his emotions began to stabilize, he saw the Gold Soul Coin on the table. Under the moonlight, it lay alone on the empty tabletop, just like himself at this moment.

"First friend, huh..."

Feng Xinglie suddenly understood Qian Renxue's feelings at that time. Born into such a complex environment, she, who held a high position, naturally had few opportunities to interact with children her age. In her world, only her grandfather truly cared for her. Therefore, when she saw another child resolutely shielding her, the sense of security instantly dispelled the fear of being abandoned by her mother. Feng Xinglie also occupied an important place in her young heart.

He played with the half-eaten pastry in his hand with a complex expression. After a long silence, he suddenly threw it into his mouth and chewed it fiercely, his expression tinged with annoyance:

"You promised to protect me, but you threw me into a fiery pit and ran off yourself. How can I swallow this without settling this score with you!"

He raised his hand and grabbed the Gold Soul Coin on the table, tossing it with a cold laugh:

"Didn't you tell me to wait for you? I'll see what kind of pastries you bring back to compensate me!"

He popped another pastry into his mouth and Feng Xinglie hit his head in frustration:

"Crazy, I'm really crazy! Bibi Dong offered me the position of Holy Son, and I wasn't tempted. Qian Daoliu wanted to take me as a disciple, and I didn't waver. Money, power, and status couldn't sway me, yet I'm going to risk my life for a Gold Soul Coin for you!"

After venting, Feng Xinglie surprisingly found that after making up his mind, the tension he had felt since arriving at the Martial Soul Hall had eased.

"Truly hopeless..."

He rubbed his face with both hands. When he lowered his hands, his usually honest eyes revealed a deep glint:

"I need to make some long-term plans..."

From the next day onwards, Feng Xinglie paid attention to the general sentiment within the Martial Soul Hall while diligently cultivating under Qian Daoliu's tutelage. At the same time, he made it a point to visit Bibi Dong at the Pope's Palace every day to pay his respects. Although after the previous incident, the Pope did not give Feng Xinglie a good look, she could only pretend he didn't exist due to Qian Daoliu's deterrence. However, unexpectedly, no matter how bad her attitude was, Feng Xinglie persisted in expressing his goodwill. This made Bibi Dong, who had almost concluded that Feng Xinglie had joined the Worship Hall, start to have other thoughts. Faced with the immense benefits that a genius with innate level 20 spirit power could bring in the future, she was willing to put aside past grievances and take him in. However, she did not know that besides improving their relationship and easing the tension, Feng Xinglie had been looking for an opportunity.

In his plan, internal stability must precede external conflict. If the huge internal contradictions within the Martial Soul Hall were not resolved, the final battle with Tang San would be nothing more than a joke. Based on the current timeline, there were only a few decades left until Tang San became a god. In such a short period, even if he cultivated desperately, the best outcome would be to add another member to the Martial Soul Hall's already massive roster of Titled Douluo. Therefore, more than "strength," he now needed "influence" to support his decisions within the Martial Soul Hall. To absorb his own people while maintaining the balance between the Worship Hall and the Pope's Palace, he first needed to solidify the nominal title of Holy Son, which required merit, great and justifiable merit.

Finally, after days of persistent observation, he unearthed a sliver of opportunity.

The Soul Master Subsidy was a semi-mandatory welfare program where the Martial Soul Hall jointly funded with the two empires to provide a certain amount of Gold Soul Coins to soul masters monthly. However, the royal families, who considered themselves nobles and treated the common people like livestock, were unwilling to pay this enormous sum that yielded no direct benefit. Therefore, as the end of the month approached, they would use various excuses to pay less or omit payments. When the Martial Soul Hall pursued the matter, the empires would engage in endless quibbling and delays. By the time the subsidies were to be distributed, this huge funding gap often had to be filled by the Martial Soul Hall. Facing such rogue behavior from the two empires, Bibi Dong had no good solution. Thus, every time she saw the report on the Soul Master Subsidy, she would invariably frown. This scene was precisely witnessed by Feng Xinglie, who had come to pay his respects.

"Your Excellency the Pope, do you have any worries? This humble one is willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation."

"It's nothing, you may leave."

Bibi Dong, already in a bad mood, didn't even glance at him properly.

"Your Excellency the Pope, are you perhaps worried about the funds for the Soul Master Subsidy? If so, this humble one might have a way to assist you."

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Bibi Dong looked up with a hint of surprise. She hadn't expected this little child to be so clever. She immediately asked playfully:

"Tell me, how do you plan to solve it?"

Seeing that there was hope, Feng Xinglie quickly stepped forward and bowed:

"The two empires have malicious intentions, wanting to drag down the Martial Soul Hall's economy with the Soul Master Subsidy. Although I am powerless to oppose the royal families, I can establish a chamber of commerce to generate profits and help Your Excellency the Pope with household expenses."

With a snort, Bibi Dong couldn't help but laugh:

"Good, very good. It is indeed a good thing for the Holy Son to be willing to serve the Martial Soul Hall. Ghost Douluo, give the Holy Son ten thousand Gold Soul Coins to help him achieve his goal."

"Yes."

Beside her, Ghost Douluo, who had blended into the shadows, responded in a deep voice. He instantly appeared before Feng Xinglie and handed him a storage Soul Tool containing ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.

"Thank you, Your Excellency the Pope, thank you, Elder Ghost!"

With his objective achieved, Feng Xinglie shouted "Long live!" and retreated from the Pope's Palace. Playing with the Soul Tool in his hand, Feng Xinglie couldn't help but sneer. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins was undoubtedly a huge sum for an ordinary family, but to expect to make enough with this capital to cover the deficit of the entire continent's soul master subsidies was laughable. Bibi Dong didn't expect to get this money back when she gave it. It was merely a means to show her importance to this genius and to foster a closer relationship. After all, the money came from the Martial Soul Hall's accounts, but it was used to build her own influence.

"Elder Ghost, why are you following me?"

"Didn't Your Excellency the Pope say that I should help you achieve your goal?"

Understood, surveillance and bodyguard. Feng Xinglie marveled inwardly. He had thought they would send a Red-robed Cardinal at most, but they actually sent a Titled Douluo. Ghost Douluo was a man of few words. It wasn't until they bid farewell to Qian Daoliu and boarded a carriage to leave Martial Soul City that he asked:

"Holy Son, how do you plan to establish the chamber of commerce?"

Feng Xinglie smiled upon hearing this:

"Elder Ghost is joking. How could I have such great ability? I will merely use the banner of the Martial Soul Hall to gather other chambers of commerce for mutual benefit."

"I see. I wish the Holy Son success."

Elder Ghost shook his head after hearing this, a cold sneer rising in his heart. While he didn't understand business, he'd seen countless people use the Martial Soul Hall's name to amass wealth. Asking people to hand over money with just words? While leveraging the Martial Soul Hall's reputation could attract some, those merchants gathered for profit were always stingy with their money and loud with their complaints. They constantly interfered with the Martial Soul Hall's decisions, and many secretly lined their own pockets. In his opinion, the Holy Son was indeed too young; this trip would be like accompanying a child on an outing, a chance to relax.

"Elder Ghost, actually, I already have some ideas about this matter. You are experienced and knowledgeable, could you help me brainstorm?"

Seeing Elder Ghost's expression, Feng Xinglie guessed most of his thoughts. His words indeed piqued Elder Ghost's interest. After a slight nod, Feng Xinglie continued:

"We don't have much capital. I plan to establish a chamber of commerce under the name of the Martial Soul Hall. We'll invest all ten thousand Gold Soul Coins into it, buying fifty-one percent of the shares. Then, we'll send out cooperation invitations to chambers of commerce across the continent. Those who wish to join can invest ten million Gold Soul Coins to purchase one percent of the shares, with each chamber of commerce limited to purchasing a maximum of three percent. This way, we can raise up to four hundred and ninety million Gold Soul Coins."

"Heh... Holy Son, this joke is a bit too much."

Even the indifferent Elder Ghost couldn't help but laugh. You invest ten thousand to own fifty-one percent, but others have to spend ten million to buy one percent? Is there such a good deal in the world? Are people so desperate for money? Hearing this, Feng Xinglie smiled faintly and said, "That's why we need to wave the Martial Soul Hall's banner. And besides, aren't you here? As one of the Martial Soul Hall's prominent figures, a Titled Douluo at the peak of Douluo Continent's combat power. As long as Elder Ghost stands here, are you afraid no one will participate?"

"Hmm... hmm?"

The few words of flattery pleased Elder Ghost greatly. Although it was just a nominal title, he was still the Holy Son officially appointed by the Pontiff, so this compliment was quite satisfying. But then he suddenly realized, what did he mean by "as long as Elder Ghost stands here, are you afraid no one will participate?" What if no one did participate? If it failed, the blame couldn't be placed on the Martial Soul Hall's insufficient reputation. Then it would only be him...

Elder Ghost immediately felt he had been tricked and glared unhappily at the little brat who had dug a pit for him. Feng Xinglie didn't mind. After establishing the Martial Soul Chamber of Commerce according to his plan, he began recruiting partners from across the continent.

However, Feng Xinglie was wrong, terribly wrong.

The four hundred and ninety million Gold Soul Coins he thought he could raise at most were exceeded by the funds received in just three days, with less than thirty percent of the shares sold. The reason for all this was the "Holy Son" title he had cast aside like worn-out shoes.