"Changge, I really have to thank you for everything you've done lately. Your alchemy skills are incredible. Those medicinal powders, medicinal soups, and medicines you made are truly amazing. A lot of people here have been asking me to get some for them.
If you need any materials, just tell me and I'll get them for you. I'll help with anything you need in the future. After all, we were able to open a chain, bring drinks from the Sun Moon Empire over to Douluo Continent to sell, and even raise our employees' wages all because of you. Without the medicines you made, I wouldn't have earned this much money. Everyone is living happily now. You really are my lucky star."
The restaurant owner said happily.
He truly was delighted. Thanks to Xiao Changge, he had earned far more than he ever had before.
He was making much more than he did from running the restaurant, and many people wanted to buy the products. Their quality was excellent as well, so he did not feel as though he were cheating anyone. These medicines were genuinely valuable, not counterfeit goods. Whether medicinal powders or medicinal soups, they were all worth a great deal.
It was precisely because of Xiao Changge's help that they had made so much money. The restaurant owner felt that the previous sixty-forty split had truly shortchanged Xiao Changge.
They were living such good lives thanks to his help, yet they still received forty percent of the profits. He was simply too principled, too kind.
"It's nothing. We're doing business together, and I was able to gather so many cultivation resources because of your connections and help. I feel like I've profited too. With your help, I've been living happily, and I'm also glad to have a group of kind people willing to help me."
Xiao Changge thought back to Shrek Academy, Ma Xiaotao, and those Sea God Pavilion elders who had ruined his future. How could he possibly have been happy there?
Compared to them, the people of Shrek were not even as decent as ordinary commoners, nor did they have as much integrity as a restaurant owner.
"Changge, have you ever considered opening a dedicated medicine shop? We could work together. We'd provide the sales channels, and I guarantee you'd make a lot of money. The medicinal powders and soups you make are all highly profitable.
They could make even more than our restaurant. Why not stop being a security guard and stop studying culinary arts? From now on, you could focus entirely on making medicine."
That was what the restaurant owner had in mind. He wanted what was best for Xiao Changge. In his view, being a security guard or a chef were both ordinary jobs in this world. They only earned a little money, barely enough to support oneself and live a somewhat better life.
But their status was low. Xiao Changge was different. Not only was he already a Soul Grandmaster, but he also possessed extensive expertise in refining medicines. Such an ability was truly remarkable.
The restaurant owner did not want to delay his future either. Xiao Changge was an outstanding talent, a genius. He would surely make a name for himself on the continent and become a renowned powerhouse.
Therefore, in the restaurant owner's eyes, having Xiao Changge continue as a chef's apprentice or security guard was a mistake.
He should open a shop selling medicines. That way, he could earn more money, while the two sides could continue working together and help each other expand their businesses.
Moreover, Xiao Changge was cultivating as well, so they could also help him obtain cultivation resources later on.
That way, he would profit, Xiao Changge would profit, and everyone could have a wonderful future.
"This..." Xiao Changge was indeed somewhat interested when he heard that. If he were to establish his own power or business, it would be more beneficial to his development. It was certainly not a bad thing.
For example, Xiao Yan.
(1) Panmen (Jia Nan Academy Inner Court)
Founding point: When Xiao Yan entered the Jia Nan Academy Inner Court, he founded it together with Xun'er, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia.
Nature: An academy-based mutual aid organization for new students, created to prevent exploitation by older students and accumulate Fire Energy.
Outcome: After Xiao Yan left, Wu Hao and Hu Jia maintained it. It became the Inner Court's foremost power and later supplied support to Xiao Gate.
(2) Xiao Gate (Black-Corner Region)
Founding point: After Xiao Yan emerged from seclusion and killed Han Feng, he absorbed the remnants of the Black Alliance and founded it with his second brother, Xiao Li.
Nature: A regional power in the Black-Corner Region, backed by Jia Nan Academy and managed primarily by Xiao Li.
Later development: It was eventually incorporated into the Flame Alliance.
(3) Flame Alliance (Jia Ma Empire → Northwest Continent)
Founding point: After destroying the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan integrated the Jia Ma imperial family, the Miter, Nalan, and Mu Clans, the Alchemist Association, the Snake-People Tribe, and Xiao Gate to establish it, appointing himself alliance leader.
Resident overseer: While Xiao Yan was based in the Central Plains, Medusa (Cai Lin) managed it on his behalf.
Status: The foremost power in the Northwest Continent, later incorporated entirely into the Sky Mansion Alliance system.
(4) Sky Mansion Alliance (Central Plains)
Founding point: After Xiao Yan rescued Yao Lao, he formed an alliance centered on Starfall Pavilion, drawing in the Flower Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and Pill Tower. Yao Chen was its first alliance leader, Xiao Yan later succeeded him, and after the battle between the two emperors, the position was returned to Yao Chen.
Nature: A super alliance opposing Soul Hall and the Hun Clan. Later, the Gu Clan, Lei Clan, Yan Clan, Ancient Void Dragon, and others joined one after another.
Status: The de facto foremost power in the late Dou Qi Continent.
(5) Endless Fire Territory (Great Thousand World)
Founding point: After Xiao Yan became a Dou Di and ascended to the Great Thousand World, he established it around the Burning Heaven Mountain Range.
Status: During the era of The Great Ruler, it stood alongside Martial Realm, led by Lin Dong, and Mu Estate as one of the top superpowers. Xiao Yan served as its territory lord.
Xiao Yan's establishment of these powers was not merely some "thrilling domination fantasy." It gradually elevated "personal revenge" into "factional warfare," with every step making up for the weakness he lacked most at the time. It was clearest when broken down by stage:
Panmen (Jia Nan Academy Inner Court)—solving "newcomer survival and resources."
When Xiao Yan had first entered the Inner Court, he faced older students oppressing newcomers, while established factions controlled Fire Energy, the cultivation currency, and strangled their access to it.
Panmen allowed Xiao Yan, Xun'er, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the others to band together, seize Fire Energy, challenge the Strong Ranking, and protect new students from oppression.
How it helped Xiao Yan: It stabilized his academy foundation, let him build his first group of loyal followers, and taught him that fighting alone was inferior to leading a group. Wu Hao and Hu Jia later supported Xiao Gate, and this was the prototype that gave him the confidence to establish major powers.
Xiao Gate (Black-Corner Region)—solving "rear-area containment and a foothold in the Black-Corner Region."
Han Feng, the Black Alliance, and Demon Flame Valley were all enemies in the Black-Corner Region. Xiao Yan needed to return to Jia Ma for revenge, and he could not leave his second brother, Xiao Li, to guard the Black-Corner Region alone.
With Xiao Li in charge, and relying on Xiao Yan's reputation as a sixth-tier Alchemist along with Jia Nan Academy's tacit approval, Xiao Gate absorbed the remnants of the Black Alliance and controlled the Black-Corner Region's resource points.
How it helped Xiao Yan: The Black-Corner Region became his own supply station, providing alchemy materials, intelligence, and an escape route. Xiao Yan himself did not need to divide his attention to defend territory and could focus on advancing to Dou Emperor and Dou Zong.
Flame Alliance (Jia Ma Empire/Northwest Continent)—solving "a shield for the clan and the power vacuum after the destruction of the Misty Cloud Sect."
After the Misty Cloud Sect was disbanded, the Jia Ma Empire had no national-level guardian power. The Xiao Clan, Miter Family, Nalan Clan, Mu Clan, Snake-People Tribe, Alchemist Association, and others were all scattered forces, while Soul Hall could come to seize people at any time.
The Flame Alliance bound these forces together. Xiao Yan was the nominal alliance leader, while Cai Lin managed it on his behalf.
How it helped Xiao Yan:
The Xiao Clan changed from abandoned outcasts hunted by the Misty Cloud Sect into the core of the Northwest's foremost power, securing the clan's safety.
It blocked external pressure from the Chu Yun Empire, Golden Goose Sect, Soul Hall, Mad Lion Sect, and others, allowing Xiao Yan to head to the Central Plains without needing to turn back to put out fires.
Later, it provided the Sky Mansion Alliance with its foundation of "Northwest troops, Heavenly Flame bloodline, and Snake-People Tribe combat strength."
Sky Mansion Alliance (Central Plains)—solving "the factional scale required for a Dou Sheng-level war."
Soul Hall had captured Yao Lao and Xiao Zhan, while the Hun Clan later destroyed the Ling Clan. Starfall Pavilion and Xiao Yan alone did not have enough Dou Shengs. They could neither rescue anyone nor fight a war between planes.
He brought together the Flower Sect, Pill Tower, Burning Flame Valley, and Starfall Pavilion, Yao Lao's foundation, into an alliance. Zi Yan's Ancient Void Dragon clan, the Gu Clan, Lei Clan, Yan Clan, and others gradually gathered around them, while Xiao Yan became alliance leader.
How it helped Xiao Yan:
Resources: Pill Tower's medicinal ingredients, Burning Flame Valley's fire techniques, Flower Sect's forces, and the Ancient Void Dragon clan's aerial combat strength were all connected.
Combat power: Multiple Dou Shengs, including seven-star and eight-star Dou Shengs, could stand against Soul Hall's vice hall master-level forces.
Plot advancement: Rescuing Xiao Zhan and Yao Lao, destroying Soul Hall branches, and ultimately suppressing Hun Tiandi in the battle between the two emperors all relied on the Sky Mansion Alliance as their foundation.
Personal status: He transformed from a "genius Alchemist" into a "continental chess player." His Emperor-Realm Soul and path toward Dou Di were elevated by the faction behind him.
Endless Fire Territory (Great Thousand World)—solving "a plane-level foothold after ascension."
After the Five Emperors broke through the void, source qi on the Dou Qi Continent dried up. The Great Thousand World was the new battlefield, and a single person could not suppress the Foreign Evil Race.
Under the name Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan established his sect, commanding the Burning Heaven Spiritual Flame, Great Thousand alchemy, and a following foundation of Dou Di and Heavenly Sovereign experts.
How it helped Xiao Yan: It provided Xiao Yan, Cai Lin, Xun'er, Xiao Xiao, and the old forces of the Dou Qi Continent with a new homeland. It stood alongside Martial Realm, led by Lin Dong, as a top power in the Great Thousand World. He slew the Devil Emperor and fought the evil races, raising the title "Flame Emperor" from continental level to plane level.
Of course, Xiao Yan also turned power into a banner for revenge.
Without Panmen and Xiao Gate, Xiao Yan would have been worn down to death by older students and Han Feng in the academy and the Black-Corner Region.
Without the Flame Alliance, the Xiao Clan would have long been wiped out by Soul Hall. When he returned to Jia Ma after the Three-Year Agreement, all he would have found were corpses.
Without the Sky Mansion Alliance, Yao Lao and Xiao Zhan could not have been rescued, and no one would have been able to withstand the Hun Clan's army of Dou Shengs during the battle between the two emperors.
Without the Endless Fire Territory, ascending to the Great Thousand World would have left him a rootless drifter, unable even to speak of protecting both worlds.
Therefore, Xiao Yan's establishment of these powers truly benefited him in the story and could help him.
The examples of powers Xiao Yan established brought him far too many benefits. Of course, they also caused him plenty of trouble, but overall, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
So after hearing the restaurant owner say this, Xiao Changge began considering whether he should follow Xiao Yan's example and establish such powers.
After all, the assistance Xiao Yan's forces had provided was immense, and he had indeed done many positive things. Xiao Yan truly was impressive, a genius willing to work hard, and the favored son of fate on the Dou Qi Continent.
However, if Xiao Yan had fought alone, he could never have achieved such brilliant accomplishments.
Xiao Yan's success had come with the help of many people. They had all provided tremendous support for his rise into the new Dou Di of the Dou Qi Continent, a Heavenly Sovereign of the Great Thousand World, and even a Ruler-realm expert. One person's strength was limited; sometimes, one needed the strength of many people.
Just like Xiao Changge's partnership with the restaurant owner. On his own, Xiao Changge could never have obtained sales channels for so many resources and might even have been swindled out of his money.
But with the restaurant owner's help, he had accumulated his initial capital and gained assistance from many connections.
In this world, when one person's strength was not enough, one could try borrowing the strength of others to become stronger.
"Changge, I think it is necessary for you to establish a power. In a place like Douluo Continent, one person's strength is ultimately limited. I was once the same. I once believed that I could challenge the entire Holy Demon Continent by myself, but I still failed in the end. One person's strength is limited, and sometimes you need the help of others.
Moreover, if you want to gather enough excellent alchemy resources on Douluo Continent, you also need to establish a power. So I think you should create one."
Electrolux's words strengthened Xiao Changge's resolve.
Since Electrolux had said so, he needed to devise a complete plan to develop his power. After all, even if he and Electrolux worked together and did not fear most people on Douluo Continent, there were still the Holy Spirit Cult, the four great empires of Douluo, and many forces he could not afford to provoke.
He had to develop steadily now in order to gain enough strength. He also needed to be wary of Tang San from the God Realm.
Tang San would eventually usurp Douluo Continent's fortune. Once Huo Yuhao was born and left the Duke's Estate to encounter the million-year Soul Beast, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, his fate would become tied to Tang San's line. The consequences would be even more serious then.
To be honest, Huo Yuhao's meeting with Tang Ya and Bei Bei had been too suspicious. Why had Tang Ya and Bei Bei encountered Huo Yuhao precisely when he needed help the most? They had even taught Huo Yuhao all kinds of Tang Sect techniques and skills. It was all too suspicious.
After all, Huo Yuhao's talent was so poor. Even if the Tang Sect had nearly been destroyed by then, leaving only Tang Ya and Bei Bei, what use was there in accepting someone with such talent and a "ten-year Soul Ring"?
And for them to meet at such a coincidental moment—it was difficult not to suspect that Huo Yuhao had been watched by Tang San from the very beginning.
Xiao Changge was not a good person, but he also wanted to ascend and become a god. He wanted to become strong, live forever with those he cared about, and even revive Electrolux.
But Tang San might not allow any of that. In Tang San's eyes, Electrolux might be a major obstacle. After all, Electrolux could create super divine artifacts. With such ability, Electrolux was already a top-tier existence.
If Electrolux reached the God Realm, he would only interfere with Tang San's plans.
Therefore, no matter what, they had to remain cautious. Once Tang San discovered them, Niu Tian and Tai Tan alone would be enough to give them a terrible time.
Those two scum among Soul Beasts and Class-A war criminals of the Soul Beasts were now Tang San's lackeys, and they controlled the Clear Sky Sect.
If the two of them came looking for trouble, or targeted him after discovering something, then he would need helpers. That meant he had to establish a power.
"Changge, if you aren't willing, I won't force you. But if you need help, just tell me. You've helped me so much, and I want to help you in return. So if you need anything, you can let me know," the restaurant owner said.
Before you continue