Qian Renxue's Ambition? Lin Yichen's First Step to Fame Across the Continent!

"Drinks? What drinks, Captain?

I heard a new drink shop opened in Heaven Dou City. It seemed to be called Honey Snow Ice City? They make something called milk tea."

At the mention of drinks, Sun Ting immediately perked up. She was a bona fide little foodie.

Over the past few days, according to Zhao Anyang, he had lured Sun Ting over through food.

Lin Yichen could not help but freeze for a moment. It had only been a few days, and Xiao Rou's shop was already this popular?

Besides, he had only thought of Honey Snow Ice City on a whim, since it had existed in his previous life.

Something that had been wildly popular in his previous life was still thriving after being casually introduced to the Douluo Continent. It seemed cheapness really was an advantage.

"Yes, Honey Snow Ice City. You've heard of it too?"

That set off Sun Ting, who usually appeared aloof but was actually quite the chatterbox.

"My family does business in Heaven Dou City. My mother sent me word about it a couple of days ago. It's a shame I couldn't try it. I was planning to have some when we came to Heaven Dou City this time!"

With that said, everyone else became curious as well. What exactly was this legendary milk tea?

Even the two well-traveled Titled Douluos found themselves looking forward to it.

Lin Yichen nodded slightly, but the pressing matter was getting himself some clothes...

"But first, can we find me something to wear? We need to buy a few outfits."

Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City.

The most prosperous and vibrant city on the entire Douluo Continent.

It was already noon, and the blazing sun overhead made everyone dizzy.

Lin Yichen casually picked out several outfits from a clothing shop. They suited his temperament quite well.

However, when it came time to pay, Hu Liena rushed to do it.

Lin Yichen smiled inwardly. This woman really did not mean what she said. She obviously cared about him deeply, yet insisted on acting as though she did not.

The group followed the crowds toward the center of Heaven Dou City.

At a street corner stood a modest shop, with a sign above its entrance bearing the four words, "Honey Snow Ice City."

A round inflatable snowman stood outside, calling out to passersby.

It held up a cup of drink, its face wearing a silly, innocent smile.

More than a dozen people were already lined up outside, men and women, young and old alike.

Lin Yichen could not help sighing inwardly. Xiao Rou really was talented.

But thinking about what came next gave Lin Yichen a headache.

He had brought more than ten people here for Xiao Rou's drinks. Not paying was impossible, but Xiao Rou definitely would not let him pay.

Oh, well. He would deal with it when the time came.

The line was long, and by the time it was Lin Yichen's turn, another dozen or so people had joined behind them.

There were commoner soul masters among them, and from time to time, he could see groups of low-level soul masters with single-digit soul power bullying commoners.

"One lemonade, extra ice, less sugar."

Xiao Rou had hired several attendants to work in the shop.

But they were busy serving other customers at the moment, so Xiao Rou happened to be the one receiving them.

"Certainly. Lemonade is four copper soul coins per cup. May I ask, you..."

"Young Master!"

Xiao Rou's voice jumped an octave. Her eyes lit up at once, and she sprang out through the doorway.

With a thump, she threw her arms around Lin Yichen.

At that moment, Lin Yichen felt a vicious gaze boring into his back.

But Xiao Rou had no mind for that.

"Young Master! What are you doing here?"

"Spirit Hall is here for the exchange tournament between the six academies. Her Holiness the Pope sent me and two Elders to take a look."

At the words "two Elders," the people standing nearby in line could not help drawing sharp breaths.

In other words, they had been lining up to buy drinks alongside two Titled Douluos?

They immediately edged backward, afraid that the two might descend in divine might and suppress the place.

"Wow! Are all these Young Master's friends? Everyone, everyone, your milk tea is on me!"

"Perfect, Young Master, help me come up with some ideas! I'm planning to add new drinks!"

Before her words had even faded, Hu Liena's voice came from behind Lin Yichen, utterly devoid of warmth.

"Mm, helping you come up with ideas. It seems you two are quite familiar."

Lin Yichen turned around. Hu Liena stood just one step behind him.

Her arms were folded across her chest, her head tilted as her gaze moved back and forth between him and Xiao Rou several times.

Xiao Rou stared at Hu Liena blankly for a moment, then blinked, as though she understood something.

"Don't worry, Sister! Young Master is my benefactor. How could Xiao Rou possibly indulge in such wishful thinking?

Please, everyone, sit down. Xiao Rou will treat each of you to a bottle of lemonade!"

Since the proprietress had said so, the others had enough sense to understand. She was clearly asking them to leave.

Thus, during the busiest noon rush, the spacious Honey Snow Ice City was "forced" to close.

Inside, the group chatted and laughed merrily.

Xiao Rou excitedly rambled on to Lin Yichen about everything that had happened over the past few days.

"Young Master, I've heard about this exchange tournament too.

Some of my customers have powerful backgrounds, so they often discuss it.

This exchange tournament is actually being hosted by Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I heard its purpose is to establish authority.

They want to establish that Heaven Dou Royal Academy is supreme within the Heaven Dou Empire, while the neighboring Four Element Academies can only be considered supporting academies.

And inviting Spirit Hall is meant to use Spirit Hall's authority to prove that point.

Also, it seems the Crown Prince personally arranged the exchange tournament. I've met that Crown Prince before. He came to the shop and had several cups of milk tea. He seemed like a nice person, but I never expected him to be so calculating."

When Lin Yichen heard the words "Crown Prince," his hand paused slightly.

Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue?

Everyone in Spirit Hall knew of the conflict between her and Bibi Dong. Inviting Spirit Hall Academy here this time was likely meant to probe their strength.

To see what kind of outstanding disciples her mother could train?

And, while she was at it, pave the way for her future return to Spirit Hall to achieve great things.

Sure enough, mother and daughter were each more calculating than the other.

This was a show of authority for the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Family—and for herself as the "Crown Prince"!

"Young Master, Young Master, I have good news about myself too. Do you want to hear it?"

Xiao Rou cast off her earlier seriousness and began gesturing excitedly.

"For this exchange tournament, His Highness the Crown Prince appointed me as the exclusive beverage provider~

I'll provide free drinks for the participants, and once it's done, I'll receive fifty thousand gold soul coins as payment!"

Lin Yichen fell into thought.

Brilliant. Truly brilliant.

There was only one Honey Snow Ice City on the entire Douluo Continent, and it was in Heaven Dou City. Did she want to promote the good things within her territory?

She would draw countless merchants to Heaven Dou City to invest and open franchises. The Heaven Dou Empire would grow stronger, and once she seized power, she could monopolize the continent.

Impressive.

It seemed impossible for him to avoid greeting His Highness the Crown Prince at this exchange tournament.

"Congratulations, Xiao Rou! Then..."

Lin Yichen cast a sidelong glance.

"Shouldn't you give me some special treatment? Add a little something extra to my drink?"

"Of course!"

With the conversation over, everyone had rested enough and was about to set off.

Every one of them looked satisfied. Even Ghost Douluo, usually the coldest among them, seemed to have a slightly warmer aura around him.

"Let's get moving. The opening ceremony is this afternoon, and the tournament officially begins tomorrow."

Everyone looked in unison toward the mountaintop where Heaven Dou Royal Academy stood.

"Your ambition? Sorry, but this is the beginning of my fame across the continent!"

Lin Yichen snorted inwardly, flicked his sleeve, and turned to head toward the mountaintop.

The sunlight behind him stretched his shadow long, covering the entire street.

"We have plenty of time ahead of us."