Douluo Continent, Star Luo Empire
"Dai Wei, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Soul Power: Level 2."
"Zhu Lingling, Martial Soul: Colorful Spirit Cat, Soul Power: Level 3."
"Xie Tingfeng, Martial Soul: Kitchen Knife, No Soul Power. What a pity, kid. You can't become a Soul Master, maybe try being a chef? Next..."
The annual Awakening Ceremony was being held in Star Luo City, where all six-year-old children could participate.
The Star Luo Emperor and the nobles in attendance didn't look pleased. Because out of over 3,000 children tested, not one had truly outstanding talent, let alone a genius.
In recent years, the Star Luo Empire's talent pool had been declining. If this continued, the Heaven Dou Empire would soon surpass them. And as for the Spirit Hall, their power had already suppressed Star Luo's.
....
"It's so lively."
Lu Feng gazed at the crowded central square, which reminded him of the packed tourist scenes from his past life. But his sigh wasn't about the crowd, it was about his own useless Martial Soul: a seed.
"Maybe it's because I downloaded too many 'seeds' in my past life..." he joked bitterly.
To make things worse, he had been bound with the wrong system.
In most transmigration novels, the "golden finger" (cheat ability) might be late, but it never fails to arrive, It wasn't different in his case too. His system did appear when he was six, but instead of fixing his trash-tier talent, it gave him a "Tycoon System", focused solely on making money.
"How am I supposed to impress the goddesses I admire if I can't even become a Soul Master?"
However, the system's ultimate mission was to become the richest man in Douluo Continent. If he succeeded, there might still be hope.
So, for years, he focused on building wealth.
Douluo Continent's commerce was underdeveloped, but Lu Feng came from a world of advanced business strategies. With his system's help, he created a massive commercial empire, with branches in the entire continent.
His Pan-Continental Trade Alliance became the top trading partner for both empires and even the Spirit Hall, even doing business with Seagod Island.
He also brought the Single Attribute Four Clans, the Blacksmiths Association, the Purple Pearl Pirate Group, and other small and mid-sized forces under his control. Of course, the contract calls them business partner.
Now, Min Clan couriers zipped across the skies, delivering goods efficiently.
Whoosh!
A white blur streaked past, and in an instant, a little girl in a light purple dress appeared before Lu Feng. She had twin ponytails, a delicate and adorable face, clearly a beauty in the making, though she looked a bit thin.
"Alliance master!" she greeted cheerfully.
She was Bai Chenxiang, granddaughter of the Min Clan's leader, Bai He.
Lu Feng looked and then sighed. "Little xiangxiang, I have told you not to call me that in public!"
Only a select few in the Alliance knew his true face. Since he had no combat power, he had to maintain an air of mystery as the mastermind behind the scenes.
Bai Chenxiang stuck out her tongue playfully. "Didn't you also promised not to call me 'Little Xiangxiang' too? I'm not little anymore, and you're only twelve!" {t/n: what!?}
Lu Feng pretended to scold her. "Keep talking back, and I'll spank you."
"You can't catch me!" She fluttered her wings teasingly. "My Sharp-Tailed Swallow is the fastest flying Martial Soul—you'll never catch me hee hee"
The little girl flapped her angel-like beautiful white wings and quickly took off, hovering lightly around Lu Feng, "come on, come and catch me."
The Sharp-tailed swallow was the fastest flying bird-type Martial Soul. How could someone without Soul Power ever hope to catch her? Lu Feng was speechless but couldn't help laughing at her playful antics.
The Min Clan was the first to join the Business Alliance. Back then, Bai He led his people, struggling in poverty, relying on the help of friends while being suppressed by Spirit Hall and local forces.
Giving them jobs, fair wages, and stability was like sending charcoal in the snow, a lifesaving act for them. In return, they were deeply grateful and saw him as their savior.
At that time, Bai Chenxiang was only two years old.
She lacked fatherly and motherly love, with only her grandfather by her side while Lu Feng had transmigrated alone into this world, carrying loneliness in his heart.
The little girl always loved following him around, and he treated her like a younger sister, often buying her lollipops.
Growing up together was nice, but in the Douluo Continent, only strength mattered.
She had a top-tier Martial Soul and genius-level talent. Sooner or later, she would spread her wings and soar toward greatness, while he…
Bai Chenxiang noticed that Lu Feng's smile faded, and he looked a little sad.
She quickly landed and hugged his arm with her soft little hands.
"Brother, are you sad? Xiangxiang was wrong. I'll listen to you, so please don't be sad."
"I'm fine," Lu Feng smiled and gently ruffled Bai Chenxiang's twin ponytails.
The light fragrance of her hair filled his nose, and he felt a soft touch on his arm.
Eh? She actually has some hidden charm.
In this world, people matured early.
Bai Chenxiang was still too thin, she wouldn't have the unbelievable figure of Zhu Zhuqing but she was only seven years old. There was still plenty of time... Wait, what am I even thinking? At least three more years! {t/n: bro what....?}
Bai Chenxiang blinked her amber eyes and looked up at Lu Feng's deep gaze. Then, she said seriously, "Brother, I can tell you also want to fly. Don't be sad. When I grow up, I'll take you flying."
"…"
Lu Feng lips twitched, then chuckled. "Alright, take me flying… Hmm, do you have anything else to tell me?"
"Oh no! I almost forgot! Grandpa asked me to tell you that our Happy House Cola is selling out fast after being iced, just like you said. There's not enough stock!"
"Go back and tell your grandfather not to worry. I already asked Old Yang to set up more workshops to work overtime and produce extra while the weather is still hot."
Old Yang was Yang Wudi, the patriarch of the Po Clan.
He was an expert at mixing herbs, and thanks to the cola recipe provided by the system, he had quickly figured out how to make it.
The drink smelled faintly of herbs, looked like a strange bubbly potion, and tasted... just okay.
At first, no one believed in its potential, until Lu Feng marketed it as a luxury drink for nobles and Soul Masters, even getting royalty to endorse it.
Bai Chenxiang giggled. "Brother, you're such a scammer! It costs one copper coin to make, but you sell it for one gol-!"
Lu Feng quickly covered her mouth. "Shh! Don't expose the trade secrets!"
....
He'd told the little girl not to follow him outside precisely because kids say whatever comes to mind and damn, she nearly exposed all his secrets!
Just at that moment...
A system notification sounded in Lu Feng's mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your total wealth has reached the highest in Douluo Continent - you are now the richest person.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Ultimate mission complete. Distributing rewards...]
[Second Spirit Awakening: An unprecedented second awakening of Spirit power.]
[Dragon God Spirit Bone Set: Six divine-level spirit bones left by the Dragon God. At Spirit Power level 30, you can absorb the 200,000-year right leg bone. At level 40, the 300,000-year left arm bone... At level 99, the million-year Dragon God skull bone. After absorbing the second piece, the divine set's special attributes activate. When all six pieces fuse, they evolve into super-million-year spirit bones, condensing Dragon God's power to ascend to godhood in one step.]
[Absolute Invincibility Potion (x2): Grants complete damage immunity for 30 seconds.]
[Title Douluo Experience Card (x3): Randomly grants the power of a 99th-level Title Douluo for 25 minutes.]
[God-given Spirit Rings (x3): Provides the most needed spirit abilities and the highest level spirit rings you can handle.]
[The system will now begin upgrading, evolving into a divine-level system customized according to your deepest desires.]
[System evolution in progress...]