Douluo: I Can Choose My Own Soul Skills

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Director Su was well-acquainted with Su Yuntao. After all, the soul master circle in Nuoding City wasn't large. It was no surprise that he knew the deacon of the local Spirit Hall branch. He asked, "Young friend Ye Lan, how do you plan to sell this?"

Ye Lan replied, "Director, I plan to supply one portion of candied fruit skewers each day—ten skewers per box. I intend to price each box at one gold soul coin. As for how the cafeteria sells them, that's up to you. I don't need a cut of the profits. Just reimburse me one gold coin per box to cover the cost."

"Excellent! That's a very fair price. The academy will still have a considerable profit margin," Director Su said, immediately calculating the potential earnings. "If word gets out that the school cafeteria offers a royal dessert, the nobles of Nuoding City might just flood the gates!"

Ye Lan relaxed at his acceptance and added, "Later, I'll bring a few more boxes for you to distribute to the school leadership and instructors for a taste. Also, please offer them to the noble students to build market demand."

"Smart thinking. No matter how delicious something is, it only sells if people know about it," Director Su nodded approvingly. Inwardly, he marveled—Su Yuntao was truly fortunate to have such a bright junior. Once soul masters develop a taste for these, they'll be willing to pay even more in the future.

After finishing the business discussion, Ye Lan stayed to eat a meal prepared by Director Su. Then he returned to the dorm and brought six more boxes of candied skewers back to the cafeteria.

The remaining three boxes were given to Wang Sheng and the others in Dorm 7. Ye Lan asked Wang Sheng to deliver the extras to the noble dorms as a gesture.

Within days, the name "candied fruit skewers" spread across Nuoding City. The treat quickly became known as a noble dessert unique to the academy. Many noblewomen asked their children studying at the school to bring a box home to try. But due to limited production, supply couldn't meet demand. Prices surged, and buyers had to pay a premium for a chance to taste them.

However, Ye Lan had no intention of increasing production. First, it was a matter of scarcity marketing—if the candy became too common, its price would plummet, and the novelty would wear off in noble circles.

Second, earning too much would draw the attention of greedy individuals. With Ye Lan's current strength, he couldn't afford to attract that kind of trouble. With just thirty gold coins per month, protected by Su Yuntao's title as a Spirit Hall deacon, he could barely manage. Any more, and it'd be dangerous.

For reference, even the Spirit Hall only provided Su Yuntao a monthly stipend equivalent to a third of thirty gold coins.

Third, Ye Lan needed to leave enough time for cultivation. He had come to the Douluo Continent to cultivate, not to chase wealth. He would not lose sight of his true purpose.

With his finances settled, Ye Lan devoted himself wholeheartedly to martial soul cultivation.

Over the next ten days, aside from the time spent making the candy, he immersed himself either in cultivation or in the academy's library. The classroom lessons were too basic to be of much help to Ye Lan.

Self-study was the fastest way to absorb knowledge, and Ye Lan had a strong advantage from his past life in a test-driven education system—he was exceptionally self-reliant in learning.

He devoured books on exotic legends, soul beast encyclopedias, and the continent's history. Over time, he grew familiar with the old librarian. The man knew the library's collection inside and out, and Ye Lan simply had to ask to locate any specific book.

One day, Ye Lan casually suggested that they create a proper catalog to record each book's exact location.

The old librarian laughed and shrugged. "That's a great idea. But besides you, kid, no one else even visits the library. Not even that so-called Master of the academy drops by. He probably thinks this place is beneath him. So, let's just leave the catalog to future generations."

Ye Lan nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, Douluo Continent prioritized soul masters above all. As long as one had power, their words became truth. Most people were obsessed with cultivation and lacked curiosity, making them ignorant of theory and knowledge.

Even Yu Xiaogang's basic "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls" was treated like gospel by the masses who had seen so little.

It's worth noting that most people on the continent never broke through rank 30, and their levels were lower than Yu Xiaogang's.

As for those in the Soul Saint realm or higher, they typically relied on inherited clan experience. They wouldn't bother disputing Yu Xiaogang's title as "Master," especially since he hailed from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—one of the three great upper clans. That status alone was enough for the masses to accept him as the Douluo Continent's leading theorist without question.

Ye Lan collected his thoughts and resolved to accelerate his cultivation progress. With his current pace, even after six years of hard work, he might not reach the tenth level by graduation.

Fortunately, funds for whale glue were already accumulating through the profits from selling candied fruit skewers. Now was the time to improve his cultivation environment. No matter how diligently he trained in the dormitory, the environment itself limited his growth.

So, how could a Blue Silver Grass spirit be cultivated more efficiently? Naturally, in the wild—where Blue Silver Grass grew in abundance. This was the essence of mimicry cultivation. On the Douluo Continent, the one thing never lacking was Blue Silver Grass. As long as there was sunlight and soil, it could thrive.

With this thought, Ye Lan closed his book and headed into the city to purchase camping supplies. After all, the wilds weren't as comfortable as the dormitory, and he wasn't about to suffer needlessly.

Leaving the library, he made his way to downtown Nuoding City and bought a tent, insect-repelling incense, and a seat cushion.

His plan was to cultivate in the forested area behind the academy, where vegetation was dense and Blue Silver Grass grew in abundance. Though the conditions were a bit harsh, it was the perfect environment for a Blue Silver Grass Spirit to flourish.

After finishing his shopping, Ye Lan arrived at the academy's back mountain just as night was falling.

Under a clear, moonlit sky, he took advantage of the darkness and chose the patch where Blue Silver Grass grew the thickest. There, he pitched his tent and lit the insect-repelling incense.

Sitting cross-legged on the grassy ground, Ye Lan began circulating his soul power. Soon, small blades of blue grass began sprouting from his body.

With his eyes shut tight, he focused inward and mentally reached out to the wild Blue Silver Grass surrounding him.

Before long, the wild grass slowly crept toward his position.

Under the glow of his martial soul, the Blue Silver Grass swayed gently, as if in joyful celebration.

In Ye Lan's mindscape—shrouded in darkness—faint points of blue light began appearing nearby. He could sense the consciousness of the surrounding Blue Silver Grass. Each one was like a lonely soul, now rejoicing in the presence of a kindred spirit.

Soon, the grass fully covered his body. The soul power coursing through his meridians grew far more active than usual. Streams of Blue Silver energy surged toward his dantian.

Yet Ye Lan didn't notice the changes within himself. He remained immersed in the consciousness of the Blue Silver Grass, like a lone star glowing faintly in the darkness, resonating with distant constellations.

There weren't many stars—but their light, however sparse, bathed him in warmth. Ye Lan felt as if he were submerged in a gentle current of starlight.

(End of Chapter)