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At this moment, Ye Wen was no longer at Nuoding Academy but instead outside the Fasinuo Province.
Thanks to the successful promotion of cold medicine and other specialized drugs, Ye Wen had begun expanding his operations to other regions. With the backing of the Huo family's formidable reputation, ordinary factions didn't dare to meddle with him.
After half a semester of cultivation, Ye Wen had thoroughly refined his second soul skill, giving him both formidable offensive power and the confidence to face even Soul Elder-level experts in small cities like Nuoding without fear.
That said, Ye Wen still brought bodyguards along for protection.
However, this time felt unusual. For nearly four years, Huo Yu'er had always insisted on accompanying him whenever he went out. But now, she was engrossed in bonding with Xiao Wu, leaving Ye Wen feeling somewhat strange.
"Forget it, why overthink things? We're just a couple, not conjoined twins. Besides, Xiao Wu isn't a boy—how could she possibly NTR me?" Ye Wen chuckled lightheartedly.
Moreover…
Upon arriving at the new city, Ye Wen simply informed his companions and then set off to explore on his own.
Though he was accustomed to being around Huo Yu'er, Ye Wen's solitary nature—shaped by years of orphan life—made him more comfortable spending time alone, quietly strengthening himself.
This wasn't because Ye Wen disliked Huo Yu'er; rather, as a man, he longed for some personal space!
Given their circumstances, they could have easily rented a place outside the academy instead of staying in the dorms.
But every time Ye Wen suggested this, Huo Yu'er inexplicably rejected the idea, insisting that mingling with classmates was beneficial.
(Huo Yu'er's inner thoughts: If you move out, how will I find excuses to cuddle with you? And what if you get seduced by some vixen outside the academy? I'd be at a huge loss!)
Thus, while this trip was officially labeled as "business," it was essentially Ye Wen's chance to enjoy some freedom.
"Hmm, something unfamiliar—is this a local specialty? I must try it."
Drawn by the enticing aroma wafting through the air, Ye Wen soon stopped at a small food stall. Though modest in size, the stall boasted over a dozen tables, indicating brisk business.
"Boss, give me a serving of your signature dish to try."
"Got it! Please take a seat, and I'll bring it over shortly. Any dietary restrictions?"
Ye Wen glanced at the ingredients laid out on the stall. When he spotted something resembling bamboo joints—a rhizome-like plant—he immediately frowned and quickly said:
"Feel free to add any other ingredients, but absolutely no fish mint!"
Afterward, though he intended to head to his seat, Ye Wen couldn't help but return and reiterate his request.
He simply couldn't understand why anyone in the resource-abundant world of Douluo would willingly eat fish mint.
Back in his previous life, Ye Wen had once tasted fish mint out of curiosity—it felt like pouring shower gel straight into his mouth. In this world, he encountered a similar plant, also called fish mint, and suffered a double blow of trauma!
As the saying goes, "If you don't court death, it won't come knocking." Ye Wen swore never to touch this evil plant again in this lifetime.
That said, Ye Wen didn't judge those who enjoyed fish mint. To him, it was like cilantro—containing certain chemical compounds that appealed to some but repelled others. Unfortunately, he happened to fall into the latter category.
The snack arrived shortly—a dish resembling pan-fried tofu skin. While the base ingredients were ordinary, the addition of local spices gave it a unique flavor.
"Mm," Ye Wen's eyes crinkled with satisfaction after taking a bite.
The crispy outer layer contrasted beautifully with the soft, glutinous interior, exuding a rich soybean fragrance. There were no artificial additives or gimmicks—just pure bean aroma enhanced by a slightly salty-spicy seasoning and some local herbs. The flavors melded perfectly.
"Indeed, one must never neglect the pleasures of life's delicacies," Ye Wen remarked thoughtfully.
As Ye Wen savored the dish, contemplating ordering another serving, a nearby whisper caught his attention.
"Hey, did you hear? There've been two perverted creeps recently. Every night they harass women—it's utterly despicable!"
"Yeah, tell me about it. But the city lord's residence hasn't made any statements. I heard from a friend that these two might actually be soul masters, which is why there's been no news."
"Tsk, soul masters, huh?"
The conversation among the passersby ended quickly. After all, for ordinary people, anything involving soul masters—whether noble-born or fallen—was beyond their ability to confront.
In such a feudal and chaotic era, the only recourse for commoners facing extraordinary powers was to pray for mercy, hoping merely to survive. Losing one's virtue was already considered a stroke of luck.
Hearing this discussion, Ye Wen's appetite waned, and the food suddenly tasted bland.
"What dirty ears I've got from hearing such filth."
After swallowing the last bite of tofu skin, Ye Wen paid the bill and set off to attend to his business.
In the remote towns surrounding Nuoding City, Ye Wen had already established pharmacies named "Ye Family Remedies" to sell cold medicine and treatments for minor ailments. Due to their affordable prices, ordinary citizens could afford them, and they had gained a solid reputation. Now, he was visiting a neighboring province to expand his market reach.
After all, even if individual medicinal costs were low, accumulating sales across an entire province represented an incredibly lucrative opportunity.
With Huo Rui's backing in Fasinuo Province, Ye Wen could act freely and monopolize the profits. However, outside her sphere of influence, numerous families possessed Soul Elder-level experts.
Under these circumstances, monopolizing the market would be impolite.
To further grow his business, Ye Wen needed to learn how to collaborate and share the pie, forging connections between families and influential factions. This approach would allow his enterprise to expand and thrive.
Additionally, Ye Wen remained relatively unknown. Though backed by Huo Rui, she was a neutral countess who avoided conflict with pro-commoner factions like the Spirit Hall, ensuring Ye Wen's safety to a greater extent.
As for why Ye Wen separated from his companions, it was naturally to visit the local nobility.
Such visits weren't straightforward—you had to submit a formal request and go through a series of tedious procedures.
In short, it was a hassle. So Ye Wen delegated the task to his subordinates while he wandered freely, embracing his role as a leisurely traveler.
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