Qian Ran couldn't help but think of Zhu Ying. That fiery girl always left an impression.
Ahem.
Watching Huo Yun'er and the other maids efficiently plant the seeds, Qian Ran checked on the progress. Everything looked good, and he was quite satisfied.
Ordinary plants couldn't survive in the unique environment of the Icefire Yin Yang Well, so every plant grown here was a rarity. With careful attention, however, they thrived.
Here, plants grew ten times faster than they would outside, thanks to the fertile soil and abundant energy. Spices and fruit trees from Earth would flourish rapidly in this environment.
Some crops with shorter maturation periods could even be harvested in a week or so.
"If I use the system's potion that stimulates positive mutations in plant-type soul beasts and soul masters, I wonder what would happen. Maybe these plants could even evolve into plant-type soul beasts. Their flavor might improve too," Qian Ran mused, pouring a few drops of the special potion into a nearby pool.
Huo Yun'er and the others could use the water from this pool to irrigate the crops, maximizing the potion's effects.
Previously, without access to a resource like the Icefire Yin Yang Well, Qian Ran hadn't thought much about this. Now, he was determined to avoid eating subpar food again.
With such a prime location at his disposal, he planned to elevate the quality of his meals.
"Qian Ran, what are you planting?" Bing Di and Xue Di approached out of curiosity. Recently, they had taken to spending more time at the estate that Huo Yun'er and her team had built around the Icefire Yin Yang Well.
"Special spices and fruit trees," Qian Ran explained.
"Wow! Qian Ran, you're a genius! Using this environment for food cultivation is brilliant. You'll grow the most delicious ingredients here," Bing Di exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. She had grown accustomed to human food during her time in the human world and found it hard to go without it.
"The plants grow quickly here. Some will mature in just a week or two. You can eat whatever you want then," Qian Ran said, rubbing Bing Di's slim waist affectionately.
"Qian Ran, can't you bring in some chefs? Ever since we came here, Xue Di and I haven't had any good meals. Your maids are terrible cooks," Bing Di pouted, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes.
The maids Qian Ran had taken in from the Dai family were noblewomen, not chefs. While Huo Yun'er's cooking was decent, she only ever cooked for Qian Ran, refusing to do so for anyone else.
"Well… we'll see," Qian Ran replied with a sigh. Manpower was in short supply.
He was already considering building a palace in the necromancer realm he had acquired from Electrolux. That palace would also need staff to manage it.
Good thing he didn't live in ancient times—he'd probably have become a tyrant, sacrificing everything for his own pleasure.
One benefit of the Douluo Continent was its incredibly high agricultural yield, sustained by the world's abundant energy. Without it, how could the continent support so many soul masters who didn't contribute to productive labor?
Currently, Huo Yun'er only had six maids under her command. But in Qian Ran's vision, six maids were far from sufficient—even sixty might not cut it. It was no wonder Huo Yun'er had complained about being understaffed. Qian Ran even considered hiring ordinary maids to relieve the workload on his specialized team. He wanted to ensure his maid squad still had time for training and cultivation.
"Qian Ran, why don't we go out for a bit? It's so boring staying here all the time. Since coming to the Sun and Moon Empire, we haven't gone anywhere fun," Bing Di said, tugging on Qian Ran's hand and pouting playfully.
Her coquettish act was irresistibly charming.
"Fine, but you'll need to be careful. The rules here are stricter than in Shrek City," Qian Ran warned.
Mingdu, being more modernized and administratively organized, had tighter regulations compared to the more traditional Shrek City.
"Come on, are you underestimating us? If Xue Di and I teamed up, we wouldn't fear anyone in Mingdu, no matter how many came at us. Right, Xue Di?" Bing Di said, tilting her head toward Xue Di.
"Mm," Xue Di nodded, her confidence in her strength evident. Watching Bing Di cling to Qian Ran's arm like a cheerful young girl, Xue Di smiled gently. Though her personality was more reserved and elegant, her feelings for Qian Ran were no less deep.
"All right, I'll take you out. But don't underestimate the soul engineers in Mingdu either," Qian Ran said, lightly flicking Bing Di's nose.
He remembered how, in the original story, the Sun and Moon Empire managed to trap even Dragon Douluo Long Xiaoyao and Bright Goddess Douluo Ye Xishui, both Limit Douluos. While it took extensive planning and preparation, the empire's prowess was not to be underestimated.
Still, with proper caution, Bing Di and Xue Di would have no trouble retreating unscathed. Their combined power as the strongest beings of Ultimate Ice was not merely additive—it was exponential. With Bing Di having overcome her 400,000-year tribulation and Xue Di her 700,000-year tribulation, they were significantly stronger than in the original story.
"Yun'er, you're coming with us. If there's anything we need, we'll pick it up while we're out. If we find some good servants at the auction house, we'll bring them back too," Qian Ran instructed.
"Yes, Master," Huo Yun'er replied happily. She loved accompanying Qian Ran on outings.
When Qian Ran reappeared in the lab, Ju Zi and Ke Ke jumped in surprise. Before they could process his return, he had already opened the lab's door and left again, leaving Ke Ke fuming.
She had been planning to show off a beautiful new dress to him, but the guy disappeared so quickly!
On the bustling streets, Qian Ran found a secluded spot and released Bing Di, Xue Di, and Huo Yun'er.
"Wow, so this is Mingdu? Look at all these tall buildings!" Bing Di exclaimed, marveling at the cityscape. Unlike Shrek City's traditional aesthetic, Mingdu was a beacon of modernization. Shrek's buildings were mostly three to four stories tall, whereas Mingdu boasted countless skyscrapers, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.
"The Sun and Moon Empire is truly prosperous. No wonder it's the largest nation," Xue Di said, her usually composed demeanor giving way to genuine amazement.
"Indeed, Mingdu's development outshines most places," Qian Ran agreed.
He had a soft spot for the Sun and Moon Empire, which resembled Earth in its modernization. Its technological advancements had significantly improved the living conditions of ordinary people, surpassing those in other regions of the Douluo Continent.
In his view, the Sun and Moon Empire's dominance was inevitable. Advanced civilizations were destined to replace the old and stagnant ones.
Despite having 3,000 years to catch up, the other nations still lagged behind. Shrek Academy had only recently recognized the importance of soul tools—an embarrassing delay. If they were conquered, it would be no less than they deserved.
Yet in the original story, Tang San intervened to reverse the Sun and Moon Empire's war efforts.
It baffled Qian Ran. The Sun and Moon Empire had clearly been on the right path, yet they ended up as the losers. Why?
Don't ask why. The other empires must have had better connections.
(End of Chapter)