After several years of development, Fairy Clothing Pavilion has grown to a considerable size. Now, within the Heaven Dou Empire, every city at the main city level and above has a branch of Fairy Clothing Pavilion.
Fairy Clothing Pavilion can be considered a commercial giant; while not completely monopolizing the clothing industry, it at least dominates the market for women's clothing.
Many Soul Masters come to join it, drawn by the abundance of Gold Soul Coins.
However, due to its low-key development in the early stages, it dared not recruit too many Soul Masters.
It was only recently that Ma Hongjun proposed actively recruiting Soul Masters.
He originally thought the Three Musketeers were the strongest subordinates of Fairy Clothing Pavilion, but to Ma Hongjun's surprise, the Shuang'er sisters had already recruited a group of excellent Soul Masters.
Leaving aside those below the Great Soul Master level, there were over a dozen Soul Venerables.
There were two Soul Masters and one Soul King.
Ding Zhiqi, male, level 48 Soul Master, Martial Soul: Frost Silkworm.
This person truly joined the Fairy Garment Pavilion because of a dream. He's now in charge of the raw materials for making clothes for the pavilion. His family, whose martial soul is related to silkworm farming, has been subdued by the Shuang'er sisters.
Yue Ruying, female, level 49 Soul Master, martial soul Star Moon Crane, agility-based.
Di Xin, female, level 53 Soul King, martial soul water element, control-based.
These two are bodyguards hired by the Shuang'er sisters at great expense, and also serve as their secretaries.
Unbeknownst to many, the Fairy Garment Pavilion has quietly developed into a considerable force.
The Shuang'er sisters are not just pretty faces; Ma Hongjun has been cultivating with them all these years, neglecting their business acumen.
This also shows how useful money is; it's easy to amass power.
In the conference room,
the Fairy Garment Pavilion's Soul Master Conference was held.
Ma Hongjun and Bai Baoshan sat in the main seats.
More than twenty Soul Masters, all above Soul Venerable level, attended the meeting.
"Welcome to Fairy Robe Pavilion! This is my first time meeting you all. My name is Ma Hongjun. From now on, just call me 'Boss,' like the Ghost Axe Duo.
I'm basically a hands-off manager.
I still need to learn; to my shame, I haven't graduated from the Soul Master Academy yet. However
, I believe in Shuang'er and Feifei. Their ability to develop Fairy Robe Pavilion is the best proof of that.
Thank you all for your support of the Shuang'er sisters. Fairy Robe Pavilion's achievements today are largely due to your contributions. I'm
here today to introduce myself. The Shuang'er sisters will still be in charge of Fairy Robe Pavilion's affairs. I'll only focus on improving my own strength and ensuring its development."
Ma Hongjun spoke while looking at the group of Soul Masters below. This experience of being in a position of authority was quite unique; lecturing a group of people could also hone one's leadership skills.
You could observe that everyone below focused their attention on you, each with a different expression.
However, these Soul Masters didn't understand Ma Hongjun and couldn't discern his true abilities. They were mostly curious and doubtful, and some didn't take him seriously.
Ma Hongjun still looked too young, and having not yet graduated from the academy, he was seen by everyone as a young master from a wealthy family. While they dared not offend him, they didn't show him much respect either, since they were all Soul Masters.
"The Fairy Robe Pavilion will grow even stronger in the future, and the number of Soul Masters will increase. Therefore, from now on, we need to add some rules for our Soul Masters to facilitate management and to unify our forces.
What are your thoughts on this?"
He finished speaking and glanced at the seated Soul Masters. Hearing that rules would be added, the Soul Masters were somewhat surprised. They exchanged glances, then secretly sized up Ma Hongjun, before looking at the Shuang'er sisters.
The Soul Masters of the Fairy Robe Pavilion had always been unmanaged because the Shuang'er sisters themselves weren't Soul Masters and didn't have the power to manage them. This led to them being used to being undisciplined. Although they received huge salaries, they still acted as if the Fairy Robe Pavilion was begging them.
The three scoundrels were a given; they were the main targets for discipline.
Most importantly, there was Ding Zhiqi. Although her family had been taken over, they hadn't submitted. Jinlian had already reported this to Ma Hongjun during the meeting.
The cooperation between the two parties was relatively pleasant because Fairy Robe Pavilion was thriving and making money. However, the Ding family had many Soul Masters and were extremely arrogant within Fairy Robe Pavilion; those unaware of the situation might mistakenly believe it was their family's property.
Ding Zhiqi had even considered taking advantage of the Shuang'er sisters, but upon hearing that they had powerful backers, she dared not act recklessly.
Di Xin and Yue Ruying were very curious about Ma Hongjun. They were close to the Shuang'er sisters, spending a lot of time together and talking frequently.
When asked about their boss, the Shuang'er sisters always told them that their young master was very strong.
As for how strong he was, the Shuang'er sisters simply smiled and didn't elaborate.
Aside from the three scoundrels, the other Soul Masters gradually focused their attention on Di Xin. Because she was the strongest Soul Master, they usually sought her out to handle any issues between Soul Masters.
Strength dictates authority.
Di Xin felt compelled to speak up; everyone was still unsure of the true intentions of this boss they were meeting for the first time.
"I wonder what rules the boss will add. Isn't it fine as it is?"
Although Di Xin was over thirty years old, she looked about the same as the Shuang'er sisters, or even more radiant, perhaps because of the water element in her martial soul. Her skin was so tender that you could squeeze water out of it.
"We can't be shortsighted. Fairy Robe Pavilion will definitely be even more glorious in the future. With more Soul Masters, management is needed. Just because something hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't happen in the future. Let's be
upfront and establish the rules first. If anyone does anything that harms Fairy Robe Pavilion in the future, there will be a procedure for dealing with them."
Ma Hongjun's meaning was clear; he wanted to establish rules right from the start, which sounded more like establishing his authority.
"I heard from Shuang'er and her sister that you're very strong, boss. I wonder what your cultivation level is now?"
"Why do you ask that?" "
In the world of Soul Masters, the strong are respected. To establish rules, you first need the strength to command respect, or a powerful person to supervise you. Otherwise, it won't be very effective."
Di Xin said, looking at Bai Baoshan beside her. Obviously, she didn't think Ma Hongjun was stronger than them. Perhaps this old man beside him was the important person they were going to introduce today.
Ma Hongjun smiled slightly. In fact, he was there to establish his authority, but Bai Baoshan was also an important person he was going to introduce today.
"You're right. I'm level 46 now, which might not be enough to convince you.
How about this, let's settle things with strength, and let you truly understand your boss.
All three of you come at me together. If you beat me, you set the rules; if you lose, I'll set the rules."
Ma Hongjun pointed at Di Xin, Yue Ruying, and Ding Zhiqi.
Without further ado, Ma Hongjun wanted to establish his authority, letting these people know how powerful the man behind the Shuang'er sisters was.
He wanted to ensure that these Soul Masters wouldn't dare disrespect the Shuang'er sisters in the future.
Ma Hongjun was also doing this to pave the way for the Shuang'er sisters to better manage the Fairy Robe Pavilion in the future, as there would be more and more Soul Masters. The Shuang'er sisters weren't Soul Masters; they needed his support.
Di Xin and the other two, having been singled out by Ma Hongjun, felt that he was arrogant and looked down on them.
A Soul Master challenging a Soul King and two Soul Masters, and all three of them had Soul Power above his—they couldn't believe Ma Hongjun had a chance of winning this battle.
Bai Baoshan remained silent, neither daring to speak nor daring to, simply watching Ma Hongjun's boastful display. He figured this kid might genuinely consider him a subordinate and be giving him tasks.
The group arrived at the backyard of the Fairy Robe Pavilion.
To Ma Hongjun's surprise and delight, Di Xin and the other two possessed top-tier spirit ring configurations.
Two had yellow-yellow-purple-purple rings, and one had yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black rings.
In terms of quality, this was significantly stronger than the "Three Scoundrels."
However, the outcome wouldn't be much different.
When Ma Hongjun revealed his silver spear, the yellow-purple-purple-black spirit ring configuration astonished the three.
There was no way around it; such a rare, or even unseen, spirit ring configuration would cause astonishment anywhere.
Ma Hongjun's aura alone overwhelmed the three.
Ding Zhiqi was not only shocked, but also harbored complex emotions. At this moment, he realized they had underestimated the Fairy Robe Pavilion and Ma Hongjun.
This boss, who hadn't shown himself yet, was no ordinary person.
He might have to put away his previous thoughts.
The strength of these three was far superior to the "Three Scoundrels," and their martial spirits were all formidable.
Di Xin, a water elementalist, is primarily a control-type character, also possessing support skills.
The Snow Silkworm is also a control-type, somewhat resembling a spider's web-weaving technique. While not poisonous, it is more resilient and has a stronger binding effect.
The Star Moon Crane is similar to the Wind Chaser, Bai Chenxiang's Wind Chime Bird.
Two control characters, one agile attacker.
This lineup is very effective against the offensive Ma Hongjun.
Without the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Ma Hongjun might have found dealing with these three quite difficult, and without using the power of his soul bones, he might not have been a match.
However, now, after being refined by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, although his soul power hasn't increased much, his strength has nearly doubled.
One against three, the battle begins.
Di Xin's water elemental martial soul is quite unique, reminding Ma Hongjun of a hero from his previous life's Glory game, Zhen Ji.
Her martial soul manifests as a water sphere forming in her hand.
She first activates her second soul ring, conjuring water armor for herself and her teammates as defense.
"My water, come forth!"
Accompanied by a spell with visual imagery, Di Xin then activates her third soul ring.
Ma Hongjun felt the surrounding air suddenly become damp. Drops of water formed under his gaze, then multiplied, eventually forming a small water world that enveloped him.
Water was everywhere, there was no escape.
A suffocating feeling washed over him.
"Your turn!" Di Xin shouted.
Ding Zhiqi immediately activated her fourth spirit ring.
"Thousand Threads!"
It truly exemplified the saying "a silkworm spins silk until its death." A hissing sound came from Ding Zhiqi's mouth, and countless crystalline threads were expelled from his mouth, spreading from the ground and the air towards Ma Hongjun.
Yue Ruying had also already activated her second spirit ring, clearly having been cooperating with Di Xin for quite some time.
"Starlight!"
This was a light attack that could be activated in conjunction with water, reflecting the light multiple times through the water to attack those trapped in the water repeatedly.
The light arrived before the silkworm threads, the starlight piercing Ma Hongjun's eyes, a sharp pain forcing him to close them.
"Something special!"
Ma Hongjun grinned, intrigued. These three were indeed stronger than the three scoundrels. They
were also more effective against Ma Hongjun.
His second spirit ring lit up, and Ma Hongjun's body shone with golden light.
"Bang!"
The water sphere enveloping him was shattered.
At this moment, Ding Zhiqi's silkworm threads also wrapped around him.
Ma Hongjun closed his eyes and retreated quickly, his fourth spirit ring lighting up, and his golden spear was unleashed.
Strike after strike of spear light appeared, the golden spear's powerful attack easily cutting through the silkworm threads.
The golden spear's attack power had now reached an unbelievable level.
No matter how tough the silkworm threads were, they couldn't withstand its sharpness.
After dodging the first wave of surging silkworm threads, Ma Hongjun stopped retreating, and his eyes regained their sight.
Having undergone the tempering of immortal herbs, his body had been greatly enhanced in all aspects. The stimulation of this light could not harm Ma Hongjun's eyes at all, only causing temporary blindness.
Advancing with spears, all three were ranged attackers, requiring close combat to defeat him.
Ye Zhiqi frantically spat out silk threads, but his silk could only slowly deplete within the spear's light, unable to get close to Ma Hongjun.
Yue Ruying in the sky also launched another attack. Her second, third, and fourth soul skills were all ranged attacks.
"Starlight."
"Moon Blade."
"Crane Feather Sword."
The three soul skills were used alternately, temporarily slowing down Ma Hongjun's attack.
A flying soul master with ranged soul skills was indeed troublesome. Without Oscar's mushroom sausage, and not wanting to use the Fire Phoenix martial soul, it was truly difficult to deal with her.
At this moment, Di Xin moved. Seeing that Yue Ruying and the other two couldn't put pressure on Ma Hongjun, her expression darkened, and her fifth soul ring shone brightly. The
deep black light was captivating.
The water sphere in Di Xin's hand became incredibly crystalline, with countless water molecules swirling within.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
Gushes of water shot towards Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun had already closed in on Ding Zhiqi, the tip of his spear slicing through the silkworm's silk piece by piece until it reached Ding Zhiqi's mouth.
Ding Zhiqi's eyes widened, he stopped spitting out silk, his tongue already licking the spearhead.
"You're dead!" Ma Hongjun said calmly.
Ding Zhiqi stood frozen, afraid to move. If Ma Hongjun's spear went any deeper, it would be in his throat.
Then, he would die with the spear in his mouth.
Ma Hongjun kicked him away, eliminating one of them first.
"Ah!"
Ma Hongjun screamed.
Di Xin's water shot into his body.
Gushes of water sprayed out, a truly surging torrent, a flood.
The water element was terrifying.
Ma Hongjun reached out to block it; the crystal-clear water touched his hand, sticky and slippery.
Finally, to Ma Hongjun's astonishment, it seeped into his body.
However, Ma Hongjun didn't feel any pain; on the contrary, the water was slightly warm and somewhat comfortable.
A ten-thousand-year soul ring skill is, of course, not as simple as it seems. As more and more water was shot at him, more and more water entered Ma Hongjun's body.
This water was impossible to block; it would stick to his body and then re-enter.
This water was too troublesome.
Slowly, Ma Hongjun realized something was wrong because too much water had entered his body.
At this moment, water molecules began to gather around Ma Hongjun again, and the surrounding water enveloped him once more.
Compared to Ma Hongjun's water gun, this water element martial soul was stronger.
The water it unleashed displayed all the characteristics of water.
The water continued to enter Ma Hongjun's body, and Ma Hongjun panicked.
Di Xin, this woman's water was far too much, completely beyond his imagination.
How should he deal with the water now?
Ma Hongjun fell into deep thought.