Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

【Gedo】: Basic Mental Strength Enhancement Potion, slightly increases mental strength activity and perception range. Requires 25 reputation points to exchange.

Cinderella looked at the clearly marked price, then glanced at her pitiful, almost unchanged reputation balance on her system panel, and let out a long, helpless sigh.

"Ugh……"

The sigh was so long it seemed to contain all the grievances she had accumulated in both worlds.

It's so hard! It's really so hard for her!

Think about the other fellow villagers who were summoned; didn't they all come with their own accessories?

Ursula, the Deep Sea Witch, can stir up trouble and manipulate contracts in the fairy tale world. Now, in the Douluo Continent, she still dominates the deep sea and deceives the not-so-bright sea spirit beasts.

The witch Godor, a veteran alchemist, occupies the precious land of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. The potions she concocts are so sought after that even the high-ranking officials of the two great empires are demanding to buy them. She has amassed a fortune in reputation and resources.

Then look at those princes, like Prince Florian, who I heard was immediately noticed by the higher-ups of the Spirit Hall as soon as he awakened his martial soul.

The Frog Prince Levin also thrived at the Star Luo Royal Academy because of his innate full soul power.

Pinocchio, who also came from an ordinary background, was a bit talkative, but he was at the Star Luo Royal Academy, so his reputation was probably much higher than hers.

But what about Cinderella?

In the fairy tale world, she is just an ordinary duke's daughter. Besides being pretty, kind-hearted, and able to talk to animals, what other special abilities does she have?

No! Not even a little bit!

Although she later met a fairy godmother, it was only a temporary magical help. In essence, she was still the Cinderella who needed to rely on others to change her fate.

Summoned to this world by the system and randomly placed, I was incredibly lucky and ended up in the middle of nowhere. If it weren't for my talent for communicating with small animals, I would have starved and died of thirst right from the start.

She was finally adopted by Tang Hao and Ah Yin, thinking she had found a powerful backer. But not long after, her peaceful days ended. Ah Yin sacrificed herself, Tang Hao was crippled, and she and Tang San went into hiding, eventually settling in the poor and remote Holy Soul Village.

Yes, she became the older sister of the protagonist Tang San by a twist of fate. With the mind of an adult and the resilience and wisdom of a Cinderella, she successfully turned Tang San into a deeply devoted sister-obsessed man.

This seems like an advantage, but does it directly help her gain reputation points quickly?

At present, there are almost none!

How big is Notting City? How many students does Notting Junior Soul Master Academy have?

Even though she is somewhat famous in the academy because of her beauty, talent and unique martial soul, and is even called a goddess by some students in private, the reputation she has gained is just a drop in the ocean!

Unlike Lin Wan, who could stir up trouble, or Eva, who could infiltrate the palace and create chaos.

Unlike Ursula, who could manage a deep-sea force, she could only follow the routine of attending school and cultivating in this small town, gradually accumulating meager prestige.

Even if she wanted to enter the Royal Academy to obtain resources like them, it wouldn't be very realistic. After all, with Tang Hao around, she could only stay in Notting City for now.

"Why is it so hard to become stronger..." Cinderella buried her face in the soft pillow, thinking to herself.

She desperately craved Godot's potions, especially those that could boost her soul power cultivation speed and mental strength! With enough potions to aid her, she believed her cultivation speed would be even faster!

However, without reputation points, it's all just empty talk.

The system's open functions, such as viewing one's own status, basic communication, and most importantly, the exchange function, all require reputation points to drive or unlock higher permissions.

She's like someone guarding a treasure mountain, but without the key to enter.

"Do I really have to wait until the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, or even longer, before I have a chance to make a name for myself and earn a lot of prestige?" Cinderella thought with some reluctance.

"By then, it'll be too late! She'll be way behind everyone else by then!"

She turned over, gazing at the hazy moonlight outside the window, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her azure eyes.

No, we can't just wait like this!

Since external conditions are limited, let's make full use of all the resources at hand!

Chapter 118 Tang Hao's Dejection

First, Yu Xiaogang, this theoretical tool, must be used to the fullest extent.

Although he was useless in actual combat, had a low level of soul power, and might not have learned much in terms of knowledge, the theoretical knowledge and classics he collected were genuine.

Next, we need to more subtly extract all the knowledge from him about soul power cultivation, mental strength tempering, soul skill development, and the secrets of the continent.

She was especially willing to try those potentially existing, unknown methods of rapid cultivation, even if they had side effects, as long as they were within a controllable range.

Finally, and most importantly, there's Tang San, the chosen one.

Although the Douluo Continent may have undergone significant changes due to their arrival, Tang San, the former Chosen One, is still exceptionally talented. Therefore, it is essential to keep him firmly under control and continuously deepen his dependence and loyalty.

Tang San's growth rate is destined to be rapid. As long as we keep him firmly in our grasp, we will have no shortage of resources and prestige in the future.

Based solely on his reputation as the son of Tang Hao, he has no shortage of prestige.

Moreover, in order to seek revenge, Tang Hao will spare no effort in training her and Tang San.

Thinking of this, Cinderella calmed down a little. One must take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time.

At least now, she is no longer the Cinderella who could only passively wait for the prince to rescue her in the fairy tale world.

Her destiny must be in her own hands.

The next day, after the class ended, Cinderella appeared in Yu Xiaogang's office again.

"Master~"

Cinderella's voice was so sweet it could drip honey. Today she wore a light blue dress that made her skin look like snow and her blonde hair cascade down her back, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll.

"When I was cultivating yesterday, I seemed to have gained some new insights into the control of my soul power, but I always felt that something was missing. Could you take another look at it for me?"

Yu Xiaogang was engrossed in studying an ancient book when he heard this. He looked up, saw Cinderella, and immediately put on a smile, though it was still stiff.

He genuinely liked this student who was talented, had a sweet tongue, and was highly regarded by Haotian Douluo.

"Oh? What new discovery has Cindy made? Tell me quickly!" Yu Xiaogang put down his book, ready to share everything he knew.

Cinderella shared her thoughts on some subtle adjustments to the path of soul power circulation. These thoughts were half true and half false, containing both her genuine insights and some flaws that she deliberately left out, seemingly reasonable but actually requiring profound theory to correct.

Yu Xiaogang took the bait and immediately began to cite classical texts and launch into a lengthy analysis, attempting to prove that Cinderella's idea was very creative, but that a certain aspect could perhaps be improved. He then proceeded to bring out several thick classic texts to support his point of view.

Cinderella feigned sudden realization, her eyes filled with admiration: "So that's how it is! Master, you know so much! Can I borrow this book to take a look? Just for one night!"

She pointed to one of the rather old-looking handwritten books and looked at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment. That notebook was a rare copy that he had painstakingly copied back then, but looking at Cinderella's expectant eyes and thinking about Tang Hao's possible attention, he gritted his teeth and said, "Take it. Be careful and don't damage it."

"Thank you, Master! You're the best!" Cinderella happily took the notebook and carefully held it in her arms.

As Cinderella left Yu Xiaogang's office, the sweet smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a sly glint of triumph.

This tool is really useful.

……

In the evening, Tang San, having finished his blacksmithing training, arrived at the dormitory building on time, covered in sweat and exhausted, to pick up Cinderella and take her to the cafeteria for dinner.

Seeing the weariness that Tang San couldn't hide on his delicate face, and the eagerness to become stronger deep in his eyes, Cinderella's heart stirred slightly.

She reached out and gently wiped away the sweat and a bit of coal dust that had accidentally gotten on Tang San's forehead with a clean handkerchief, her movements gentle.

"Little sister, you must be tired. Dad is really too strict with you." Cinderella's tone was full of just the right amount of heartache.

"However, I believe that with Xiao San's hard work, he will soon master that powerful hammer technique, and his soul power level will definitely increase rapidly!"

Feeling Cinderella's care and encouragement, Tang San's frustration and depression caused by Tang Hao's teaching methods instantly dissipated, and a warm current flowed through his body.

He nodded vigorously, his eyes resolute: "Yes! Sis, don't worry, I will definitely become stronger as soon as possible! I will never let you down!"

Seeing the pure and fervent dependence and protectiveness in Tang San's eyes, Cinderella knew that this most important lever was still firmly in her hands.

Although the road ahead is long and gaining reputation points is difficult, with Tang San's unwavering trust and hard work, coupled with her own wisdom and methods, she may very well be able to forge a unique path to becoming a strong person in this small city of Notting.

The magic potion will come sooner or later.

Your reputation will surely increase as well.

A bright smile returned to Cinderella's face.

"Let's go, Xiao San, let's go eat. It seems the cafeteria has your favorite braised pork today."

"Okay, sis, eat more."

……

Nottingham, the backyard of the blacksmith's shop.

Tang Hao sat leaning against the shadows in the corner, holding a nearly empty wine barrel in his hand, his turbid gaze unfocused on a point in the void.

He didn't get completely drunk today; instead, the image of Tang San forging iron during the day replayed in his mind with unusual clarity.

That child… no, he can no longer be considered a child at all.

His hammer swings had long since shed their initial awkwardness, replaced by a precision and fluidity that even surprised him, and even carried an indescribable sense of rhythm.

He actually mastered the incredibly complex power generation techniques and leverage methods of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique in such a short time.

Eighty-one blows, all done in one go. Although his strength and experience were not yet at their peak, he had already captured the spirit of the moment.

How long has it been?

Tang Hao couldn't remember clearly, but it seemed like it hadn't been more than a few months.

The foundation he originally planned to hone over several years was surpassed by Tang San at an almost monstrous speed.

His father, a titled Douluo once hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the Haotian Sect, had nothing left to teach him.

A profound sense of emptiness and powerlessness, like a cold tide, instantly overwhelmed Tang Hao.

Once upon a time, he was the legendary Haotian Douluo, the most dazzling star of the Haotian Sect, a figure admired by his peers and feared by his enemies.

Holding the Haotian Hammer, he looked down upon the world with unparalleled joy!

He was still Ah Yin's upright and supportive husband, a safe haven she could rely on.

At that time, they looked forward to the future, anticipated the birth of their child, and believed that happiness would last forever.

Chapter 119 Ah Yin

But now?

The sect was closed off because of Tang Hao, and I wonder what its state is now.