In the novels and television dramas Li Rong had once watched, there was always a saying: being alone in a room with beautiful women would make a man too excited to sleep, tossing and turning until dawn. Reality, however, proved far less dramatic. Li Rong slept peacefully through the night, his breathing steady, waking at dawn as naturally as ever.
After washing up and changing clothes, he stepped out of his room and found Bi Ji, the Snow Princess, Dugu Yan, and Ye Leng Leng already cultivating in the courtyard. Their postures were composed, spiritual power circulating smoothly around them.
Li Rong clapped his hands, drawing their attention.
"Good morning, Boss," the four women greeted in unison, bowing slightly.
"Mm. Good morning." Li Rong glanced around the courtyard, then casually opened the exchange interface. With a thought, a batch of Spirit Crystal Bricks materialized, clattering neatly onto the ground. The clear, jade-like bricks immediately drew the women's gazes.
He then walked to the center of the courtyard and gestured for them to step aside. A moment later, an eighth-grade spiritual plant—the Blood Dragon Tree—was exchanged and transplanted directly into the ground.
The Blood Dragon Tree was a dragon-type spiritual plant of exceptional vitality. It bloomed once every thirty years, bore fruit every thirty years, and required another thirty years to fully mature. Each harvest yielded fewer than a hundred fruits, yet every single one could cleanse the marrow, strengthen the body, and extend one's lifespan. More importantly, the tree itself possessed a powerful ability to gather spiritual energy, making it a top-tier cultivation plant.
The instant its roots settled, a rich fragrance of spiritual energy spread throughout the courtyard. Everyone present felt their bodies lighten, their breathing unconsciously becoming smoother.
"These are Spirit Crystal Bricks," Li Rong explained. "They're cut from stones rich in spiritual energy. They're durable, visually pleasing, and also help gather spiritual power."
He pointed around casually. "The four of you divide the work. Use these bricks to pave the courtyard and the three rooms." His gaze shifted to the plain main hall, and he waved his hand again, exchanging another batch. "The main hall as well."
Although Li Rong could have instantly renovated everything through direct exchange, that would only increase the sense of unfamiliarity among them. Working together would help them adapt more naturally.
It was their first official day, yet Li Rong's methods had already left them in awe. Faced with a courtyard full of Spirit Crystal Bricks and the towering, mysterious Blood Dragon Tree, none of them even considered shortcuts. They nodded quickly and got to work.
Li Rong, meanwhile, pulled out a lounge chair, set it beneath the Blood Dragon Tree, and reclined comfortably, fully enjoying the leisurely life of a shop owner.
"Lingling, go buy some fresh fruit. Sweet ones only—no sour," he said lazily.
"Dugu Yan, open the shop and prepare for business. Notify me if anyone asks about body-infusion services or special inquiries. For ordinary exchanges, you handle them." He paused, then added, "I'll also grant all four of you appraisal permissions."
As he spoke, four permanent appraisal skills were exchanged and directly bestowed upon them.
Instantly, the four understood—appraisal information would surface the moment they focused their thoughts.
Unable to resist, Dugu Yan immediately appraised the Blood Dragon Tree. Her eyes widened as she skimmed through the long list of effects, before freezing on the final line.
"Eighth-grade spiritual plant… valued at 32.8 million sacrificial coins?!"
The others followed suit, appraising it in turn. The blood-red tree stood silently, yet its value alone was enough to leave them speechless.
Thirty-two point eight million.
Their annual salary was only two hundred thousand. Even saving every coin, it would take over a century to afford it—and that didn't even factor in exchange qualifications. Seventh-grade items already required god-level strength.
"Enough staring," Li Rong said calmly. "If you keep working here, eighth-grade items won't be out of reach. Even ninth-grade isn't impossible. For now, focus on your tasks."
Those words instantly reignited their motivation.
…
Shocking! Boss Li's shop has hired four stunning female employees!
The news spread through Heaven Dou City at a frightening speed. According to those in the know, it would take less than a week to cover the entire Heaven Dou Empire, and no more than two weeks to reach the whole continent.
"Boss Li, why didn't you open a temporary quest like last time?" Fire Yang arrived swiftly, bringing Huo Wu, while Water Luan escorted the Water Bing'er sisters to the Sacrificial Shop.
By then, Li Rong had moved his lounge chair into the main hall. Bi Ji, the Snow Princess, and Ye Leng Leng were still laying bricks in the courtyard, and he didn't feel like getting in their way.
"Large-scale selection is too troublesome," Li Rong replied casually. "Last time was to select Titled Douluo—there were only a few candidates. Without a quest, I couldn't even gather them. This time, I'm hiring employees. There are no strength requirements, so I can choose freely."
Looks and temperament were enough. If someone didn't suit the shop, he could simply replace them.
"Boss Li, what about these three juniors?" Fire Yang pressed. "They've long admired your shop."
"They're excellent," Li Rong said lightly, then continued before Fire Yang could celebrate, "but the shop is already full. I have no plans to recruit more people for now."
Fire Yang swallowed his prepared arguments, unsure how to continue.
Water Bing'er stepped forward instead. "Our sisters have long wished to work here. If there's a chance in the future, we hope Boss Li will consider us."
"We'll talk about it later," Li Rong replied.
"We still hope for an opportunity," Water Bing'er said, taking another step forward.
Li Rong met her gaze. She didn't retreat.
"Once you enter this door," he said slowly, "it won't be easy to leave."
"Then we'll enter prepared," she answered without hesitation.
"Very well. If I recruit again, you'll be given priority."
Fire Yang and Water Luan were overjoyed, thanking him repeatedly before leaving.
Afterward, Dugu Yan approached, curiosity written all over her face. "Boss, are you planning to recruit more people in the future?"
"There's no certainty," Li Rong replied. "I'll eventually leave this world to expand business elsewhere. I'll take people with me. Naturally, positions here will open up."
"Other worlds?" Dugu Yan's worries vanished instantly. "The Sacrificial Dao Lord's world?"
"No. I'm responsible for expansion. There's no reason to return. I'll go to worlds without Sacrificial Shop branches."
"Are those worlds different from ours?"
"I don't know. Maybe similar. Maybe completely alien."
"Boss, can you tell me more about them?"
"You're quite curious."
Dugu Yan nodded honestly.
"Then go replace Lingling," Li Rong said, closing his eyes. "If you're busy, you won't have time to be curious."
The words landed mercilessly, leaving Dugu Yan speechless.
_____________________
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a poem written by my brother on river Ganga after watching documentary by Jeremy Wade , I thought I should share with people and this is the only platform I use where if posted more than 10 people will watch
{will ask him to write this in english as well because when i tried google & gpt both butchered it}
भीषण हो रहा अन्याय,हे देवव्रत,
मैली कर दी जटाये, टूटा हर व्रत
पावनता में घोल हलाहल,
डुबकी मारे सब नारी नर,
आन पड़ा ये भारी संकट,
माता का है अंत निकट
english
Grievous injustice darkens the land, O Devavrata,
Matted locks defiled, every sacred vow shattered.
Poison is stirred into what once was pure and bright,
Men and women alike drown in this moral blight.
A crushing calamity looms high ,
The Mother's mortis draws nigh.
{Here I've tried to throw some light on the pollution of river Ganga even after it is revered holy by millions I have written it in such a format that I'm telling about this situation to Devavrata often known as Bheeshm Peetamah a prominent warrior in the Hindu epic-Mahabharata who is addressed as Gangaputra i.e. Son of Ganga I'm trying to fill him in on the dire circumstances. As the river Ganga is said to be originating from the dreadlocks of Shiva consequently the human greed have tainted even the destroyer of worlds and due to the all time high river dumping the river will soon be dead}