To be honest, as someone who never paid attention to fashion, Xi Shenlian had no idea what clothing brands meant.
Luxury goods? Same thing—no clue.
So, after casually wandering the bustling street for a bit, he picked a shop using a very simple and crude method:
1. The store was the biggest.
2. The decor was the most extravagant.
3. The saleswoman at the entrance was the prettiest.
4. They sold men's clothing.
After spotting a shop that matched all four conditions, he didn't even bother to look at its name and just walked straight over.
On the way there, the security guards stationed at the entrance exchanged conflicted glances.
Technically, by the store's policy, they were supposed to stop people like him—obviously dressed too poorly to be customers.
This was a place where a single item cost six figures.
They couldn't just let any shabby-looking guy wander in and ruin the shopping experience for real customers.
But…
The ten dazzling rings on Xi Shenlian's fingers gleamed with an unusual brilliance.
They looked ridiculously expensive.
Plus, while his outfit wasn't flashy, his appearance was clean and striking. He didn't look like someone here to cause trouble.
More importantly, the calm and confident look on his face made it hard to brush him off.
'Maybe he really is rich…'
'Maybe he's just the kind of guy who dresses plainly on purpose…?'
The security guards, all dressed in proper suits, hesitated.
Finally, one of them stepped forward.
"Sir, we require that guests be—"
He meant to say "neatly dressed" and suggest Xi Shenlian come back after changing clothes.
However—
Before he could finish his sentence…
Xi Shenlian glanced at him.
Just one glance.
And the security guard was instantly overwhelmed by a wave of intense fear.
It felt like walking through the wilderness at night and suddenly facing a pack of tigers.
His scalp tingled.
His hair stood on end.
His previously healthy face turned pale in an instant.
His legs—once firmly locked in the stance of a disciplined guard—suddenly weakened.
His body froze.
He couldn't move.
And the words in his mouth?
Gone.
He stood there, stiff and silent, as Xi Shenlian walked past him and entered the store.
"?"
"What are you doing?"
Several seconds later, one of his fellow guards nudged him with wide eyes.
"I thought you were gonna stop him?"
And with just that light push—
The guard collapsed to the ground.
He lay there, completely limp, gasping for breath.
Sweat poured down his face.
He looked like he'd just escaped a brush with death.
"???"
The other security guards were stunned.
"Did you just have some kind of acute illness?!"
---
Inside the store, Xi Shenlian heard the commotion behind him and silently reflected:
'That might've been a bit too much.'
[Eyewitness Technique]
This was one of the advanced abilities included in the [String Master Inheritance].
It allowed the user to channel their mental energy through eye contact, intimidating or terrifying the target.
Against strong opponents, it might only disrupt them briefly during battle.
But against the weak…
It could cause overwhelming fear, instant shock, or even sudden death—no external injuries necessary.
It could be used both for intimidation… or silent assassination.
According to the inheritance records, this technique was considered advanced—typically something only veteran String Masters could wield effectively.
But for Xi Shenlian?
He mastered it just by seeing it once.
The same went for the other techniques.
The moment he received the inheritance, he practically understood them all.
He stepped into a domain that normally took decades of cultivation—effortlessly.
To him, the so-called "difficulty" didn't lie in comprehension, but in raw strength and experience.
Some of the stronger techniques could backfire if used carelessly.
Just now had been his first real attempt at using [Eyewitness Technique].
Lacking practical experience, he had only used about one-thousandth of his total mental power.
He just wanted to make the guy flinch.
But the moment the technique succeeded, he could clearly hear—through his enhanced hearing—that the guard's heart had stopped.
That was a textbook case of overstimulation.
The man had almost died on the spot from fright.
So, as a quick fix, Xi Shenlian gave his heart a jolt, performing makeshift CPR with mental energy to keep him alive.
Naturally, that left the poor guy frozen in place and completely limp.
But at least… he survived.
---
Now walking deeper into the store, Xi Shenlian was soon approached by a female sales assistant.
She looked to be around thirty, wearing light makeup and a professional uniform—blazer, slim skirt, black heels. Her figure and appearance were both above average.
She glanced at Xi Shenlian's plain outfit with a hint of curiosity.
Normally, she would've hesitated to approach someone dressed like that.
But—
The security guards hadn't stopped him.
His expression was calm, his posture natural, and he showed no signs of discomfort in this luxurious setting.
He looked like someone completely accustomed to high-end shopping.
So, following her training and the rules of customer service, she smiled professionally and said:
"Welcome, sir. How can I assist you today?"
"Clothes and shoes," Xi Shenlian said calmly. "I want a complete set—from inside to outside."
Hearing that, the assistant's attitude immediately shifted into high gear.
This man was here to buy.
"Understood," she said with a brighter smile. "Do you have any specific preferences?"
"Like the occasion it's for, or a price range, or fabric types?"
Xi Shenlian thought for a moment.
"Any fabric is fine, as long as it's wearable every day."
Then he added:
"As for the price… just give me the most expensive ones."
That simple request hit the sales assistant like a thunderclap.
As a shopping guide—what kind of customer could you possibly love more than this?
No fuss, no bargaining, no drama.
Just a clean and deadly phrase: "Give me the most expensive."
In an instant, her professional smile deepened and her posture became even more respectful.
"Of course, sir. Please follow me."