Half an hour later.
At the entrance of the store.
Xi Shenlian now had a brand-new look.
The tattered rags were replaced with a high-end white suit and white leather shoes.
His level of handsomeness skyrocketed.
He glanced at the security guard who had previously treated him like a venomous snake.
And immediately let out a strange laugh.
Frightening the poor guy even more.
Then.
He cheerfully left the store.
Bullying the weak or whatever…
It really does feel good~
Now that his outfit was sorted, his hairstyle naturally had to match.
Thinking this.
He pulled out his newly acquired cellphone.
And activated the navigation function with a mere thought.
This device was something he had won through the [Mood Value Lottery] while trying on clothes earlier.
[Exceptionally High-Signal Communicator]: Enhanced with mysterious power by its creator. It's virtually indestructible, has infinite battery life, comes with a fully customizable intelligent AI assistant, and its communication function allows for cross-time-and-space conversations while completely blocking any eavesdropping. Even in the middle of the Big Bang, you could still use it to chat—granted you and the other party aren't obliterated in the explosion. Note: The appearance and weight can be slightly customized.]
Truthfully.
Xi Shenlian had no clue how powerful this AI assistant was.
But the moment he activated the device, it asked if he wanted to invade the current planet's network.
Then.
With his permission, it hijacked every connected network on the entire planet in under a second.
The AI even instantly developed several custom software tools on its own.
One of which was called [Current Planet Military Distribution and Management].
With a single click, Xi Shenlian could view control options for various nations' intelligent weapons.
Including so-called "unconventional weapons."
Such as nuclear bombs that were in standby mode, ready to launch at any moment.
Basically, if something could be connected to the internet—or influenced through it—
Then Xi Shenlian could remotely control it.
He even gained control over satellites in space.
Although government agencies across the world could still access those satellites as usual—
The highest level of control had already been seized by the AI under Xi Shenlian's command.
And the navigation function Xi Shenlian had activated was, in fact, just a satellite control software newly developed by the AI.
So really, he was using a space satellite to find a nearby barbershop...
By the way.
The AI also automatically scanned reviews for every barbershop online, filtered them for authenticity, calculated a composite score, and displayed a selection of recommended options for him to choose from.
"Not bad~"
"This thing's pretty damn handy."
Looking at the device in his hand that now controlled the world's network, Xi Shenlian picked a nearby salon and casually strolled over…
…
About ten minutes later.
He arrived at a luxury barbershop where even a basic haircut cost tens of thousands of yen. Add on a service package, and the price could easily equal a month or two's wages for the average person.
Now.
He looked at the young and beautiful hairdresser next to him—who was clearly distressed—
Then glanced at the scissors in her hand, which failed to cut even a few strands of his hair.
Xi Shenlian sighed lightly:
"Sigh…"
He had known his physical toughness was off the charts.
But he hadn't expected that even his hair had become more durable and elastic than high-grade rubber.
Watching the hairdresser struggle just to cut three or five strands with each attempt.
Xi Shenlian realized getting a haircut now might as well be a full-on endurance test.
A little helpless, he decided to comfort her:
"Forget it…"
"I didn't know my hair would be this hard to manage…"
With that, he took off the cloth covering his clothes.
Seeing this—
The beautifully dressed hairdresser immediately began bowing in panic and apologizing repeatedly:
"I'm so sorry!"
"I'm really sorry!"
She looked utterly terrified.
Why?
Because from what had just happened, she instantly realized.
The customer before her was an awakened being.
The kind of monster who could wipe out an entire city on their own!
So—
It was like facing a wild beast.
Even though he had been kind and polite, she still trembled with fear.
The other staff members didn't dare say a word.
They simply joined in bowing and apologizing.
Even the store manager.
Everyone behaved like obedient yes-men.
Xi Shenlian, just getting up from the barber's chair, thought silently to himself:
'This weird bowing culture again…'
"Even after traveling to a parallel world version of Japan, I still run into this."
But after living in this world for over ten years, he was already used to it and didn't show much reaction.
He simply took out his super card.
And said to the flustered hairdresser:
"Charge the card."
"After all, your scissors got damaged trying to cut my hair."
Back when life was tough—
Xi Shenlian had once tried everything to avoid starving, including researching jobs like barbering.
For example—
Professional scissors were expensive.
Especially in high-end salons.
The prices were unfathomable to ordinary people.
It often took weeks of hard labor to afford even one pair.
So.
Considering the damage done trying to cut his hair, Xi Shenlian felt it was only fair to compensate.
But as he handed over the card.
The already frazzled stylist didn't dare accept it.
She frantically waved her hands in refusal.
That terrified expression—
If someone unfamiliar saw it, they might think Xi Shenlian was robbing her.
He responded simply by leaning in and calmly staring into her eyes.
And said, one word at a time:
"I said—swipe the card."
This wasn't a polite suggestion.
It was a command.
At that moment—
Through Xi Shenlian's black pupils, the stylist thought she glimpsed a strange glimmer of light.
A lilac glow!
His originally round pupils slowly elongated.
Morphing into the vertical slits of a predatory beast.
The sight struck her with primal fear—
And an instinctive urge to submit.
Shuddering, she finally responded loudly: "Yes!"
Satisfied, Xi Shenlian nodded:
"Good."
And casually tossed her the super card.
But—
Just as he turned to walk toward the counter to wait—.
Something unexpected happened.
The stylist's next words, spoken with surprising calm, made him pause.
"My lord!"
"Even if I can't cut your hair…"
"I can still use some styling spray and tools to give you a simple style based on your current length!!"
Hearing this.
Xi Shenlian turned his head.
And once again focused on the nervous but oddly determined stylist.
"…"
After hesitating for a moment.
He sat back down.
And said coolly:
"Then hurry up."
"Yes, sir!!"