Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
The sweetness of the vanilla ice cream and the lightness of the cone melded together in a way that made each bite more enjoyable.
As Hao neared the bottom of the cone, he tore the bottom wrapper off, discarding it to the side.
The last remnants of the ice cream clung to the very tip of the cone, stubbornly refusing to let go.
He tossed the last bite of cone into the air.
It spun once, twice – then landed cleanly into his mouth.
Crunch.
’Ahh, that was good.’ Hao grinned.
’Little Xixi would love this for sure.’
He wiped his hands, looking around at the store’s new additions. The upgrades really had transformed the place.
But suddenly, he froze.
The new door!
’What about the new door, system? Has it already connected to another place?’
[Not yet, host. You haven’t initiated the connection. But you can do so now.]
Hao slapped his forehead.
’Ah, I forgot! My bad.’
’This store upgrade’s so amazing, it kinda stuffed everything into my head, and I ended up forgetting about the door entirely.’
He sighed, feeling a little sheepish. ’Classic me?’
A floating screen appeared in front of Hao.
Establish a new random door on the Azure Sky Continent (Cultivation World): Yes or No?
’Alright, universe, let’s do this.’ Hao said, looking up at the ceiling like he was praying to a higher being.
’Please, don’t give me something weird. No haunted forests or cursed ruins, please.’
’Give me something nice, yeah?’
With a dramatic gesture, Hao tapped “Yes”.
The words on the screen began to blur and jumbled together in a chaotic swirl.
He watched, wide-eyed, as the words flickered rapidly. His hand hovered over the screen as he hoped for the best.
Finally, the words slowed and formed a coherent sentence.
Scorching Soul City of the Molten Ashlands.
’Scorching? Molten Ashlands?’
[Congratulations on unlocking your second door, host! Keep up the hard work, and the Dimensional Convenience Store will reach even more places.]
’Another city again?’
Hao blinked. ’This is some good luck.’
’As long as the door’s not connected to another hidden alley… we’re golden.’
He rubbed his chin, mind already racing.
’Scorching Soul City, huh… sounds like a desert. Or maybe a region full of volcanoes.’
Molten Ashlands wasn’t exactly a name that screamed lakes and flowers.
It had to be hot. Dry. Maybe even dangerous.
’I just hope it’s not some ruined old place with no one living there.’
His grin stiffened a little.
’…Surely not. Right?’
Hao paused.
Should he spend a crystal to ask the system for details?
’…No. Better save them.’
He had his eyes on a new martial technique. Plus, who knew how many crystals he’d need soon?
If he really needed info, he could ask one of the employees.
Or maybe a loyal customer who’d heard of it – or better, someone from that place.
There were plenty of ways to figure it out.
For now, he just had to wait and see.
Hao rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
He restocked the shelves one by one, carefully arranging the instant noodles and canned drinks so they faced forward, labels clean and easy to read.
There weren’t many different products, but he spread them out just enough to make the new, longer shelves look full.
Job well done.
Hao walked to the entrance, and flipped the plaque hanging on the door.
The Dimensional Convenience Store was officially open for business.
Hao leaned against the counter, thinking back to the soft serve he’d just finished.
He did feel the effects afterward… but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Maybe it wasn’t useful to him right now. Or maybe it was.
Hard to say.
Still, something told him that ice cream might just be a hit – especially if Scorching Soul City lived up to its fiery name.
And even if its effect wasn’t exactly someone could benefit from…
Come on. It was Soft Serve Vanilla Ice Cream.
Cold, creamy, and smooth. That alone was enough to make people go wild, no matter the season.
The door creaked open.
First customer of the day.
The very first one since the store’s expansion.
Was it Lin Yijun again? Or the two jade beauties from Snow Petal Sect?
Hao turned around, a casual expression on his face.
But the person who stepped in wasn’t anyone he knew.
It was the first time he had seen this man.
Judging from the man’s clothes – or lack of them – he didn’t seem to be from Sovereign City.
There was a high chance… he came from the new door.
Extremely high.
The man stood tall and thick-built, like a walking mountain.
His skin was sunburnt bronze, scarred and rough, as if the wind and fire had carved him over decades.
Muscles jutted like uneven stone bricks.
Not for show. Built by raw force and life-or-death fights.
Old burn scars covered his chest and arms, forming ugly patterns that somehow looked natural.
He was shirtless.
Only a pair of loose black pants hung from his waist, one side scorched and torn.
He was barefoot, his soles darkened and cracked, as if he walked through lava daily.
His hair had mostly vanished, scorched away long ago.
Only a few stubborn strands remained, tied into a sad little topknot for pride’s sake.
His eyes were sharp, yet laid-back.
This was Zhao Laohu, also known as Old Tiger Zhao.
A veteran body cultivator who had once punched a flame roc out of the sky barehanded.
He trained not in techniques, but in pain – burns, bruises, broken bones, all part of his daily routine.
They said he trained under a volcano, drinking lava to temper his organs and fighting volcanic demonic beasts to harden his muscles.
His reputation spread across the Molten Ashlands.
Half legend, half lunatic.
And as Hao correctly guessed, he was indeed from Scorching Soul City.
“Welcome.” Hao greeted automatically.
From the new door or not, Hao’s attitude would always stay consistent.
Equal treatment for everyone.
Old Tiger Zhao sniffed the air once.
Then again.