But Xiao Lianfeng’s inner core was still processing how that “friendly” pat almost caused a blue screen in mere seconds.
Was this really the same old man who had just been kneeling like a beggar?
The others turned in sync, catching the full aftermath.
Lin Yijun narrowed his eyes and leaned slightly to get a better look, like a nosy neighbor watching a drama unfold.
Hua Feixue giggled behind her sleeve, her shoulders bouncing.
Even Yue Xueyan, cold as ever, blinked once. That was her version of a double take.
Xiao Lianfeng might’ve looked fine – his posture straight, his arms resting at ease – but all three of them knew just how sturdy he was.
Among the four, he trained his body the hardest.
The man could bench-press a boulder, catch arrows with his chest, and once knocked out a wild beast with a shoulder check.
And yet one friendly pat from this old uncle nearly knocked his soul out of alignment?
Forget dangerous – this old man was absurd!
And somehow… the floor of the store didn’t even crack?
Not a scratch. Not even a wobble.
Was this floor secretly forged from the bones of an ancient divine beast or something?
Before anyone could say anything more, Hao’s voice casually cut through the mental chaos.
“Here’s your tokens.”
He handed each of them a small, six-sided token.
It gave off a soft silver shine under the lights, edges smooth and carefully etched with fine details.
The border had shallow grooves, giving it the feel of a refined currency.
They blinked in unison.
“What’s this boss?” Lin Yijun asked, turning his token left and right.
“It’s for the ice cream,” Hao said, pointing toward the strange silver machine in the corner. “See that small slot above the opening? Just insert the token there.”
He paused, then added, “Think of it like a water dispenser. The machine will handle the rest.”
After that, he repeated the same instructions he’d given Old Tiger Zhao – no more, no less.
The four looked at each other again.
This was a lot. Again.
But… this was the Dimensional Convenience Store.
Everything here was strange at first.
Then bizarre.
Then unexpectedly delicious – like a heavenly taste dropped from the skies.
And finally… ridiculously useful.
Useful in ways that shouldn’t even be possible.
Xiao Lianfeng quietly rejoined them, still rubbing his shoulder.
The pain was gone, but the memory remained.
Old Tiger Zhao watched him return to the group, then turned back to Hao with stars in his eyes.
“Kid, just tell me how many crystals you want. I’ll pay right now.”
“I only want one more ice cream.”
He thumped his chest with pride, sounding just like one of those shameless ministers swearing loyalty… right before selling out their sect for a better position.
“Kid, don’t be like this. I’m serious.”
“Do this old man a favor.”
“I got strength, and plenty of time. You name it – spirit beast, demonic beast, whatever beast – I’ll catch it for you myself.”
“I’ll drag it back alive, kicking and roaring if I have to!”
The store went quiet.
Even the fridge seemed to hum a little softer.
Hao didn’t even blink.
“Even if you brought a legendary demonic beast here and offered it as tribute – the answer would still be no.”
Old Tiger Zhao froze mid-gesture.
Lin Yijun’s ears twitched.
Hua Feixue covered her mouth again, eyes twinkling.
Yue Xueyan nodded slightly, satisfied.
That was their store owner!
The unshakable wall of the store.
You couldn’t bribe him with shiny things.
You couldn’t move him with flattery.
Trying to bait him with a beast?
Please. The owner had rejected an emperor.
What made this old man think he stood a chance?
“It’s the rules, Old Senior.” Lin Yijun said.
“The owner doesn’t accept any kind of bribe. Just follow the system.”
“You’ll feel bitter now, Old Uncle.” Hua Feixue added with a sympathetic nod.
“But after a while, it actually feels good to be the one watching others suffer too.”
She sighed like an old expert and shook her head.
“Happened to all of us. It’s tradition now.”
“It builds character.” Lin Yijun said solemnly.
Xiao Lianfeng, rubbing his arm again, nodded quietly.
That pat really did build something. Maybe trauma.
And just like that, Old Tiger Zhao got his first real taste of the Dimensional Convenience Store’ experience.
A little confusion.
A little suffering.
But a certain understanding, because it was the same for everyone else, they’d said.
And lastly – a heavy slap of reality, served extra large.
Rule No. 1 Reaper claims yet another victim!
Another customer down.
Old Tiger Zhao will now join the ranks of those who wait, insufferable and twitchy, for tomorrow to come –
Just to buy one more of his now-beloved Soft Serve Vanilla Ice Cream.
May his cravings be strong and his patience be tested.
RIP Old Tiger Zhao.
Gone not by blade, nor poison, nor martial technique…
But by dairy.
A moment of silence for our fallen warrior.
He staggered back a step, eyes glazed like a man who had just survived a heavenly tribulation…
And then?
He sighed and just gave up.
Old Tiger Zhao started aimlessly wandering the aisles like a retired general who lost the war.
Meanwhile, Lin Yijun and the others were finally getting their ice creams.
Each one holding an empty waffle cone, lining up at the soft-serve machine.
Hao finally took a second to check the system’s earlier notification.
A holographic screen hovered in front of him.
[Host, a potential employee has entered the store.]
Name: Zhao Laohu
Age: 286
Body Cultivation: Late Stage of Blood Rebirth Realm
’So the old man’s real name is Zhao Laohu, huh?’ Hao blinked slowly.
’Body cultivation?’
It was Hao’s first time seeing it on a screen, sure –
But come on, who didn’t know what body cultivation was?
In every half-decent webnovel, it’s practically a law that the protagonist always meets some grizzled body cultivator, climbing up and down cliffs with massive rocks to his back, lecturing about ’true strength.’
’System, what’s that even equal to in qi cultivation?’
’You’re not about to charge me a crystal for this, right?’
[For body cultivators, the Blood Rebirth Realm holds the same power and status as the Heavenly Emperor Realm does for qi cultivators, host.]