The one that destroyed his home and wiped out his family for refusing to sell their land.
Dou Xinshi was the last one left.
He vowed he’d survive. For them.
Even if it meant crawling through dirt, eating bitter food, living like a rat.
But today…
All because of one cup of noodles?
He stared at it like it had just handed him the secret to immortality.
Around him, the store looked different now.
The four robed cultivators were still in the same spot – but now two were standing with eyes closed, one had both hands raised toward the ceiling, and the last had silently entered lotus position on the chair.
Still not moving.
Still with closed eyes.
In the corner, an old man was kissing a metallic can with reverence.
Dou Xinshi squinted.
Peach Oolong Tea?
Wait.
Wait a minute.
He clutched his noodle cup tighter.
Was this… a sect?
A secret sect hidden in a store?
Had he just stumbled upon a legendary food-path cultivation holy land?
And was… was he part of it now?!
His back straightened.
His eyes glowed with purpose.
No – this was fate!
The mysterious door. The cursed stomach. The divine noodles.
This wasn’t coincidence. This was destiny!
’These must be my seniors.’ he thought, nodding to the tea-kissing elder.
Emotion swelled in his chest.
He slammed a fist to his heart.
’I will not bring shame to this sacred land…!’
Then quickly turned away, wiping his nose with his sleeve before anyone saw.
He dared not let them witness his weakness.
That man behind the counter… he looked ordinary, yet had the calm presence of a retired celestial general.
The way he leaned there, one hand on the counter, half-smiling, half-watching the world burn, told him everything.
And that little girl…
She was no child. Her every movement had precision. The technique she used earlier might have been disguised as medical aid, but Dou Xinshi knew – those hands were no strangers to death.
She carried the presence of an empress who had already judged the world unworthy.
This was no mere shop.
This was a sanctuary. A holy place for true experts.
Dou Xinshi dropped to his knees.
Thud!
His arms shot up above his head, palms trembling.
He kowtowed hard, forehead slamming into the floor with the weight of a thousand regrets.
“Esteemed One! Saintess!” Dou Xinshi cried, voice cracking with emotion.
“This lowly fool owes you his life, his soul, and his future breakthroughs!”
He struck his forehead again.
And again.
Dou Xinshi raised his hands in reverence, tears streaming down his cheeks.
’I was blind. I almost defiled this holy place with the worst kind of offering…’
’I must cleanse myself of ignorance!’
’I must devote my body, heart, and wealth to this sanctuary!’
Even he, a lost wanderer with shattered dreams and half a spirit root, had been accepted here.
He had found hope.
No – he had found salvation!
“I, Dou Xinshi, guided by the will of the heavens, express my deepest boundless gratitude to the Esteemed Storekeeper and the Saintess for this glorious opportunity!”
Hao and Mo Xixi: “…”
Bro.
What do you mean guided by the heavens?
You were about to plant a high-grade C4 in the floor minutes ago.
Hao blinked, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“…Little Xixi.” Hao said slowly. “Did your technique mess up his thinking too?”
Mo Xixi frowned.
“It shouldn’t have, boss…” she murmured.
But there was hesitation in her voice.
What if…?
What if the Entrails Locking Cursed Palm had a mental side effect they hadn’t discovered?
What if a cursed qi overflow somehow triggered hallucinations?
What if… the technique awakened a devotion pathway?
Her brows furrowed deeper. ’Maybe… maybe I should run analysis.’
Hao sighed.
Alright. Time to clear things up before this guy started prostrating himself with beast blood and prayer beads.
“Hey. Dou Xinshi, right?” Hao raised a hand.
“You don’t need to do all that. Just treat this as a regular store.”
Simple words.
Clear tone.
Reasonable advice.
But to Dou Xinshi’s ears –
So profound!
So deep!
So mercifully hidden in simplicity!
’Ah! I see now…’
’The Esteemed One is telling me to stay low!’
’To walk the mortal path while hiding true cultivation!’
’The path of the humble master! A realm beyond realms!’
Dou Xinshi’s face flushed with reverence.
He pressed his forehead to the ground again with a thud that echoed through the store.
“Understood, Esteemed One!”
“This fool shall restrain himself! I shall walk the path of quiet brilliance!”
“I shall live as a stone among jewels!”
’Is it just me, or is he getting crazier by the second?’ Hao thought.
’This guy sound even more insane than before!’
Mo Xixi quietly shuffled a step away from Dou Xinshi.
“Boss, I think something’s just seriously off with his head…”
Dou Xinshi lifted his head with sparkling eyes.
He had misunderstood nearly everything.
But one thing was certain in his heart –
He would never forget this day.
The day he was reborn… through instant noodles and intestinal suppression.
Dou Xinshi slowly pushed himself up from his knees, still trembling slightly as the weight of his “rebirth” settled in.
He couldn’t just leave things like this. No, not when he had touched the true power of the store, tasted the divine instant noodles that had saved him.
Without another word, he performed another bow – a little more exaggerated this time, his body nearly folding into a full prostration.
“Esteemed One! Saintess! I, Dou Xinshi, shall never forget the grace you have shown me!”
He stood straight and with a look of determination, he marched toward the exit, his mind already buzzing with plans.
I can’t leave things here. I need more… I need more of those noodles.
The sacred noodles!
The key to my future!
Perhaps I should take on more work? No, no, that wouldn’t be enough…
His eyes narrowed in thought, remembering the countless times he had worked hard, scrimped, and saved.
He’d taken on jobs as a manual laborer, hauling crates, guarding caravan shipments, and even cleaning the stables for the wealthier families in Scorching Soul City.
But each job barely scraped enough together for one month budget.
Hunting beasts! Yes, that’s it. That’s the answer!
If I can hunt beasts, especially powerful ones, I can make a fortune.
I’ll sell their parts, their cores, everything!
And with that money, I’ll return to this sacred place. I’ll buy more instant noodles. I’ll rise to the peak!
And once I have enough to buy more of those noodles…
Dou Xinshi’s heart raced.