Xiao Lianfeng snickered and slapped him on the back.
“Looks like you’ll be hiding behind me, Brother Yijun.”
“You know, someone has to protect you.”
Hua Feixue giggled, tossing a wink at Lin Yijun. “Don’t worry, Junior Lin!”
“I’ll make sure to take care of you too! If you’re too slow, I might just have to carry you.”
Lin Yijun’s face stiffened. “…”
‘What do you mean, Junior Lin? We’re at the same cultivation rank! Just because you have a cola?’
But as he thought about it, Lin Yijun had to admit… it wasn’t wrong.
With the cola’s boost, Hua Feixue would be stronger than him, even if temporarily. Compared to them, he really was at a disadvantage now.
Lin Yijun sighed. Whatever. He wasn’t the type to overthink things. If he needed a little help in this fight, so be it.
“Drink your cola.” Yue Xueyan interrupted.
The atmosphere changed. Hua Feixue and Xiao Lianfeng instantly popped open their cans, followed by Yue Xueyan. The sharp hiss of carbonation sounded around.
Lin Yijun didn’t move, looking down at his empty hands. His mood sank.
The others glanced at Lin Yijun briefly but were too focused on their own drinks to comment.
Hua Feixue took a sip and instantly shivered. “Waaaah!”
The icy coldness rushed through her mouth, followed by an explosion of sweetness that tingled on her tongue, making her gasp.
“This is so good!”
Xiao Lianfeng chugged down a mouthful. The freezing liquid hit his tongue, shocking his senses before a deep, caramel taste washed over him.
Yue Xueyan lifted her Cola and drank in one go. The first wave of coldness numbed her tongue, crisp and pure. Tiny bubbles burst across her throat, leaving behind a refreshing sensation that lingered even after she swallowed.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
As they drank, the world around them seemed to fade.
Xiao Lianfeng finished his cola with a loud exhale. Before he could stop himself, he already let out a burp. “Hah! That hit the spot.”
Hua Feixue burst into laughter. “Pfft! Senior Xiao, you’re not acting very dignified right now.”
Xiao Lianfeng wiped his mouth. “Who needs dignity when it feels that good?”
The effects settled in. It was like a roaring flame had ignited in their veins, yet it felt light, like a breeze sharpening their every sense.
Their reaction speed doubled. Their muscles responded faster, their minds cleared, as if their bodies had shed all sluggishness.
Xiao Lianfeng curled his fingers into a fist, an energy flooding his body.
“With this kind of enhancement, how can we lose?”
Hua Feixue stretched her arms and hopped in place, grinning.
“I feel amazing! If Senior Xiao doesn’t hurry, I might just take down that Greater Grand Netherbone Wolf myself!”
Yue Xueyan bopped her head. “Enough talk. Get ready.”
They prepared their weapons, moving into formation.
“Same as before. I’ll lead. Lin Yijun, stay near the back and focus on the weakest ones. Don’t get reckless.”
Soon, the demonic beasts arrived, with the Greater Grand Netherbone Wolf leading the pack.
Its loud echoing howl signaled the attack. In an instant, the pack lunged toward Yue Xueyan’s group.
The battle erupted.
Blades flashed, fists struck, and blood splattered. As expected, this fight felt much easier than before – except for Lin Yijun.
The wolves’ abilities were the same as last time, and they had already memorized their patterns. But now, with the Cola’s power behind their back, they carved through the pack like a raging storm.
It wasn’t a battle. It was a one-sided slaughter.
Each movement felt smoother, each strike more precise. It was exhilarating, but they remained focused. They had to end this before the effect faded.
A final cry resounded as the last wolf collapsed.
“…”.
After storing the Netherbone Wolf corpses, they exchanged looks.
“We’re not done yet, right? Let’s find another one!” Hua Feixue muttered.
“We still have time.” Xiao Lianfeng replied, rubbing his shoulders.
The Cola’s effect hadn’t worn off. Stopping now would be a waste. They had to keep going.
It wasn’t just adrenaline. It was an instinct, a cultivator’s craving to push further.
Yue Xueyan gave a short nod.
Without hesitation, they leaped onto their swords, soaring through the forest in search of any demonic beast unlucky enough to cross their path.
…
Back in the convenience store, Hao was bored out of his mind.
With nothing to do except watch the counter, he slumped over, chin resting on his palm.
Occasionally, a customer would walk in, glance at the prices, click their tongue in disapproval, then stomped right back out like he had personally offended them.
“Three crystals for this small thing? Are you robbing me?”
“Even an immortal wouldn’t pay this much!”
“Tsk. No wonder no one shops here.”
Hao barely even reacted anymore. He just waved them off.
At least try it before you judge it!
He sighed. If only he could say that out loud.
But alas, the system strictly forbade such actions. All he could do was glare at their backs as they disappeared.
Life as a storekeeper was rough.
Night arrived.
Hao was just peeling back the lid of his instant noodles when the store door creaked open. He looked up, expecting another stingy cultivator, but instead –
A little girl?
It was the first time a child had entered the store since Hao arrived here.
She stood no taller than 4’6, with a messy red wolf-cut hairstyle. Her sharp black eyes carried a trace of wariness. She wore a tattered, dirty dark robe that contrasted her cute little face.
Before Hao could even register her presence, a notification rang in his ears.
[Host, a potential employee has entered the store.]
A floating screen appeared in front of him.
Name: Mo Xixi
Age: 13
Cultivation: 4th Stage of Heavenly King Realm
Hao blinked. Then blinked again.
He slowly looked at the little girl, then back at the screen. Then at the girl. Then at the screen.
‘…Huh?’
His eyes darted between the two so many times he was starting to feel dizzy.
‘…System, are you sure about this?’
‘Thirteen years old? Heavenly King Realm?’
[The data is accurate, host.]
‘Accurate, my ass! Look at her! She’s tiny!’ Hao gestured at Mo Xixi, who was currently staring at the rows of cup of instant noodles.
‘Are you telling me this little thing could slap me into the afterlife?’
[Yes, host.]
Hao swallowed. A 13-year-old Heavenly King Realm cultivator? Was this the legendary heaven-defying genius he always read about?
[Author’s Note: I decided to cut the action scene here since it felt like it was dragging on too much. What do you guys think about the past few Chapters?]
[Should I include more action in the future, or would you prefer I focus more on the store concept itself? Let me know what you think. Thank you!]