Since there was nothing else to do, Hao stood up and cleaned the table, disposing of the trash before heading back behind the counter.
Unlike Mo Xixi, he wasn’t a cultivator. No matter how many bowls of those noodles he ate, they wouldn’t do a thing for him.
No enlightenment, no qi surges – just a full stomach and a quiet shift ahead.
Side Task 2: Hire your first employee. You weren’t planning to do everything yourself, right? 1/1
Reward: Store expansion. The third floor will be unlocked, moving your personal room there. The second floor will now be designated for employees.
Status: Completed! Claim your reward now?
Hao’s eyes lit up. ’At last, things are moving forward.’
He tapped “Yes” on the screen.
Reward claimed!
’System, is there no new task?’
[There is none, host. You must complete the Main Task and Side Task 1 before new tasks are assigned.]
’Ahh, makes sense.’ Hao shrugged. ’
’So I’m stuck until I clear everything?’
This was just like a video game with forced progression – no skipping ahead until all the required tasks were done.
Time flew by, and soon enough, Mo Xixi regained consciousness.
Her eyes snapped open as a powerful aura erupted around her. Qi flooded her meridians, bringing an overwhelming sense of strength. With a deep breath, she quickly suppressed it.
She almost broke through to the Fifth Stage of the Heavenly King Realm!
Just a little more, and she’d step into a whole new level.
Her heart pounded. It had been months since she had felt such a rapid increase in strength. After her cult fell, her cultivation stagnated, but now –
She clenched her fists. This store… is truly extraordinary!
As reality sank in, Mo Xixi swiftly scanned her surroundings. Hao was no longer beside her but had already returned to the counter.
She immediately stood up and walked over.
“Boss.” She cupped her fists. “Thank you.”
She had many things to say, but gratitude wasn’t something expressed through words alone. She would prove her worth through action.
After a brief pause, she lowered her head slightly.
“Apologies… I spent too long in enlightenment. I must’ve gone over my meal break.”
Hao waved his hand. “It’s fine. Getting stronger is also part of your work. It doesn’t count against your break.”
Mo Xixi was dumbfounded. “…What?”
Cultivation is considered work?
In her entire life, she had never heard such a thing. This was a store, not a sect. Since when was getting stronger part of a store crew’s duties? Shouldn’t she be learning how to manage inventory or serve customers instead?
Yet, here she was, gaining enlightenment over a bowl of noodles, and her boss treated it like any other task.
“Feel free to cultivate, Little Xixi. If there are no customers, make good use of the time.”
Mo Xixi faltered for a moment.
“Hmph, no need, boss. I’m not some delicate flower.”
She took her place beside him, standing straight.
“I can cultivate even while standing.”
Hao stared at her. ’What the f- . Standing?’
’Seriously?’
This level of talent was insane.
Then he remembered – Mo Xixi wasn’t merely gifted. She was a monstrous genius, leagues beyond other. She completely overshadowed even prodigies such as Yue Xueyan.
Hao crossed his arms, feeling both impressed and smug. A genius like her working under him? What a steal.
Sure, her cultivation wasn’t at the absolute peak, but it was still up high. And with her talent, it was only a matter of time before she surpassed those oldies.
Unfortunate that I can’t even step outside to see her flaunt her strength. A Heavenly King Realm expert in action? That’s gotta be a sight to see.
Hao reached into the glass shelves and pulled out a cold can of Cola. He tossed it toward Mo Xixi, who caught it effortlessly.
“Here, try this.”
Mo Xixi looked at the strange metal can, tilting her head. “What is it?”
“Just open it and drink.”
She did as told, pulling the tab. With a sharp hiss, bubbles frothed at the opening, releasing a cool, sweet aroma. The scent alone was enough to make her swallow unconsciously.
Taking a sip, her ears perked up like a startled cat. The cold, fizzy sweetness burst forth in her mouth. The carbonation fizzled pleasantly as she swallowed, making her crave another sip.
“Ah – !” She covered her mouth, taken aback by the fizz.
“Good, right?”
“Mmh – good – boss!” She attempted to speak between sips, but the Cola had completely stolen her attention. Before she knew it, the can was empty.
Mo Xixi blinked as the effects of the Cola kicked in. Her reflexes sharpened, her reaction time felt unnaturally fast – like her body was responding before she even thought about it.
She glanced at the empty can in her hand, then at Hao. First, there was a cup of noodles that could bring enlightenment. Now, a drink that enhanced reflexes?
Mo Xixi gulped. She knew she could eat another instant noodles later, but for now, she wanted to focus on work. Not that there was much to do – there were still no customers.
“Boss… will there be more products in the future? Aside from the Cola and instant noodles?”
“Of course. There’ll be plenty more. After all, we have to fill all these empty shelves, right?” Hao casually replied.
Mo Xixi slowly nodded, looking around. The store still had a lot of space. If a small drink had such incredible effects, what else could future products offer? Could they be just as miraculous?
Before, she had already thought Hao was an immortal. But now… maybe her boss was beyond even that.
It was nearing closing time. Hao yawned. No customers. Again.
’Maybe we should close early.’
Right when Hao was about to suggest it to Mo Xixi, the door swung open.
A tall young man walked in, his long, jet-black hair tied into a topknot with a jade hairpin.
He wore luxurious golden robe embroidered with red dragons, the fabric shimmering under the light. A golden-sheathed sword was strapped to his back, secured with a silk cord.
If showing off riches was an art, this guy had mastered it. All that was missing was a servant throwing gold coins in his path.
This was Gong Shaoyan, son of Gong Jueyon, the Vice Master of Azure Mist Dining Pavilion.
“Welcome.” Hao greeted.
Mo Xixi, still enjoying the last traces of Cola on her lips, copied Hao. “Welcome.”
Gong Shaoyan ignored them entirely, treating them like air as he made his way to the shelves.