One of the kittens, a small black ball of fluff with bright, curious eyes, trotted straight to Hua Feixue.
It pressed its head against her leg, rubbing affectionately before flopping onto its back, belly exposed.
Hua Feixue’s eyes sparkled. “Awww! You’re so cute!”
“Look at you, so tiny!”
“Do you like belly rubs? I bet you do!”
She immediately crouched down, rubbing its belly while showering it with endless praise.
Meanwhile, the other kitten, slightly more reserved but no less adorable, silently padded up to Yue Xueyan.
It stared at her for a long moment, as if judging her worth, before finally allowing itself to sit beside her. Then, without a sound, it lightly tapped her hand with its paw.
Yue Xueyan blinked. Slowly, she reached out and gently stroked its head.
The kitten purred softly, leaning into her hand.
She nodded in approval. ’Cute.’
Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng, watching this unfold, glanced at each other. Then, almost at the same time, they crouched slightly, holding out their hands in an inviting gesture.
Surely, the kittens wouldn’t mind a few more admirers, right?
Wrong.
The two little furballs didn’t even spare them a glance.
Lin Yijun coughed awkwardly and tried again, shifting his fingers slightly in an attempt to look more inviting.
Still nothing.
Xiao Lianfeng, refusing to accept defeat, lightly clicked his tongue to get their attention.
“Here, kitty, kitty – ”
One of the kittens gave the faintest flick of an ear.
And that was it.
Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng could only sit there, completely ignored, watching as the kittens happily soaked up all the attention from Hua Feixue and Yue Xueyan.
Lin Yijun let out a light cough and quickly changed the subject. He turned to the two elders.
“Master, Elder Feng, let me introduce the products to you.”
The two elders nodded and followed him. As they reached the shelves, their gazes landed on a small cup-like container with a colorful design.
“This small cup-looking thing can grant enlightenment?” Elder Tang Sheng murmured as he picked up a Beef-Flavored Instant Noodles and inspected it closely.
This product was completely unfamiliar to him. Even with his long life and vast experiences, he had never seen anything like this until today.
Lin Yijun’s eyes brightened as they moved toward the glass-refrigerator section. Almost immediately, he noticed something new.
A metallic container sat inside, cold mist clinging to its surface. It had the same shape as the Cola container but with a different design.
The label featured a bright yellow fruit with bubbles rising around it.
“Lime Fizz”
Lin Yijun pointed at it. “Boss, is this a new product?”
Hao glanced over. “Yeah. It just arrived today.”
“It’s good.”
Good?
Lin Yijun narrowed his eyes. If boss said it was good, then it must be something on the same level as Cola.
He checked the price.
3 crystals.
The same as Cola.
The elders also noticed the price. Even after hearing about it from their disciples, they still found it outrageous that such ordinary-looking items were sold at such a high cost.
But if the effects were real, then this price might as well be free!
Lin Yijun had already made up his mind. He had to try it. Not just for the effects, but also to see how it tasted.
In total, the group purchased: 6 Beef-Flavored Instant Noodles, 4 Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles, 6 Cola, and 1 Lime Fizz.
Hao gained 31 crystals from the sale.
As he scanned the products and completed the transaction, a notification appeared before him.
────────────────
Main Task: Sell 20 Cups of Instant Noodles.
Progress: 16/20 → 26/20
Reward: Unlock new products – Spicy Version of Beef-Flavored Instant Noodles and Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles. They will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
Status: Completed! Claim your reward now?
────────────────
Yes.
Reward claimed!
[All tasks completed! New tasks have been assigned. Keep up the hard work and grow the store even further, host!]
’Let’s see these new missions.’
Hao looked at the screen.
────────────────
Main Task 1: Sell 50 Spicy Version and 30 Original Version of Beef-Flavored or Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles.
Progress: 0/50 Spicy & 0/30 Original
Reward: Unlock new product – Original Salted Potato Chips. It will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
────────────────
’That’s a lot of noodles to sell, but it shouldn’t be too bad.’
Instant noodles were bound to be one of his bestsellers. It wasn’t just delicious – it literally granted enlightenment to cultivators. Anyone who tasted it would want more. If anything, this task was just another excuse to rake in more crystals.
’Potato chips for reward, huh?’ His mouth almost watered at the thought.
Crispy, salty, and addicting. It was the perfect snack to pair with a cold drink!
’Yeah, this is gonna sell like crazy.’ Hao grinned.
────────────────
Side Task 1: Accumulate 150 crystals from Cola or Lime Fizz.
Progress: 0/150
Reward: Unlock new product – Peach Oolong Tea. It will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
────────────────
Peach Oolong Tea?
Hao had tried oolong tea before, but peach-flavored oolong tea was new to him.
’Tea isn’t really my thing, but I guess it’s a good addition. Cultivators, especially the older ones, would probably like this more than Cola or Lime Fizz.’
’Besides, having more drink options is always good for business.’
────────────────
Side Task 2: Hire 2 store guardians. Leaving the store defenseless isn’t exactly a good idea, is it?
Progress: 0/2
Requirement: Each store guardian must possess power equivalent to the Heavenly Emperor Realm or higher. The system will automatically detect individuals within the vicinity who meet the requirements.
Reward: Unlock Employee’s Safety Badges. It will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
────────────────
’Store guardians? What do I even need defense for?’
Inside the store, he was invincible. No one could harm him. But then, a thought struck him.
What if someone tried to harm a customer inside the store?”
He knew he could suppress anyone’s strength while they were inside, but it wasn’t automatic. He had to actively do it.
If something happened too quickly, he might not react in time.
’System, does the automatic protection only apply to me?’
[Indeed, host. It only applies to you.]
’That’s why…’
Hao sighed. He had been too focused on his own safety, but he had forgotten about his customers.
The store really did need proper security. Who knew what kind of people or creatures might show up in the future?
’It’s better to be cautious than regret it later.’
There was also another issue. Inside the store, he had full control, but once someone stepped outside, he had no way of interfering.
If trouble started outside the entrance, he wouldn’t even know until it was too late.
’If I’m hiring store guardians, they need to guard both inside and outside the store.’
He nodded to himself. The sooner he found someone strong enough, the better.