Elder Tang Sheng’s face turned slightly red at the playful jab, but with the Emperor and Sect Master Bing Xuan both looking at him, he couldn’t refuse.
He gave a short sigh. “Fine, fine. I’ll lead the way then.”
Elder Tang Sheng led the group toward the shelves where the instant noodles were displayed, while Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng struggled to hold back their laughter.
Their cheeks puffed, eyes closed, and small smiles curled at their lips, looking like they were about to burst out.
The three big shots stood in front of the shelf, eyes locked on the colorful containers of instant noodles.
None of them had seen such packaging before.
“It doesn’t look like anything from our continent.” Emperor Yunlan Haorang muttered.
“It might have come from the Upper Realm.” Bing Xuan said.
“Or another continent.” Jiang Xianwei added.
Despite their status, none of them hesitated to pay. One crystal for one cup was a spare change for them.
The emperor even waved his hand. “I’ll pay for everyone. Consider it a small treat.”
In total, they took 7 Beef-Flavored and 7 Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles. Fourteen crystals, easily paid.
Elder Tang Sheng showed them the process of cooking the noodles using the water dispenser, just like how the others had done before.
They sat down to eat. Soon, the room was filled with the fragrant aroma of the noodles.
No words were exchanged at first.
The moment they tasted it – every single one of them fell silent.
Even trying to act composed, their expressions betrayed them.
This wasn’t just good. It was absurdly great.
Even as top cultivators, they could not deny it.
They would willingly eat this every day… even though they didn’t need to.
And it wasn’t just the taste.
The pure spiritual qi surged through their bodies, nourishing every part of them, from flesh to bone, from meridians to soul.
By the time they finished, there was no doubt in their minds.
This instant noodle… wasn’t something that should exist in this realm.
Sect Master Jiang Xianwei leaned back. He turned to Bing Xuan.
“Sister Bing, you felt it too, right? I swear, ten of these and I’m breaking through to enlightenment!”
Sect Master Bing Xuan gave a nod. “It’s ridiculous… though even I can’t refute it.”
Jiang Xianwei looked at the cup.
“I never expected it to have any effect at our realm… yet it clearly does.” “This might be the key we’ve been searching for to ascend.”
On the emperor’s side, Yunlan Haorang quietly set down his empty cup. His expression solemn.
Now he understood.
So that was how his daughter overcame her condition. Not through pills. Not through secret techniques. But really from eating noodles?
Noodles… that could grant enlightenment?
In a cultivation world where such opportunities were hidden in forbidden ruins, ancient tombs, and heavenly trials –
Where could you find something like this?
He chuckled to himself.
No, you wouldn’t find it there.
You’d find it… in a dark alley, hidden inside a small store.
They moved on to the next round – another cup of Instant Noodles, this time the Chicken-Flavored. Their amazement was just as strong as before.
Once they finished, the temptation to buy more was clear. But they all knew the rules – except for the emperor’s group.
Rule No. 1: Daily Limits Are Absolute. Each customer may purchase only one of each product per day. Greed is not tolerated.
The emperor suggested paying however much Hao wanted, but Hao simply shook his head, denying the offer.
“The rule is the rule. No exceptions.”
Lin Yijun grinned. ’Boss really sticks to his word… Now there’s an emperor right in front of him, and he still doesn’t back down.’
’That’s the kind of boss he is – treats all customers the same, no matter their status.’
’Guess that’s what sets him apart from the rest of us. No one can sway him, not even an emperor.’
’He controls his own rules and doesn’t bend them for anyone, no matter how high their title is.’
There was no more discussion on the matter. The emperor understood Hao’s principles and accepted it.
As a compromise, everyone bought one Cola and one Lime Fizz to satisfy their cravings before going their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Hao stood at the counter, checking the details of the potential store guardians. Of course, he wasn’t going to recruit any of them. They were all already part of some group.
The two sect masters were out of the question. They couldn’t possibly leave their sects to guard a store, could they?
As for the other one… Zhao Huan. Hao guessed he might be a secret bodyguard of the emperor. Loyal to the emperor, he would also be out of the running.
────────────────
Name: Bing Xuan
Age: 240
Cultivation: 4th Stage of Heavenly Emperor Realm
────────────────
Name: Jiang Xianwei
Age: 246
Cultivation: 7th Stage of Heavenly Emperor Realm
────────────────
Name: Zhao Huan
Age: 274
Cultivation: 5th Stage of Heavenly Emperor Realm
────────────────
Hao had expected that the strongest would be the mysterious man beside the emperor or perhaps the masked sect master.
But it was Jiang Xianwei! The one who appearance of a teenager.
Did they even know how strong he was?
Or was Jiang Xianwei just that good at pretending?
And to think he was not even much older than Bing Xuan. Yet, his cultivation was light years ahead.
This guy might even be stronger than Kurome!
The day passed by quickly, and soon another one arrived. The same customers from yesterday were back again today.
But this time, the emperor brought his daughter, Yunlan Qingyi, along to thank Hao once more.
Not that he just wanted an excuse to come back and taste the instant noodles again… or buy more drinks, right?
Days flew by, and eventually, the grand banquet for Princess Yunlan Qingyi’s recovery arrived.
It was one of the largest events ever held in the Sovereign City. The emperor had spared no expense.
Even the common citizens were given food, all in celebration of the princess’s health.
It was a grand affair, a monumental moment for the people.
For Hao, though, it was just another day of selling in the store. Same routine, same customers, and the same quiet life in his little corner of the world.