“Alright. You can start guarding outside.”
Tian Lu gave a single nod. Then turned and walked out the front door, his back straight.
The black baton rested against his shoulder.
Tian Lu stood by the entrance.
Hua Feixue finally spoke. “Boss Hao… that man, is he a new worker for the store?”
“Yeah.”
“Store guardian.”
She blinked. “A store guardian… may I ask, what are the requirements for such a role?”
“Mm, I guess…”
“Just be strong enough to go head to head with a sect master or something.”
“…Ah.” Hua Feixue lost all words.
Yue Xueyan’s gaze remained on the door where Tian Lu had left.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Strong enough to rival a sect master?
That’s at least Heavenly Emperor Realm…
No wonder his presence was so suffocating.
It didn’t feel righteous or demonic. Just… heavy. Like a blade hanging above.
Yue Xueyan glanced at Hao again. Senior Hao – he didn’t seem worried at all.
Of course. That level of cultivator… tamed?
Under senior, even monsters could work like common folk.
As long as Tian Lu remained within the bounds of the store, he wouldn’t dare cause trouble.
If he did…
He would probably be obliterated by Senior before he could even lift a finger.
No chance to retaliate at all.
Based on how Senior Hao treated things since their first day here, one thing was clear –
He didn’t want trouble.
Just peace and slow life.
He only wanted to sell his products quietly.
And anyone who disturbed that…
Would definitely regret it.
Hua Feixue blew on her noodles and took a slurp.
“Hot!”
Yue Xueyan lifted hers with a bit more grace.
But even she moved faster.
The noodles were ready.
And delicious.
Meanwhile, Hao opened his system screen.
He had been waiting for this.
He had completed everything.
────────────────
Side Task 2: Hire 2 store guardians. Leaving the store defenseless isn’t exactly a good idea, is it?
Progress: 1/2 → 2/2
Requirement: Each store guardian must possess power equivalent to the Heavenly Emperor Realm or higher.
Reward: Unlock Employee’s Safety Badges. It will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
Status: Completed! Claim your reward now?
────────────────
Reward claimed!
The screen flashed.
[All tasks completed! New tasks have been assigned. The store has entered a new phase, host. Keep up the hard work and grow it even further!]
’Hm? New phase?’
His eyes narrowed.
Was it finally…?
He had hoped.
But he wouldn’t celebrate too early.
He scrolled down to check.
’Only two tasks?’
He expected more.
But this…
────────────────
Main Task 1: Accumulate 1000 crystals through product sales.
Progress: 0/1000
Reward: Store upgrade unlocked! A new door will be established randomly somewhere on the Azure Sky Continent. Could lead to a city, a cave, or someone’s backyard vegetable patch. The system takes no responsibility. Your luck, your problem.
────────────────
’So this is what it meant by new phase…’
A store upgrade.
He’d speculated something like that.
Expansion.
Maybe better functions.
But what caught his attention most –
A new door.
New people.
New customers.
New chaos.
The first was connected to Sovereign City.
Where would the next one lead?
He clapped his hands together like a beggar.
’Please don’t be a cow pen.’ he whispered to the heavens.
’Or a swamp. Or a pit.’
’Or someone’s freaking comfort room!’
If it was just the backyard of some sect… fine.
But please, for the love of all things holy, don’t drop me in someone’s damn chocolate factory.
────────────────
Side Task 1: Sell 30 Bags of Original Salted Potato Chips and 50 Cans of Peach Oolong Tea.
Progress: 0/30 Bags, 0/50 Cans
Reward: System upgrade to Version 2.0. Unlocks the option to unseal your meridians – crystal payment required, so get those savings ready!
────────────────
’Yesss!’ Hao nearly punched the air.
“That’s it!’
’This is the one!”
’I thought the new phase was just about sales but this – this is it!’
’I’m gonna be a cultivator!’
His eyes gleamed like he just saw treasure.
’This is my path! Finally!’
’Even if I suck. Even if my talent is trash.’
’As long as I can cultivate, I’ll take it.’
He looked at his hand, as if imagining spiritual qi swirling around it.
’Will I be able to ride a sword?’
’And leave the store for real?’
The system had said before –
He couldn’t go far as a mortal.
But now…
His dream was closer.
Then he paused.
His excitement deflated a little.
’…Crystal payment required, huh.’
He sighed.
’Cultivation isn’t free after all.’
’System, can I get a little discount or something? You know… owner benefits?”
The system didn’t hesitate.
[No, host.]
That fast? Not even a second of consideration?
’Come on.’
’I’m the store owner. Shouldn’t I get some sort of manager’s discount?’
[All the more reason to be dignified, host. Imagine if your employees saw you begging. Shameful.]
[You are the owner, not a street vendor. Please act like one, host. You represent the face of the store. Don’t beg. Have some self-respect.]
Hao nearly choked.
’…What kind of system are you?’ Hao clutched his chest like he was betrayed.
’Why are you still so cruel to me, System… I’m the chosen one, right?’
He staggered back a step.
’Is this the fate of all protagonists? Struggling to afford their first cultivation journey?’
[The kind that doesn’t reward lazy behavior. Are you trying to haggle your way into the path of cultivation, host?]
[What next? Buy one meridian unsealing, get one free?]
“…That doesn’t sound bad.”
[Absolutely not.]
He gave up.
Too stubborn. This thing had the soul of a grumpy old teacher.
Maybe even worse than his high school homeroom.
The day rolled on.
Afternoon sunlight tried its best to reach the alley where the Dimensional Convenience Store’s door was connected, but only managed to light up a few trash cans… and one very confused rat.
There were no customers.
Only Mo Xixi and Kurome sitting in the corner, waiting for their noodles.
The two black kittens, Tsuki and Yoru were chasing each other across the aisle.
They had grown fast.
No longer palm-sized, they were now half the size of their mother.
Hao noticed their claws.
Sharp. Clear as crystal. Slightly curved at the tips.
If they kept growing this way, they’d be terrifying in two months.
Or maybe even sooner.
Hao could only hope they’d learn to control their size like their mother.