[Yes, host. It is included. Each employee may select from available stock. Instant noodles or Original Salted Potato Chips for meals. And one drink to accompany it.]
[Limitations may change depending on store version. Please upgrade to unlock more options.]
’So it really counts. Not bad.’
Hao glanced at Tian Lu with a relaxed smile.
“You can get one now if you want, Lu. No need to hold back.”
Tian Lu gave a firm nod.
“Thank.”
“You.”
“Employer.”
Tian Lu walked over to the shelves.
He picked one bag of Original Salted Potato Chips and a can of Peach Oolong Tea.
He made his way to the corner.
Just one seat apart from Kurome and Mo Xixi.
He sat down. Tilted his head slightly in their direction.
Just a glance.
Then he faced forward again. With a swift motion, he tore open the bag – crinkling plastic unfolding with a crisp, clean sound, and began to eat.
Crunch. Crunch.
If one could peer behind Tian Lu’s mysterious mask, they might catch a rare sight.
An old man quietly savoring joy.
Each chip that entered his mouth was a divine reward, as if the heavens themselves had fried them just for him.
The ruthless executioner of a hundred silent deaths…
Now defeated by potato chips.
If those who once feared him saw him now, they might doubt their memories and wonder if Tian Lu had a long-lost twin who simply loved foods too much.
Mo Xixi raised her head.
“Boss… these two… they’re our new products?”
“Yeah, Little Xixi.”
“Is it good, boss?”
“You’ll have to see for yourself.”
“I’ll try one later, boss… I’m sticking with instant noodles today.”
She spoke like she wasn’t curious, but her gaze kept drifting to Tian Lu’s chips.
Still, she didn’t let herself be distracted for long. She had already decided to focus everything on growing her strength. Her cultivation, her skills, her future.
Because she didn’t know what might come.
What if her pursuers found this place?
She didn’t want her boss to be dragged into trouble because of her. Even if she already had a rough idea of how unfathomably strong he truly was.
He had given her everything. A place to stay. A life without fear. Food she had never even dreamed of.
She didn’t want to repay that with danger.
So she had to grow stronger.
Much stronger.
If that day ever came, she would be ready.
Night fell over Sovereign City.
Faint moonlight filtered through the alley, casting long shadows over crates, barrels, and trash bins.
Mo Xixi stood behind the counter, chin lifted slightly, a serious look on her face.
Responsibility had passed into her small hands. For the next few hours, she was the store’s keeper.
Outside, Kurome stood by the door. She wore the standard uniform for store guardians.
If one didn’t know better, they’d say she looked adorable.
But one wrong move near the store? Adorable would be the last word you’d remember.
Hao was half-dozing in the corner. One eye closed, the other barely open.
He had shown Tian Lu to his private room on the second floor earlier, and even took time to pat the kittens goodnight.
Peace.
Until –
Creak.
The door opened.
A figure stepped in with confident steps and a familiar glint in his eye.
Ji Yunzhi.
Gone for days.
Still bald.
Hao didn’t even move. He just opened the other eye.
’What’s this rogue alchemist up to now?’
Yunzhi didn’t stop at the shelves or the counter.
Instead, he walked straight toward Hao.
His eyes were bright. Almost blinding. Hao briefly wondered if it was his gaze or the glow bouncing off his bald head.
“Storekeeper.”
“I’ve concocted something.”
Hao blinked. “…Concocted?”
“Yes, storekeeper. A pill.” Yunzhi confirmed proudly.
“Inspired by your… Cola.”
There was a dramatic pause.
Mo Xixi looked up.
“I’ve attempted to replicate its effects.” Yunzhi said, taking out a small, see-through jade bottle from his storage ring.
Inside were several rounded pellets.
Dark brown, with a faint glossy sheen. Each one dusted in specks of silvery powder.
’Effects of Cola?’
’You’re asking the wrong person, bro. I’m not even a cultivator yet. If I take that, I might just get diarrhea instead of enhancement.’
He stared at the shiny pellets.
’What if this thing explodes in my stomach? What if it turns me into a talking cow?’
But Ji Yunzhi was looking at him with that expectant sparkle in his eyes. Like a child showing off a drawing to his strict dad.
Hao sighed internally.
He couldn’t just refuse the guy. Not when Ji Yunzhi was clearly one of those people who misunderstood him completely.
Another one who thought Hao was some higher-being from the upper realms.
An immortal storekeeper disguised as a mortal.
But in truth?
He was just a dude who got roped into running a convenience store by a system that threatened to castrate him if he didn’t sell a cup of instant noodles in three days.
Not exactly the majestic background everyone imagined.
’System, can you analyze the ingredients and effects of this pill for both a cultivator and for me.”
[Analysis will cost 5 crystals, host.]
Hao resisted the urge to sigh.
A system, huh?
The so-called cheat meant to guide him to greatness. Now acting more like a stingy landlord collecting rent.
Other main characters got divine support, unlimited treasures, and cultivation manuals raining from the sky.
His system felt closer to a stingy merchant.
’Fine, whatever.’
[Analysis will begin once the pill is in your possession, host. No need to consume it.]
“Alright.” holding out his hand.
“Let me try one.”
Ji Yunzhi’s eyes practically sparkled even more. He hurriedly opened the jade bottle with a click. Carefully, he carefully transferred one of the pills into Hao’s palm.
“Here, storekeeper.”
“Thank you for taking the time to try it out.
[Analyzing now, host.]
After just five seconds, floating screen appeared infront of Hao.
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[Cola-Inspired Pill Analysis Complete]
Primary Effect:
Enhances a cultivator’s reaction speed and reflexes by approximately 17% for a short duration (about 15 minutes).
This is a remarkable feat considering Cola’s effects are nearly impossible to replicate with standard alchemy.
A clever blend of stimulant herbs and nerve-enhancing materials.
Short burst, high intensity.
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