There it was!
Finally!
A new door!
Hao didn’t care about stepping through it himself, but the real excitement came from the possibilities that awaited.
More customers.
More sales.
And, hopefully, more loyal regulars, just like he had in Sovereign City.
He rubbed his hands together with a grin.
The more customers, the better.
Not just for the crystals, but for the variety they would bring.
After all, it wasn’t just about the products – well, it was, but it was also about the people.
The different types of people who would pass through the store doors.
Would they be skeptical at first? Or would they be immediately hooked?
The thought made him smile.
It wasn’t just about the sales – it was the joy of interacting with the customers.
Communicating with them, watching how they would react to his products.
Hao loved to observe them, to learn from them.
There were always those who lingered, asking questions, maybe even trying out a new product on a whim.
Every encounter was unique.
Every customer had their own vibe, their own quirks.
Hao enjoyed it all.
It was a simple pleasure, but one that made him feel connected to the world.
He wasn’t just selling products – he was offering a little piece of comfort, a slice of normalcy in a world that could be chaotic.
Sure, sometimes things got weird, like when an arrogant young master showed up or a rogue cultivator tried to rob him.
But that’s what made it more fun.
Now, with a new door, it would all start again.
New customers, new opportunities, new connections.
Reward claimed!
[The store upgrade will take place after business hours, host.]
Hao blinked and chuckled to himself.
’Just bless me with a good place, alright, system? Don’t make it some hidden dark valley again!’ He shook his head.
[All tasks completed! New tasks have been assigned. Keep up the hard work and grow the store even further, host!]
’Alright, let’s see what this store upgrade will bring.’
Five tasks? That’s a lot.
’System is really stepping up the game now.’ Hao raised an eyebrow. This wasn’t going to be a breeze.
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Main Task 1: Sell 100 Soft Served Ice Cream, 50 Wing Blast, and 50 Tuna Mayo Onigiri
Progress: 0/100 Ice Cream, 0/50 Wing Blast & 0/30 Onigiri
Reward: Unlock new feature – Pool Game Billiard. The game will be set up in the store after business hours.
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“…”
’I’m familiar with these products… But, hmm, they weren’t in added to the store yet, right?’
’So, I get these new items as a reward for completing the other tasks?’
He leaned back in his chair, processing the information. ’Such a spoiler!’
’Guess I need to finish those other tasks before I can complete the main one, huh? Looks like the grind never ends.’ Hao smiled.
Then his eyes flicked down to the reward section.
’Wait, what?! A billiard game?’ Hao blinked several times, unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
’I’m running a convenience store, right? Why a billiard game?’
He paused, thinking. Was this another weird divine prank?
Did the gods, or some grand deity, really choose this as a reward?
’I’ve never seen a convenience store with such a luxury of entertainment!”
But despite his disbelief, Hao couldn’t help but grin.
Was he not happy with it? Of course not!
He actually liked playing pool.
Back in high school, he was pretty good at it. In fact, he never lost a bet when it came to a game of billiards.
His friends used to groan whenever he stepped up to the table. No matter how much they practiced, Hao would win.
Hao laughed, remembering the good old days.
’Maybe I’ll get a few good games in, after all. Some new fun isn’t a bad thing.’
It was going to be a new Chapter in the store’s journey – one he wasn’t quite expecting, but one that seemed a lot more fun than he’d imagined.
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Main Task 2: Sell 50 Bags of Original Salted Potato Chips and 200 Cups of Instant Noodles
Progress: 0/50 Bags & 0/200 Cups
Reward: Unlock new product – Tuna Mayo Onigiri. It will be delivered to the storage area after business hours.
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Potato chips and instant noodles?
It wasn’t that hard, but it was going to take a while. The chips, especially, were a slow seller.
Still, they were so simple, so universally loved, that he figured the new door might bring in the type of customer who just couldn’t resist them.
He could already picture them, cultivators grabbing bags of chips like it was the most natural thing.
That was probably the whole point, right? He would meet people with all kinds of tastes and preferences.
His eyes lingered on the Tuna Mayo Onigiri reward.
Hao smiled slightly.
Onigiri… it took him back.
It was always a go-to meal for him.
Cheap, filling, and so easy to carry around, especially when you were in a rush.
He could still remember the warm scent of tuna mayo filling the kitchen when his mom made them.
“Perfect for lunch” she used to say. “Quick, easy, and nutritious.”
’How many times did I eat those for lunch?’
They were his lunch for most of his school years, always neatly wrapped, ready to grab in a hurry, and satisfying enough to keep him full for the day.
A warm sense of nostalgia washed over him, like he could almost smell them again.
His mom’s onigiri were simple, but comforting.
Even when he was busy with schoolwork, buried in exams, or caught up in the rush of life, that little meal always felt like home.
It was funny how something so simple could bring back so many memories.
Now, here he was, a grown adult, standing in a store that could provide something similar – no preparation, just a tasty bite when he needed it.
’Maybe the store’s got a few tricks up its sleeve after all ” he thought, feeling a little grateful.
His stomach growled in excitement.
Maybe it was time to swap out his usual junk food for something a little more… satisfying.
If this is what the grind gets me, I’m here for it.
This slaps.