Hao stared at him like he was an idiot.
"No."
Hao pointed at the store's exit.
"Also, if you keep this up, I'll put you on the block list, and you'll never be able to enter the store again."
Lin Yijun froze.
Wasn't this punishment a little too severe?!
Seeing no room for negotiation, he finally gave up. The store owner was clearly a man of his principles.
Still, the wording of the rule lingered in his mind. One of each product per day...
Didn't that mean as long as it wasn't beef-flavored instant noodles, he could still make another purchase!
Excitement flashed in his eyes. If a simple cup of noodles could grant him insight into sword intent, then what about the other products?
With that thought, Lin Yijun glanced around the store, activating his spiritual sense to check for any hidden products.
But all he sensed...
Was more cups of beef-flavored instant noodles.
Lin Yijun's expression twitched.
"Boss, do you sell anything other than instant noodles?"
Hao yawned.
"Not right now."
"Then when - "
"Tomorrow." Hao waved him off.
"New products will be available tomorrow, so just come back then.".
"Who knows? Maybe tomorrow, you'll be able to buy two cups of instant noodles instead of one."
"..."
Lin Yijun didn't reply. Instead, he silently walked to a corner and sat down, seemingly lost in thought.
Hao had no idea what Lin Yijun was thinking about, but as long as the man wasn't causing trouble, he didn't care. If Lin Yijun wanted to sit there all day, that was fine by him.
With nothing else to do, Hao asked the system.
'System, can I ask this guy to promote the store to increase sales?'
[Rejected. Host, as the owner of Dimensional Convenience Store, you must uphold dignity and self-respect. Begging customers for promotion? Have you no shame?]
Before he could even argue, the system continued.
[A true merchant lets the value of their goods speak for itself. If the store is worth spreading, it will spread naturally.]
[However, if he voluntarily does it without any intervention from you, that is acceptable.]
Hao was already used to the system's strange logic. He could only shake his head with a faint smile.
Lin Yijun remained seated for a while before finally standing up and making his way to Hao.
"I am Lin Yijun, inner disciple of the Drifting Sword Sect."
That was all he said. As if waiting for Hao's response.
"The name's Hao."
Lin Yijun nodded.
"Alright, Boss Hao. I'll be back tomorrow."
Lin Yujin clasped his hands, gave a slight bow, and left the store.
As the door swung shut, Hao leaned back, but then suddenly remembered something.
'Hey, Lin Yijun! Don't forget to spread the word about the instant noodles!' he shouted in his mind.
After all, that guy did have an enlightenment while eating! It was only fair to return the favor.
But outside, Lin Yijun didn't even pause. He walked away without looking back, his long black robe fluttering behind him.
And so, silence returned to the store.
For the next hour, Hao sat behind the counter, half-asleep, waiting for another customer to appear. Just as he was starting to doze off, the door creaked open once more.
Two women stepped in, bringing the scent of blooming flowers.
The first was tall and breathtakingly beautiful. Her long silver hair was smooth and flowing, reaching down to her chest. Her skin was pale and flawless, clear like fine jade, and her eyes carried a cold, distant aura.
Her face remained calm, her expression unreadable, yet there was an undeniable presence about her. It was the kind of quiet dominance that made the air feel heavier, as if just standing in the same room as her required permission.
She was Yue Xueyan.
Beside her stood another young woman, slightly shorter but still tall. Unlike Yue Xueyan's detached elegance, this girl's emotions were clearly written on her face.
Her wavy chestnut-brown hair reached her shoulders. Her skin had the same porcelain-like glow as Yue Xueyan's, though her presence was warmer and more expressive.
She was not as overwhelmingly stunning as Yue Xueyan, but she had her own charm, lively and approachable in contrast to the other's icy beauty.
This was Hua Feixue.
Both of them wore white robes with light blue accents. Embroidered on their chests was a five-petaled flower, marking their affiliation - Snow Petal Sect.
The petals on Hua Feixue's robe were soft pink, signifying her status as an Inner Disciple.
On Yue Xueyan's robe, the petals were deep pink, marking her as a Core Disciple.
"This is the place Senior Sister! The one I told you about!"
Hua Feixue had passed by this store before, but no matter how much she tried to peer in, she couldn't see what was inside.
That alone made her curious. A store that concealed its interior like this? It had to be hiding something interesting.
Yue Xueyan didn't respond and simply swept her gaze across the store.
At the counter, Hao rubbed his sleepy eyes, barely processing the new customers.
"Welcome."
Hua Feixue's eyes immediately lit up as she noticed Hao.
"Oh! There's actually someone here!"
Hua Feixue took a step closer, her eyes scanning Hao.
"Wait... you're the store owner?"
Hao blinked. "Yeah."
Hua Feixue's curiosity only grew. "Really? You look kinda young... What do you sell here?"
Yue Xueyan, meanwhile, remained quiet. She glanced at Hao briefly but showed no interest, as if he wasn't even worth acknowledging.
"Instant noodles."
"Instant noodles? What's that?"
Hua Feixue knew what noodles were, but instant noodles? That was a term she had never heard before.
Even Yue Xueyan, who had shown no interest so far, gave a slight look in Hao's direction. She didn't speak, but there was a faint trace of curiosity in her eyes.
Without much thought, Hao pointed toward the shelves where the cup of instant noodles were displayed.
Hua Feixue followed his gesture and walked over, her gaze falling on the unfamiliar-looking packages.
Hua Feixue sniffed the cups, trying to figure out the flavor.
"It smells... like nothing? Are these even edible?"
Yue Xueyan, standing beside Hua Feixue, picked up one of the cups and read the characters on the illustration.
"Beef-Flavored Instant Noodles."