In the early morning, Luo Chuan went out to buy breakfast, leaving Yao Ziyan puzzled.
"Has the store changed? A new product?" she murmured.
She clearly remembered that Luo Chuan had stayed in his room the entire night. When could these changes have been made?
Failing to piece together the situation, Yao Ziyan decided to let it go.
---
As she descended the stairs, her eyes landed on something unfamiliar—a sleek structure made of a strange silver-white metal tucked in a corner of the shop.
Its name was engraved on a small metal nameplate above it: Water Heater.
"Water heater?" Yao Ziyan muttered curiously. "Could it be a machine that boils water on its own?"
She marveled at the boss's ingenuity. He always seemed to produce the strangest yet most practical inventions.
Her gaze shifted to the shelves, where rows of bowls were neatly arranged.
"These must be the instant noodles the boss mentioned," she thought, inspecting them.
The price tag read 10 spirit crystals per bowl, a surprisingly reasonable price.
"I'll wait for the boss to come back before trying them out," Yao Ziyan decided.
---
Not long after, Luo Chuan returned with breakfast, and the two ate together, naturally accompanied by their now-favorite spicy strips.
After the meal, Luo Chuan resumed his usual laid-back routine, reclining in his chair and soaking in the morning sun.
However, his tranquility didn't last long.
---
A commotion in the alley broke the peace.
"Are we sure this is the place? I don't see any shops around here."
"It should be nearby. Wei Qingzhu said it's in an alley like this one."
"Look! Over there! That has to be it—the salted fish boss she mentioned is right at the entrance!"
Hearing this, Luo Chuan's brow twitched.
"Salted fish boss"?
He immediately deduced that this nickname was likely courtesy of Wei Qingzhu. He hadn't expected someone as elegant as her to have such a playful side.
Still, her words weren't a lie—she had indeed brought new customers.
---
Five cultivators approached the shop, clad in mismatched soft armor. They exuded a rugged, battle-hardened aura that marked them as experienced fighters.
Luo Chuan's gaze quickly assessed them, settling on the bald man at the front.
This was Zhou Hu, their leader. With his cultivation at the ninth stage of Fatebound Ascension, he was undoubtedly a seasoned and formidable mercenary.
Zhou Hu carefully observed Luo Chuan. Despite the young shopkeeper's seemingly ordinary appearance, Zhou Hu dared not underestimate him.
Wei Qingzhu's words echoed in his mind:
"Don't even think about causing trouble in that shop. Not even the might of the Heavenly Star Emperor could protect you if you cross the owner."
Most mercenaries would scoff at such a statement. After all, who could rival the Heavenly Star Emperor, one of the strongest in the Nine Stars Empire?
But Zhou Hu wasn't one to take risks. Caution had kept him alive through countless battles.
---
Clearing his throat, Zhou Hu stepped forward.
"Boss, do you have the spicy noodles and cola that Wei Qingzhu mentioned?"
Without opening his eyes, Luo Chuan replied lazily, "Yes."
He then returned to basking in the sun, seemingly uninterested in further conversation.
Zhou Hu hesitated for a moment, then turned to his team. "Let's go check it out."
Inside, they couldn't help but marvel at the strange but intriguing shop, and their curiosity about the products only deepened.