C5 The Rules of the Shop

"Hey boss, I'll take ten more bottles of Coke!"

Bu Lige downed the last of his Coke with a satisfied burp and called out to Lo Chuan with a buzz of excitement.

Just ten spiritual crystals for a drink like this? It was an absolute steal!

Lo Chuan, however, shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, but our policy is one item per person per day."

That was the store's rule, freshly delivered by the system into Lo Chuan's mind.

"Why?" Bu Lige asked, puzzled.

"It's just how the shop operates," Lo Chuan responded coolly.

"Fine!"

Realizing Lo Chuan's firm stance, Bu Lige sighed in resignation.

With one last longing glance at the Coke on the glass shelves, Bu Lige said his goodbyes to Lo Chuan and left the shop.

Watching Bu Lige walk away, Lo Chuan breathed a sigh of relief. The novice mission was complete at last.

"Congratulations, host, on completing the novice mission. Your earnings have been allocated. Would you like to initiate the lottery now?" the system's voice chimed in.

Lo Chuan nodded, and in a blink, he was transported back to the wondrous space.

"Immortal beasts, ten-star weapons, divine martial arts..."

He watched the giant lottery wheel spin before him, silently hoping for good fortune.

Soon, the wheel came to a halt, its pointer settling on a red segment.

"Congratulations, host, on drawing the spicy sticks. Access to their supply has been unlocked," the system announced in Lo Chuan's mind.

Back in the shop, Lo Chuan eyed the new line of spicy sticks on the shelf, his thoughts adrift.

"Is there a glitch in the system? Why do I keep getting these odd items?" Lo Chuan grumbled to himself.

"Host, please refrain from speaking ill of the system, or it may deduct your rewards and earnings," the system's voice warned in Lo Chuan's mind.

Caught out, Lo Chuan's cheeks flushed a shade pinker, and he coughed awkwardly.

"System, would I ever talk behind someone's back?" Lo Chuan defended himself with feigned indignation.

The system remained silent.

"No answer? Fine," Lo Chuan muttered, then proceeded to access the system panel.

"The Ultimate Shopkeeper System.

Host: Lo Chuan.

Status: One-Star Shopkeeper.

Cultivation Level: First Rank.

Current Revenue Share: 10%.

Evaluation: Barely satisfactory. There's a long journey ahead, young man—you've got to keep pushing!"

"Have I already advanced to the first level of strength? System, what's happening here?" Lo Chuan questioned, eyeing the changes on the display and sensing an inexplicable surge of energy within himself.

On the continent of Eogenys, the term 'cultivator' is quite broad. Beyond the common paths of cultivation, there are numerous lesser-known systems.

Yet, when it comes to classifying power levels, there's a consensus.

Lo Chuan understood these levels to be Body Tempering, Spirit Sense, Creation, Divine Soul, Origin Returning, Dao Seeking, Sovereign, and Saint, with each major level further divided into nine grades.

What really baffled Lo Chuan was the source of this newfound energy.

Was it a result of completing the beginner's quest? But the system hadn't mentioned energy as part of the reward.

"As the host sells merchandise, his cultivation will naturally progress in proportion to the sales. This increase is tied to the shopkeeper's star rating," the system's voice echoed in Lo Chuan's mind.