opening wine store

The warm glow of crystal lanterns bathed Heaven's Pavilion in a welcoming light. Unlike the ostentatious facades that lined the street, this shop focused on practicality.

Cultivation manuals, their worn leather covers whispering stories of countless breakthroughs, lined the shelves. Apothecary jars, their contents shimmering with otherworldly hues, stood sentinel beside intricately carved jade instruments.

Here, it was clear, function reigned supreme.

Chen Yang lingered at the entrance, surprised by the unpretentious atmosphere.

He hadn't expected a cultivator's haven to feel so...cozy.

"Can I interest you in some rare finds, friend?" A voice, smooth as polished jade, startled him from his reverie.

Chen Yang turned to face a man whose smile could charm a dragon out of its hoard. "Actually," he said, "I'm here to sell some high-quality, one-star pill vials. And, on another note, I'm interested in any shops that might be on the market."

The man's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Excellent timing! Follow me, please. Ding Yue!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the halls. "Come meet this esteemed guest!"

Chen Yang followed the man, whose name tag identified him as Manager Liu, deeper into the labyrinthine halls of the pavilion.

Finally, they reached a side room where a wiry man with a hawk-like gaze sat meticulously examining a jade vial.

"This is Ding Yue, our appraiser," Manager Liu introduced them. "He has a keen eye for quality."

Ding Yue gestured for Chen Yang to place his wares on the table. Twenty flawless vials, each containing a potent one-star pill, emerged from his satchel.

Ding Yue picked one up, holding it against the warm lamplight as he inspected its contents.

"Impressive," he finally conceded, a smile playing on his lips. "Are you an alchemist yourself, by any chance?"

Chen Yang shrugged, a hint of a smile flickering across his own face. "Let's just say I know a thing or two about concocting a good batch."

Ding Yue chuckled. "Well, then, how does two thousand low-grade spirit stones sound for the entire collection?" He dipped a brush in ink, already preparing a contract scroll. "We could even offer a 30% bonus if you agree to be our exclusive supplier..."

Chen Yang shook his head politely. "The flat rate is fine for now. But tell me more about these shops you mentioned, Manager Liu."

"Of course, of course!" Manager Liu interjected, seemingly disappointed but ever the salesman. "But do consider the supplier contract – we offer a 15% discount on all future purchases here." He winked at Chen Yang, then scurried off, returning moments later with a hefty tome titled "Prime Properties."

"So, my friend," he began, his voice dripping with practiced charm, "what kind of budget are we talking about for a prime location?"

Chen Yang braced himself as Manager Liu launched into a spiel that listed exorbitant prices for seemingly every storefront in the city center. His jaw nearly dropped at the astronomical figures.

Clearly, a prestigious address wasn't in the cards. Chen Yang quickly re-oriented his expectations toward the seedier outskirts, finally settling on a modest two-story building for a relatively affordable 1,500 mid- spirit stones. He had got as a reward from system.

Which is 150,000 low spirit stone.

With the remaining spirit stones burning a hole in his pocket, Chen Yang made his way to the pavilion's suppliers, his mind already swirling with ideas for his new venture.

He emerged laden with fragrant herbs, shimmering powders, and other alchemical ingredients, the foundation for his grand scheme.

"Thank you for your business," Manager Liu said with a practiced smile as Chen Yang departed, a deed clutched in one hand and a satchel brimming with supplies in the other. "We look forward to seeing you again at Heaven's Pavilion!"

.....

Following a hand-drawn map, Chen Yang reached his new property. A charming, slightly run-down building with peeling paint and dusty windows, it held the undeniable potential of a hidden gem. Sunlight streamed through the grime, revealing a surprisingly spacious interior with a rustic charm that tugged at his heart

This, he thought, was perfect. No time to waste, then. Chen Yang rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He scrubbed floors until they gleamed, dusted every nook and cranny, and transformed the bare space with elegant shelving and comfortable furniture. Slowly but surely, the ramshackle building blossomed into a classy wine boutique.

.....

Finally, after days of tireless work, Chen Yang finished preparing his first batch of signature yellow-grade wine. The recipe, a rare collection of 100 formulas gifted by his System, filled him with a thrill of anticipation.

Surely, these exquisite blends would attract a sophisticated clientele of both connoisseurs and casual drinkers, providing ample opportunities to increase his Exposure.

For now, the sweet aroma of fermenting grapes hung heavy in the air, a testament to his first step. He meticulously labeled each bottle, his calligraphy flowing with practiced elegance: "Iron Heart," "Red Blush," and the pièce de résistance - "Starlight Sip." With a satisfied smile, he displayed them on the newly built shelves, their golden hues shimmering under the warm glow of the crystal lamps.

The days that followed stretched into a week, a week devoid of customers. Disappointment gnawed at Chen Yang, a bitter counterpoint to the optimism that had fueled his initial efforts. He spent his quiet hours experimenting, blending the exquisite wines with potent spirit pills he'd meticulously concocted. The resulting elixirs shimmered with an otherworldly glow, their names reflecting their fantastical properties: "Phoenix Fire " and "Jade Blossom."

Just as doubt began to creep in, the shop door chimed, shattering the peaceful silence. A gruff-looking man with a thick beard and a swaggering gait entered, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar wares with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"You the owner of this little joint?" he boomed, his voice echoing in the small space. "What kind of fancy potions do you even sell here?"

Chen Yang straightened, a spark of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Welcome," he said, his voice calm and collected. "Perhaps 'potions' isn't quite the right word. We offer a selection of the finest, most unique wines this city has ever seen." He gestured towards the price list .

The man squinted at the displays, his face contorting in confusion. He pointed a shaky finger and sputtered, "Five low-spirit stones for the cheapest bottle? And that one over there is 250? Are you kidding me?"

Chen Yang remained composed as the man launched into a tirade about the outrageous prices.

"Even the fanciest wines at the Emperor's table don't cost more than 150 low grade spirit stones! Who do you think you are, selling this swill at these ridiculous prices?!"

The man puffed out his chest, trying to intimidate Chen Yang with his display of power. But Chen Yang, having faced down powerful ancestors, was completely unfazed. He swatted away the man's threats with the disinterest of someone brushing off a fly.