There’s something happening here

Fang Shi wrinkled his nose when he read the contents of the task, but he understood what the problem was. He had read plenty of novels where the protagonist used their knowledge to make a fusion of the old life and the new one, but would the people of this world accept something like that.

Fang Shi strengthened his determination, and walked over to the cultivation artifact that the system had placed in his room earlier that day. He sat down in the seat of the pod, but because he wasn't a Qi Gathering realm cultivator, he had no Qi sense.

"Activate", he said as he placed the faceplate on his face, and made sure it was comfortable on his ears.

Contrary to what he thought would happen, Fang Shi only saw darkness surrounding him.

"System", he complained, "Why isn't anything here?"

'Answer: Since the host created the artifact, the host also must create and organize how the artifact will function', the system replied.

Fang Shi began to regret making this artifact, but he took a moment to relax.

He started issuing instructions, "When a user enters, display the logo for the pavilion, and then check if it's a new or returning user. If it's a new user, start the process of registering the guest. First scan the new user and initiate the tutorial to explain all the details. Returning users will still be scanned passively, but will skip everything else and go to the main menu. The main menu should have a default design."

Fang Shi took a moment to send a generic, but somewhat homely looking image to the system for reference.

"User should be able to purchase or earn items they could use to personalize this space", he continued, "Let's start with four initial portals: Training, Arena, Adventure, and Settings. Training will consist of the user's data, recommendations, and training room. Arena will be split into the user facing a monster, another user, or a mirror of the player. This mode could be used in solo or multiplayer modes, depending on the level of the users. Users have to agree to fight others above their level, or the system will restrict the higher level player to match the lower. The adventure mode will be called Monster Slayer, and would hold multiple biomes teeming with plants, creatures, and monsters. The players could hunt by themselves, or teams ranging from a pair to large raids. Monsters in this mode can be challenged in training or arena area as well. The last option, Settings, is just that, the ability to change player IDs, the starting menu designs, and sound options. I will add additional features later if this is successful."

'Inquiry', the system asked, 'The system has noticed several problems with your proposal:

- Host said that items could be purchased to customize the customer's preferences

- Host has very little knowledge of spiritual beasts in the world'

Fang Shi was frustrated because he knew the system was right, "Don't worry about the first problem, if this is successful in being accepted, I'll add the shop later. I'm not sure how to handle the second issue, it's not like I can travel the world to experience a battle with all the monsters of the world."

'Advise: the system can offer a solution', the woman said, 'The system can provide what you're missing, but a compromise must be reach.'

"Alright, tell me", Fang Shi begrudgingly agreed.

'Proposal: The unit will provide information for and control the monsters', the system suggested, 'But the host will lose the privileges of setting the price, and only receive 30% of the revenue.'

"Wait a minute", Fang Shi angrily reacted, "Can't I contribute more to gain a better percentage?"

'Answer: Yes, if you allow', the system replied.

"Right?", Fang Shi spoke to the system, "If I can remember my past life, you can see it too. Use my memories in the design of this mode, and fuse the two together."

'Answer: This unit accepts your proposal', the system responded, 'The Host will receive 40%.'

Fang Shi wanted to agree but stopped himself, "Fine, but a few things need to happen. First of all, the artifacts have to be able to cleanse themselves after a person leaves, and a new person takes it place. Next, there needs to be something that will identify the players, and finally, don't get rid of the cultivation rooms. I feel some people will be willing to try this new artifact, but you are right that it isn't the normal way of this world."

'Response: This unit agrees with all conditions', the system agreed, 'The host should be informed at this time there is not enough room for 50 artifacts.'

"Alright", Fang Shi, "I'll handle that tomorrow. Schedule the courier to visit the quarry to purchase as many tons of rock, gravel, and useless debris as needed to make the artifacts."

He wanted to open the new store with the new cultivation artifacts as soon as possible, it the system needed to produce them first. With nothing else he could do for the day, Fang Shi went to bed.

A few days later, Fang Shi was finishing his shift when he received a message from the system that his cultivation artifacts were ready. He had went back to the city office a few days ago to purchase four more plots of land, bring his total number of plots up to sixteen.

With the expansion of his land, Fang Shi decided to redesign almost everything to manage foot traffic better. He had also commissioned the artifact refiner to craft a furnace, and after building another couple puppets, accepted the rewards for [Don't like the Drugs, but the Drugs like me] to open a pharmacy with a beauty section.

As Fang Shi looked over the current layout of his property, he decided to remove the two buildings that ran from the main gate to the store. In there place, he placed a rock garden on the right side, and on the left he had several trees with a gazebo in the middle. Cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and osmanthus trees created a beautiful and serene landscape for others to appreciate. He added a large pair of sliding doors to the back of the main stores, and placed two storied walkways from the main building to two new buildings. These buildings were located in the back left and right corners of the land, and when guests walked to them, they could see the pond and bamboo forest. The building on the left was two stories, and the first floor would have nothing but cultivation rooms. The second floor would be for the cultivation artifacts.

The building on the right would also be two stories as well. The first would hold the artifact refinery and pharmacy, and the second floor would be for the clothing shop and talismans. Fang Shi had almost decided to finished with this, but after some thought he added a walkway from the left to the right buildings that went over the pond. The path would connect to floating gazebo had in the middle previously that was surrounded by lotus flowers.

Fang Shi also made another change to the restaurant on the second floor. He rearranged some of the tables to take advantage of the view of the two new gardens and the pond before finalizing his choice and submitting it to the system. He went to sleep excited to see if his artifacts would be popular or not.

Peng Hui had become a pretty regular customer of the Heaven & Earth pavilion. After practicing the new cultivation method he had received from the evaluation artifact, he had changed how he trained. He would complete a few missions to earn items or stones, and then use the next few days to turn those stones into gains from the store.

Today, Peng Hui was visiting the store with his junior sister, Mei Lingxue, as he had promised to take her.

"Junior sister Mei, we have almost arrived", Peng Hui remarked, "I hope you have prepared as I advised you to. There are many wondrous things here."

"Senior brother Peng, do not worry", Mei Lingxue replied, "I have done as you instructed."

Peng Hui saw the gate, and was ready to see the look of surprise on his beautiful junior sister's face when he walked in. He, himself, now stood in shock as buildings that used to be present were gone, replaced with beautiful gardens.

"Senior brother Peng, you did not mention such lovely gardens when you told me about this place", Mei Lingxue exclaimed.

"They were not here a few days ago", Peng Hui sighed, "Let's enter the store for now."

The two walked inside, and Peng Hui was relieved when it still seemed the same inside.

"As you can see, Junior sister, here is the main store where you can trade in items you deem useless for spirit stones", Peng Hui explained as he pointed at a large artifact in the middle of the room, "The spirit rice and spiritual fruits are the best quality in the city for a very fair price."

Mei Lingxue was about to take some to buy but Peng Hui intervened, "Let's wait until we are about to leave, the fruits will not lose their essence while they sit on these shelves. Do not worry, the owner stocks the shelves often if you are concerned about the supply. Now, if you look this way, you will see the stairs to the restaurant."

The pair walked up to the second floor, and once again Peng Hui had saw that the seats had moved from their regular configuration.

"If you were impressed by those amazing ingredients downstairs, you will be happy to know that they are used in the dishes made here", Peng Hui continued to guide his junior sister around.

Peng Hui was able to secure a table with the view of the pond, but was in for a surprise when his junior sister ate much more than he was expecting. He still covered the bill, and had discovered the two new buildings behind the main store while they were enjoying their meal. He also found signs that informed him about the purpose of each building so he decided to check the right side first.

"I see that owner Fang's backer moved the shops around", Peng Hui remarked, "But I think you will be very pleased, the quality of items in his stores are always the best."

The pair of disciples walked from the restaurant to the second floor of the artisan shop using the second floor walkway, but it went slower than expected because Mei Lingxue kept staring at the pond and bamboo. When they entered the second building, Peng Hui saw a familiar sight as guests were waiting in line to purchase talismans or clothes, and other tailors and inscribers were trying to meet with creator of the goods.

"Is it always this busy, Senior brother?", Mei Lingxue asked with a nervous face.

"Unfortunately, so I'll leave this decision up to you", Peng Hui told her, "We can wait in line now, or we can try and come back later. What do you wish to do?"

"I would like to get some talismans", Mei Lingxue said, "I do not mind a short wait."

The two lined up, and spoke for about 20 minutes before they were able to purchase talismans.

When they exited, Peng Hui noticed that Mei Lingxue had taken an interest in the clothing store, "Should we go there next, Junior sister?"

The girl shook her head, "No, the robes from the sect are enough. I just thought it was interesting."

Peng Hui knew she was lying, but didn't care, "Then let's head to the first floor."

She nodded her head, and the two made their way to the first floor.

Peng Hui was even more surprised when they first saw the commotion on the this floor. He quickly recognized the artifact refinery, and as expected, it had many customers in line. But a new store was on the other side of the building, and when he focused his eyes, he realized it was a pharmacy.

"Owner Fang opened a pill shop!", Peng Hui almost shouted in surprise.

He made his way over to the store with his junior sister in tow, and when he saw the pills on sale, he realized why the line was so long. Almost every pill that cultivators would normally use in cultivation or battle was available, but the big news was Foundation Establishment pills, and perfect ones at that were available in large quantities. Peng Hui could understand why so many people were lined up, but when he turned around, he noticed Mei Lingxue wasn't there. After a quick search he found her and many other women in a different section of the store.

Peng Hui narrowed his eyes to focus on what all these women were taking, and the answer almost caused him to have a headache. He saw pills, creams, and elixirs that made skin look younger, made hair shine, and let a person stay in their most beautiful state for much longer. He also saw a multitude of cosmetics through the crowd of women that were surrounding the product.

He made his way to Mei Lingxue before saying, "Junior sister, I'm afraid if you wish to purchase something here the store will be closed before you reach the register. If you insist, that's fine, but I will go to the other building for now."

"Senior brother, I wish to stay here for now", she responded with a determined look in her eye.

"Alright, if you can't find me in the other building, return to the main store", Peng Hui said before leaving.

As he crossed the walkway that went over the pond, he felt at peace as he viewed the bamboo forest. That peace of mind immediately disappeared when he neared the entrance of the other building.

"Fellow Daoist, this is the cultivation center?", Peng Hui called out the a man who was last in line.

The man turned around and saw Peng Huo's sect robes before bowing slightly, "Yes, but who knew that with even more cultivation rooms, we would still have to wait?"

Peng Hui looked perturbed, "Both floors are full?"

"No fellow Daoist, only the first floor is full", the man said, "No one is foolish enough to fall for the scam on the second floor."

"Scam", Peng Hui looked at the man, "You should guard your tongue. So far everything everything provided by this shop has been excellent, how can Owner Fang try to cheat you of your stones."

The man shrugged his shoulders, "Just look for yourself, then you will see the truth."

"I think I will", Peng Huo said as he went to enter.

"Let him through", the man yelled, "Yet another wants to explore the second floor!"

Everyone else in line laughed, and made way as Peng Hui quickly entered the building. Obviously, on this floor all the rooms were occupied, so he continued on to the staircase. After reaching the second floor, he saw a grand arrangement of strange artifacts all across the room, and a counter with an employee standing behind it. He read the sign on the wall behind the counter and saw:

Cultivation pod artifacts

10 stones to register

3 stones per hour

Peng Hui was slightly embarrassed now, he could understand why no one wanted to use these. It was somewhat costly, and the artifact seemed new, and it's looked unreliable. He then strengthened his resolve, and went over the counter.

'Owner Fang wouldn't offer a bad product', he told himself as he reached the counter.

A woman with a cat mask greeted him, "How may I help you today, dear guest?"