Peng Hui opened his eyes, and found himself inside a large tent with animal skins covering the floors, large chests sitting around, and racks of weapons and armor standing around. He exited the tent, and a lush, humid jungle greeted him as Mei Lingxue also exited the tent she was in.
"I will start recording now", Peng Hui told Mei Lingxue.
She nodded, and pulled out a spear that had been created by a refiner in the village. Peng Hui started the recording, and tried to straighten his armor. He liked this game, but one thing he wasn't thrilled with was that he couldn't bring his equipment with him. The weapons, armor, and items he carried were all crafted inside the realm.
"I want to welcome all the new and experienced cultivators that will watch this in the future", he said to a flying artifact that appeared, "I'm Peng Hui, and this is is my Junior Sister Mei Lingxue, and today we will introduce you to what to expect when you enter for the first time. I use a sword, and my Junior sister uses a spear, so if you wish to make a similar recording using a different weapon, I look forward to watching it."
Peng hui motioned to Mei Lingxue as he headed towards an area with a stove made of stones, and various tables and chairs made of logs.
"When you start a mission, it's important to eat a meal", he lectured, "In this realm, food safely increases your capabilities, so do not skip this step."
The two say down to eat, and Peng Hui temporarily stopped the recording.
After finishing, he started recording again, "I know you didn't want to watch us eat, so I skipped over it. Now, let's review what you want to bring when you leave for a hunt. Obviously, you bring the pills that restore health and essence, pills that enhance speed and strength, and antidotes. Next, bring the talismans that also temporarily enhance your capabilities in strength and speed. Finally, there are items you can bring that will instantly install traps, creates smoke that to assist your escape, calls beasts that will carry you away, produce poison mists, and more."
The two left the camp, and started making their way through the jungle towards the location usually indicated in the first quest. They stalked their way through the heavy brush before reach a large opening in the trees where various creatures were gathered, including Chamegras.
Peng Hui whispered to the flying artifact, "We have located the target. As you could see, they normally travel in groups of four to seven members. They have adequate senses in detecting prey, though they have no issues attacking the inexperienced hunter who fails to conceal themselves properly. They are very coordinated in their attacks, and many hunters will fall due to the lizard's main threat, their venomous bite. Make sure you are confident in your Qi sense and movement techniques when you make your attempt. We will now proceed with our attack, so there is no need to copy our attempt. As long as you and your group are proficient with your fighting styles, the fight will finish quickly, but don't be afraid to use flash or poison talismans to assist."
Peng Hui nodded at Mei Lingxue, and the two rushed out of their hiding spot to engage with the group of Chamegrases. They easily dispatched the lizards, and stored the remains inside their storage bags before returning to the hunter's village. Peng Hui had already stopped recording, bade farewell to Mei Lingxue, and went to the Sanctum to upload the recording.
Fang Shi had finished another day of tending the store, and had went upstairs to his floor to eat dinner and look over the reports. So far, his current distribution of products was still efficient, though when he checked the cultivation rooms, he could tell it was customers who couldn't get a cultivation pod artifact.
"Hmm, I think I should add two more underground floors", he mused, "That should eliminate the wait, and it should also isolate those who wish to use the rooms versus those who use it because it was the only option."
He checked his wallet for funds and assets, and added two more floors to the pod cafe for a total of five. Fang Shi wasn't tired, but he still went to the bath to relax.
As he laid in the tub, an idea suddenly came to him, "I should add more land, and build a public bath or hot springs. I can charge an entry fee, sell drinks and snacks, and more. Tomorrow, I'll travel to the city office and get another row of plots."
Fang Shi finished his bath, and went to bed, and slept in the next morning. He was able to easily buy the land, since no one would ever take it without it being forcefully given. His business complete, he wandered the outer city markets in the hope of finding something different than what he had already bought with no luck. After a few hours, he returned to the store and took his spot at the counter again.
That night, after following the normal routine, Fang Shi started to build a two story building. He designed a stylish lobby to receive customers, changing rooms with baskets filled with robes and towels, personalized baths, baths for men and women separately, relaxation facilities, and a small shop.
Fang Shi created all the furnishings, the decorations, and positioned the views people could see to enhance the experience. He took most of the night adding details to everything before he was satisfied, and then he saved the plans.
He assigned the resources required to build it, and then commanded, "System, I wish to build this and add it to the store. It is possible?"
'Answer: Yes, as long as the host can do as you did, it is possible to add this', the system responded.
"Then let's commence with the construction of this building", Fang Shi instructed the system.
'Notice: The building will be completed, but without staff, it's impossible to run it as the host has intends', he heard the system reply.
Fang Shi realized he forgot about that, so he went back to the design screen and added more puppets to run the new Hot Springs. When he completed this step, and submitted it again, he heard the familiar chime of an achievement. He wanted to sleep, but he ignored this urge for a moment as he opened the status panel.
There he saw:
[New! Look Ma, No hands!
The host didn't wait for the system to create a task for him, and instead was proactive in creating a new business opportunity (completed)
Reward: The system will only take the required amount to operate the business, and the remaining with go to the host]
"I accept!", Fang Shi quickly said.
Pleased with the results, he changed to his night robes and laid down for the night.
Yang Cheng was the owner of the plot of land close to Fang Shi, and also the latter's first customer. He didn't have the opportunity to visit very often, as it took time to save money to purchase the high quality rice from Fang Shi's store. Yang Cheng looked forward to today, because everytime he visited the store had changed greatly.
As Yang Cheng entered the gate, he marveled at the gardens on both sides of the entrance. Hearing the conversation of other customers, he came to his senses and entered the main store. He walked around the shelves to inspect the goods before picking up the bags of rice he had come to purchase. As he made his way to the register, he spotted a new set of products in the back corner of room.
"What is this?", Yang Cheng couldn't help saying out loud.
A voice came from behind him, "That's my line of products for farmers who wish to grow spirit rice out in these farmlands that lack spiritual energy."
Yang Cheng's eyes widened, "How is this possible?"
"It's not hard", Fang Shi laughed, "First, you purchase these wooden frames and this clear covering to build a special hut to cover your farmland. Then you plant the quality of rice you wish, but also use the bag of fertilizer there. This fertilizer will enrich the soil to allow the crops to grow, and the special hut will keep the spiritual aura from escaping."
Yang Cheng was ecstatic, "You mean I could grow low quality spirit rice at my farm?"
"Yes", Fang Shi nonchalantly answered.
Yang Cheng had to hold back the urge to immediately buy these products, he knew if he went home without consulting his wife, his life would be miserable for a few days. To distract himself, he looked around the room to see if there were any more changes. To his surprise, he quickly found the new doors in the back with the signs about cultivation rooms, cultivation items, and a hot springs plus a bath. As a mortal, he couldn't cultivate, so the first two options were already rejected by him. The bath on the other hand, made him curious so he quickly paid for what he was carrying and went out the back.
Yang Chang admired the pond as he made his way to the new building on the opposite side from him. He went inside, and was greeted by the impressive lobby but noticed not very many people were inside.
Yang Cheng walked up to the counter, "Excuse me, how much does it cost to bathe here?"
He was thinking that if the price wasn't expensive, he could occasionally come here, and also send his family here too.
The woman behind the counter only took a second to glance at him, and then laid out a scroll.
"Sir, please look over these services, and the costs", she told him, "Here are the individual prices, but we also offer 'packages', a collection of services at a fixed price."
Yang Cheng looked over everything on the scroll, and although some of the options were very expensive, some were still reasonable priced. When he went shopping he carried to bags of money, one from family purchases, and the other was his own allowance. He was currently fiddling with his own wallet while considering one of the basic packages.
Yang Cheng had developed a lot of trust towards Fang Shi every since he had started purchasing rice from the store, so he decided.
"I would like the basic package for a mortal", he told the woman as he set coins on the counter.
"Thank you for your business", she replied as she put a basket on the counter, "Take this with you to the changing room on the right. Place all your things in a space inside, but don't worry, your items are protected from theft. Once you enter the bath, do not enter the pool until you wash. Clean you hair with this product, and your body with this before you rinse off. The enjoy a warm soak in the pool, use this towel when you are done, and wear this robe as you walk around inside. Once you are done, change back to your clothes, return everything at that counter there, and enjoy your day."
Yang Cheng grabbed the basket off the counter and thanked the receptionist before heading the direction she indicated. When he went inside the changing room she had pointed out, he saw rows of squared shelves on one wall, so he disrobed and placed his clothes into a square that was still clear. When he removed his hands, the square changed from clear to dark and he could no longer see inside. Panicked, he reached his hands in but when he did, the square lit up again and his hand easily entered. He finished getting ready, but before went to the next room, he saw a few more squares that was dark like his. Yang Cheng became curious so he tried to put his hands in one of them was immediately stopped by a hidden wall. This made him more confident about his own clothes, so he smiled and entered the bath.
As Yang Chen looked around, he saw several other men already inside, so he went to a corner where no one else was and started. He took a bucket, filled it with water, and poured it on himself. He followed the instructions given to him to wash himself, and rinsed off afterwards. Then with a towel wrapped around his waist, and one on his head, he entered the large tub.
Yang Cheng felt so comfortable as he sat down, and looked out the window to see the same pond and bamboo forest he passed by earlier. When he first heard the price, he thought it was somewhat pricey, but as he relaxed in the pool, he suddenly felt it was cheaper than it should be.
Yang Chang had stayed in the tub for about an hour when suddenly his body felt like it was boiling. Frightened, he quickly left the tub and a moment later, dark oily sludge started expelling from his skin.
"What is happening to me?", he shouted.
"Congratulations, friend", he heard from one of the other men in the room, "You just broke through to the Body Perfecting realm. I wish your journey on the road of cultivation goes smooth."