Business Trip

In the first floor living space of the employee dormitory, all the employees were gathered as Fang Shi stood in front of them.

"I've called everyone together for an announcement", he said, "I'm not exactly sure how long I will be gone, but I will be taking a trip to the Profound Sword and Azure River sects for business. This should not affect you as the senior will still be watching the shop, so you don't need to worry about your safety. Just handle each day as your training has prepared you, and consult the scrolls if you have a question. It should have answers for the most common scenarios, and perhaps a few problems you haven't dealt with before. Now, I need to speak privately with the Hong sisters so I must request that everyone else leave."

Out of his seven employees, four left the living room and once it was only the four of them, he placed several talismans around the room.

"I have placed Silence and Guard talismans", Fang Shi told the three women, "I think you don't wish for your fellow colleagues to know what I'm about to say. Hong Yan, Shan, and Li, I'll say this for your benefit. Don't think about using my absence to initiate a plot with your fellow spiritual beasts. I'm already aware that you save a portion of your meals, and return to the forest to share your family."

This statement caused all three women to huddle closer to each other with frightened looks. Fang Shi could see they were very stressed by this revelation, and two of the women had looks like they wanted to attack him, while the third tried to hide behind the first two.

"So, you and your master abuse your position to spy on us?", Hong Yan questioned with gritted teeth, "I thought you would treat us the same as your other employees, but you hate us just like all the other humans. Have you enjoyed peeking on our bodies? Such a hypocrite!"

"No, I haven't been invading your privacy", Fang Shi tried to reassure them, "But that doesn't mean that the senior is unaware of where you go when you leave the store. As an employee, we have to be able to protect you when you go out. That means once you leave the gate, the senior is paying attention to your movements. But if this is unacceptable, I recommend that you quit now, and return back to the forest."

The Hong sisters still didn't look convinced, but they also stayed seated when they remembered what their mission was.

Fang Shi knew anything more explaining would only make him look guiltier, so he changed topics, "I'll just give you are warning, and some advice. First is the warning, if you're passing information to others in the hope they can successfully attack us, then leave now because it will be the only chance to stay alive. Instead, I'd advise you to have your relatives visit you, or give you materials or resources that you can sell. Then you can purchase what you want at cost with the employee discount. Either way, I've said what I needed to. Good night."

Fang Shi went back his home, and started to get ready for the trip.

"System, how am I suppose to protect myself when I'm outside of the shop's area of influence?", he asked, "You seem to against me personally fighting, and as a Mid Qi Gathering realm cultivator, it's fair dangerous to travel. What am I supposed to do?"

'Answer: As a merchant, the host should be able to solve this issue through the purchase of protective services', the system replied.

"You want me to hire bodyguards?", Fang Shi felt insecure, "Who could hire to protect me while in the sects? It's not like I can hire Li Xiaoyao from Fairy and Sword, or Mushen Shibingwei from Renje Mijuan."

'Response: It is possible to hire them, but there are stipulations', the system stated.

Fang Shi was shocked, "What are the stipulations?"

'Answer: As the characters in question are not real, this unit can imprint their likeness onto a puppet of your choice', the system explained, 'Unfortunately, the puppets of this shop are currently created from 3rd class materials, so they will not display the strength that the host has witnessed in the game.'

"Will I be safe then?", Fang Shi was worried, "Even if the sects in visiting are 2nd class sects, the top cultivators are Nascent Soul realm cultivators."

'Response: the guards will be provided with everything required to protect the host', the system assured him, 'Also, another method the host can purchase are talismans, and talisman arrays as a secondary defense.'

Fang Shi opened the system panel to the shop tab, and began searching for everything he needed as he added items to the cart. Then he followed his normal routine after work.

The next morning, Fang Shi stood in front his store with two puppets standing next to him. The one to his left wore black kimono, straw hat, a wolf mask, and carried a katana. The one on the right wore white robes, a hat that made it hard to see his face, a tiger mask, a sword. No one could see their face, but their style of dress matched that of Li Xiaoyao and Mushen Shibingwei.

As they walked towards the gate, Fang Shi saw Elder Jian from the Profound Sword sect waiting outside with all the disciples he was chaperoning.

"Elder Jian, good morning", He greeted the man.

"Are you ready to leave?", Elder Jian returned the greeting, "Also, these two are your friends?"

"The senior worries about me since I'm leaving the shop", Fang Shi explained, "So these body guards were hired for my protection."

Elder Jian nodded in understanding, and summoned a small ship from his storage artifact. He threw it into the air, and the ship enlarged until it was the same size as the ships Fang Shi had seen in his past life. Not only that, but the ship also looked ancient: made of wood, and had multiple sails and crossbows. Elder Jian proudly invited Fang Shi to board, which he did, and then proceeded to launch into the air.

Even Fang Shi had to admit that ship was fast, but after seeing all the modern and futuristic ships in his previous life, he wasn't impressed by the ship's looks. He didn't stay on deck for long, and went to the room the elder had assigned to him. Elder Jian told him how this was the room for important guests, and was only second to his own.

As Fang Shi looked around, he sighed, "This room sucks! A cultivation mat, a window, a desk, and that's it. These cultivators are so focused on training that they are ignorant of the little comforts in life. Maybe in the future, I should sell flying ships and show them what it should really look like. Next time, I'll ask for directions and go there flying on a sword once I learn how to."

'Notice: This unit must inform the host that just as he hired his current bodyguards, methods, techniques, and abilities are also sold in the store', the system said.

"This is great!", Fang Shi got excited.

He quickly opened the system panel, found the skill, and purchased it. Then he looked at his wallet and started to feel guilty, although he wasn't in danger of going broke, he still had spent quite a bit in the last day. Finally finding a reason to use the mediation mat, he sat down to absorb the knowledge of riding the sword.

The trip was uneventful, and soon they arrived at the mountain range that housed the Profound Sword sect. After the flying ship landed and everyone debarked from it, Fang Shi found in front of three men and a woman.

"Elder Jian, it's good to see your trip was successful", a man that appeared to be in his late thirties said as Elder Jian and Fang Shi arrived, "Who is this little friend with you? Did you find a new disciple for our sect?"

"Sect master", Elder Jian cupped his hand around a fist, "This is Owner Fang Shi, the owner of the Heaven & Earth pavilion that I went to investigate."

A voluptuous woman dressed in robes in a way to attract attention, and carrying a sword in the crook of her elbow spoke next, "Rather young to be an owner, do you seek to join our sect?"

Fang Shi was annoyed by the strong scent of wine coming from her, but before he could retort, Elder Jian stepped in, "Chief Elder Qin, I have made an agreement with Owner Fang to purchase the wonderful artifacts that he only has in his shops."

Elder Jian proceeded to describe to the sect master, chief elder, and the other elders what the cultivation pod artifact was, and what it could do.

Afterwards, the sect master said, "Elder Jian, you're telling me this artifact can feel the same as a secret realm, allowing anyone that sits in it to practice or explore, even kill or die without harming the one inside?"

"Yes, Sect master", Elder Jian replied, "I've used it myself. You can hunt beasts by yourself or as a team, teach and practice cultivation or professions, or even gain worldly experience without actually leaving."

"What does the little owner want in return?", the final elder who had stayed quiet until now asked.

"Elder Zhang, here is a list of materials he is willing to barter for", Elder Jian answered as he gave a scroll the sect master.

The sect master opened the scroll and quickly went through everything listed, "There isn't some mistake right? Everything is very reasonable, and I almost feel like we are taking advantage of you."

"Sect master, you have my assurance that this is what I'm requesting for payment", Fang Shi responded.

"What do you need to set everything up?", the sect master felt there was something strange about all this.

"Well, you need a room or space that will hold the artifacts, but it must be secure", Fang Shi answered, "Of course you need to artifacts themselves, you need these artifacts, and this one too."

Fang Shi said as he pulled out two more artifacts from his storage space, "This first one will be placed around the spiritual vein so that it can monitor the growth or reduction of the vein. This second artifact works in conjunction with the first, and displays the status onto a light screen."

"Little boy", Chief Elder Qin cut into the conversation, "Why would you need these artifacts? Are you trying to spy on our vein?"

Even the reborn Fang Shi had to admit that this woman made him uncomfortable in certain ways, but he did his best not to show it.

"To answer your first question", Fang Shi responded, "Spiritual veins are very important to whoever is lucky enough to own one. If overburdened, the vein will disappear over time based on how much you tax the vein. My master recognized this fact, so he created these artifacts so that he could use the vein he owns in the most effective method without waste. To answer your second question, no. I am not strong enough to approach a 2nd class vein without doing damage to my meridians and dantian. Also, it is very likely your vein is protected by powerful array formations, and as I'm not proficient in arrays, I would be unable to break them."

"Ah sorry, I was just teasing you", the chief elder giggled, "Don't take my words so seriously."

Fang Shi was led through the sect until he entered a large room.

"So what do we need to do first?", Elder Zhang inquired.

Fang Shi handed both the smaller and the larger artifacts to the sect master, "Please have your artifact refiner look these over first so that you can clear any doubts. As long as there are not problems, then you can have your elders place the smaller artifacts at strategic locations around the vein while I set up the larger screen."

"Then please wait a moment while I call a refiner here", the sect master told him.

It took nearly an hour before a man appeared before the sect master.

"Elder Shen, thank you for coming", the sect master said respectfully, "I know you're busy, so I didn't expect for you to show up, I thought you would've sent a disciple."

"Sect Master Jian, since it was you who sent word, and I heard the artifacts to be inspected were strange in nature, it would be best for me to come", Elder Shen replied.

Fang Shi thought he looked just as the head refiner of a sect should, a well built, middle aged, and rugged man. The sect master handed the smaller artifacts to Elder Shen, and the later started to look it over.

After twenty minutes, the elder handed the piece back to the sect master, "This is the first time I've seen something like this. Let me first say that this doesn't pose any danger to the vein, so you can place it as the young boy said."

The sect master nodded and handed a handful of the small artifacts to Elder Zhang, "Take a couple elders with you, and set it up as Owner Fang instructed."

Elder Shen continued to talk, "Even though the materials are common, and the arrays are simple 3rd class formations, it has been arranged in a genius way. I understand everything, but I've never thought about doing something like it."

"It's that impressive?", the sect master was taken back.

"If I had more time, I would study it for longer", Elder Shen replied, "But seeing as time is limited and it seems to be something that benefits the sect, I'll hold back."

"Once everything is installed, you'll be able to learn more", Fang Shi said, "As long as you purchase the realm."

Elder Shen looked at Fang Shi in confusion, and was about to get upset when he saw the latter place a large artifact on a desk.

The elder looked back at Sect Master Jian for clarification, but the later just made a motion to stay patient.

Fang Shi took some spirit stones and inserted them into artifact that would act as the hub and library of the cultivation pods before activating it. It quickly displayed a light screen, but currently there were no inputs or outputs, so the screen said [Awaiting Connection]. Fang Shi placed a cultivation pod next the 'Hub' artifact, and powered it up as well. Sect master Jian and Elder Shen were surprised when Fang Shi took out the cultivation pod.

"What is this young man?", the sect master asked.

"This is the cultivation artifact that feels like a secret realm", Fang Shi answered, "If you look at the other artifact, you will they are now connected."

Sure enough, when the sect master looked at the light screen, it had changed. The top portion still read [Awaiting Connection], but the output now had [Cultivation pod PSS-001] displayed. The sect master was about to ask about it when changed again. Now the input displayed [PSSD-001] on it before three more showed up as well. Ten minutes later, four more entries appeared on the input section, and PSSD-001 though 008 now were listed.

Fang Shi could feel that everyone around him was getting impatient, so he quickly said, "Let's wait for everyone to return, then I will provide and explanation. I don't wish to repeat myself several times, if I don't have to."

It didn't take long for everyone to gather in the room again, so Fang Shi started, "Esteemed sect master and elders of the Profound Sword sect. Let me demonstrate my product for you."

Fang Shi walked over, and activated the 'Hub' artifact. The screen changed as several graphs appeared to the surprise of everyone.

"This here represents how much spiritual energy is coming to the vein, and this one shows how much energy is released by the vein", Fang Shi pointed out the numbers, "By these figures, your vein is not burdened and will continue to grow over the centuries if nothing changes. I will now activate the artifact, and it will calculate the maximum number of pod artifacts you can use before it has a negative effect on the environment."

Fang Shi sent his divine sense to the 'Hub', and the light screen changed as it now displayed [Calculating].

"In the meantime while we wait, I will introduce this cultivation pod to you", Fang Shi started his presentation, "To properly use this pod, you need both the pod and this jade slip."

Fang Shi took out several jade slips from his storage bag, and passed them around to everyone.

"This jade slip is used to record and save all the information about a cultivator", he explained, "It has protection, so even if you lose it or it's stolen, the other party will not be able to access the information stored."

Fang Shi handed a jade slip to Elder Shen, "This has my private details on it, please try the security of the jade slip."

Elder Shen put the jade slip on his forehead, but the moment he tried to access it, it crumbled into sand.

"Don't worry elder", Fang Shi smiled, "That was a copy I used just as an example. Now I will enter the pod to demonstrate."

Fang Shi opened the pod and entered, afterwards everyone watched his actions as he explained.

"This pod is loaded with the realms that my master uses for our store", Fang Shi told them, "As your artifacts will be independent of our shop, the realms will be set up for your preferences."

The light screen on the aft part of the pod lit up, and everyone watched as he guided them through all the features. Once he went over everything, he asked, "Who want to go first?"