The Shock of the Unfamiliar

"You can give it a try too," Ying Wuji said flatly. "It's only one hundred spirit crystals per session."

"One hundred spirit crystals?!" Xia Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, one hundred spirit crystals," Ying Wuji repeated, his tone unchanging.

Xia Yuan was momentarily speechless. He couldn't recall the last time he'd been so frequently stunned in a single day.

Shaking his head, he walked over to the shelves where instant noodles were displayed, deciding to grab a few more. However, just as he reached for a second cup, a voice interrupted him.

"Sorry," Yao Ziyan said, pointing to a small whiteboard on the wall, "shop rules: each customer is only allowed to buy one of each product per day."

Xia Yuan turned to look at the whiteboard, which was filled with neatly written rules.

He let out a resigned sigh but understood. A shop this mysterious and extraordinary naturally had its own set of rules. If it didn't, that would be far stranger.

Accepting the situation, Xia Yuan joined the line behind the students.

Under normal circumstances, a peak cultivator in Pathseeker like Xia Yuan would never stand in line for anything. Such power demanded respect and dignity, which should not be compromised.

But in this shop? Dignity meant little. The rules on the whiteboard were clear: troublemakers would face the consequences.

Even though Xia Yuan was confident in his own strength, he wasn't foolish enough to test the store's limits—especially with Ying Wuji casually lining up behind him.

Finally, Xia Yuan got his turn, clutching a bucket of instant noodles and pouring the spring water into it. As he stepped aside to let it steep, the rich fragrance of wheat and pure spiritual energy filled the air.

Around him, some of the students had already begun eating their instant noodles. The tantalizing aroma made Xia Yuan swallow involuntarily.

"Wait, patience… patience…" Xia Yuan muttered to himself as he watched the students. They all waited a few minutes after adding the hot water before opening the lids.

But those few minutes felt like an eternity to him.

Finally, Xia Yuan judged that it was ready. With deliberate care, he removed the lid, and the rich aroma burst forth, carrying a harmonious blend of wheat and pure spiritual energy.

His eyes lit up, and he couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed the chopsticks and began eating.

The moment the noodles touched his tongue, Xia Yuan's expression softened. The flavor was incredible, a perfect balance of taste and energy. It was a culinary experience unlike any other.

Of course, his reaction didn't surprise anyone else. All of them had been just as overwhelmed when they first tried the products in Origin Mall.

Meanwhile, Gu Yunxi and Jiang Wanshang were seated nearby, discussing their plans for the day.

"Same as yesterday?" Jiang Wanshang asked with a smile.

Gu Yunxi nodded seriously. "Yep. First, we'll watch a cooking tutorial, then play a few rounds in the arena, and finish with challenge mode."

"By the way, what floor have you reached in the arena?" Jiang Wanshang asked.

"The third floor. You?" Gu Yunxi replied.

Jiang Wanshang shrugged. "Same. The challenge mode just keeps getting harder. I've been stuck on the third floor for days."

"Me too!" Gu Yunxi said, her expression determined. "But today, I'll clear the third floor!"

"Good luck!" Jiang Wanshang encouraged her.

Other students joined in, chatting about their progress and strategies.

As Xia Yuan enjoyed his instant noodles, he couldn't help but overhear the conversation. Despite savoring every bite, part of his attention was on the students' discussion.

Cooking tutorials?

Arena?

Challenge mode?

Xia Yuan was utterly lost. He had no idea what they were talking about.

He glanced at Ying Wuji, intending to ask for clarification, but the latter's icy expression—one that clearly discouraged interruptions—made Xia Yuan swallow his question.

For now, he resolved to observe silently. Perhaps the mysteries of this shop would become clearer with time.