Hiss!
The air trembled with a sharp, venomous screech.
The enormous scorpion beast, its gleaming black carapace covered in cracks and dust, had lost all patience. With a scream echoing from deep within its segmented throat, it lunged forward.
Its venomous stinger arced like a whip, aiming straight at Luo Chuan, the tip slicing through the air with a shrill whistle.
"Senior, be careful!"
The young woman nearby cried out in alarm.
But before the words had even fully left her lips—
Snap.
The crisp sound of Luo Chuan's fingers echoed across the ancient ruins.
In the next breath, the giant scorpion crumbled into ash, disintegrating into the wind as though it had never existed.
Total annihilation.
The woman stood frozen in place, eyes wide, struggling to comprehend what she had just seen.
From start to finish, she hadn't even seen Luo Chuan move.
A single snap of his fingers… and that overwhelming creature was no more.
What kind of terrifying cultivation realm had this senior reached?
She slowly regained her composure and bowed respectfully.
"Han Yanyu, of the Cold Mist Palace. Thank you, senior, for your timely assistance."
Her voice was steady, but her heart pounded. Regardless of his origins, he had just saved her life.
Luo Chuan waved a hand casually, his expression indifferent.
To him, it was nothing. Just a passing moment.
Han Yanyu hesitated, then asked curiously, "Senior… earlier, you mentioned something called the Origin Mall. What is that?"
Luo Chuan's expression turned solemn, as if speaking of something of great weight.
"In truth," he said, "I'm a merchant. The name of my shop is Origin Mall."
Han Yanyu blinked.
"…A merchant?"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Senior, are you joking?"
A shop? This man—who could destroy a monstrous scorpion with a flick of his fingers—was claiming to be a… store owner?
Luo Chuan shook his head. "No joke."
Han Yanyu opened her mouth to argue—
But then, before her eyes, a translucent light screen shimmered into existence.
It hovered silently in the air, filled with detailed descriptions and vivid images.
Her breath caught in her throat.
This... was real.
Ten minutes later
Han Yanyu stood alone amidst the ruins, still overwhelmed.
In her hands, she held a bottle of Coke and a pack of spicy sticks, both items emitting a faint but inexplicable aura.
Luo Chuan's calm voice still echoed in her ears.
"If fate allows, come to Nine Stars City in the Star Empire. That's where you'll find the Origin Mall."
She looked down at the items in her hand.
"…Origin Mall. I'll definitely go."
She whispered the words to herself.
A moment passed before she added with a sigh, "But it's a pity there's no jade nectar dew or mineral water left..."
According to what the senior had told her, Origin Mall offered far more than just Coke and snacks.
There were instant noodles that accelerated cultivation, the mysterious Tower of Trials, and even simulated battlefields where one could experience legendary battles from the past.
Though she hadn't had the chance to test the mineral water or the Jade Nectar Dew, Han Yanyu had no doubts.
With that senior's power—why would he lie?
Meanwhile, Luo Chuan walked away from the ruins, a rare smile on his face.
He was in a good mood.
He felt like he'd stumbled upon something valuable—
A method to spread the name of the Origin Mall, and at the same time…
A road to wealth.
Given how things were progressing, it wouldn't be long before the name of Origin Mall echoed across the entire Azure Continent.
Elsewhere within the vast ancient ruins, things were far less peaceful.
Cultivators had quickly discovered the dangers hidden within the mysterious realm.
The ruins were not only strange, but downright lethal.
Slimy, sludge-like monsters roamed the forgotten corridors, their strength varying wildly.
Some were as weak as Mortal Awakening cultivators—easy prey.
But others… rivaled even the peak of Pathseeker realm.
And that wasn't even the worst part.
Many cultivators were beginning to regret their decision.
Why had they entered these deadly ruins seeking fortune?
Wouldn't it have been better to cultivate safely, in the comfort of their homes?
Yet, amidst despair, strange rumors began to spread among survivors.
Tales of a mysterious, floating figure—
A senior who descended from the skies.
If you begged earnestly, he would save your life.
But after the rescue, he would always ask one peculiar question:
"Fellow cultivator, have you heard of the Origin Mall?"
Then, like some merchant spirit in the guise of a celestial, he would bring out the light screen.
And begin his pitch.
Coke.
Jade Nectar Dew.
Spicy sticks.
Instant noodles.
Some cultivators laughed, thinking it a joke—until they tasted the goods.
They healed wounds. Boosted strength. Restored spirit.
Expensive?
Yes.
But what was a few spirit crystals, when it meant life or death?
Even those skeptical at first ended up purchasing the items.
Because deep down, they knew—
Someone like him didn't need to deceive them.
-----
200+ advanced chapters: patr-eon.com/Siuteo