The regular customer who visited the store was none other than Noa's first and newest recruit.
Feng Fan stepped inside with reverence. Each time he locked eyes with his master, his resolve and respect deepened.
As for Noa, he was talking to the system about something important when the cultivator walked in.
"What more use do I have for spirit stones, except exchanging them into dollars?" he asked.
[You can't really spend them right now because you are stuck here. As for future usage, you would have to pay your employees, fund your next business ideas, feed and strengthen your sect…]
[Everything you can't buy in my store is purchasable with Spirit Coins. The same thing refers to every other dimension you visit. But that's still far future for you.]
The system was kind enough to explain even when Feng Fan stood in front of Noa, waiting for him to recognize his presence.
"Good job on your advancement," Noa said and flashed a faint smile.
Feng Fan nodded.
"I am here to report my duties and start my official training," he said.
'What duties? I don't remember assigning him any,' Noa thought, but didn't let his face show.
Seeing that his master didn't oppose him, Feng Fan smiled and opened his mouth.
"It's still hard for me to locate demonic cultivators, but I might have some leads."
As he spoke with conviction, Noa noticed some subtle and noticeable changes in him.
Feng Fan seemed cleaner than usual. Even his clothes and overall appearance seemed in better shape as he no longer smelled like hot garbage.
But there was more…
Noa's first impression of him was that he was a stray cultivator with no goal or drive for the future.
It was as though he had completely given up on his life.
But the subtle changes in his body language, the softness of his voice, and the confidence he exuded proved that he had turned over a new leaf.
Nevertheless, Noa still listened to his yet another monologue.
"After ascending to the Spirit Severing stage, my strength increased a hundredfold. Now I can hold my own against opponents I once had to hide from.
Thanks to that, I managed to capture and torture assassins with ties to them. Most remained silent, but as my methods improved, some eventually broke and spoke."
Feng Fan's face still showed his anger, his desire to punish those who wronged him.
His brows and fists clenched tightly, but his mouth didn't stop.
"It's still far for me to locate them, but at least I know where to look."
He seemed genuinely happy, as if he had found a long-awaited Christmas present. After explaining his situation, he wanted to take another spinner and start cultivating.
However, Noa waved his hands and halted his movements.
"I like your dedication," he said, speaking slowly and loudly. "But you are working alone. I took you under my wings, and I promised to aid you…"
Then he took a deliberate pause. Locking eyes with Feng Fan, who no longer avoided his gaze, Noa grinned and added.
"You should start the sect I told you about. I am new in this world, and my capital might be low, but it should be enough for you to hire people. They could speed up your work, and you would have more time to focus on your strengths.
What's the point of finding your enemies if you aren't strong enough to get revenge, right?"
Feng Fan didn't argue. He had no reason to.
Everything Noa said to him made sense, especially when it sounded for his own benefit.
Meanwhile, the mischievous grin didn't disappear from Noa's face. A new plan surfaced in his mind.
'Attracting new force to work under me is such a hassle. Let's not waste time and resources and think like a tycoon.'
It didn't even take a minute for him to formulate a plan. Though the biggest challenge was to work around the limitations that the system and Karma had set up.
'It's doable. I am going to buy the Blooming Iron sect and every other clan in this city. But first, I have to weaken them to swallow them at a good price.'
The Eye of the Future told him about his fate. It was close to the future he had envisioned.
Only after deciding what to do did Noa allow Feng Fan to open the spinner.
Its effect didn't get old, but efficiency would diminish soon enough. Noa had to add new products, and he had to be quick.
"I need a shopkeeper to unlock the contract room, right?" he asked the system.
[Yes. It would allow you to formally add Feng Fan to your "team". You would be able to access his status window and gain more control over him or any other employees.]
"Hmm," Noa considered his plans and observed the man with interest.
He had to sell two more spinners to complete the mission, as giving them away for free to Feng Fan also counted towards his progress. But the mission had to wait.
Before the cultivator left the store, Noa asked him for a moment of his time.
Though he still had TP to spare and use the Eye of the Future, the orb didn't work.
The system didn't explain, but Noa had two guesses. Either because Feng Fan was no longer his customer, and he didn't even count as his employee. Or perhaps, the orb was on some kind of other cooldown Noa wasn't aware of.
"We can try another time," Noa said, hiding his dejection.
Then he handed the man 15 True Spirit Coins. "You know what to do. Don't disappoint me."
He didn't sound harsh or demanding, but the man felt the chill run down his spine. So he bowed low and left the store, ready to embrace another journey.
For a moment, uncertainty crept behind him. But hardened resolve followed his every step.
As for Noa, he was prepared to stir up trouble and buy out his opponents like a true tycoon.