The girls followed Noa behind, their hearts beating in excitement.
No cultivator who had experienced Noa's products could remain calm in this situation.
Both of them knew the miraculous effects they carried, and the mere thought of increasing their cultivation base brought a smile to their faces.
As for Noa, he was also considered something.
'I need to cause three more breakthroughs.'
He had received a notification about Han Chao's breakthrough when he was playing with Senior Bao and Yun Qiqi.
Now he needed three more to complete the mission.
Thankfully, Noa had two new items to offer to the girls.
"What's this?" Xue Hanly asked first after seeing neatly arranged protein shakes. "Is this some kind of beauty product?"
She had been using shampoos for days now, and seeing another bottle, she tried to connect the dots.
Noa shook his head.
"No. It's just a drink. A really delicious and nutritious one."
"What about its effects?" Qing Xuan questioned this time, her curious eyes darting between the products. "I doubt it's just a drink."
"Try it yourself and you will see," Noa answered, grinning.
The girls nodded simultaneously, taking two bottles toward the counter.
None of them asked for the price, fully prepared to pay any amount Noa had set for them.
"Four True Spirit Coins," he said after scanning them with a beep sound.
"I can't wait to try it," Xue Hanly said, struggling to open the lid.
Only after Noa helped them did they notice the strong aroma from the bottle, their noses assaulted by dominating flavors.
Xue Hanly was the first one to taste it.
As soon as she took a sip, her eyes widened, her legs shaking uncontrollably.
Then silence.
It was so sweet and smooth that she couldn't stop drinking it.
Qing Xuan saw how her junior sister acted and followed her example, chugging the shake in big gulps.
A rich taste of chocolate was mixed with the freshness of bananas, creating a creamy and fruity texture.
Nothing they had ever tasted came close.
Suddenly, the taste was something they both forgot, their minds sharpening.
Xue Hanly felt the physical force of her bottleneck melting like snow beneath the morning sun.
Then her muscles tensed, and a golden light blinked over her skin.
Even her bones became more… durable and flexible.
As for her meridians, they expanded.
She clutched her chest after drinking the whole thing, warmth filling her dantian.
The same thing happened with Qing Xuan; her muscles rebuilt themselves.
Then her heartbeat synchronized with the flowing qi around her, cleaning her mind and body alike. There was also something both of them experienced—something that opened their mouths in awe.
"My qi capacity!" Xue Hanly started.
"It's increasing quickly, but safely. It's like I was living with clogged veins this entire time," Qing Xuan added, her face twisting in shock.
The girls looked at each other.
Then down at the empty bottles before glancing back at Noa, their eyes sparkling with reverence.
They looked like addicts, and considering that they had just tasted their first dive brew, it didn't come as a surprise.
"I have broken past another threshold. Not one but two of them!" Xue Hanly almost screamed. "Th-this should require years of practice, countless resources, and patience."
"Why would you waste time and effort?" Noa asked suddenly. "When can you just come here?"
"But…" Xue Hanly trailed her words. "Thinking about how many sects would wage wars for an elixir that can increase qi capacity even by a thread?"
"Relax," Noa answered, his lips curling into a wide grin. "I told you, this is nothing but a drink. I have an unlimited supply."
Qing Xuan replied this time.
"You aren't normal."
Noa smirked again, pointing at them as if he remembered something.
"Speaking of sects, I am planning to purchase your sect," he said casually.
The air froze.
"What?" the girls exclaimed before exchanging glances.
"You want to swallow Blooming Iron Sect?" Qing Xuan questioned, weight pressing down on her chest.
Noa nodded slightly.
"Don't be alarmed. I won't destroy your home."
He spoke slowly, yet it didn't sound like he was explaining himself.
It was more of a kind gesture from him, like a god showing mercy to humans.
"I want to transform this world, and as you can see, these are my first steps," he continued. "Your fellow disciples, your elders, even that old fart who visited me the other day. I want the complete package… including you two."
"But it's a long-lasting legacy. A sacred home! How can you buy it like an ordinary treasure or a spirit beast?" Qing Xuan asked.
She wasn't angry or anything.
She was curious and confused at the same time.
Though something in her heart stirred, telling her that it was wrong.
"We are cultivators," she added. "We aren't for sale."
Noa nodded at her words and took one step toward her.
"Here is a lesson for you," he said, tilting his head. "Everything has a price, and one day I will even buy this world."
The air stood still again.
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
"This… this is insane," the girl muttered, uncrossing her arms.
"So that's why I am asking you two to join this insanity. I need people who can look after this store and deal with customers."
He paused for a moment.
"I know buying sounds crude. We can call it investing," he explained, smiling.
"I am in!" Xue Hanly yelled, raising her hand. "This is much more than a sect we have no deep roots with."
She then locked eyes with Qing Xuan and nudged her.
"Senior sister, you should agree as well. This isn't just an opportunity, but an investable process."
Seeing how her junior sister's cheeks flushed with excitement, Qing Xuan could only nod.
Meanwhile, Noa was looking at the transparent system panel floating in front of him.
» [Mission: Cause 10 Breakthroughs: 10/10]
» [Reward: 4TP; Additional mission chain]
'Sweet!' he thought to himself.
Not only did he obtain a good amount of Tycoon Points and unlock additional missions, but he also gained two new employees to manage his store.
Hence, a new system panel materialized in front of him, announcing his success.