Xu Tian decided to do something special today.
He flipped the shop sign to "Special Event Today" and hung a new banner across the front:
VOID LOTTERY – ONE CUP DECIDES YOUR FATE
Entry: 50,000 spirit stones
Prize: One guaranteed breakthrough OR one random "gift" from Senior Void
No refunds. No complaints. No survivors if you annoy me.
The line tripled in minutes.
Customers poured in, eyes shining with greed and fear.
Xu Tian stood behind the counter like a ringmaster, smile sharp and welcoming.
The system was in full panic mode.
[Host, this is your worst idea yet. You're literally gambling with people's cultivation. The heavenly dao is filing a complaint.]
Xu Tian poured the first lottery cup.
"Relax. It's educational."
First participant: a nervous middle Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator.
Drank.
His aura exploded.
Directly to peak Foundation.
He screamed in joy and fainted.
Crowd cheered.
Second: a cocky golden core young master.
Drank.
Nothing.
Waited.
Still nothing.
Face turned red.
"This is fake!"
Xu Tian leaned over.
"Random gift."
He flicked a finger.
The young master's clothes turned bright pink.
Permanent dye.
Unable to be removed by any technique below Soul Transformation.
The young master shrieked.
Bodyguards dragged him out as the crowd howled with laughter.
The system wheezed.
[Pink. You chose pink. I'm so proud and terrified.]
Third: an old woman at golden core peak, bottle-necked for fifty years.
Drank.
Her aura surged.
Nascent Soul tribulation clouds gathered instantly above the tea house.
Everyone ran outside to watch.
Lightning struck.
She blocked it casually.
Broke through.
Came back in, bowed deeply, tears in eyes.
Xu Tian handed her a napkin.
"Congratulations. Next."
The lottery continued.
Breakthroughs.
Humiliations.
One guy grew a beard down to his feet.
Another started speaking only in rhyme for a day.
A third gained the ability to attract butterflies everywhere.
Business boomed.
Old Duan arrived midway, took one look at the chaos, and sat down laughing.
"Kid, you're running a circus."
Poison Fairy slipped in beside him.
"I want in. Put me down for ten tickets."
Master Zhen grumbled but bought five.
By evening, the shop was packed.
The regulars watched the madness from their stools.
Old Duan raised his cup.
"To the best entertainment on the continent."
They drank.
A new customer entered.
Tall.
Cloaked.
Aura completely hidden.
Sat at the counter.
Ordered one lottery cup.
Paid in high-grade spirit stones without blinking.
Drank.
Nothing visible happened.
He stood.
Bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Senior Void."
Left.
The system went quiet.
Then panicked.
[Host. Host! That was a Soul Transformation peak expert. From the Hidden Immortal Realm fragment. He just… thanked you.]
Xu Tian's smile froze for the first time.
He looked at the empty doorway.
The crowd didn't notice.
But the regulars did.
Poison Fairy whispered.
"Someone from the tournament prize realm?"
Old Duan's eyes narrowed.
"Scout?"
Master Zhen gripped his cup.
"Trouble."
Xu Tian poured himself tea.
Hands perfectly steady.
Smile back in place.
But his eyes were brighter.
Sharper.
The madness flickered.
He looked at the three regulars
."Change of plans."
He flipped the lottery sign to "Sold Out Forever."
The crowd groaned.
Xu Tian spoke softly.
Almost gently.
"The tournament just got interesting."
Outside, the cloaked figure walked away.
Stopped at the end of the street.
Looked back at Void's Rest.Smiled faintly.
Transmission jade glowed in his hand.
Message sent:
"The one you warned about. He's coming."
Far above the continent, in a hidden void pocket, three ancient figures opened their eyes.
One whispered.
"Prepare the realm."
Another.
"Seal the exits."