Of course, Ryan was completely unaware of what was happening over a hundred kilometers away, but he had a strong premonition that something bad was about to happen. Naturally, in such a situation, he decided to double down and improve his strength while there was still time. So, after completing his training session with Hermione, he didn't choose to relax for the rest of the weekend. Instead, he immersed himself in refining the skills he had already mastered, hoping to gain even a small edge in power.
However, self-improvement was a slow and often frustrating process. Late one weekend night, just as he was feeling a bit anxious about his progress, a notification appeared from the Bloom Grocery, alerting him that a new customer had arrived. "Maybe this is an opportunity," Ryan thought, rising immediately and making his way to the Bloom Grocery.
As he stepped into the shop, he noticed the entire floor was covered in a soft, emerald-green carpet. But upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't carpet at all—a mass of vines had grown to cover every inch of the floor. It gave the shop an almost otherworldly appearance, as if nature had reclaimed the space.
"Green Snake, what are you doing?" Ryan asked, directing his gaze toward a flower pot in the corner where a particularly lush vine sprouted. The blossom on the plant shifted and transformed into a snake's head. Through their soul bond, the Green Snake told Ryan that she had eaten a bit too much recently and was lying down to rest.
"My pet is certainly unique," Ryan mused to himself. "Other people's pets just curl up or lie in one spot when they're full, but mine has to stretch herself across the whole store."
Shaking his head with a helpless chuckle, Ryan instructed the Bloom Grocery to let the customer in.
The door creaked open, and in stepped a middle-aged man dressed in traditional ancient robes. Ryan narrowed his eyes. The man's face was unmistakably familiar—at least to Ryan's memories of his past life. He had seen this man many times in short videos on the B Station app. Recognizing him instantly, Ryan clasped his hands and greeted him.
"Master Bran, welcome. What brings you to my humble shop this time?"
The man took a cautious step back, his tone sharp and defensive. "Where is this place? Who are you?"
Ryan noticed the panic in his voice and studied his face more closely. A few strands of facial hair looked suspiciously out of place—almost as if they had been glued on. So this Master Bran had shaved recently. Interesting.
Sensing danger, Ryan subtly moved his wand behind his back and cast a protective armor spell. Simultaneously, through his soul connection, he instructed the Green Snake—still posing as a resting flower pot—to prepare herself.
Once all precautions were in place, Ryan cleared his throat and replied, "This is the Bloom Grocery, a shop that exists in the upper realm. Only those burdened by deep regrets can find their way here. As long as you can pay the price, any wish can be granted."
Ryan had no qualms about exaggerating the truth a bit, especially when dealing with someone like the man before him. He sized up Master Bran and continued, "You look exhausted, your hair is thinning, and your voice sounds strained. Are you hiding something?"
"You—how do you know all this? Were you spying on me?" Albert's voice rose into a shriek. Before he could finish the accusation, he unsheathed his sword with frightening speed and lunged forward.
But he didn't get far.
The vine-covered floor—animated by Green Snake at Ryan's command—reacted before Albert could even take a second step. The vines wrapped around his ankles and tripped him mid-lunge. With a loud thud, Albert crashed face-first onto the ground. Within seconds, the vines—imbued with the power of both a basilisk and devil's snare, and enhanced with a heavy dose of magic—coiled around his entire body. In just moments, he was bound tightly, like a dumpling, with only his panicked face visible.
"How bold of you to launch a sneak attack," Ryan said coldly, electricity crackling between his fingertips. "Albert, you're quite daring."
Terrified by the lightning swirling around Ryan's hands, Albert cried out, "Please spare me, Immortal! I was foolish—I beg your mercy!"
"Such flexibility," Ryan remarked. "As expected of the so-called Gentleman Sword, leader of Huashan."
He waved his hand, causing the vines to loosen slightly, enough for Albert to move a bit but not escape. Then, to drive the point home, Ryan raised his hand and unleashed a bolt of lightning onto a nearby stool. It exploded in a flash, the wood turning to smoldering charcoal.
Albert flinched and swallowed hard. Then he dropped to his knees, fully prostrated.
"My Immortal," he pleaded, "I only practiced the Sunflower Manual to revive the Huashan Sect. The cultivation technique has harmed my health greatly. I beg you—please, show me a way forward."
"There's always a way forward," Ryan replied casually. Albert's eyes lit up, filled with hope.
"But," Ryan continued, "this is the Bloom Grocery. Nothing comes free. To achieve your wish—even to regenerate lost organs—you must offer something of equivalent value. We accept everything here: money, jewelry, martial arts scrolls, magical relics, even karma."
"How about Huashan's sword techniques?" Albert offered tentatively.
Ryan's expression darkened. "You're still trying to be clever? Regenerating lost organs is a top-tier immortal spell. You dare bargain with mundane martial arts? Try that again and I'll speak directly with your ancestor, Master Guangning."
Albert's face turned pale. He had assumed Ryan was just bluffing about being an immortal, but now he wasn't so sure. The mention of Guangning was no small matter. Could it be true that his ancestor had truly ascended? And if so, this man may very well have known him. There was no more room to lie or manipulate.
"Then... may I ask what kind of offering would satisfy you?" Albert asked with a trembling voice.
Ryan exhaled and softened his tone slightly. He'd made his point.
"There are two aspects to consider here," Ryan explained. "First is the value of what you offer. Second is the merit you've accumulated. Unfortunately, you've done a fair number of questionable things—plotting, manipulating, betraying allies—and from what I can sense, your merit is extremely low. Even if you offered all your martial skills, they would only make up the value portion. But your lack of merit makes it impossible to fully restore you. At best, I can help with half of your problem."
"W-What do you mean... half?" Albert gasped, his voice shrill with disbelief. "All my Huashan techniques only count for half?"
Ryan raised his hand, lightning flickering from his fingers once again.
"The Taoism left by Guangning was indeed commendable," Ryan said calmly, "but it was still mortal cultivation. It's nothing compared to immortal magic. What I practice is far beyond that. If you want full restoration, you need to do good deeds and gain merit. Help the innocent. Right past wrongs. When your merit balances your karma, then you can come back."
Albert stood still for a moment, absorbing the full weight of the conditions. He looked defeated.
"Very well," he said at last. "Half is better than nothing. Please—considering our Huashan lineage and your familiarity with our founder—show me a path. Not just for myself, but for the revival of the Huashan Sect."
Ryan nodded slowly. "There's a path, yes. But you must walk it with sincerity, or the Bloom Grocery will never open its doors to you again."
Albert knelt in silence, accepting his fate. He knew now—his scheming had led him far, but it would take humility and atonement to carry him any further.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427