But the one who always wins the hardest is still himself.
These trash cans are given out for free every day, a business with zero cost. How could the profits not be high?
But making money was only secondary. What really mattered was the exclusive reward granted after selling a hundred trash cans—that was what could truly enhance his own strength.
In this world of mechanical cults, martial cultivation, divine descents, and genetic mutations all mixed together, only by stepping onto a Path and gaining great power could one stand on the stage of the universe.
And a hundred trash cans meant one hundred million credits…
One hundred million, huh? Heh, time to hit that "small goal" first!
As Sylvester silently stirred up his grand ambitions, a sudden exclamation came from outside the store: "The Diviner is here!"
The crowd automatically split apart, clearing a path.
Pink hair was tied into a graceful "Flying Cloud" bun, crossing over itself into two elegant rings before cascading down along her pale neck, shoulders, back, and waist, until it split into twin long braids brushing against her white-stockinged calves.
Cool elegance tinged with cuteness.
Though the people kept their heads lowered, their eyes brimmed with awe.
After all, many lolis, when angry, merely looked like they were pouting—but Fu Xuan was different. As one of the leaders of the Luofu, this petite Diviner carried herself with a tightly drawn face and an aura of absolute authority.
"By the Reignbow Arbiter! The Diviner herself has come!"
"Hey! Family, look! Master Fu Xuan has personally appeared. What Little Gui said about the trash can drawing the gaze of an Aeon can't possibly be fake now!"
Guinaifen was beside herself with excitement. As a foreigner living on the Xianzhou, just seeing Fu Xuan was already thrilling—but even more exciting was that Fu Xuan's appearance was practically a public endorsement of her, the Trailblazer, and even this little store.
Time to ride this wave of clout to the maximum!
"Family, hit that follow button! Little Gui is bringing you the first-hand scoop on the Trash Can Event!"
Sure enough, Fu Xuan's arrival caused an instant sensation, as message after message flooded the screen:
[Unlicensed Pilot: "Streamer OP! I can't believe this ridiculous thing is actually real. If I weren't stuck on the Space Station, I'd be flying over to buy a trash can right now."]
[Premium Reroller: "Oh? This could be fun. I wonder what would happen if I tried opening one?"]
[Lil Jelena: "If this were a listed company, I'd seriously consider investing. Its potential could rocket a temp worker straight up to P40. Too bad it's just a little shop."]
[Bonajade: "Such a curious phenomenon… I wonder if the shopkeeper has any wishes of his own? That would be worth seeing."]
[Drowned Fish: "Feels like there are some big shots in this comment section. The level of conversation in the last two comments is way too high."]
[I'm a Nimble Dog in the Hills: "I'm Master Fu Xuan's dog!"]
[Big-Snow-Ball: "Insane! Say that again after looking at your username!"]
In the chaos of the online world, Fu Xuan herself remained unaware.
She gazed at the unassuming storefront, her heart heavy as if facing a dire enemy, quietly taking a deep breath.
The people rejoiced over the strange marvel of the trash can, but none realized what kind of terrifying person the shopkeeper must be.
She would have to put forth all her concentration, every ounce of her ability, to negotiate with him.
She could neither provoke disastrous consequences, nor humble herself and compromise the dignity of the Xianzhou.
Fu Xuan's aura was so cold that even the bystanders and the Cloud Knights nearby grew uncomfortable—netizens even claimed they could feel a chill crawling through the internet cables.
"Master Fu Xuan."
The patrolling Cloud Knight swallowed hard, bowing with perfect form before the solemn Diviner.
Was Master Fu Xuan here to arrest someone? Did the shopkeeper have a problem?
Fu Xuan nodded. "Has the shopkeeper shown any unusual behavior?"
She stayed calm and logical.
With matters escalated this far, with the Cloud Knights even temporarily closing the shop, the store owner's conduct was a key factor to consider.
The universe was never short of illusions and trickery. A fraud was hardly impossible.
If the man cowered and begged, he was likely a con artist.
If he raged and bluffed with no real strength, then he was just a well-trained con artist.
What's more, on her way here, she had already foreseen twenty-two possible first encounters with him through the Divination Eye.
She was confident she could handle any scenario.
The Cloud Knight reported: "Master Diviner, he is upstairs drinking tea. He was even trying to sell trash cans to one of my colleagues just now."
"Whew~"
Fu Xuan grew even more tense. To remain so calm, so composed, must mean he had some formidable backing.
Nine times out of ten, this man was a master who could turn heaven and earth with a flip of his hand!
Without further words, she strode into the shop.
The first floor was plain: an ordinary counter, a simple rest area, and rows of shelves filled with ordinary-looking trash cans.
"So ordinary?"
The Cloud Knight behind her answered, "Yes, shops like this can be found everywhere in Exalting Sanctum and Aurum Alley."
Fu Xuan nodded. "In that case, it's clear."
The Cloud Knight's face lit up with excitement—surely this meant the matter would be easily resolved.
"The shopkeeper is clearly a skilled recluse!"
"What?!" The Cloud Knight nearly jumped out of his armor. How did she reach that conclusion? If true, did that mean Exalting Sanctum and Aurum Alley were crawling with hidden masters?
Seeing his disbelief, Fu Xuan only chuckled softly.
"You Knights are brave warriors in battle, but strategy and deduction are not your strengths. That is understandable."
She had already reviewed the man's records on the Xianzhou.
His background was ordinary, his credentials authentic, yet he had no family or associates. Without those documents, it was as if he had sprung out of a crack in the stone.
Such unreasonable yet unprovable origins were proof enough of his sophistication as a foreigner.
And yet, he had smoothly opened a perfectly legitimate shop on the Luofu, blending seamlessly into Exalting Sanctum's streets. How could such a thing be within the reach of an ordinary outsider?
When she explained this reasoning to the Knight, he cried out in awe:
"Worthy of Master Fu Xuan! With just one glance, you've uncovered so many flaws!"
He looked up at the ceiling, as if trying to pierce through and glimpse the shopkeeper on the second floor. "With Master Fu Xuan here, no matter what kind of demon he is, he's finally met his match!"
Fu Xuan's lips curved into a slight smile.
So, this man with a terrifyingly mysterious background might not be so difficult to deal with after all.
"Enough. Leave me. I will speak with the shopkeeper myself."
"Yes!" The Knight saluted and withdrew.
Once he was gone, Fu Xuan quietly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her brow.
A puff of breath escaped her lips. "Hoo~"
She mocked herself softly: "That show of cold composure earlier was actually proof of my own panic. To be so tense, when I am the Diviner of the Luofu… what a laughable sight I must have been."
Her heavy expression faded, replaced by her usual calm confidence.
Mysterious foreigner, whatever your intentions, the Xianzhou Luofu will never compromise its dignity.
Let me be the one to meet you.
Step by step, she ascended the stairs, until she saw the young man seated at the round table.
Her voice, as ever, was cold: "I am Fu Xuan, Head of the Divination Commission. A pleasure to meet you—no, I should say we have long been acquainted… I have already foreseen twenty-two different first meetings between us. May this one end well."
She did not mind if her words revealed something. In fact, they were a reminder to the man before her: the Luofu fears no challenge, but welcomes all allies.
Sylvester smiled in reply. "Master Diviner of the Luofu, my name is Sylvester. As you can see, I am the owner of this little shop."
Inwardly, he sighed. As expected of one of the true power-holders of the Xianzhou—her presence was truly imposing.
But to be honest, when he first saw Fu Xuan, his first thought was déjà vu. She had been one of his most-used characters before his transmigration, and now, here she stood before him, the most familiar stranger. The sense of reunion without relationship was indescribably strange.
As a result, her aura had little actual effect on him.
Still, reason told him not to get too cocky in such a situation.
"Is Master Diviner here to patronize my shop?"
Sylvester gestured toward the neatly stacked trash cans. "Ordinary trash cans are one million credits each. But for someone of your high status, Master Diviner, surely it would only be fitting to open several at once—to properly show your standing."
Fu Xuan had expected a clash of wits and wills. She did not expect his very first words to be so shamelessly mercantile, like some common shopkeeper.
Did he think she had no suspicions at all?
Such disrespect—was he mocking her?
That, in itself, was the greatest provocation. Outrageous!
Fu Xuan activated the Divination Eye, intending to see through him directly. But when her sacred artifact scanned across the room, she couldn't help but gasp aloud.
"What is this?!"
The trash cans shone with light invisible to the naked eye! Green, blue, purple, gold—each color different!
And within the radiance was a strange and overwhelming power, one that sent searing pain straight into her soul, shaking her spirit to its core.
Her knees buckled inward as she clutched her body, trembling.
Three glances—three at most!
Fu Xuan knew that more than three would knock her unconscious. Forcing her way to ten would mean certain death.
What kind of terrifying force was this? If this man posed a threat to the Xianzhou…
She raised her head abruptly, disheveled and shaken, and demanded: "You… what exactly are you planning?"
Sylvester calmly replied: "Master Diviner, how about buying a trash can?"