However, the one who always won more was himself.
These trash cans are all free to claim every day; it's a business with no capital, so how could the profit not be high?
But making money was secondary; more importantly, the exclusive rewards obtained after selling a hundred trash cans were what could enhance his strength.
In this world, a grand mishmash of elements like the Machine God Cult, cultivation, martial arts, divine descent, and mutations, only by stepping onto a Path and possessing powerful combat strength could one step onto the cosmic stage.
And a hundred trash cans, that's one hundred million credits... One hundred million, hehe, first, let's achieve that small goal!
As Lin Shuo silently indulged in his grand aspirations, a sudden cry came from outside the shop: "The Diviner has arrived!"
The crowd automatically parted, creating a Path.
Her pink long hair was styled into an elegant Flying Cloud bun, meeting in two graceful rings on her head, then cascading down, clinging to her snow-white neck, shoulders, back, and lower back, all the way to her white-stockinged calves, forming two long ponytails.
Cool and aloof, yet adorned with cuteness.
Although people kept their heads down, their eyes were full of reverence.
It should be known that many lolis only look like they're acting cute when they're angry, but Fu Xuan was truly one of Luofu's leaders. This Diviner, though not tall, had a tight little face that naturally exuded an aura of authority.
"The Hunt above! The Diviner actually came in person!"
"Hey! Everyone, look, Fu Xuan has graced us with her presence. What Xiao Gui Zi said about the trash cans opening up to a Star God's gaze must be true!"
Guinaifen was extremely excited. As an Outlander living on Xianzhou, seeing Fu Xuan would naturally make her very emotional, but what made her even more excited was that Fu Xuan's appearance essentially endorsed her, the Trailblazer, and even this small shop.
How could they not heavily leverage this traffic?
"Everyone, quickly follow! Xiao Gui Zi brings you first-hand news of the Great Trash Can Incident!"
Sure enough, Fu Xuan's appearance immediately caused a sensation, and messages instantly flooded the screen.
Wu Zheng Kai Feichuan: "Streamer, you're amazing! I really didn't expect such an absurd thing to be true. If I wasn't at the space station, I'd fly over to buy a trash can right now."
Gold Medal Proxy: "Oh, this is truly interesting. If I were to open one, I wonder what would happen?"
Little Yelena: "If this were a listed company, then one could seriously consider investing. Its potential is absolutely enough to take a small temporary worker straight to P40. What a pity, it's just a small shop."
Ciyu: "What a curious sight. I wonder if the owner of this shop has any wishes? I look forward to it."
Drowned Fish: "I feel like there are quite a few important people in the comment section. The topics of the top two are so high-level."
I Am a Flexible Dog in the Mountains: "I am Fu Xuan's dog!"
Big-Snow-Ball: "Unbelievable! You, above, say that again while looking at your ID!"
Fu Xuan, of course, knew nothing of the hustle and bustle of the online world.
Fu Xuan looked at the ordinary little shop before her, feeling as if she were facing a formidable enemy, and took a deep breath.
The public rejoiced over the strange incidents of the trash cans, yet they had no idea how terrifying the owner of this shop would be.
She had to exert all her energy and use every trick in the book to communicate with that person.
She could neither trigger severe consequences nor be obsequious and lose the dignity of Xianzhou.
Fu Xuan's aura was so chilling that the surrounding populace, and even the Cloud Knights, felt somewhat uncomfortable. Netizens even felt a cold current rushing through their network cables.
"Fu Xuan."
Seeing such a serious Diviner, the on-duty Cloud Knight swallowed, performing a salute with the most standard posture.
This... could it be that Fu Xuan was here to arrest someone?
Was there something wrong with the owner of this shop?
Fu Xuan nodded: "Has the shop owner made any unusual moves?"
Fu Xuan still maintained her rationality, thinking in the most logical way.
With the situation escalating to this point, and the Cloud Knights even temporarily closing the shop, the shop owner's actions would be a very valuable reference.
The universe never lacked illusionary arts; it was not impossible for someone to use them to deceive.
If the person was trembling, compromising, and pleading, then they were likely a swindler.
And if the person was furiously incompetent, making wild claims but taking no actual action, then they were blustering, a well-trained swindler.
Moreover, on her way here, she had already reviewed twenty-two possible scenarios of their meeting through her Dharma Eye.
She was confident she could grasp all situations.
The Cloud Knight said: "Reporting, Diviner, that person is drinking tea on the second floor. Just now, he was even promoting trash cans to my Cloud Knight colleagues."
"Hoo~"
Fu Xuan's heart grew heavier. Unflustered in the face of danger, enjoying herself at ease—he must have something to rely on.
This person was ninety percent a formidable character capable of turning the world upside down!
She said no more and stepped into the shop.
The first floor was the shop's storefront: an ordinary counter, an ordinary resting area, ordinary shelves displaying ordinary-looking trash cans.
"Is it truly so ordinary?"
The Cloud Knight behind her replied: "Yes, shops like this are almost ubiquitous in Chang Le Tian and Jinren Lane."
Fu Xuan nodded: "In that case, the matter is quite clear."
A look of pre-quitting-time excitement appeared on the Cloud Knight's face.
Since the Diviner said so, this matter should be easy to resolve.
"The shop owner is a rather experienced recluse!"
"What?!" The Cloud Knight jumped in surprise. How was this conclusion reached? If it were true, wouldn't Chang Le Tian and Jinren Lane be full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers?
Fu Xuan merely chuckled at his incredulous expression.
"While you are indeed brave in battle, you are not adept at matters of strategy and calculation, which is understandable."
Fu Xuan had already reviewed the person's records on Xianzhou.
The shop owner had an ordinary background and reliable documents, but no associated persons. Without those records, it was as if he had sprung from a crack in a rock.
Such an illogical yet unprovable strange identity was enough to indicate that he was a highly skilled Outlander.
Yet he was able to open a proper shop on Xianzhou, fully integrating into the streets of Chang Le Tian. How could an ordinary Outlander achieve this?
After explaining this to the Cloud Knight.
The Cloud Knight exclaimed in admiration: "As expected of the Diviner! Just by taking one look here, she can find so many flaws."
He looked up at the ceiling, as if trying to see through to the shop owner on the second floor: "With the Diviner here, no matter what kind of monster he is, he's finally met his match!"
A slight curve also appeared at the corner of Fu Xuan's lips.
It seemed this mysterious and terrifying fellow might not be that difficult to deal with.
"Alright, you may leave. I need to speak with the shop owner."
"Yes!" The Cloud Knight turned and departed.
Seeing him leave, Fu Xuan quietly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead.
She exhaled a puff of vapor from her small mouth: "Hoo~"
She gave a self-deprecating smile: "Just now, I was as if facing a formidable enemy, seemingly calm, but in reality, it was a sign of being utterly flustered. As the Luofu Diviner, being so tense is truly a laughingstock."
Fu Xuan swept away her previous solemnity, regaining her usual poise and confidence.
Mysterious Outlander, no matter what your objective, Xianzhou Loufu will never lose its dignity.
Let this Diviner meet you!
Stepping up the stairs, Fu Xuan saw the young man sitting at the round table.
As usual, she spoke in a cool, clear voice: "I am Fu Xuan, head of the Divination Commission. It's a pleasure to meet you—no, I should say, it's been a long time... I have already traversed twenty-two scenarios of our first meeting in my Dharma Eye. I hope we can have a pleasant outcome."
She wasn't afraid that this statement would reveal anything; rather, this statement was meant to remind the shop owner before her that Xianzhou Loufu feared no challenges but welcomed all friends.
Lin Shuo replied with a smile: "Luofu Diviner, my name is Lin Shuo. As you can see, I am the owner of this shop."
He sighed inwardly, as expected of a powerful figure on Xianzhou, truly full of majesty.
But to be honest, the moment he saw Fu Xuan, Lin Shuo's first feeling was one of being in another world. A commonly used character from before his transmigration had become a truly familiar stranger standing before him after his transmigration. This feeling of a long-awaited reunion with no prior connection was very subtle.
This also meant that Fu Xuan's majesty didn't have much effect on Lin Shuo.
However, reason told him that at a time like this, it was best not to be too presumptuous.
"Is the Diviner here to patronize my humble shop?"
Lin Shuo gestured towards the neatly stacked trash cans: "Ordinary trash cans are a million each. The Diviner holds a high position and is naturally wealthy, so opening a few more trash cans will truly highlight your status."
Fu Xuan had expected a fierce debate, but she didn't anticipate that his very first words would be so mercenary, just like a merchant.
Did he think I didn't doubt his identity at all?
So insincere? Was he making fun of her?
This was the greatest provocation. How outrageous!
Fu Xuan activated her Dharma Eye, intending to see through this person directly, but as the Erudition device on her forehead swept across the room, she couldn't help but exclaim.
"What is this?!"
The trash cans actually emitted light invisible to the naked eye! There was green, blue, purple, gold, all different!
Moreover, this light contained a strange power that caused her Dharma Eye an excruciating pain, a pain that seemed to reach the depths of her soul, making her mind tremble. It made her lower her head and hug herself, her legs shaking, bending into an inward pigeon-toed stance.
Three eyes, at most three eyes!
Fu Xuan knew that after three eyes at most, she would be rendered unconscious by this excruciating pain. If she forced herself to ten eyes, death was not impossible.
This was... what kind of terrifying power? If this person were to harm Xianzhou... She suddenly looked up, somewhat disheveled, and questioned the person before her: "You, what exactly do you want to do?"
Lin Shuo said: "Diviner, buy a trash can."