Ch 86: My Multiverse Supermarket

The Good Life Supermarket had just jumped from the dungeon back into the Public Hall.

From the system’s perspective, it needed to complete several large transactions before it could recover its operational costs, so it didn’t rush Zhou Li to depart for another world yet.

Still, it had already begun urging her to consider potential new worlds.

“One of next worlds has zombies,” the system informed her.

Zhou Li frowned. “…That dangerous? Is there anything valuable there?”

In novels, the valuable stuff was usually things like crystal cores—but those were tied to supernatural powers.

She couldn’t imagine who in the auction house would actually buy something like that.

“Gold, for instance,” said the system.

Zhou Li perked up. “So that world’s full of gold?”

“…No,” the system admitted.

Even with most of the population wiped out by a zombie virus, leaving only a few hundred million survivors, gold wouldn’t become more abundant just because there were fewer people.

Zhou Li asked, “Then what about pollution? Are there places where farmland or water sources have been contaminated—like no clean drinking water or irrigation?”

“You can investigate that world yourself,” the system said evasively.

“Figures,” Zhou Li sighed. “You said the same thing for the last few worlds too.”

The system continued, “Another approved candidate is a world of steam and magic. It’s somewhat like your Industrial Era, but with the addition of sorcery. And it’s… special.”

“Special like the Infinite Planes?” Zhou Li asked.

“No,” said the system. “This world reveres deities, and is divided into two major factions—the magic faction that worships the Old Gods, and the technology faction that follows the New Gods. Each has divine patrons behind the scenes.”

Zhou Li grimaced. “That doesn’t sound like an easy place to do business.”

If her supermarket appeared there, the tech faction might see its goods as the key to advancing science—and try to raise her as a symbol of progress.

That would instantly make her a target for the rival magic faction.

If she had to deal with constant holy wars and propaganda every day, how could she even keep the doors open?

“Anyway,” she said dryly, “what’s valuable in that world?”

“Magic stones,” replied the system.

Zhou Li stared blankly.

“Flying brooms. Magic wands,” it added helpfully.

She retorted, “What’s next—Voldemort and Harry Potter?”

“No,” said the system.

Zhou Li immediately lost interest.

Those items were probably useless in her main world—and even if they weren’t, she wouldn’t dare use them.

If people got too greedy and used magic irresponsibly, it could cause chaos across entire societies.

Still, on the bright side, the auction system probably prohibited trading overly dangerous items as a safeguard for inter-world balance.

She asked, “Any other options?”

“There’s one visa-free world,” the system said, “but it’s been flagged as high-risk by multiple inspectors.”

“What kind of high risk?”

“The evaluations describe it as being similar to some countries in your world. Misconduct includes things like breaking agreements, seizing assets, or scamming visitors. For example, when a field agent arrives, they might detain the supermarket for ‘missing permits’ or issue huge fines for ‘tax violations.’”

Zhou Li was speechless.

“Very accurate description,” she muttered.

“Any employees ever scammed there?”

“No,” said the system, “but inspectors run simulations to assess each world’s risk level.”

“Then why not blacklist it outright?”

“Because it still has business potential. Excellent agents know how to manage risk. We hope you’ll become one soon.”

Zhou Li forced a professional smile, though inwardly she was dismayed.

All three worlds sounded terrible.

Still, since she hadn’t yet earned enough in this one to break even, there was no rush to leave.

*

“What’s going on today? The store’s been open an hour, and not a single customer?”

The supermarket was unusually quiet.

Zhou Li began to suspect the system had secretly jumped the shop to another world without her permission.

“I’ll go take a look, Boss,” said An Fengxuan.

Since they were still in the Public Hall and close to Blue Owl Guild headquarters, Zhou Li figured she’d be safe and nodded.

But moments after An Fengxuan stepped outside, she vanished.

Zhou Li blinked. “…Did someone use an item to conceal the supermarket?”

It was just like when the S-class anomaly Wang Hui had “hidden” the shop back in [Dawn Village].

Because it didn’t directly threaten the supermarket or Zhou Li, the protection system hadn’t triggered, and no warning appeared.

Outside, An Fengxuan suddenly found herself facing a crowd—and nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Young Miss!” someone shouted.

She turned to see Chen Jiaoyan running toward her.

“Who are you calling ‘Young Miss’?” An Fengxuan frowned.

But Chen Jiaoyan grabbed her arm in relief. “You’re still here!”

“…Huh?” An Fengxuan was confused. “I became the supermarket employee, but the shop’s still here. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“The supermarket’s still here too?” Chen Jiaoyan gasped.

“What are you talking about? It’s right—” An Fengxuan turned, then froze in shock.

The supermarket was gone.

Chen Jiaoyan followed her gaze—and saw nothing.

Panicked, An Fengxuan ran toward the spot, but no matter how far she went, it was just empty ground.

“H-how can this be? It was right here a second ago!”

Maybe the Boss and the store had jumped to another dungeon while she was outside?

“No,” said Chen Jiaoyan. “The supermarket vanished right after closing last night.”

“Impossible! I was upstairs resting all night—I could still see Blue Owl HQ from the window!”

When they compared notes, the truth dawned on both of them.

They said together, “The space around the supermarket’s been isolated!”

During the [Dawn Village] dungeon, Lü Chui had seen an S-class anomaly separate the supermarket from the village entirely.

He’d logged that in the strategy archives, so most Blue Owl members knew it was possible.

Now that they realized the store hadn’t disappeared but been sealed off from perception, everything made sense.

But unlike Wang Hui’s crude attempt in [Dawn Village], this time there wasn’t the slightest flaw to exploit.

“Where’s An Yixiao?” An Fengxuan asked.

“She thought the supermarket had left too, so she went to recover from her injuries,” Chen Jiaoyan said.

“Forget it then,” said An Fengxuan. “Don’t bother her—I’ll figure this out myself.”

But as she spoke, An Yixiao appeared.

Looking at her sister, she said coolly, “Did you even pay attention during employee training?”

“…What?” An Fengxuan blinked.

“Others might not be able to find the supermarket,” An Yixiao said, “but as an official employee, you should.”

“I was forced into this job, okay?!” An Fengxuan protested. “I barely understood what was happening!”

Knowing her sister’s shortcomings, An Yixiao didn’t scold her further. She simply studied the empty space in front of her.

When Blue Owl members learned the supermarket hadn’t left but had been sealed away, they rushed over, buzzing with speculation.

“Who did it?”

“Who else? Must be Carefree Guild. If they can’t have the Boss, they’ll destroy her.”

“Hey, don’t make baseless claims,” came a calm voice. It was Han Xi, arriving with his men. “All our guild’s items are logged and registered. If someone used a spatial device, we’d know—and we don’t have one.”

An Yixiao gave him a sharp, knowing smile. “How impressive, Vice President Han—so quick to point out it’s a spatial item.”

Han Xi’s face twitched. “Isn’t that obvious? If it were just an illusion, walking forward would make you hit something. And it’s not a cloaking item—if the supermarket were hidden, people inside couldn’t see out.”

Quietly, An Fengxuan whispered to her sister, “I could see out from inside—but not the people outside.”

That sounded more like a visual distortion than true spatial isolation.

Another guild player asked, “Why would anyone do this?”

Han Xi replied, “Probably to block the supermarket from contacting the outside world—and monopolize its secrets.”

That implication was dangerously pointed. After all, only Blue Owl had direct ties to the supermarket—so the accusation was that they had hidden it, pretending to be innocent.

“So Blue Owl’s the thief crying thief?” someone muttered.

“Who’s talking nonsense?!” Chen Jiaoyan shouted furiously.

Han Xi met An Yixiao’s cold gaze. “Sometimes it’s better to divert suspicion than suppress it, President An.”

An Yixiao’s lips curved faintly. “A clever plan. Kill two birds with one stone… maybe four.”

“Four?” asked An Fengxuan.

“One: divert blame to Blue Owl, making people think we’re hoarding the supermarket’s secret. Two: send a warning to the Boss. Three: test whether she or I have hidden power. And four—sow discord.”

Ever since the [Mingde Academy] dungeon clear, rumors had spread across the Public Hall that the supermarket could “resist corruption, ignore game rules, and shelter players.”

That alone made it a coveted treasure.

If treated as an ultra–S-class artifact, it would naturally spark a scramble.

And because the Boss showed favor toward An Yixiao and operated near Blue Owl territory, jealousy was inevitable.

So this scheme aimed to drive a wedge between the Boss and Blue Owl—maybe she’d relocate to another guild.

At the same time, it would pit Blue Owl against the broader player base, turning them into villains while distracting everyone else.

An Yixiao said evenly, “Knowing the Boss as I do, I’d never do something like that.”

Duan Jing then pushed through the crowd.

“You guys really don’t get it,” she said. “The Boss isn’t ordinary. She can ignore the rules and move freely between dungeons. Even if you sealed this space, you can’t trap her. When it’s time for her to appear in a dungeon, she’ll appear.”

That revelation set off another wave of shocked chatter.

Han Xi sneered, “Then you do have motive—to drive her away, so the rest of us can’t shop here.”

“Use your pig brain for once!” Duan Jing snapped. “Who’s bought the most membership cards here? Who trades the most items for points? Blue Owl! Why would we hurt our own profits?”

The crowd fell silent.

“She’s right,” someone admitted. “Blue Owl members have the most points saved up. They’d lose the most if the supermarket disappeared!”

☢️☢️☢️