**Heavenly Shopkeeper: Rajesh's Multiversal Cultivation Journey**
**Chapter 1: The Night That Changed Everything**
The scent of sandalwood incense drifted lazily into the quiet room as Rajesh Verma sat cross-legged on a straw mat. Outside, the monsoon rain painted streaks against the windowpanes of his modest Bengaluru apartment. Inside, things were calm — save for the quiet buzz inside Rajesh's mind.
"One more night," he murmured, adjusting his kurta. "Then the interviews begin."
A fresh graduate in mechanical engineering, Rajesh had always been a curious mix of logic and mysticism — a lover of Sanskrit shlokas, Bhagavad Gita philosophy, yoga, and vegetarian cooking. His friends mocked him lovingly as "the monk with memes." He smiled easily, laughed often, and though not a celibate saint, had never lost himself in mindless desires.
But tonight… tonight felt different.
He had just completed a silent hour of meditation when the air shimmered like heatwaves over asphalt. His vision blurred. His breath caught.
And then—
> **Ding!** *Divine Shop System initializing… Soul-bond binding detected… Searching for host compatibility…*
>
> *Host Found: Rajesh Verma. Welcome to the Divine Shop System.*
Before Rajesh could react, overwhelming light poured in.
**He Awoke Elsewhere.**
Stone beneath him. Sky above him — purple, vast, adorned with twin suns. Mountains floated in the distance, glowing with ancient qi. Enormous birds flew above, and disciples in robes rode on flying swords like myths turned real.
Rajesh stumbled up.
"W-Where am I?"
> **System Notification:**
> *You have been granted access to the Divine Shop System — an interdimensional store of infinite cultivation treasures, techniques, tools, and travel permits to all existing worlds.*
He blinked. "What...?"
> *You may buy anything that exists — from the realms of Douluo Dalu to Marvel to Shrouding the Heavens. All known techniques, pills, and treasures are available at a price.*
And just like that, before him shimmered a golden storefront in mid-air, glowing in divine light. Rows of items hovered in place. Scrolls with titles in unknown languages. Glinting objects with indescribable auras. Even crops, fruits, and food-based pills... almost twinkling with spiritual flavor.
> **System Tip:** A starter gift has been deposited into your inventory.
Still stunned, Rajesh checked it mentally. A scroll appeared before him:
- **Name:** Basic Cultivator's Manual (Universal Technique Framework)
- **Type:** Introductory Cultivation Method
- **Compatibility:** DBLS-999 compatible (divine being-level soul)
Next to it was a shimmering green pill labeled:
- **Vishuddhi Elixir** (Origin Class) – *Rapidly purifies toxins and awakens dormant energy channels. 100% vegetarian.*
Rajesh gave a faint smile. "Vegetarian. At least something makes sense."
He sat back down, legs crossed, and consumed the elixir. Warmth rushed into his frame like liquid sunlight. Meridians? Spiritual roots? Things he'd only read about in manhwa and web novels were real now. His body felt... reborn.
Moments later, he felt the flow of qi awaken in his dantian. Rajesh had become a cultivator.
**Evening arrived**, though he couldn't tell if time passed normally in this world. As he explored the landscape, a single question haunted him.
"Why me?"
The System didn't answer, but Rajesh had a feeling — this was fate. Maybe karma. He'd never asked for wealth or fame, only for a *life of meaning.*
And now? He had access to every world that had ever existed. He had a universe of romance, battle, and knowledge before him.
He pressed his palm against the shop icon.
> **Available Functions:**
> - Divine Treasure Purchase
> - World Travel Tokens
> - Custom Technique Synthesis
> - Soul-Bound Home Dimension (Locked: Requires 1,000 System Points)
> - Companion Link Authorization (Locked)
> *Warning: First-time user. Kindly accumulate Spiritual Contribution and System Points through cultivation, quests, and relationship development.*
Rajesh exhaled.
"Alright then. I'm here. Let's start."
He opened the Basic Cultivator's Manual. Gold runes shifted and entered his brain as though he were breathing them in.
Over the next hour, he practiced the basic breathing patterns, cycling spiritual energy through his newly awakened meridians. The energy currents obeyed like eager students. There was no confusion. As if his body had waited lifetimes for this moment.
**Later That Night**
Rajesh finally found a clearing by a river to rest—not a soul in sight.
As moonlight shimmered on the surface of the rippling water, he sat cross-legged again. He cooked wild rice using native plants he'd recognized from the shop scan — preparing for the next day.
No meat, no blood, no slaughter. He'd remain true to his roots, even in these brutal worlds.
"I'll become strong my way," Rajesh whispered. "Through spirit, science... and spice."
The stars above twinkled, almost approvingly.
Tomorrow, he would venture into this world's nearest sect to grasp the local power structure — and possibly start his journey through the multiverse.
But tonight? He slept under alien skies, cradled by wind and fate.
And far within the golden void of the Divine Shop, a new menu unlocked:
**End of chapter 1**
✅ First Cultivation Technique Acquired
✅ Soul Compatibility Confirmed
✅ Romantic World Tier I Access Prepared: Next Stop — Douluo Dalu