With the temple's forces retreating with their Grand Elder, the Liu Family, the Verdant Sky Pavilion, and the other sects regrouped, their elders exchanging nods of respect. City Lord Wei Xian exhaled, his aura stabilizing as he directed the City Guards to aid the recovering mortals.
Among the Spirit Severing Stage cultivators who woke up from their slumbering seclusion, the Verdant Sky Pavilion's Ancestor descended first, her green robes flowing as she landed in front of Lin Mo.
"Shopkeeper, you've humbled a Void Refiner with a single shot. The Divine Convenience Store's power is undeniable. But Mu Wuyan's words ring true. Others will come for the Nine Heavens Exquisite Body. It won't end with just this."
Looking at the woman who resembled Yu Qingyan, Lin Mo calmly nodded, "Dear customer, I appreciate the assistance. The Divine Convenience Store will remain here."
"Are you not afraid of the forces from the Western Sacred Lands? Grand Elder Mu Wuyan wasn't wrong to call us backwater sects. The spiritual density within the Eastern Abyssal Domain is significantly lower. Look at us, reaching the Void Refinement Stage is still elusive, whereas there are numerous experts of that stage from their region." The Verdant Sky Pavilion's Ancestor asked, her voice carrying a weight of concern. "You've made an enemy of a titan today, Shopkeeper. The Violethaven Temple is but one of many powers in those lands, and their alliances run deep."
"Dear customer, the Divine Convenience Store doesn't pick fights, but we don't back down from them either. The Western Sacred Lands can send their experts, their fleets, or their otherworldly allies. They'll find the same welcome Mu Wuyan got, a free shot and a ban, if they misbehave. Our store doesn't welcome troublemakers. As for Xiaoyu… No one's taking her anywhere."
The Ancestor's eyes narrowed, a flicker of approval breaking her stoic demeanor as she continued, "Shopkeeper, I was vaguely aware of your store's existence before today. As you can see, we do not leave our seclusion unless… a disturbance of this magnitude happens. Your store's divine backing may deter some, but others will see it as a challenge. The Nine Heavens Exquisite Body is a heavenly rarity. Its potential draws greed like moths to a flame. Prepare your defenses, for the next wave will not be so easily repelled."
"Little Yu need not worry about that. Xiaoyu is part of our family and the store is not so easily going to be toppled."
Answering her was Liu Tianfeng, floating down from above to check on his granddaughter still hiding inside the store. His heaven-grade gauntlet had already been put away while Liu Zhongzu and the Liu Family disciples returned to their ship, having it land outside the city, instead of letting it hover in the sky.
The Verdant Sky Pavilion's Ancestor respectfully clasped her fists toward Liu Tianfeng, "Patriarch Liu, your family's resolve strengthens us all. The Verdant Sky Pavilion pledges its continued support for the Divine Convenience Store and Liu Xiaoyu's safety. Should the Western Sacred Lands stir again, our elders will answer the call."
Liu Tianfeng's beard twitched, a rare smile breaking through his storm-hardened features. "Your words carry weight, Little Yu or should I call you Ancestor Qingmei, now? The Liu Family won't forget your assistance. We will once again open our doors to your Pavilion. Now, let's ensure Fanling City recovers from this mess before more opportunists sniff around."
As the Ancestor nodded, the other Ancestors from the nearby sects also floated down, greeting Liu Tianfeng and then turning to Lin Mo to commend him for his display of power.
Seeing them all gathered now, an idea popped up in his head.
"Dear customers, since you've all come to our assistance, why don't you all check out our store?" With a wide grin, he addressed the Spirit Severing Ancestors and the Sect Masters who had yet to set foot inside the store.
—
Lin Mo returned to the counter, standing behind Wu Meiyu, who also resumed her work of scanning the items.
He watched the Verdant Sky Pavilion's Ancestor, Yu Qingmei, examine a [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] with the intensity of a talisman master deciphering the inscriptions within. Meanwhile, Liu Tianfeng loomed near the snack displays, his aura retracted to the point that he looked like a normal old man shopping for his granddaughter. The Azure Gale Sect's wind-sharpened elder was followed by Yan Wei's father as they scrutinized a bag of [Morning Dew Popcorn Puff], sniffing it suspiciously. As for the other Ancestors and respective Sect Masters, they also scattered around the store.
Lin Mo had also finally handed the Golden Patron Cards of Yu Mingrou and Lin Yuanzhi. They should be among the first five Golden Patrons of the store, but they never returned after their visit. If not for the arrival of the Violethaven Temple, they wouldn't be here at all.
"Boss, did you foresee this? You turned a crisis into an opportunity to hook more customers! These old monsters are emptying their storage rings for us!"
Lin Mo flicked her forehead. "No, I didn't plan for a Void Refiner to throw a tantrum in our airspace. But since they're here, might as well make them loyal customers. Keep an eye on those Shadow Veil Clan elders, they're from the Inner Abyssal Circle. Let's hope they don't misbehave and become like the Poison Demon Cult."
"Oh, them? Leave it to my father! He already marked them. Hehe. Oh right, Boss. This is my little brother, Xiaoping, go greet Boss Lin Mo." Xiaoyu grinned as she pointed at her father shadowing those from the Shadow Veil Clan as they went from aisle to aisle. After that, she pulled a young boy at Xiao Ya's age, donning the Liu Family robes. To his surprise, the boy was already a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, making him look at Xiaoyu in question.
The boy greeted him with a formal clasp of his fists, his young face serious despite the faint flush of excitement in his cheeks. "Shopkeeper Lin, I am Liu Xiaoping, Xiaoyu's younger brother. Thank you for protecting my sister and our family's honor. The Liu Family is in your debt."
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. The kid was too polite. Totally different from his older sister. "What debt? Your family is now our store's patron. Go on and experience the convenience we're offering. Xiaoyu, stop loitering around here and tour him in our store. You also have a lot of stored funds, right? Buy something for your brother."
Xiaoping's eyes lit up while Xiaoyu puffed out her cheeks before rolling her eyes, "Boss! You're not even going to give my brother a gift? So stingy."
"He's your brother, not mine." Lin Mo shrugged, making the girl turn red from annoyance. Meanwhile, Xiaoping started laughing as Lin Mo winked at him, signaling him to press on.
Wu Meiyu shook her head as she watched Xiaoyu bring her brother away before sighing, "Shopkeeper, you like teasing Xiaoyu, don't you?"
"Your highness. Just continue scanning our customers' purchases."
Three hours later, the Divine Convenience Store buzzed with an energy that rivaled the morning's chaos. Its glass doors chimed incessantly as cultivators from the Eastern Abyssal Domain flooded in.
It's like the dangerous situation from earlier had already been forgotten.
The Spirit Severing Stage Ancestors and Sect Masters wandered the aisles like curious disciples, their spiritual senses probing the shelves stocked with peculiar items. They had their elders or disciples from their sects who were regular patrons of the store, introducing the various products.
The atmosphere within the store became dotted with awe and greed, each elder mentally calculating how these divine-grade trinkets could elevate their sect's standing.
At one point, they gathered around a table, slurping down [Taihao Spicy Noodles] at Liu Tianfeng's invitation. But soon after, they began picking their favored snacks and meals. Liu Xiaoyu happily referred them to her recommendation thread at the Bulletin Board.
Having been exposed to the Viewing Jade, the Ancestors also acted like any other cultivator logging into it for the first time. They watched the recordings of the Celestial Duel Platform demonstration and also the duels that had happened over the past few days.
With Xiaoyu accompanying them, they went on a tour around the store and even sparred with each other inside the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall].
When they returned to the store proper, it became quite a stir when someone asked for liquor and Lin Mo couldn't provide it, stating it hadn't been produced yet.
What can he do? He's also waiting for a can of beer or even just a simple rice wine. But the divine being producing it had yet to release some to the store. Searᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
He made a mental note to submit another feedback to the Divine Pantheon to inquire about it.
As the dust settled and the excitement gradually calmed down, Lin Mo approached them again. Not to introduce more products but to talk to them regarding the serious threat encroaching on the Realm of Nine Heavens.
Among them, only a few had an inkling about Conduit Towers, Anchors, and the Outer Realms.
If he's going to sell them the immortal-grade products still secured inside the divine-grade defensive formation in the middle of the store, they should start scouring their lands for potential places of interest.
Since the Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect stumbled upon an Anchor, they might also find one or two of them.
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