Divine Convenience Store

Time quickly passed. The blue sky was about to turn orange and the store gradually settled in at a comfortable pace. Xiao Ya got the chance to rest and she immediately went to fiddle with her Viewing Jade, happily scrolling through various threads. Xiao Yu did the same, but there were times when she returned to the counter, bringing a manual to Lin Mo, telling him he should try them.

Although he had yet to comprehend the Foundational Martial Technique, she said they were good for reference since the manuals she picked up from the shelves were only upper-tier mortal-grade at best.

It's to supplement his own understanding of the [Foundational Martial Technique]. For example, the crowd-favorite [Stone Fist Technique] which only included three moves; Breaking Stone, Shattering Ground and Mountain Crusher.

It was famous for being so simple that a mortal who had just opened her aperture and had yet to absorb spiritual energy into their body could pick it up right away. Still, it's a proper fist technique meant to be just a set of overwhelming punches.

"Shopkeeper, I appreciate your accepting my request to observe. The experience is enlightening." The First Princess, who had already returned to her glamorous robes, curtsied in front of Lin Mo. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. After spending more than eight hours in the store, her earlier amusement was now tempered with a deeper appreciation for the store's rhythm.

"I've been used to the hassle of attending royal court gatherings and I considered it chaotic. Yet… the chaos I experienced here is uniquely productive. I'll admit, I didn't expect to enjoy promoting snacks and talismans or herding cultivators as much as I did."

Lin Mo looked at her and nodded, his usual wry smile tugging at his lips. "Glad you had fun, Your Highness. It was merely a suggestion, yet you bit it. Not many royals would trade glamorous silk for an apron or a peculiar uniform and dive into the fray like that. You're a natural at keeping the crowd in line, though. Must be because of your leadership qualities. Or maybe it's the royal Wu blood?"

Wu Meiyu's laugh was soft, almost conspiratorial, as she adjusted the jade pin in her hair. "Must you flatter me, Shopkeeper? Careful, or I'll start thinking you're angling for a royal endorsement or perhaps a courtship? In truth, my curiosity about this place has not been quelled at all. And it probably never will, even if I truly start working for you. It's honestly impressive that the store draws people in naturally. And I'm starting to see why my royal brother's so wary. And why he shouldn't be."

Her words carried a weight that made Lin Mo pause, his Stillwater Perception catching the subtle shift in her tone.

She wasn't just praising him there. She was also probing, testing the waters of his intentions without saying it outright. Lin Mo could easily attribute that to her quality as this brilliant First Princess who was also in contention for the throne of their kingdom.

In his eyes, the First Princess's ambition currently lies in understanding the store and pulling it in to be tied to the Southern Wu Kingdom. Nevertheless, she clearly understands that it is impossible to equate the Divine Convenience Store to an upper-grade sect, especially when its influence puts many of those sects under the label of 'patrons' and 'customers'. Furthermore, even sects with bad blood against each other will set their differences aside if they rally under the store's banner.

The silent spark in his chest throbbed faintly as if responding to her scrutiny, and he quickly redirected the conversation to safer ground.

"Being wary is fine, as long as it comes with a full basket. At the end of the day, everyone who steps through that door is our customer." He said with a grin as he pointed towards the basket that Captain Zhu Min was carrying. Clearly, he was ordered to fill it with whatever the First Princess needed – most of them were snacks though.

"Your royal brother is also welcome to browse anytime. Might loosen him up to try a [Heavenly Dew Soda]. Works wonders in a skeptic's mood."

Wu Meiyu's lips twitched in amusement. "You don't say. I've heard Emissary Yu has already gotten her hands on his purse. Though I doubt he'd trade his wine for soda, he'd possibly react the same way as me when I first took a sip of your amazing beverage."

"Regardless, I'll make sure he hears praises of this place's virtues from me. The soldiers he sent must've been resenting your store because of your policy, after all. Anyways, I'll be back for the release of the Celestial Duel Platform tomorrow. I've read a lot of good things about it in your Bulletin Board and I'm fascinated with the recordings of the two showcases."

Lin Mo inclined his head, keeping his tone light. "Look forward to it, Your Highness. It has been polished further to satisfy our valued customers and also answer the foreign threat to our realm."

Wu Meiyu clasped her fist this time before turning around, her robes swirling as she turned toward the door. Once Captain Zhu Min finished his purchase, he followed after her before they were joined by the other soldier escorts that had been waiting outside.

With her departure, the store became quieter but only because those admiring her from a distance also exited the store. The continued activity of customers and Liu Xiaoyu's chatter kept the atmosphere alive.

Lin Mo's gaze drifted to the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] hidden inside the formation. The constant flow of spiritual energy helps his Passive Spiritual Energy Absorption to tug softly at his dantian, soothing the faint strain from a long day and the almost unending use of her spiritual perception.

He rubbed his chest absently, muttering as he once again remembered the new title that somehow triggered the hint of divinity in his body to awaken. "Convenience Saint, my foot. I'm cringing so hard to read it from every thread. And I can't imagine a whole evil cult chanting it while praising the convenience we're propagating."

Liu Xiaoyu, catching the tail end of his words as she bounded over with a stack of [Spirit-Infused Potato Chips], grinned like a fox spotting prey.

"Too late for that, Boss! The Poison Demon Cult's already half in love with you. Did you see ArachnidMistress's latest thread? She's constantly composing poetry about meeting you someday. But you see… you have to be careful. If I'm not wrong, she's that spiderwoman. Venom Master Xun. She spits organic webs from her wrists!"

Lin Mo groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. What the heck? Doesn't she basically possess the same ability as that friendly neighborhood hero from the movies and comic books back on Earth?

Somehow, Lihua saying 'with great power comes great responsibility' wasn't too out of place anymore.

"So, you know her, huh? Alright, my dear helpful assistant, help your Boss broaden his knowledge about every sect or organization we have to look out for in that region. You've read it as well, right? That old man captured towns and villages to spread 'convenience'."

Xiaoyu tilted her head slightly upward, looking a little proud that Lin Mo was asking her for help, "Hehe, got it, Boss! But you have to wait for later. For now, while you're idling there, read the manuals I've helped you choose.

After saying that, she thrust another [Stone Fist Technique]-level manual at him again. He had no idea if she was turning over the shelves there but she was clearly busy coming and going at the manual aisle of the store. It's like they're magically popping out for her.

Lin Mo didn't think much of it since he probably could do the same, but because he knew his judgement wasn't as keen as Liu Xiaoyu's genius, he'd keep trusting her selection. At least she's not telling him to comprehend them all. Just reference them to further his understanding of the [Foundational Martial Technique].

After thinking for a while, Lin Mo went to where Xiao Ya was, sharing the manuals to the young girl who was too engrossed at browsing the Bulletin Board.

"Eh, Boss? What is this?"

"It'll be bad for you to be consumed by that Viewing Jade all day, Xiao Ya," Lin Mo said, his tone light but carrying a hint of concern as he slid the [Stone Fist Technique] manual across the counter toward her. "Let us read this together instead. It's simple. It'll help us on our cultivation. You've got talent, but talent needs direction."

Or so he said, but he's just a little afraid she'd get too addicted to it. It was a real problem on Earth, after all. Kids are not paying attention to their lessons because the internet is easily accessible.

Why did he sound like a parent there? He also had no idea.

Either way, he managed to convince a comrade to read old books with him. The twelfth day was about to be over again and while nothing too eventful happened in the store, his personal development suddenly skyrocketed, enough that he might truly catch up to Xiaoyu one of these days.