Divine Convenience Store

Back in the Divine Convenience Store, the 18th day of the store's opening welcomed another surge of customers.

Lin Mo positioned himself back at the counter to monitor the operation. After all, with the new hires and continued temporary help from Wu Meiyu's royal escorts, every post was already filled.

He had just finished reading Yu Qingyan's final message before she and her team entered the Secret Realm. Although her caravan would be delayed in selling its inventory filled with Divine Convenience Store goods, he didn't think much of it. After all, she also deserved her own fortuitous encounter. Besides, he's also quite interested in what they would discover inside. He asked her to capture a recording either with the usual recording jades or the new function of the Viewing Jade.

Looking around, he found that Liu Xiaoyu was once again standing near the door, energetically welcoming customers and recommending that they check her daily 'snack recommendation' thread on the Bulletin Board. Xiao Ya and Xiaoping were patrolling the aisles, an efficient duo at restocking shelves as soon as they ran out. Wu Meiyu, in her role as the 'Temporary Staff Manager', was observing the new hires with stern discipline, occasionally offering a quiet word of correction that made the new hires jump to attention.

Pan Ruo was among them. She handled the scanner and transactions with economical and efficient movements. There was yet to be a trace of the grand immortal she once was, only a diligent employee grateful for a new beginning.

Everything was running like a well-oiled, convenient machine. For the first time, Lin Mo felt he could actually relax and be just a 'manager'.

Or so he thought.

A new customer walked in. Something they always had every day but this one was a tad bit different.

Judging from how he instantly looked on in disdain at the peculiar sight, this reminded him of Yan Wei when that Young Master first appeared at the store. Impeccably dressed in the golden-threaded robes of what appeared to be a wealthy merchant clan and with a cultivation at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage said a lot that he's not from the region.

Most likely, he heard about the Divine Convenience Store from somewhere and decided to take a look.

His arrogant flair was undeniable as his gaze swept over the bustling store, not with wonder, but with a contemptuous and appraising look. He was followed by two burly guards who looked more like bouncers from a club back on Earth.

"So this is the famous 'Divine' Convenience Store," The young man said, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads. "Quaint. All this fuss for a glorified ordinary merchant store."

Lin Mo's eyebrow twitched slightly. He didn't recognize him but one customer wearing the green robes of the Verdant Sky Pavilion recognized the insignia on the man's robes.

"Golden Carp Trading Guild. What's a major commercial power from the Western Sacred Lands doing here? Are they also after the store?" He murmured loud enough for Lin Mo to hear.

The young man overheard the whisper and smirked. He strode directly to the counter where Lin Mo was standing behind, his guards flanking him and their presence intentionally intimidating.

The newly hired Security Personnel tried to block them but Lin Mo signaled for them to stand down.

He stood up and stepped to the side to prevent the line in front of the counter and Pan Ruo, who was manning it, from being disturbed.

"You must be the 'Shopkeeper'," The young man said, looking Lin Mo up and down with a condescending sneer. "Spirit Condensation Stage? And here I thought this would be managed by at least a Core Formation Stage expert. Are the backwater cultivators of this region couldn't even assess their source of products. Are you duping them?"

Before Lin Mo could reply, Xiaoyu bounced over, her cheerful demeanor would make one forget that she's a peerless genius, as there was no arrogance in the way she moved.

"Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store! Can I interest you in our Snack of the Day? It's revolutionary!"

The young man waved a dismissive hand at her, not even bothering to look. "Silence, girl. I am here to talk business with your master. I am Jin Bao, young master of the Golden Carp Trading Guild. We are the premier merchant power in the Western Sacred Lands. We control eighty percent of the spirit stone trade and have exclusive contracts with a dozen major sects."

Although Xiaoyu didn't take offense to it, she's also not one to back down after being met with dismissive behavior.

She mischievously grinned and her Heavenly Physique-amplified Perfect Foundation aura flared up, causing the young man to become stiff. Because, despite his peak Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, he was immediately suppressed by Liu Xiaoyu's early Foundation Establishment aura. His guards instinctively moved to protect him, but a single, sharp glance from Xiaoyu froze them in their tracks.

"Hey, mister," Liu Xiaoyu said, her voice still cheerful but with an undercurrent of steel. "Around here, we treat our staff with respect. That's Rule Number One of convenience. Maybe you should try our [Humility-Flavored Lollipops]? They're on sale."

Jin Bao's face turned from pale to beet red, a mixture of shock and humiliation.

He, the Young Master of the Golden Carp, was being suppressed by a mere shopgirl. His cultivation, his pride, felt like a joke. He was sent here by his father to check this shop out but before he could fully flaunt the prestige of their guild, he was already suppressed.

"You dare–" He was about to utter the cliched line of an arrogant young master, but his voice was cut off by Lin Mo.

"That's enough, Xiaoyu," Lin Mo said calmly, stepping forward. He didn't raise his voice but his words carried an authority that made Xiaoyu instantly retract her aura with a playful pout. She made a face, cutely sticking her tongue out before hopping behind Lin Mo.

Lin Mo met Jin Bao's furious gaze with an almost bored expression. He could kick them out right away but he's sticking with his usual method. Since he's a newcomer and was just about to throw his weight around, he'd give him a chance to change his mind and experience the convenience the store was offering.

They're from the Western Sacred Lands. Even if the Golden Carp Trading Guild was an ally of the Violethaven Temple, he could use them to gain more intel about the dynamics of that region.

After all, he's going to open a branch there in the future.

"Young Master Jin, was it? Forgive my assistant's enthusiasm. She's very passionate about our store's culture and she hates troublemakers. You see. We have a policy to throw any troublemaker out the door. And if you haven't noticed yet… you've just earned everyone's unfriendly gaze." He paused for a moment as he gestured towards the collective attention of the other customers listening to their conversation. "Now, you mentioned business. I'm listening."

Jin Bao scoffed, unbothered by the gazes around him. He straightened his robes and tried to regain his composure.

He was a merchant and someone who would succeed the guild in the future. He knew when to press an advantage and when to pivot. This store was clearly more than it seemed.

"Your... establishment... has caused a significant disruption. Word is… the Grand Elder of the Violethaven Temple has suffered a loss here. And… a Heavenly Physique appeared in the region." Jin Bao said, his tone was now a little measure yet still laced with arrogance. "Your products are... novel. My Golden Carp Trading Guild is prepared to offer you an exclusive distribution partnership. We will handle all your logistics, marketing, and sales across the entire First Heaven. In return, you will sell your products exclusively through us. We will take a modest seventy percent commission for our services. Also, you have to give us the identity of that genius with the Heavenly Physique."