Divine Convenience Store

"The realm wants us to... farm?" Yao Ling, one of the beast-taming twins, asked, utterly baffled. Their spirit wolves were already salivating over the rare herbs and spiritual energy-filled fruits hanging from a tree within the garden.

"The senior who left behind this Secret Realm wants us to plant something," Yu Qingyan corrected, a brilliant idea sparking in her mind. She accessed the inventory within her Distributor Token and pulled out packets of [Spirit-Infused Seeds].

"This might be the next key," She declared as she walked to the empty plot, knelt, and carefully tore open a packet of [Spirit-Infused Cabbage Seeds]. "We will plant the convenience we brought with us. We will show that we understand the cycle of giving and receiving. Only after this will we take what we need and continue forward."

—

Meanwhile, the nineteenth day of the store's opening operated smoothly, even with new customers coming from the Northern Arctic Dominion and a few from the Western Sacred Lands who followed the small entourage of the Golden Carp Trading Guild.

When the Guild Master and his company left the store, two more Golden Patrons had been added. Both Jin Cheng and the female Elder, despite their attempt to act unfazed with the quality of the store products, filled their baskets with every item they got their hands on.

Jin Cheng also became one of the lucky customers who managed to pick up a manual from the elusive lost manual shelves that only those fated could bring to the counter to be checked out. It was a high earth-grade manual on economic strategy and resource management called [The Golden Abacus Sutra], a find so perfectly suited to him it was almost comical.

Lin Mo didn't know its effects, but according to the Guild Master, it'd allow him to do quick maths… A weird sutra.

Outside, Fanling City had already thoroughly transformed. Compared to the frontier city before, which always worried when the new demonic beast tide from the Abyssal Forest would come, it was slowly becoming a bustling metropolis. The existence of the Divine Convenience Store and the Celestial Shuttle Network had turned it into the crossroads of the realm.

Merchants, adventurers, and scholars from every corner of the Eastern Abyssal Domain now walked its streets, their conversations, all captured by the Bulletin Board, filled with talk of tower strategies, anchor breaches, and the listings of popular snacks that even restaurant establishments within the city were raring to get their hands on.

Constructions of new inns had also started from the empty plots of the previously wreckage-laden spot within the city.

Lin Mo stood at the second-floor balcony, which was also somehow generated within the expansive spatial formation of the store. It was invisible outside though. It just gave him a clear view of the surrounding area.

There, he spent quite some time observing the city's vibrant pulse.

The Divine Lecture was the day after tomorrow and the city was gradually becoming filled to the brim with powerful cultivators.

Nascent Soul patriarchs, who usually remained in seclusion, could be seen sipping tea at local inns, while Core Formation elders engaged in lively debates in the city square. And that's after their visits within the store. They were sensible enough not to loiter around after finishing their business or buying what they needed.

The Liu Clan and the City Guard, reinforced by the store's security, were working overtime to maintain order, but the atmosphere was one of electric anticipation, not tension.

"Boss, I just checked the inbox of the administrator account of the Store Bulletin Board. A priority message just came in through the 'Shadow Commission' channel," Liu Xiaoyu said as she once again appeared beside him.

Like him, her work lessened to an extent with Wu Meiyu taking up the post of watching over the privileged Golden Patron Floor.

From time to time, or whenever she grew tired of hounding customers, she'd sit down to browse the Bulletin Board through her Viewing Jade or the Divine Interface System that Lin Mo granted her access to.

Starting yesterday, she started posting time-limited vouchers that lucky users could claim and it's becoming a hit. But her interest seemed to be more focused on the new sections of the board, especially the Mercenary & Adventurer's Guild and the Shadow Commission dedicated to their temporary Security and Intelligence partner.

Lin Mo turned and she projected the encrypted message for him to see.

[Shadow Scythe - Mission Update 01]

[Target: Soul Lure Array]

[Status: Location Confirmed. Northeastern edge of Abyssal Forest, concealed within a network of cleared demonic beast caves. Guarded by three Core Formation experts from the Impervious Flare Sect, an ally of the Violethaven Temple, and a contingent of fifty elite Foundation Establishment disciples. The array is in its initial stages of preparation. Estimated activation time: 48 hours.]

[Assessment: Defenses are formidable but predictable. My tools of 'convenience' are sufficient. Neutralization of the array can commence tonight once the source of foreign creatures has been pinpointed. Expect another report by dawn.]

"Efficient," Lin Mo murmured, a sliver of relief washing over him. Shadow Scythe was living up to his reputation. "He's waiting to confirm the source of the foreign creatures... the Anchor."

"The Violethaven Temple is using a breached Anchor as their weapon stockpile," Liu Xiaoyu added, her expression hardening. "Boss, we can't deploy the Store Beacon there, right?"

"Well, we can. But that's if they're only planning to use it as a source of disaster for our region. We can direct cultivators to enter, explore and reset its core," Lin Mo answered. "Don't you dare suggest that you go there. It may not be as simple as our previous Anchor Exploration with the Sword Fairy."

"Hehe, come on, Boss. Who am I? I'm your genius assistant. If anything… I want to reset that Anchor near the Stormhowl Tribe. That way, we can direct them outside the region so we can connect more Anchors to our Celestial Shuttle Network." Liu Xiaoyu rubbed her nose proudly.

Lin Mo flicked her forehead. "One crisis at a time, prodigy. The Violethaven Temple's plot is the immediate fire we need to put out."

He stared at the report. Shadow Scythe could handle the array and its operators, but that still left a major problem: a breached, hostile Anchor that will be weaponized. It was an unacceptable inconvenience.

A plan began to form in his mind, audacious and perfectly timed.

"Xiaoyu," He said, his voice taking on a new, decisive tone. "Let's do something fun. If they're going to play like this, we're going to turn their own weapon against them. Let us make an example out of Violethaven's lackey."

"An example? Boss, what are you planning?" Xiaoyu's eyes widened.

Lin Mo's lips curved into a sharp grin. "I'm going to post a commission. A very special one."

He accessed the Divine System Interface and navigated to the 'Mercenary & Adventurer's Guild' section, drafting a new, high-priority post. Unlike the store-sponsored commission for the Stormhowl, this one had a different flavor entirely.

[Flash Raid Commission: Cutting the Snake in Half]

"To all esteemed patrons and adventurers currently in Fanling City:

Intelligence has confirmed that the Impervious Flare Sect, in collusion with the Violethaven Temple, is preparing an act of terrorism that threatens the safety and convenience of the entire Eastern Abyssal Domain. Their forward operating base has been located.

They should still be unaware that we've already sniffed them out. This will be a punitive expedition. To cut off their supply lines and prevent them from completing their plans.

Objective:

Securing an Anchor: A large-scale, coordinated assault on a breached Anchor that will be utilized by the Impervious Flare Sect. Prevent them from unleashing the creatures within. Resetting the Core: Be the first to enter the Anchor, clear a path to its core, and perform an Anchor Core reset. Dismantle the base: Eliminate all hostile operators of the Impervious Flare Sect or any of their cohorts and dismantle any forward base or outposts near our region.

Requirements:

- Open to all cultivators, Foundation Establishment and above, currently in Fanling City. (Take the Celestial Shuttle Network if you want to join)

- Raid will commence in 24 hours. Gather outside the walls of Fanling City, near the dormant Anchor.

Compensation & Rewards (Sponsored by the Divine Convenience Store):

- The Anchor's Bounty: All Dimension Essence and treasures acquired within the Anchor will be distributed among the participants.

- Store Beacon Deployment: A [Store Beacon] will be deployed on-site, providing a safe zone, supply line, and a direct link to the Celestial Shuttle Network for rapid deployment.

- Grand Prize: 100,000 Dimension Essence and five guaranteed Golden Patron seats for the next Divine Lecture for the team that can successfully reset the Anchor's core.

- Bonus: Every confirmed kill of an operating Impervious Flare or Violethaven cultivator will be rewarded with Store Credits.

Warning: Conflict between different teams or factions is thoroughly forbidden. We will know if someone has been overtaken by greed and harmed their supposed comrades for the reward.

Remember. Spreading convenience is what we advocate, not violence or realm domination. However, when faced with those who would use terror and chaos to disrupt our convenient way of life, we will respond. Swiftly. Decisively. Conveniently.

Let the Impervious Flare Sect serve as a warning. We are watching."

Lin Mo read it a few times, deliberating whether he overdid it or not. After thoughtful consideration, he hit 'post'.

The thread appeared instantly as a glowing, blood-red banner at the very top of the Bulletin Board, impossible to miss.