Divine Convenience Store

Jade Hollow Plains Conduit Tower. Celestial Shuttle Network Hub.

Two groups of disciples walked into the entrance of the hub. They were the elite of the new generation from two of the most prominent sects in the region, and the tension between them was crackling in the air like static before a storm.

At the head of the Azure Gale Sect's contingent stood Yan Wei. His recent breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage had actually not tempered his arrogance. It honed it. With the same flair as before, he's now wearing a new set of immaculate green robes, and his every movement is imbued with a sharp, cutting confidence. One who looked down on those beneath him.

His Solid Foundation felt powerful. His rank in terms of prowess surpassed that of most senior disciples who had broken through the Foundation Establishment stage earlier than him. Now, his prestigious standing as the son of the current Sect Leader has become more solidified with his cultivation base backing him up.

Naturally, while his prideful arrogance remained intact, he had already been thoroughly sold into Lin Mo's 'convenience'. He's still wearing the artifact in the shape of a modern cap that he bought from the Divine Convenience Store during his first visit. That's why he's more than eager to join the commission that was just posted.

They've been climbing the tower for the past few days and cultivating when their attempt was on cooldown. So, having to answer the call to arms to protect the convenience that had been flourishing within their region was something a diligent young master like him should do.

Of course, he called his former senior brothers to do the same, even those who were in closed-door cultivation.

Meanwhile, among the Crimson Vale Sect's disciples was Zhou Rui. The crimson aura surrounding him was now more stable, the fierce energy of his breakthrough having tempered into the steady glow of their sect's core cultivation technique. He stood tall, his expression a mask of grim determination. He joined his senior disciples not to represent their sect but to answer the call of his benefactor.

"Well, well," Yan Wei drawled, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Rui's group with a dismissive air. "Look what the cat dragged in. I didn't think the Crimson Vale Sect would have the guts to answer a real call to arms. I thought you were all still celebrating your new Core Disciple's mediocre breakthrough."

Zhou Rui's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, but he didn't rise to the bait. His benefactor had taught him the value of composure. Besides, he knew that this was Yan Wei's way to one-up him in their rivalry. Even his senior disciples were letting him handle the banter. If it were any other day before the appearance of the Divine Convenience Store, a fight would have instantly happened, given the bloodthirstiness inherent within the cultivation technique of the Crimson Vale disciples.

"We are here for the same reason you are, Young Master Yan. To answer the Shopkeeper's call and defend the convenience he provides. This is about more than sect pride."

"Oh, is it?" Yan Wei sneered but he too thought the same. Nevertheless, he's naturally gonna admit to it in front of Zhou Rui, "Or is it that you're hoping your 'benefactor' will throw you a few more scraps? A new candy, perhaps?"

Before Zhou Rui could retort, a senior disciple from his sect placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "He's just trying to get under your skin, Junior Brother. Save your energy for the Violethaven Temple's lackeys and foreign creatures."

Yan Wei scoffed and turned away, leading his disciples to one of the ticketing kiosks. "Let's go. We have a war to win. Try to keep up, Crimson Vale."

Inside the Carriage Saucer, the atmosphere was tense. The disciples from both sects sat on opposite sides, the silence broken only by the steps of other customers heading to Fanling City.

Yan Wei was busy briefing his team, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Listen up. The goal is the Grand Prize. 100,000 Dimension Essence and five Golden Patron seats. Our Azure Gale Sect will claim it. We will be the ones to reset the Anchor's core. Let the rogue cultivators and smaller sects handle the cannon fodder. We will prove that our standards are higher than most elites. We will strike at the heart of the problem. You're all free to ride on this young master's coattails."

Across the carriage, Zhou Rui was giving a very different kind of briefing.

"Senior brothers and sisters, our primary objective is to support the alliance and dismantle the enemy's operation," He said after having been given the chance to say his piece by the eldest senior brother. "We cannot be as reckless as the Azure Gale Sect. Protect the other patrons. The Shopkeeper's post was clear. Conflict between teams is forbidden. We are here to serve his will and protect the realm, not to chase glory. The rewards are secondary to the mission's success. His convenience has been proven to provide a path for all. We must uphold that."

His words resonated with the Crimson Vale disciples, many of whom owed their recent progress to the store's products. Their loyalty was not just to their sect, but to the source of their newfound strength.

The shuttle arrived in a blink, the doors hissing open to reveal the bustling interior of the Divine Convenience Store's hub.

The sheer number of cultivators milling about was staggering that every arriving carriage saucer was filled with cultivators. Every major sect from the alliance was present, along with hundreds of rogue cultivators and members of smaller sects, clans or nobility from the Southern Wu Kingdom, all drawn by the call to arms.

The two groups exited the shuttle, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the face of the overwhelming scale of the mobilization.

They could feel it. The air seemed to be charged with the thick mix of excitement, apprehension, and the undeniable scent of convenience.

They made their way through the store, which was even more bustling despite its recent expansion. Cultivators were making purchases, forming impromptu teams, and loudly debating strategies they had read on the Bulletin Board. The new staff, directed by the surprisingly authoritative First Princess Wu Meiyu, were handling the surge with efficiency that was a marvel in itself.

After doing a little bit of shopping too, both the Azure Gale and Crimson Vale Sect led their teams outside the city walls, to the designated gathering point near the dormant Anchor.

The sight that greeted them was awe-inspiring.

A veritable army had already assembled with the place dotted by numerous camps, all big and small.

Thousands of cultivators, a sea of different robes, armors, and auras, stretched across the plains. At the forefront, Patriarch Liu Tianfeng stood with the elders of the alliance sects, his peak Void Refinement Stage aura was like a calming beacon in the sea of chaos.

The raid probably wouldn't happen right away as there's a whole day of gathering time but in just a few hours since the posting of the commission, almost the entire Eastern Abyssal Domain had been mobilized.

—

Meanwhile, Lin Mo was holding his forehead as he read a new message coming from the Southern Wilderness.

Venom Master Xun had written him an update.

[From: ArachnidMistress]

[Subject: Re: Landlord Eviction]

"Phase 2 has been initiated. The Crystalweb Tyrant has taken the bait. It has emerged from its nest and is moving towards Sunstone Village. Its fury is... impressive as thousands of broodlings have been sighted. Candidate Chi Yang and the villagers have been secured in a fortified location as per your directive. Although it would still take a day before we transfer them to the Emberfall Ridges. I thought you should hear this, Shopkeeper. I've been visited by both the Spirit Haze Sect and the Ironbone Clan. It appears that provoking the Landlord had also pushed it to reveal its hidden network of broodling nests underneath their lands. The kingdom that this Crystalweb Tyrant was building was truly underground. They're now asking for an explanation why a foreign power like the Poison Demon Cult is operating in their territory. I believe you call this 'poking the hornet's nest'. They are… displeased. How should I proceed?"

Lin Mo let out a long, weary sigh. Of course, it couldn't be simple. Xun's 'convenient' solution had not only provoked the spider but had also flushed out the other two major powers of the Southern Wilderness. She had effectively kicked over a massive political anthill, and now they were all looking at her, and by extension, him.

"This woman," He pinched the bridge of his nose as he exhaled, "is a master of escalating situations."

He thought for a moment before quickly typing his response. He's not going to give her a solution, but an extension of authority on how to handle and conclude his request.

[From: Shopkeeper]

[To: ArachnidMistress]

"I'll let you handle the situation, Venom Master Xun. I trust you understand that we're not agents of chaos but heralds of convenience. Do as you see fit on dealing with the Spirit Haze Sect and the Iron Bone Clan. Offer them convenience or not, it's up to you."