"Dear customer, are you saying that those without your so-called 'true talent' should just accept their inferiority and never seek ways to improve?"
The prodigy smirked. "Exactly. Struggling against fate is pointless. If they are weak, they should remain weak. Giving them tools to fight above their level only disrupts the natural order."
Lin Mo sighed dramatically. "Oh no, how horrible. Imagine if people actually got the chance to improve themselves. Why, the world would be so unfair."
The sarcasm was thick enough to cut with a sword that several customers burst into laughter. Even some of the more refined cultivators who had been watching quietly couldn't suppress their amusement.
The prodigy's face darkened as he angrily glared at Lin Mo.
However, before he could rage, Elder Shen Liang, who had remained silent, finally spoke again. "Enough, Xue Yuan."
The young man, Xue Yuan, frowned but obediently took a step back.
The elder then looked back at Lin Mo, his blue eyes still unreadable. "We did not come here to argue philosophy, Shopkeeper. We came to see if the Divine Convenience Store truly lives up to its reputation."
Lin Mo smiled. "Ah, now that is something I can help with. Like I said, feel free to browse, dear customers. We do not discriminate but as you can see, we also don't tolerate outright disrespect to our store and its customers."
The customers around them smirked, clearly enjoying how he's handling the so-called prodigy and the upper-grade sect.
After spending more than a week dealing with different types of cultivators, Lin Mo had already built a resistance against them. He could say a snarky remark but not get angered by them. After all, he's running a convenience store.
Elder Shen Liang nodded, his gaze lingering on him for a moment as if sizing him up in a new light, "Very well. We shall see for ourselves if your store is truly worthy of the rumors."
With that, he turned and began inspecting the shelves.
The rest of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion members followed, though Xue Yuan remained standing, clearly reluctant to back down just yet. His fists clenched at his sides, his irritation evident.
Lin Mo, however, had already lost interest in him.
Instead, he was keenly observing Elder Shen Liang. Unlike the younger generation who acted impulsively, this elder carried himself with calculated caution. He's clearly drawn to the store due to the rumors they heard. And he's here to ascertain the truth in them. He was here to analyze, to test, and perhaps even to find something they could use.
If he's not wrong, considering they're from the south, they must've been traveling nearby, either from some kind of diplomatic mission or something else. This Storm Elder of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion was the one who decided to pay the store a visit.
Soon, the elder arrived at the walk-in coolers and picked up a [Frosty Lotus Brew], examining it with an appraising eye. "This claims to restore spiritual energy despite being a normal beverage. An impressive claim."
"Elder… I heard the other customers liked that drink not because of the spiritual energy restoration or any other benefits, it simply tasted great to the tongue."
"Huh? It's a cold drink. There should be nothing that special about them." Shen Liang skeptically dismissed the claim, but he still didn't put it back. "No matter. It's only a few low-grade spirit stones, we'll try if it is advertised."
Lin Mo, who's observing through his spiritual perception, couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. He could tell that the Storm Elder was drawn by the color and illustration on the can. It depicts a serene blue lotus floating on icy waters. The design was both simple and elegant, subtly appealing to cultivators who valued aesthetics as much as function.
Shen Liang's fingers traced the embossed golden characters on the can before he finally cracked it open. The moment the tab was pulled, a crisp, refreshing chill spread into the air, causing nearby customers to instinctively inhale.
A delicate yet invigorating fragrance filled the surroundings. For some it was reminiscent of morning dew settling on frost-kissed petals while for others, it was like the cold shower after a day's hard work.
Some of the regular customers smirked knowingly, waiting for his reaction.
The elder brought the can to his lips and took a sip.
For a brief moment, his stoic expression shifted.
It was subtle but Lin Mo caught it perfectly. The slight widening of his eyes, the minute pause before he swallowed, and the way his fingers adjusted their grip around the can as if he were reevaluating it entirely.
The [Frosty Lotus Brew] delivered an instant burst of vitality, cooling the throat and leaving a pleasant aftertaste that lingered like a wisp of cold mist. For some who liked it more than the [Heavenly Dew Soda], it genuinely tasted divine.
"…Hmm." Shen Liang let out a contemplative hum. The other Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion cultivator beside him couldn't help himself but pick a can as well upon seeing the Elder's reaction.
The customers who had been watching closely burst into quiet chuckles.
"Hah! That's the same reaction I had when I first tried it."
"The elder's trying to act indifferent, but you can tell he likes it."
"Bet he's going to take a few more."
Sure enough, Shen Liang took another sip. And then another. Before he knew it, he had finished nearly half the can. He let out a deep breath, his eyes revealing a fleeting glint of appreciation before he schooled his expression back into neutrality.
"This is… acceptable."
Lin Mo almost laughed. These prideful elders and their refusal to openly admit when they liked something were always amusing.
Xue Yuan, who had been simmering in the background, scoffed. "It's just a drink. There's no depth to it. It's a shortcut, not true cultivation. And what about its taste? I bet it's like regular water."
Lin Mo shook his head "Ah yes, because having the means to recover spiritual energy quickly on top of drinking something truly divine is such a terrible thing. If cultivators like you had your way, people should just meditate for days instead of using an efficient method."
He wasn't usually one to reply with sarcasm but he just thought he should do it with this guy. He's unlike Yan Wei who could easily admit his appreciation to the store's products after trying it once.
Xue Yuan, now visibly irritated, growled, "You–"
"Enough, Xue Yuan," Shen Liang interrupted as he walked out of that area, his basket now half filled with cans of [Frosty Lotus Brew] and a few other drinks displayed in the walk-in coolers. "We did not come here to debate. We came to verify."
Xue Yuan bit his tongue, clearly unhappy, but he did not argue further.
Meanwhile, the other Pavilion members had also begun picking up various items, testing and murmuring amongst themselves. Of course, Lin Mo reminded them that testing it would mean they're going to pay for it since everything had its own packaging.
Elder Shen Liang acknowledged it and told his people to act accordingly as he went to another aisle, picking more items to buy.
Some were shocked at the taste of instant food that could rival high-class restaurant meals. Others marveled at the sheer practicality of spatial pouches with modern designs at a fraction of the price they'd normally find in auctions.
Lin Mo continued watching, knowing that after this visit, the store's influence would be reaching the southern part of the region.
The Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion was a significant force in the Eastern Abyssal Domain, and if they acknowledged the store's value, its reputation would spread even further. In the future, he could send an Official Distributor there and profit more.
But to thoroughly convince them… His thoughts halted here as his gaze shifted back to the irritable young master.
"Dear customer, may I interest you in something that can blow your mind away?"