Yu Qingyan took her time to consider.
The tripling of her inventory capacity was incredibly valuable, especially since she cleared out everything on her first run in less than a day.
If she went out with the triple the value, she might actually be able to pass through more cities, spreading the products and influence of Divine Convenience Store to the region. Furthermore, with higher inventory, her profit would also be higher. She could recoup the amount she'd be using to upgrade in just one trip.
Then there's the [Personal Inventory]… That intrigued her. If it was truly linked to the Divine Convenience Store's system, then it might provide some unique benefits over regular spatial rings.
She took another sip of her Heavenly Dew Soda, enjoying the cool sensation before nodding. "I'll upgrade now, Shopkeeper. It's best to prepare for future demand rather than scramble to meet it later."
Lin Mo gave an approving nod. "A wise decision. Alright then, transfer the amount, and I'll process the upgrade."
Yu Qingyan waved her hand, sending the payment directly to the system as it got sucked out from her spatial ring. The moment the transaction was completed, the [Distributor Interface] refreshed.
[Distributor Upgrade Complete.]
[Yu Qingyan - Rank 2]
[Inventory Value Capacity: 15,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones]
[Personal Inventory: Unlocked]
Almost immediately, Yu Qingyan felt a faint pulse of energy around the Jade Token that was like her access key to the Distributor Interface.
A new option appeared labeled [Personal Inventory].
She opened and noticed that it worked the same way as her Distributor Inventory.
She experimentally willed a small pouch filled with spirit stones into the [Personal Inventory] and the pouch disappeared from her hand. A moment later, she mentally accessed the inventory again and willed it back, watching as the pouch reappeared in her palm instantly.
"Interesting… it functions just like a spatial ring, but it feels more… seamless." She turned to Lin Mo. "Does this mean I can access this anywhere, even outside the store?"
Lin Mo nodded. "Yes. But unlike the Distributor Inventory, which only allows you to store products you're selling for the store, your [Personal Inventory] can hold anything you want. The difference it has from a spatial ring is that it's linked to our store's system. You won't have to worry about it being stolen or forcibly searched and I naturally won't take your stuff."
Yu Qingyan's brows lifted slightly. That was a significant advantage. High-level cultivators often carried multiple spatial rings, but those could be stolen, forcefully opened or even destroyed. If this [Personal Inventory] was immune to such methods, it meant she had a truly secure storage space.
"This alone makes the upgrade worth it. Now I understand why the system charges me instead of you."
Lin Mo shrugged, "Yes. Maybe if you're my wife, the system will ask me to pay for you."
"Shopkeeper!" Yu Qingyan almost screamed but quickly covered her mouth, glaring at Lin Mo through narrowed eyes. "Do you ever stop teasing?"
Lin Mo simply leaned back, utterly unrepentant as a teasing smile peeked from his lips. Somehow, he couldn't help but tease the woman because her reactions were always this priceless.
"Would you believe me if I said it may just be a natural talent of mine?"
Yu Qingyan rolled her eyes, "You're impossible. No one teased me before. If you're not who you are… I would–"
She cut her words off with a defeated sigh.
Despite her words, she didn't seem genuinely angry, just exasperated. After all, she was gradually getting used to his antics.
Instead of engaging further in his teasing, she refocused on the topic at hand.
"Alright, back to business. Now that I've upgraded, I'll be restocking my inventory before heading out again. But before that…"
She took another sip of her Heavenly Dew Soda to cool her head as he exhaled in satisfaction, "...The Immortal-Grade Artifacts. You promised to showcase them to me first."
Lin Mo's playful demeanor faded as he clasped his fingers together with his expression turning serious, "Of course. Follow me. Let's move on to the real reason you rushed over here."
He stood up, leading her towards the middle of the store where the immortal-grade artifacts were hidden behind a divine-grade defensive formation attached to the store's Divine Interface System.
Yu Qingyan gulped down her drink and placed the can down before following after him.
The Verdant Sky Pavilion was one of the leading trade factions in the Southern Wu Kingdom or the entire Eastern Abyssal Domain. They may not be a sect focused on cultivating to immortality, they're still a force that needs stronger cultivators to further expand their influence.
An immortal-grade artifact would be a great addition to their core strength.
Yu Qingyan couldn't help but tilt her head when Lin Mo stopped in front of an open space. Not for long though.
Lin Mo snapped his fingers causing a shimmering golden barrier to flicker into existence. It pulsated with divine energy that instantly made Yu Qingyan shiver.
It was like she was suddenly engulfed with the presence of a mighty being that could crush her entire existence like an ant.
After the sensation subsided, she blinked a few times and stared at the formation before her.
With her status as the Emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion, she had seen grand formations before. Ones that guarded entire sects or sealed away ancient estates of hidden lineages, but this… this was different.
The energy radiating from it wasn't simply defensive, it felt like she could only see it because she was allowed to, otherwise, she wouldn't have any idea that a divine-grade defensive formation would be present in the middle of the store. Just like all of the customers that entered the store during the day.
Lin Mo extended his hand, and a faint glow emanated from his palm as he accessed the Divine Interface System.
[Verifying Shopkeeper's Privilege…]
With a soft hum, the golden barrier split apart, opening what looked like an isolated space.
Lin Mo led Yu Qingyan inside the isolated space where the three raised platforms covered with immaculate glass display cases could be seen.
The moment they became visible to her eyes, an unseen pressure weighed down on Yu Qingyan. She instinctively grabbed onto Lin Mo's arm for support before using her spiritual energy to steady her breathing.
It was a natural response. As it was her first time coming into contact with artifacts of this level, she wasn't fully prepared for it.
Yet, despite the invisible force that pressed against her, she couldn't tear her eyes away. She even forgot that she ended up holding onto Lin Mo.
Displayed in perfect isolation within each case were the Immortal-Grade Artifacts that Lin Mo introduced on the Store Bulletin Board announcement.
Seeing Yu Qingyan's reaction, Lin Mo smirked slightly.
"These are the immortal-grade artifacts?" Yu Qingyan murmured softly as she drew in her breath.
The [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] was still floating gently and peacefully as its spherical surface seemed to be filled with countless shifting illusions.
The sound of serene water in the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] calmed Yu Qingyan's racing heart. Its crystalline structure remained pulsating with condensed spiritual and immortal essence.
And lastly, the Boundless Knowledge Jade sat quietly, looking like a normal jade but despite that, Yu Qingyan could tell how extraordinary it was.
Lin Mo helped her stabilize her footing and guided her closer, "Mhm. These are the three immortal-grade artifacts, Miss Yu. You are the first among our esteemed customers to lay eyes on these. What do you think?"
"I… Incredible. I have heard of heaven-grade artifacts and have seen one before. But this is on another level. I feel like I will faint just by standing in its presence."
"I expected as much. As you can see, each of them is either forged or a treasure of a divine being that backed our store. As I mentioned in my reply to your earlier message, this is merely a showcase. You can hold off in making an offer. The artifacts are beyond anything mortals, or even high-level cultivators, typically have access to. Thus, I need to ensure that whoever purchases them is worthy."
Yu Qingyan didn't seem offended. Instead, she nodded in agreement. "Naturally. Something of this level can't be sold carelessly. So, what kind of verification process are we looking at?"
"It's less about verification and more about qualification. Each artifact has specific requirements.
"I'd rather get straight to the point." Yu Qingyan's sharp gaze met his. "Shopkeeper Lin, can you tell me more about them?"
Lin Mo paused for a moment, then smirked. "Even better, why don't you check it out yourself. I'll grant you access to see their details. Or shall I guide you by hand?"
Yu Qingyan pursed her lips but then, she finally noticed how she's stuck by his side, hugging his arm tightly.
She quickly let go, stepping back with a cough to regain her composure while hiding the pink hue gradually occupying her cheeks, "Ahem. That won't be necessary, Shopkeeper Lin. Just show me the interface."
Lin Mo chuckled but didn't push further.
With a casual wave of his hand, the Divine System Interface manifested a translucent panel before them. The details of each immortal-grade artifact were displayed in elegant golden text.
Yu Qingyan stepped forward as she carefully read through their descriptions.