[Unusual Tower Sighting - MistyRain]
[Update: Faguang City is under attack by winged creatures from this unusual tower. Strength ranges from Spirit Condensation to low Foundation Establishment. Numbers are not dwindling, no matter how many we cut down. To anyone who will come to aid, Divine Convenience Store products are available for sale on site. Coordinates attached. Profit and survival at stake]
As Yu Qingyan's post received an update, replies flooded in within moments with the Golden Patrons still taking some kind of boost with their names highlighted, bringing their comments to the top:
UnrivaledGale: "Winged creatures? Low Foundation level? What a great place to test our strength! I'll ask my Father to send aid. The Azure Gale Sect will be there in half a day. Save some for me, MistyRain!"
–SilverBreeze: "Young Master says we're bringing our Azure Wind Constructs. Anyone who wants a ride, come to our sect gates. There will be no fee as long as you prove a customer of the Divine Convenience Store!"
–GratefulVale: "Anyone? Can we, Crimson Vale disciples, get a ride too?"
EmberAlchemist: "White Ember Sect should be arriving soon, Miss MistyRain. Most of them are store customers. Fire techniques should burn through those numbers. Hold tight."
CrimsonDaisy: "Verdant Sky always hogs the action! Crimson Vale's on the way. We won't let them steal all the glory!"
–GratefulVale: "We will come too, Elder!"
FlowingStar: "Boss says we're monitoring from Fanling. Stay safe, Miss MistyRain! Dear customers, check out my latest thread. I listed affordable products that will bolster your strength. Or just pick up Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals, guaranteed to make you stronger just by slapping it in your body!"
Yu Qingyan couldn't help but be amazed at the flurry of responses. The Divine Convenience Store's Bulletin Board is becoming a public information hub that allows the customers to connect regardless of their faction. Cultivators across the region rally faster than any sect's traditional call to arms could manage.
She tucked the Jade away and turned to Qianmeng. "Reinforcements are coming. Can you hold the wall until they arrive?"
Qianmeng nodded, her resolve hardening. "Yes, Senior Yu. I'll keep them off the square."
"Good girl," Yu Qingyan said, her Verdant Wings flaring as she took to the sky again. "Elder Tang! Backup's en route. Don't push it. It's better to conserve our energy and defend within the city."
Elder Tang grunted, hurling a [Fireburst Talisman] into the swarm. "Half a day's a tall order with these numbers, but we'll manage. Your store's giving us a fighting chance!"
The battle raged on, the defenders bolstered by the Divine Convenience Store's wares. Little Spring's caravan became a makeshift supply hub, handing out talismans and candies as fast as the cultivators could use them. The summoned warriors and guards empowered by sticker seals formed a perimeter, their tireless forms cutting through the endless waves while Qianmeng's new barrier flickered but held, protecting the mortals below.
However, the tower showed signs of stopping. Or at the very least, its foreign energy kept on spewing out from its entrance.
Yu Qingyan observed it enough that a theory formed in her head. Someone has to close it or there won't be an end.
However, even as peak Foundation Establishment Stage, it would be suicide to dive into the endless winged creatures. Someone at the Core Formation Stage or higher should lead the charge while the others cover for him.
Unfortunately, there's no cultivator nearby at that stage.
Yu Qingyan hovered above, her flute silent as she studied the spire. "This isn't a spawning ground but an invasion point. The interior of the tower is connected to another realm."
She sent a quick message to Lin Mo via the [Communication Hub]:
"Shopkeeper, Creatures are weak but endless. Could it be another realm is invading us?"
With the departure of the Red Lotus Academy and the Poison Demon Cult, the Divine Convenience Store regained some of its calm. Nevertheless, it's still bustling as the release of Viewing Jade prompted more customers who had no plan to visit the store to get one for themselves. Even the City Lord and his daughter came to get the artifact.
Standing near the counter while watching Xiao Ya ring up the customers' purchases, Lin Mo's fingers paused after reading Yu Qingyan's most recent message.
The words 'another realm' sent a ripple of unease through him. Thankfully, his Stillwater Perception kept his expression calm and unreadable.
It also made him recall Zhenren Lihua's response to his inquiries.
She wrote a long message, broken down to small explanations that provide much information apart from identifying the origin of those towers as well as what she considered the true threat.
"Shopkeeper Lin, I apologize for not replying quicker. What you've described as a tower appearing out of nowhere is simply one of many that will soon emerge across the First Heaven. These are Conduits. Gateways linking the Realm of Nine Heavens to the Fractured Planes. Those are ruins of realms destabilized by an ancient war. Most creatures that will emerge from it are mindless, except a few that try to lead them out of those Fractured Planes and into our realm."
"Rules are applied inside it but they're not uniform. They vary from tower to tower. Since you mentioned the ones present in fictional works from your world, Taihao confirmed that it's quite similar to it. However, these towers are ultimately not a threat. It can be treated as a trial ground or a hidden realm of sorts. It can provide numerous benefits to cultivators as they contain the essence of those Fractured Planes and the artifacts left behind."
"Conquering it or reaching the top floor will give the greatest benefit. However, it won't be easily achievable."
"If I must warn you about something, it isn't the towers but the dungeons that appear underground. Those are Anchors from the Outer Realms."
"The immortal-grade artifacts are your safeguard; distribute them wisely. I'll visit soon to explain further. For now, trust your instincts and prepare."
"On another note, the Celestial Duel Platform will be released in two days. It will contain a new function that will create a new occupation within the First Heaven. I apologize, Shopkeeper. It won't be a tool solely for entertainment anymore."
Lin Mo exhaled slowly as he finished his recollection. Some of the pieces are clicking into place. Conduits. Fractured Planes. Anchors. Outer Realms.
The tower wasn't a random anomaly. It was part of something much larger, something the Divine Pantheon had anticipated.
Taihao's cryptic words from before echoed in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he got scammed by him.
He only had to tend to the store? Bullshit. He seemed to be pivoting the store into something bigger.
Lin Mo exhaled once more as he composed a reply to Yu Qingyan.
What should he say to her? Should he tell her everything he had learned from Lihua?
After contemplating for a while, he decided to play it safe. If the tower's an opportunity, it may cause conflict if it falls under one faction. Unless the store itself claimed it. But does he have the right to do so?
"Miss Yu, your theory could be correct. These towers may be linked to another realm. Please be cautious. First, focus on closing the entrance. Investigating the interior should come afterward."
He sent the message, then turned his attention to the store.
Liu Xiaoyu caught his attention, her playful demeanor changing as she sensed the shift in his aura. She jogged over, still holding her Viewing Jade in her hand. Now, she was focusing on her role as a moderator and community manager, actively posting comments everywhere.
"Boss, you've got that look again," She said, tilting her head. "What's up?"
"What look?" Lin Mo tilted his head.
"You know, the one where you don't appear to be faking that stoic expression. Got something on your mind? Talk to your helpful assistant here!" She playfully grinned before nudging him.
He stared at her for a moment before deciding to share what he learned. After all, this young woman, no matter how quirky, is smarter than him.
"Oh. I see… That's huge, Boss! What do you plan to do?" Liu Xiaoyu's eyes widened, her usual cheekiness replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Nothing. We will continue to be a store that provides convenience."
That answer made Liu Xiaoyu's eyes widen in disbelief. She crossed her arms, tapping her Viewing Jade against her chin as she studied him.
"Nothing? Boss, you just found out towers are popping up from some ancient war-torn realms, and there are dungeons from Outer Realms lurking underground, and your plan is… business as usual?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing but laced with genuine curiosity.
Lin Mo faintly smirked. "What else should I do, Xiaoyu? Storm the tower myself? I'm a Shopkeeper, not a King or a Sect Leader. The store's purpose hasn't changed. Provide convenience, make spirit stones, and let the cultivators sort out the rest. If these Conduits and Anchors are as big as Lihua says, they'll draw every power-hungry faction in the First Heaven. We'll just be here to sell them what they need to survive it."