In the stronghold of the Poison Demon Cult within the Abyssal Forest, the High Priest's skeletal fingers traced the golden runes of the Viewing Jade he'd received from Luo Ming.
The modern tablet-like device pulsed faintly in his grip as it activated.
He thought for a moment before choosing the username PoisonedOracle with a wry smirk before the announcement front page of the Store Bulletin Board greeted him.
Almost instantly, his attention was caught by the eye-catching top announcement with its golden border; the announcement post only visible to the Golden Patrons.
"Immortal-grade artifacts?" His brows arched as he skimmed the post. Scrolling down, he noted the comments from fellow Golden Patrons, all buzzing with inquiries. "Luo Ming, have you seen this?"
Luo Ming, standing respectfully to the side, nodded.
"I saw it when I activated the Viewing Jade on our return from the store. It seems only Golden Patrons can inquire about them. The Shopkeeper confirmed their existence. But the showcase was shrouded in utmost secrecy and details of their sale remain vaguely explained."
The High Priest's smirk widened, his bony fingers tapping the Viewing Jade thoughtfully as he composed a direct message to the Shopkeeper.
"Interesting. This Shopkeeper knows how to dangle a prize. An immortal-grade artifact, if real, could spark wars in our realm. No wonder he's so secretive."
Luo Ming shifted slightly, his mind churning over the implications. "He's playing a careful game, High Priest. Perhaps he's testing loyalty or gauging interest before committing. Should we press for more details?"
The High Priest's smirk faded into a contemplative frown. "Not yet. The Shopkeeper is no fool. He'll reveal what he wants when he's ready or when those divine beings behind him decree it. For now, let's express our interest and… gratitude for making us Golden Patrons. He's a man of his word to his customers, after all. A little flattery won't hurt. And who knows? If we play our cards right, the ambition I've hinted at to him might come to pass."
Luo Ming nodded. He, too, had earned Golden Patron status after his earlier purchase, but as the High Priest's loyal aide, he had no intention of challenging his authority no matter how puzzled he was by the High Priest's recent decisions.
"Greetings, esteemed Shopkeeper. The Poison Demon Cult is honored to stand among your Golden Patrons. Your wares have already proven their worth to us, and rumors of immortal-grade artifacts stir our curiosity. We eagerly await further details and stand ready to transact for such treasures, or perhaps even secure a preview. May your store continue to prosper."
The Viewing Jade chimed softly, confirming the message's delivery.
The High Priest browsed the announcement posts for a few minutes before stumbling into the [Community Hub].
He devoured every thread that caught his eye, but like the others, he lingered on Yu Qingyan's thread, absorbing the comments and real-time updates.
"I can't say I'm not impressed. This Viewing Jade shatters barriers between factions. Rallying people has never been this effortless. What's the Shopkeeper thinking?"
The High Priest leaned back on his grisly throne, the Viewing Jade resting lightly in his skeletal hands as he pondered over the implications of Yu Qingyan's thread.
The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows across the chamber, illuminating the scattered remains of empty Frosty Lotus Brew cans and various snack wrappers. They were testaments to how deeply the Divine Convenience Store had already woven itself into the cult's system.
His piercing gaze shifted to Luo Ming, who stood silently awaiting further instruction.
"This tower in the Jade Hollow Plains…" The High Priest mused, his voice a low rasp that seemed to echo with an unnatural weight. "Foreign energy, winged creatures. What do you make of it, Luo Ming?"
With his moss-green robes rustling softly, Luo Ming bowed his head as he spoke candidly. "It's a double-edged blade, High Priest. If it's truly a gateway to another realm, as MistyRain suggests, it could hold resources beyond our wildest dreams. Artifacts, techniques, maybe even power to rival the store's wares. But the risks match the rewards. Those creatures are a nuisance at best, and if stronger entities emerge, we'd be fools to rush in unprepared. Plus, showing up there could draw the ire of every Righteous and Neutral Faction now swarming the place."
The High Priest's lips curled into a faint, predatory smile. "Unprepared? No, Luo Ming. Like them, we've tasted the store's power. Those talismans, those brews, they've already sharpened our claws. This tower could be the crucible I spoke of, a test of our worthiness under the Great Poison Demon's gaze. The Venom Masters will see it too, whether they like it or not. However… it is indeed unwise for us to show ourselves in that place."
Luo Ming inclined his head in agreement.
"Yes. The strange tower in the Jade Hollow Plains now lures sects like moths to a flame. Our presence would only complicate things. The Venomous Conclave would question our priorities. The Great Poison Demon's will is better served by fortifying our foothold first."
The High Priest chuckled, a dry, rasping sound that echoed faintly in the dimly lit chamber.
"Precisely, Luo Ming. Let the righteous sects and profiteers like Verdant Sky Pavilion exhaust themselves over it. They've been feeding us information anyway. We'll watch from the shadows, as always. For now, we must clean house and pave the way for the store to spread into the Inner Ring of the Abyssal Forest."
Luo Ming offered silent assent. Their notoriety left little room for compromise. Even if they now shared a dependency on the Divine Convenience Store's wares with others, it didn't erase the bad blood; the number of disciples they had slaughtered within the Abyssal Forest or the innocent mortals that were sacrificed to their master, the Great Poison Demon.
After a pause, the High Priest spoke again. "Prepare the ritual chamber. I'll consult the Great Poison Demon tonight before we head to the main temple. If these towers and artifacts tie into a greater design, He will guide us."
Luo Ming bowed deeply. "At once, High Priest."
He turned and strode out of the chamber, his moss-green robes swishing softly as he disappeared into the shadowy corridors of the stronghold.
Time slipped by and the purple of night replaced the blue sky.
At the Jade Hollow Plains, the defense of Faguang City was continuing.
Apart from the White Ember Sect, more factions had already arrived, adding to the efforts of the region to close the entrance of the tower.
"Azure Gale disciples, stay in formation and work with Crimson Vale and White Ember in stretching the path open. Don't hesitate to use the store products. The Verdant Sky Pavilion will supply us with more of it!" Yan Chen, also known as the Second Elder of the Azure Gale Sect, barked his orders.
At the moment, he's one of the two Core Formation Stage cultivators ready to charge into the thick throng of foreign winged creatures in order to close its entrance.
The other one was an Elder from the Crimson Vale that accompanied Elder Chu Yueying.
Yan Wei, Chen Suyun and the other Azure Gale Sect disciples spread into a formation with Yan Wei leading them. Their bodies billowed with their spiritual energy as they all seemingly danced through the air, their [Azure Gale Steps] weaving a tempest of wind blades that sliced through the winged creatures.
The talismans they'd purchased from the Divine Convenience Store glowed faintly in their hands. [Windstrike Talismans] added to the destruction while [Card Talismans] and [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals] amplified their strength, speed and precision.
Beside them, the Crimson Vale disciples led by Zhou Rui mirrored their efforts, their red-robed figures darting forward with fiery sabers and explosive talismans, carving a fiery path through the swarm.
The White Ember disciples wielded an array formation, as white flames rained down, decimating the mindless creatures.
The ship constructs that each faction rode also blanketed the area with artillery fires. It was such a scene of destruction that could probably decimate an intermediate-grade sect into oblivion.
Yan Chen watched with a stern gaze, his Core Formation Stage aura rippling outward as he prepared to lead the charge.
His silver hair fluttered in the wind, and his hands gripped a longsword etched with azure runes. "Elder Zhao, are you ready?"
Elder Zhao Jianshi scoffed, his crimson robes billowing with the wind as he nodded sharply. His own Core Formation Stage presence flared as a heatwave warped the air when he unsheathed his saber. "How intriguing. Our sects fighting side by side? I never imagined it. The Divine Convenience Store is truly mystical."
"Indeed. You should visit it, Elder Zhao. You'll be more than intrigued."
"Mhm. We intend to. Let's end this quickly, Elder Yan. These pests are an eyesore."
The two elders surged forward, their combined spiritual pressure cleaving the swarm of winged creatures like a blade through silk.
Behind them, Yu Qingyan, Chu Yueying, Xue Biyu, Elder Tang, and cultivators from various factions followed, determined to seal the tower's entrance once and for all.