Lin Mo: "Miss Yu, excellent work deploying the Store Beacon. The tower is now linked to the store's system. I've set it up with basic products that can support the challengers. Pills, Talismans, Refreshments, and Combat Support. That last one was on promotion. Dimension Essence can be earned inside and most likely, the cores of the creatures that spilled out earlier. They're pretty similar spirit stones but the divine beings must have another use for them as it's the only acceptable currency to use the Store Beacon. Keep me posted on how it goes."
After sending that message, Lin Mo stretched out. The day was about to be over. The customers inside had also started to dwindle but still, the line on the counter continued. Some customers lined up right away for the Viewing Jades. That's the only reason they ran to the store near its closing time.
When he checked the current revenue, it was already more than double yesterday's. Although the sales of Viewing Jades had yet to reach 1000, it's already past 500.
The users that registered in the Bulletin Board had already reached 600 and it's going up every minute. Tomorrow, it would probably double as the information about it would spread throughout the region overnight.
Liu Xiaoyu returned from the Inventory Room dashing out like an excited bunny again.
"All set, Boss! The [Spirit-Animated Battle Constructs] are on the Promotion Shelf, ready to roll. I even gave one a little pat for luck. Hope it doesn't mind."
Lin Mo shook his head but smiled in amusement, "As long as it doesn't pat you back, we're fine. Good choice, though. They'll sell if the tower's as tough as that flesh golem suggests. Now it's your duty to restock it whenever it empties."
Xiaoyu simply grinned and nodded before plopping down next to him, swinging her legs as she pulled out her Viewing Jade again.
After fiddling it for a moment, she exclaimed. "Whoa! Yan Wei's thread is blowing up already. Everyone's hyped about the tower opening. Zhou Rui even promised to use a recording jade inside. Think we should nudge them to test that [Emergency Escape Talisman]?"
"Let them figure it out. They can only access the Store Beacon from the inside. Recording jade? That's a fantastic idea! Now, I need to urge the divine beings to update the software of the Viewing Jades to allow for image and video capturing. It would be great if our Bulletin Board got the livestreaming feature."
"Video? Livestreaming? What's that Boss?"
"Video is just another term for the recorded scenes that you're capturing in recording jades. As for livestreaming, it's a way to capture and share what's happening in real time. Like projecting what you're seeing in front of you on the Bulletin Board. Or imagine your Viewing Jade as a recording jade but instead of saving it for later, everyone with a Viewing Jade could watch what you're recording as it happens by projecting it into your thread." Lin Mo explained although he knew he sucked at it. Luckily, Xiaoyu was a smart woman. She could comprehend what he was trying to say.
He paused for a moment, watching the last few customers shuffle toward Xiao Ya with their purchases before continuing. "If we get that on the Bulletin Board, people could see the tower's challenges unfold right from their hands."
As he expected, it didn't take a minute for Liu Xiaoyu's eyes to sparkle in understanding, "That's amazing, Boss! Think about it. Yan Wei and Zhou Rui duking it out with some creepy tower creature, and we're all watching it here, munching on Spirit-Infused Potato Chips! It'd be like watching the duels from the golden screen in our [Divine Arena and Exhibition Hall] but they're in a different location!"
"Exactly. I know you'll get it." Lin Mo chuckled, her excitement infectious despite the long day. "I'll ask Lihua about it when she shows up tomorrow. Or maybe I should just send it through the [Suggestions and Feedback]. Knowing Taihao who drew inspiration from my old world, he wouldn't be against it. Besides, isn't a spying tool quite common in this realm?"
Xiaoyu nodded but she showed a rare thoughtful expression, "Oh, you're right, Boss. Listening devices are common for espionage. So, watching a livestream feels like we're spying on the one broadcasting it. Looks like your old world doesn't value privacy too much if livestreaming is common."
Lin Mo's lips twitched at Xiaoyu's observation, "Privacy is a luxury some trade for convenience or fame back where I'm from. Livestreaming is just one way people share their lives. Or show off. If we get it working here, it'll be less about spying and more about strategy. Don't you think so? Challengers could learn from each other's runs, and we'd rake in the spirit stones from the hype."
Xiaoyu's thoughtful expression shifted back to her usual grin. "Strategy, huh? I like it! Sounds great for business!"
"Ooh, Miss Yu replied to Yan Wei's thread! She's confirming the timer and the Store Beacon. Looks like the sects are already picking their teams."
Lin Mo checked the Bulletin Board, skimming the flurry of posts. Yan Wei's enthusiasm was infectious, Zhou Rui's competitive streak was stoking the fire and even those who weren't at the site were already planning to travel to it overnight. They wouldn't miss out on something akin to a secret realm or trial ground like the tower.
In less than a day, it shifted from a threat to an opportunity in their eyes, and the store's involvement only fueled the buzz.
"Guess we're in the game now," He muttered to himself. "Let's see what's going to happen if someone conquers this first tower connected to the store… If this is happening all around the realm, it's not that hard to figure out that it's to prepare the cultivators of the First Heaven against the entities behind the Anchors. Somehow, even the Verdant Sky Pavilion has yet to pick up any information about it."
Eventually, the store's interior grew quieter as the final customers trickled out.
Xiao Ya finished ringing up the last purchase and gave Lin Mo a shy nod before heading to tidy the counter.
With that, Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu stood up and prepared for the closing. The former went to the door, flipping the signage while the latter helped the young girl on the counter.
Before long, the familiar chime of the Divine Interface System signals the end of business hours followed by the translucent panel showing the day's evaluation.
[Returning Customers: 100/100 (Completed)]
[Sell Viewing Jades: 100/100 (Completed)]
[Sell five different products in one transaction: 20/20 (Complete)]
[Day 10 Evaluation: Excellent]
[Sales Summary: 652 Transactions – Revenue: 26312 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Betting Stall Revenue: 5420 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Viewing Jades Sold: 858 units]
[Store Bulletin Board User Count: 649 users]
[Rewards: +20 Spirit Stones to Personal Balance for both Shopkeeper and Assistant, +15 Spirit Stones for the Staff]
[Tier Progression: Thriving Store (127767/1000000), Golden Card Patron (17/20)]
[Additional Reward for Completing 10 Daily Tasks in a row: Unlocked Function (Area Monitor)]
Seeing that last line, a grin couldn't help but form on Lin Mo's lips. He was right. There's a new function after ten days.