Back in Fanling City, the Divine Convenience Store had opened its doors an hour earlier than normal.
Despite that, the line of customers was already causing traffic outside that City Guards had to show up to keep them from disturbing the citizens.
Lin Mo stood near the counter, the holographic, the holographic map of the [Area Monitor] still active, its red marker pulsing faintly at the city's edge. Liu Xiaoyu and Xiao Ya who also arrived early were already busy tending to the counter or assisting the new customers.
And as if they didn't need any other products from the store, most customers stepping inside immediately lined up at the counter in order to buy Viewing Jades, ramping up the sales for it.
The Divine Interface System chimed, pulling Lin Mo's attention. A new update flashed across the screen regarding the connected Conduit Tower through the [Tower Integration Protocol] interface.
[1. Jade Hollow Plains Conduit Tower
- Current Stock: Configured (10/10 Products)
- Promotion Shelf: [Spirit-Animated Battle Construct] - 20% Discount Applied
- Dimension Essence Collected: 1089
- Maintenance Cost: N/A (Unconquered)]
- Active Challengers: 29
- Highest Floor Cleared: 1]
[Milestone Reached: Collected 1000 Dimension Essence]
[New Feature: Dimension Essence Upgrade has been unlocked.]
Upon seeing that, a question mark popped up above Lin Mo's head.
"... What the hell? How many hidden functions does this Divine System Interface have? So, this is the reason why it feels like the system wants to collect them."
Lin Mo tapped the interface as curiosity tugged at his usually composed demeanor.
[Dimension Essence Upgrade]
[Description: Allows the Shopkeeper to enhance the Divine Convenience Store and Store Beacons with collected Dimension Essence, unlocking additional features. Upgrades are permanent and stackable.]
[Current Essence Available: 1089]
-Stock Expansion (500 DE): Increases product slots from 10 to 15.
-Lesser Aura of Combat (10000 DE): Deploy a permanent aura that increases combat efficiency by 5% for all customers inside the Store or a Conduit Tower with a deployed Store Beacon.
-Lesser Aura of Restoration (20000 DE): Deploy a permanent aura that increases spiritual energy and stamina by 5% for all customers inside the Store or a Conduit Tower with a deployed Store Beacon.
-Lucky Essence Drop (50000 DE): Provides a 10% chance for a creature to drop double the Dimension Essence. 5% chance for triple. 1% chance for five times the amount.
-Beacon Relay (100000 DE): Enables the use of Viewing Jade within the Conduit Towers with deployed Store Beacon.
-Divine Guardian Construct (1000000 DE): Summon a Divine Construct to guard the Divine Convenience Store's premises.]
[Note: Additional upgrades unlock with higher Essence totals or conquered floors.]
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed as he scanned the list, his fingers hovering over the interface.
"Pretty neat… It's close to what I'm expecting from seeing that prompt." He muttered softly.
Although there's a list of upgrades to buy, only the [Stock Expansion] was within reach. Clearly, it's something that doesn't bring that much impact yet it's a practical choice to broaden their offerings in the tower.
As for the higher-tier options; [Lesser Aura of Combat], [Beacon Relay], and especially [Divine Guardian Construct], all of them were a useful upgrade, one that would truly bring the store and its customers more convenience.
Liu Xiaoyu darted over, her arms full of Viewing Jades as she started another line for the eager customers who came specifically for it. "Boss, what's got you muttering again? Another system surprise?"
Lin Mo tilted the holographic interface toward her, letting her peek at the [Dimension Essence Upgrade] menu. "Take a look. The tower's feeding us a new currency and we can spend it to juice up the store and its beacons."
Xiaoyu's eyes widened, practically sparkling as she skimmed the list. "Whoa, Boss! A combat aura? A guardian construct? Amazing! We won't need to worry about security anymore! Oh, oh, and [Beacon Relay]. Imagine chatting with Yan Wei and Zhou Rui while they're bashing monsters inside the tower!"
Lin Mo chuckled at her enthusiasm, though his mind was already calculating. "Alright, enough and go back to handle our customers, Xiaoyu. We've only gotten 1089 Essence for now. [Stock Expansion]'s the practical move—more products in the tower means more sales, more Essence. The big stuff's out of reach until the challengers rack up higher floors."
Xiaoyu pouted slightly but nodded. "Fine, fine. But you've gotta promise me we'll get that guardian thing eventually. I wanna see it stomp some troublemakers after they get affected by Sister Yangyang's [Spirit-Dispersing Beacon!"
"Sure. If we earned a million," Lin Mo waved his hand as he walked to the corner, not wanting to disrupt the workflow anymore.
He tapped the interface, selecting [Stock Expansion] for 500 DE. The system chimed, and a confirmation flashed:
[Stock Expansion Purchased - 500 DE]
[Store Beacon Product Slots Increased: 10 > 15]
[Remaining Dimension Essence: 589]
The interface updated instantly, and Lin Mo pulled up the tower's beacon inventory. The extra slots glowed invitingly, ready to be filled. He immediately added some useful items such as mortal-grade equipment in case their armor or weapon broke. Throwing weapons like needles, daggers, or even explosive talismans and smoke bombs. He also added a Flavored Golden Riceball for a quick snack. It also has the added benefit of replenishing stamina, after all.
"There. More options for them to burn through their Essence. I'm doing this for their benefit too, right? I'll prioritize those two lesser auras." He said as he nodded in satisfaction to the new list before dismissing the interface.
As he was about to return to observing the store through his spiritual perception, a space close to the counter shimmered faintly.
As soon as that happened, he recalled the previous appearances of Taihao and Lihua.
The spiritual energy around the store suddenly stirred, drawing the gazes of everyone.
Yangyang who was working inside the Shopkeeper's Quarters ran out the door to welcome the arrival of the divine being.
Eventually, a figure materialized out of nowhere, her golden robes flowing like a liquid sun while her presence radiated a calm yet undeniable authority.
The customers froze mid-transaction, their chatter dying as they instinctively bowed, not daring to stare at her directly.
Even those who were peeking from outside like the line of customers and the City Guards straightened.
Among the individuals in the room, only the four people of the Divine Convenience Store remained at their feet, looking up at this majestic arrival.
"Welcome back, Zhenren Lihua. You're quite early today." Lin Mo greeted with his tone sounding a little mischievous. Just like always, she's treating them like a senior from Earth he could be comfortable to talk to.
Lihua's sharp eyes softened slightly as she returned his greeting with a calming smile. "Shopkeeper Lin, your store's aura grows livelier by the day. I see the Viewing Jades have taken root."
Although no one dared to look up at her, the customers started murmuring among themselves. As most of them only heard about the rumors of a divine being behind the store, they felt like they were witnessing a legend personified.
Lihua's golden robes fluttered gently as her toes landed on the ground, her divine presence that was casting a subtle glow seemed to enhance the ambient spiritual energy.
Lin Mo sensed the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] shuddering faintly in its sealed array as if acknowledging her arrival. She glanced around, her gaze lingering on the bustling counter where Liu Xiaoyu and Xiao Ya deftly handled the flood of Viewing Jade purchases then shifted to Yangyang, who bowed deeply with a mix of reverence and familiarity.
"Yangyang," Lihua said, her voice smooth and resonant, "your diligence keeps this place steady. The Pantheon is pleased. How long do you plan to stay here?"
Yangyang straightened, her glasses glinting as she adjusted them nervously. "Thank you, Zhenren Lihua. It's an honor to serve. I'll stay until I'm no longer needed by the Shopkeeper."
Hearing her answer, Lin Mo's lips couldn't help but twitch. That's the first time he heard that from her, after all. What did she mean by that?
Shaking his head, Lin Mo stepped forward as he gently gestured for Lihua to follow him to a corner. With her presence, the store operations were already disrupted.
"Zhenren Lihua, if you may… Let's talk in this corner. And… can you set up a sound-concealing formation? I believe we're about to discuss confidential matters, right?"
Lihua let out a soft peal of laughter as she followed his lead, "Indeed, Shopkeeper. I'm in your care."
"No. I should be saying that." Lin Mo hurriedly replied before Lihua flicked her fingers as divine energy immediately isolated them from the store.