A few minutes later, Princess Wu Meiyu's turn finally arrived.
The thick scent of spiritual energy was immediately picked up by her as she stepped into the store. It was mingling with the faint sweetness of Heavenly Dew Soda, the sharp aroma of Taihao Spicy Noodles and the salty yet mouth-watering smell of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips lingering in the air.
The interior of the Divine Convenience Store made her stop for a moment as the words 'peculiar' and 'foreign' settled on her head. It was definitely otherworldly to see the modern design that was the first of its kind in the realm. The shelves were lined with talismans and bundles in foil packaging, neatly stacked boxes of pills, and the colorful array of different snacks. Then, on the far side, where the walk-in coolers were located, the alluring sight of the beverages seemed to be calling to her.
Up ahead on the right, after entering, the counter was buzzing with activity as Liu Xiaoyu and Xiao Ya darted back and forth, handing out Viewing Jades to eager customers lined up for it.
Yet, beneath all of that visual stimulation, Wu Meiyu's senses picked up a stronger type of energy that made her heart thump in both nervousness and excitement. It was the divine energy that ran through the store, subtly occupying the space.
Her Royal Army escorts remained outside, stationed discreetly by the entrance at her command. Only the City Lord Wei Xian and the Captain Zhu Min followed a step behind. Their presence alone was enough to guarantee her security amid the unfamiliar bustle.
Princess Wu Meiyu's jade robes swished softly as she moved forward, her eyes scanning the room with the sharp curiosity of a predator sizing up new territory. The customers parted instinctively, their chatter dimming as they recognized the royal insignia on her attire, though none dared approach.
At the far corner, a translucent shimmer of the sound-concealing formation caught her attention, its edges barely perceptible even to her trained senses. However, as soon as she perceived it, its magical existence escaped her mind, never to question it again.
That's the effect of perception that Zhenren Lihua layered to prevent anyone from curiously prying.
Sensing her approach and the regal presence around her, Liu Xiaoyu bounded over. The young woman's boundless energy cut through her deep thoughts like a blade.
"Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store, dear customer!" She chirped, bowing slightly before straightening with a grin. "I'm Liu Xiaoyu, the store's assistant extraordinaire! Wow, your robes are fancy. Let me guess… you're someone important. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter, everyone's a customer here! Feel free to browse and line up once you've finished your selection!"
Princess Wu Meiyu blinked, momentarily thrown by the girl's casual yet very energetic demeanor.
Wei Xian coughed awkwardly, stepping forward. "Miss Xiaoyu, this is Her Highness, First Princess Wu Meiyu of the Southern Wu Kingdom, Royal Envoy to Fanling City, or rather, your Divine Convenience Store."
Liu Xiaoyu's eyes widened briefly, but her grin didn't falter. She naturally knew her identity, she simply didn't care that much, copying her Boss's way of doing things.
"Oh, the First Princess! Boss told me about the decree. Please forgive me if I came off rude, however, I'll have to say, dear customer, we don't discriminate or provide privilege here unless you're a Golden Patron like the City Lord." Liu Xiaoyu getsured to Wei Xian who immediately tried to explain the significance of it.
Wu Meiyu raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, intrigued smile as Liu Xiaoyu's cheerful demeanor washed over her.
The young woman's unabashed informality was refreshing, if a little disorienting for someone accustomed to deference from those who serve her.
Little did she know that the young woman in front of her could also be considered a princess. A runaway one though.
Wu Meiyu waved a hand gracefully, cutting off Wei Xian mid-sentence as he fumbled to clarify the Golden Patron status.
"No need to explain further, City Lord. I'll adapt to this… unique approach. Miss Xiaoyu, I'm here to meet Shopkeeper Lin. I assume he's the one behind this remarkable establishment? You're aware of the decree. It specifically states that I'm here to meet with him."
Liu Xiaoyu stared at her for a second before nodding enthusiastically. Her ponytail bounced as she gestured toward the counter.
"Yep! Boss is around, probably tinkering with something or chatting with–" She paused, catching herself before mentioning Lihua, then pivoted seamlessly. "... Uh, handling some important shop stuff! I'll fetch him for you, Your Highness! Just wait here and enjoy the vibes! Take a look around too, while you're at it."
Before Wu Meiyu could respond, Xiaoyu darted off, weaving through behind the counter with the agility of a sparrow, passing the other young girl handing out the Viewing Jades, scanning the customers' purchases, and receiving spirit stones. The princess watched her go, then turned her attention back to the store, her senses drinking in the strange blend of mundane and divine.
The shelves beckoned with their unfamiliar wares, and she found herself drifting toward a display of [Taihao Spicy Noodles], her fingers brushing the foil packaging as she studied it with a mix of fascination and skepticism. Then, her gaze shifted to one corner where the appliances were located, where she found some customers using them and others eating on a table.
'Is this also a restaurant? How strange.' She thought as she tried to recall the tidbits she had heard from the merchants.
Wei Xian lingered nearby, his Viewing Jade still clutched in hand, while Zhu Min stood stoically by the door, his sharp gaze sweeping the room for any hint of threat.
The customers, sensing the royal presence, kept their distance but couldn't resist stealing glances, their whispers buzzing like flies.
Inside the sound-concealing formation, Lin Mo caught Xiaoyu's rapid approach through the corner of his eye. The girl slipped through the translucent veil with ease, her voice bubbling over as she burst in. "Boss! The First Princess is here! Wu Meiyu, super fancy robes, royal vibes and all! She wants to meet you!"
Lin Mo's brows lifted slightly. He got too engrossed with the revelations that the arrival of the Royal Envoy escaped his mind. He glanced at Lihua, who inclined her head with a knowing smile, and Yangyang, who adjusted her glasses with a faint smirk.
"Royalty already. Your influence spreads faster than we anticipated, Shopkeeper." Lihua remarked
Lin Mo shrugged as he stood up from his seat. "Guess I'd better not keep her waiting. They even sent a decree for this visit."
Lihua nodded, her golden robes shimmering as she stood. "Go ahead, Shopkeeper. I cannot stay for too long either. Luckily, we've gone over everything that I ought to discuss in person. If you have more questions, use the usual channel to send a question or feedback."
With a flick of her fingers, Lihua's form shimmered and vanished, her divine presence disappearing quietly. The sound-concealing formation dissolved, leaving Lin Mo and Yangyang exposed to the store's ambient hum once more. Xiaoyu bounced on her heels, barely containing her excitement.
"Well then, Shopkeeper. I'll go back to my duty." Yangyang also didn't waste any second, returning to the quarters to answer the hotline calls.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoyu closed in on him and whispered, "Boss, you're frowning. Was it bad news? Do we need to siege the tower too?"
"What kind of imagination are you having? I'll tell you later. For now, let me greet our royal customer." Lin Mo flicked her forehead before straightening his uniform and walking in the direction of the First Princess.