Inside the divine-grade defensive formation that kept the three immortal-grade artifacts from the public eye and perception of Divine Convenience Store's customers, First Princess Wu Meiyu blinked her eyes in confusion as she could still see the City Lord and Zhu Min just a step away outside the formation.
Eventually, her eyes landed on Lin Mo and the three raised platforms holding the artifacts while covered in immaculate glass display cases.
Just like the previous showcases with Yu Qingyan and Grandmaster Lian, an unseen pressure pressed down on Wu Meiyu's shoulders, making her stagger on her feet.
Lin Mo had to grab her arm, preventing her from slumping on the floor.
"This… Shopkeeper… What are these? And what is this place?" The Princess's voice was noticeably cracked as she raised those questions to Lin Mo.
She frantically looked around her, taking in the interior of the divine-grade defensive formation. She could see past the golden wall of shimmering runes, but no one seemed to be aware of its existence. She noticed how isolated it felt. Not to mention the pressure that destabilized her footing.
Her senses sharpened involuntarily as her spiritual energy churned within her in order to endure the mounting pressure.
Lin Mo let go of her arm, his casual demeanor unchanged despite the dramatic shift.
He gestured toward the artifacts with a faint smirk. "Your Highness, welcome to our VIP Showcase Room. Well, sort of. Normally, only a Golden Patron and someone whom I put on the schedule for the showcase will have the privilege to be here. But I made an exception just for you. Figured it'd be easier to talk business here without half the city eavesdropping."
Wu Meiyu digested his words as her gaze darted between the artifacts. Otherworldly would be an understatement to describe them as she could tell that they shouldn't be existing in this realm.
The [Boundless Knowledge Jade] still lay unassumingly like a normal jade. It was glowing with a faint ethereal light that made her chest throb. The [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] pulsed with a hypnotic shimmer, and faint wisps of illusory energy curled around it, enticing her without even coming in contact with it. And the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain]'s crystalline structure radiated a gentle hum. It was flowing eternally as condensed spiritual energy and immortal essence seemed to promise boundless vitality.
Just one look and her breath was already taken away by them… Her throat had almost dried out before she could utter a response.
"These… Tell me, Shopkeeper. What are these treasures?" Wu Meiyu began, her voice steady despite the awe creeping into her chest.
Lin Mo chuckled, crossing his arms. "Have you heard of immortal-grade artifacts, dear customer?"
"Immortal-grade artifacts?" Wu Meiyu echoed, her voice a mix of disbelief and fascination. She took a cautious step closer to the display cases, her jade robes swaying as she steadied herself against the lingering pressure.
"They are what our store can offer. You wanted a partnership? This is the kind of firepower we're working with. Tell me, dear customer. Is this enough to daunt the kingdom?"
Wu Meiyu stepped closer to the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain]. However, there was still a clear barrier preventing her from touching its glass case.
But despite that, the energy emanating from it tugged at her dantian, urging her spiritual reserves to stir. She pulled her hand back, her eyes narrowing as she turned to Lin Mo.
"... I admit. We may have been naive, Shopkeeper. We are unaware of the extent of your store's power. However, you're still in our land, Shopkeeper, And these… how are these going to promote 'convenience'?"
"They are convenient tools to empower the forces of our realm. Because, Your Highness, if you're not up to date yet, our realm may experience an upheaval."
"Huh? W-what do you mean?"
"I assume you've already heard about the Conduit Tower that appeared near Faguang City."
Wu Meiyu nodded, "Indeed. The City Lord informed me and it seems to be posted by customers on your store's Bulletin Board. How is that a sign of an upcoming upheaval?"
Lin Mo's smirk softened into a more serious expression as he met Wu Meiyu's gaze. "The Conduit Tower's just the tip of the iceberg, Your Highness. It's a trial ground, yes, but it's tied to something bigger. Something the Divine Convenience Store's been positioned to counter. There are forces outside our Realm of Nine Heavens probing, and they won't be here to trade pleasantries."
He thought about withholding information from her, but for someone of her stature, it's best to slap her with the harsh reality.
Wu Meiyu's brow furrowed, her regal poise faltering slightly as she processed his words. "Outside our realm?"
"Mhm. The Conduits, like that tower, are remnants of fractured planes we can use to our advantage. But there's something else out there: Anchors. Breach points are planted to invade us. One's already dormant near Fanling City, and if it wakes up, we're not just talking about a few monsters spilling out."
Wu Meiyu's eyes widened, her hand instinctively tightening around the edge of her pristine jade robe. "An invasion? Shopkeeper, you're telling me, the Southern Wu Kingdom… no… our entire realm is at risk, and your store is what stands between us and chaos?"
Lin Mo shook his head as he waved his hand, pulling up the panels for the detailed descriptions of the immortal-grade artifacts for Wu Meiyu to see.
"Not exactly. The store is only here to provide convenience, not to fight your battles single-handedly. It's here to arm you. Cultivators, sects, kingdoms, whoever's willing to step up. These immortal-grade artifacts? They're tools to empower you. The Viewing Jades? It gives you access to an anonymous public forum. The Conduits? It's a trial ground to toughen you up and gather resources. Convenience, Your Highness, isn't just about soda and snacks. It's about giving you the edge to survive what's coming."
Wu Meiyu fell silent, her gaze drifting back to the artifacts. The weight of his words settled over her like a heavy cloak, and for the first time since arriving, she felt the true scope of what she'd walked into. "And the kingdom's role in this… what do you propose?"
"Well, it depends on what you're going to decide, dear customer. Do you want a partnership? I apologize, but you won't get the upper hand. You can tax our store if you want, but we also can just relocate somewhere and leave you to fend for yourselves."
"That's… I never said we're going to tax you! I'm here to establish connections." Wu Meiyu screamed, uncharacteristic of her usually calm approach. She hadn't even digested what Lin Mo revealed but now, he was talking about the possibility of the store disappearing.
Regardless of whether it was applicable or not, Lin Mo simply stared at her, gauging her reaction.
He's not exactly trying to scare her, but he believes this is necessary for the kingdom to fall in line obediently. Or rather, to bring them to the fold and gain another rich patron.
It's not like he's going to conquer them. He's still just going to spread the store's influence and prevent any resistance if there would be any. Besides, even if they're considered a Mortal Kingdom, their power is not that inferior to the upper-grade sects.
"Understood. Let's establish a connection then, dear customer. As the Royal Envoy, feel free to state your terms, and I'll see what aligns with the store's goals. But let's be clear. You are still going to be our customers. Our partnership is for mutual benefit. The Southern Wu Kingdom gets access to our resources, intel, and maybe even a few exclusive perks down the line. In return, we expect cooperation, not interference. Sounds fair?"
Wu Meiyu regained her composure, smoothing her jade robes as she straightened. The initial shock of Lin Mo's revelations and his blunt approach had rattled her, but she was no stranger to negotiation. Her royal upbringing kicked in, and her voice steadied as she responded.
"Un. That's fair, Shopkeeper Lin, though I'll need more than vague promises of 'exclusive perks.' The Southern Wu Kingdom isn't some backwater sect scrambling for scraps. We have resources, cultivators, and influence of our own. If we're to align with your store, I want specifics. What exactly can you offer us that we can't procure elsewhere? And what do you expect from us in return?"
"What can we offer? Dear customer, look around. You've already seen everything the store has to offer. Convenience and a bid for these immortal-grade artifacts. And when the time comes, I'll designate you, First Princess, as our Official Distributor. The only thing I expect in return is for you to become our patron. Is that too much?"
After ending that with a wild grin as though he had just offered her the world, Lin Mo did a proper bow, making the First Princess even more speechless.
'I came here lured in by the allure of Heavenly Dew Soda and Spirit-Infused Potato Chips. How did it come to this?' Wu Meiyu put a hand on her forehead as she questioned herself.