Meanwhile, the High Priest's procession has finally reached the edge of the Abyssal Forest, spilling out to what most inhabitants refer to as the Inner Abyssal Circle region.
They were still a distance away from the main temple of the Poison Demon Cult. But in this region where unorthodox and evil factions carved their territories, it was difficult for a huge entourage not to catch their attention as they passed through their claimed domain.
As they neared a village that should be the territory of the Bone Ash Syndicate, a faction not any less cruel than their cult known for harvesting skeletal remains to refine their necromantic arts, the High Priest raised a hand, signaling his followers to halt.
From outside, the village appeared lifeless, with its mortal inhabitants already skin and bones. The air was filled with the scent of decay and ash, a clear contrast to the vibrant energy of the Divine Convenience Store's wares that many of his cultists now carried.
His skeletal grin widened as he sensed the unease rippling through the village ahead. Those who recognized their moss-green robes already shouted their name as they began to panic, thinking they were about to be attacked.
Shortly, its inhabitants peered warily from behind crude bone-carved barricades.
Luo Ming stepped forward, his moss-green robes pristine despite the grueling walk from the forest. "High Priest, the Syndicate's scouts have already spotted us. They'll possibly demand tribute or blood, not knowing their place."
The High Priest's raspy chuckle echoed grimly. If it was before his discovery of the Divine Convenience Store, the old man wouldn't bat an eye in ordering his subordinates to raze the village and kidnap a few people to be used as sacrifices or test subjects for their poisons.
But now, he had another idea in mind, "They will demand tribute to our cult? Let them come. We can start expanding the influence of the store here. Bring me the head of their Syndicate and absorb everyone to our cult. Use the store products as enticement. Since they want blood, we'll give it to them. At their own expense."
Luo Ming nodded, relaying the orders to the Priests, Acolytes, and Poison-bearers. The cultists moved with practiced efficiency, their hands clutching talismans and brews, their faith in the Great Poison Demon bolstered by the tangible might of the store's products.
Meanwhile, the High Priest activated his Viewing Jade, its golden runes flaring as he checked for updates.
He skimmed through the tower updates and other pointless threads, but something caught his eye.
It was a thread that appeared to be discreetly directed to him.
Reading its title and the username of the poster, the face of the woman with a sly allure flashed in his head.
[The Conclave's Madness – ArachnidMistress]
"Xun?" The High Priest mused as he tapped to read its contents.
Inside the divine-grade defensive formation, Wu Meiyu stood motionless for a moment, her hand still pressed to her forehead as she processed Lin Mo's words.
The weight of his offer and the casual audacity with which he'd delivered it left her reeling.
A partnership with the Divine Convenience Store, access to immortal-grade artifacts, and the tantalizing prospect of becoming an Official Distributor? All for the price of patronage? It sounded too good to be true, yet she couldn't find a hint of deception in the Shopkeeper's words.
Not to mention, the artifacts before her radiated a power that backed his every claim. Having read their details, having one of them was enough to elevate the might of the Southern Wu Kingdom. They would be able to finally stand their ground when dealing with upper-grade cultivation sects.
She lowered her hand, her sharp gaze locking onto Lin Mo once more.
"Shopkeeper Lin, you're bold. Bolder than most who've stood before me. You dangle treasures that could topple kingdoms and speak of cosmic threats as if they are mere daily inventory checks. And yet, you frame it all as 'convenience.' Forgive me if I'm skeptical of such generosity. Let me take my time to process it all."
Lin Mo's grin didn't falter as he straightened from his bow, his hands slipping into his pockets with an ease that bordered on insolent. "Of course, dear customer. Do take your time. In the meantime, feel free to inspect these artifacts. I have one favor to ask you though."
"As dear customer is yet to become a Golden Patron, do refrain from spreading word of these artifacts outside this formation. Not that I doubt your discretion, Your Highness, but it is for the sake of our realm's stability. You understand what I meant, right?"
Wu Meiyu's lips pressed into a thin line, though a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes. "You're asking a princess to keep your secrets? Very well, I do understand what you're implying. If word of these artifacts gets out, chaos will ensue."
Lin Mo nodded. "I'm glad we're on the same page, dear customer. Take all the time you need in deciding. The store's not going anywhere. Well, not unless we're forced to move and spread our influence somewhere else. It'll be a great disservice to the realm."
His tone carried a playful edge, but there was a glint in his eye that suggested he wasn't entirely joking.
First Princess Wu Meiyu involuntarily gulped down her accumulated saliva to wet her throat before acknowledging his words, "No worries. I give you my word as the First Princess."
After that, she turned around to properly inspect the immortal-grade artifacts before her. At the same time, she started drawing a plan in her head.
Since she's going to stay in the city to solidify the connection of the Royal Court to the Divine Convenience Store, she's going to regularly visit the store and keep a close eye on it – especially the peculiar Shopkeeper.
[The Conclave's Madness – ArachnidMistress]
"The conclave sharpens their fangs. My spiders wait in the shadows. Your vision holds. Bring the store's gifts and crush their doubt."
Upon reading that, the user's identity was confirmed by the High Priest. It was indeed Venom Master Xun, informing of the movements of the other Venom Masters.
He didn't leave a lengthy comment, only a single word.
The High Priest dismissed the Viewing Jade's interface with a flick of his skeletal fingers, the golden runes fading as it disappeared back into his spatial pouch.
He turned his attention back to the village ahead and his eyes shone in a sinister green light.
"Luo Ming," He called, his voice cutting through the murmurs of his followers. "Advance. Offer the Syndicate a choice: join us and taste the store's blessings, or be ground to ash beneath them. Their leader and his close subordinate's head is non-negotiable unless they bring us their heads instead."
He gestured to the Priests and Acolytes, who fanned out with predatory precision.
The Poison-bearers clutched their card talismans and [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals]. Those at the back held cans of beverages, potato chips and some basic amenities like packets of [Energy Replenishing Candy], ready to demonstrate the store's enticing allure to any who doubted.
The High Priest floated slightly above the ground, his moss-green robes billowing as he projected his Nascent Soul Stage aura.
Venomous intent slithered in the air, bringing a warning to the Bone Ash Syndicate that resistance would be their undoing.
From behind the bone-carved barricades, a figure emerged.
A gaunt man draped in robes stitched with skeletal fragments, his eyes glowed faintly with necromantic energy as he held a skull mace.
One of the Syndicate's leaders in charge of the village, Bone Lord Keshan, stepped forward, flanked by animated skeletons, some still had some flesh on them, rattling with each step.
"You dare trespass, Poison Demon lapdog? This is Syndicate land. Pay tribute or become one of my skeletons."
The High Priest's grin stretched wider, his teeth glinting in the patchy sunlight. "Tribute? Have you forgotten what happened to your predecessor when we passed by here years ago?"
Keshan sneered as if offended, "That's right! You razed this village before. Let's see if you can do it again!"
"Naive. You're too naive, Keshan. No matter. You'll die here today, but your subordinates and the villagers have a chance. Behold! The Divine Convenience Store's gifts. Power beyond your brittle bones. Join us, and they're yours. Refuse, and you'll join your Bone Lord to our poison pot!"
"Insolent! Men! Carve their corpses and take their skeletons for our use!"
The skeletons lurched forward, their bony claws outstretched.
But the moment they did, a [Windstrike Talisman] flew out from Luo Ming's hand, decimating the charging skeletons in an instant.