[Location: Inner Abyssal Circle – Bone Ash Syndicate Territory]
[Report: Poison Demon Sect has utilized store products in a high-stakes encounter within the Inner Abyssal Circle, capturing a territory of the Bone Ash Syndicate. Effectiveness rating: 96%. Detailed report accessible upon request.]
-Windstrike Talismans: Effectively decimated multiple undead summons of the syndicate, turning the fight one-sided.
-Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals: Enhanced the combat prowess of Priest Luo Ming and many other cultists, resulting in another advantage
-Basic Card Talisman Packs: Used by Poison-bearers and Acolyte who didn't have Sticker Seals.
-Heavenly Shield Talisman: Protected the cultists from wide area attacks.
-Energy Replenishing Candy: Sold to villagers.
-Spirit-Infused Potato Chips: Sold to villagers.
-Heavenly Dew Soda: Sold to villagers.
-Outcome: Priest Luo Ming beheaded Bone Lord Keshan, offering it to the High Priest. Less than half of the Bone Ash Syndicate surrendered. The rest died in the battle. The High Priest spreads the Divine Convenience Store's influence after subduing the opposition. The hungry villagers faithfully pledged to spread the word of the store's wares.]
Lin Mo's lips twitched as he read the report. His fingers scrolled the interface up and down as he processed the Poison Demon Cult's latest exploit.
The casual brutality of it didn't faze him, or rather, it was something he expected. A notorious cult like them will not simply change its ways. Still, the sheer effectiveness of the store's products in their hands was another matter entirely.
If they had it before the skirmish, many from the surrounding sect and City Guards would've probably died.
"No bloodshed, he says. Unless you don't count the Bone Lord and half his Syndicate. But 96% effectiveness? It should mean that the store products' role in the conflict was almost perfect. They didn't need to exert more effort on their part."
"If this is how the High Priest is going to spread the store's influence on that side. Won't we also be branded as evil?"
Lin Mo put a hand on his chin as he contemplated.
"I don't think so, Boss. We're still only a store that sells convenience. It is the Poison Demon Cult who chose to deal with the syndicate with an iron hand while sparing a lot of them, too. If this was before, that village would've been a ghost town."
Liu Xiaoyu appeared from behind him, giving her opinion after hearing him and reading the report.
"Mhm. That makes sense. But Xiaoyu, is there no other way?"
"What way? Do you not want to see people dying, Boss? It's something that's part of the cycle in our realm. And those people living on that side have long been used to that way of living."
Lin Mo sighed softly, his gaze lingering on the holographic interface before dismissing it with a wave.
"You're right, Xiaoyu. It's not my place to dictate how they live or die out there. The store's job is to provide convenience, not to judge. Still, it's a strange feeling, knowing our candies and talismans are fueling a cult's conquest."
Liu Xiaoyu tilted her head, her grin softening into something more thoughtful. "Boss, you're too soft sometimes. Must be something you carried from your world. Think about it . They would have fought with or without us, and if the High Priest didn't get hooked by our products, they would've laid siege here. It will still result in deaths. At least now, they're using our stuff to spread our influence and the convenience we bring. And some of those villagers got a taste of something better. That's convenience, right?"
Lin Mo chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Yeah, I suppose it is. Convenience doesn't care about morality, it just delivers. Let's leave it at that. The High Priest's offer, though… I'll think it over. A partnership with them could open doors, but I'd rather not get too cozy with their venomous brand just yet."
Xiaoyu nodded, hopping back toward the counter where Xiao Ya was still juggling Viewing Jade sales and scanning the barcodes on the store products.
Lin Mo watched her back before shaking his head.
He then accessed the Area Monitor, finding that there was still a long line of customers outside.
As for the First Princess and her entourage, they had already left for the day. Wu Meiyu came to the counter with three baskets full of store products. She even managed to get her hands on a manual. But more importantly, she bought a hundred Viewing Jades, intending to send them back to the Royal Capital.
Before accessing the Bulletin Board to monitor the new threads, he once again checked the current tasks set by the system.
After ten days of operation, [Daily Tasks] had evolved to [Weekly Tasks].
[Attract New Customers: 45/500]
[Returning Customers: 43/1000]
[Sell Viewing Jades: 257/3000]
[Sell Bundles: 24/500]
[Sell at least 10 high-grade spirit stones in one transaction: 10/300]
From three, it became five tasks. Furthermore, the requirements only felt staggering at first, but he could tell that it wouldn't even take a week for it to be completed.
There's still no challenge from it.
"Alright then, let's see what's new at the tower–"
Before he could finish muttering that, a conflict ensued within the store.
The [Spirit-Dispersing Beacon] immediately reacted, preventing the two parties from activating their technique and spells.
Lin Mo walked over, his expression neutral, but his steps were loud enough for the customers to be alerted as he approached the source of the disturbance.
The faint hum of the [Spirit-Dispersing Beacon] pulsed through the store, its suppressive aura blanketing the area and stifling the rising spiritual energies of the two cultivators locked in a standoff near the snack aisle.
One was a middle-aged man in patched gray robes, his fingers twitching over a worn talisman pouch, his eyes darting with the nervous energy of a rogue cultivator.
The other was a stocky figure clad in an unfamiliar garb of a lesser known sect. His meaty hand gripping a half-eaten [Taihao Spicy Noodle], steam still curling from it.
A small crowd of onlookers had gathered, murmuring excitedly, though they kept their distance under the watchful eyes of the City Guards stationed outside.
Lin Mo stopped a few paces away and crossed his arms before addressing them. "Dear customers, what's the problem here? The store's not a dueling ground. If you do not wish to be banned, you can trade blows outside or use our [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall. I'd hate to see good customers banned over a mere scuffle and our store operations disrupted."
The rogue cultivator spat, his voice sharp and accusatory. "This ox-brained fool was provoking me while eating that! I may be lacking in spirit stones to indulge in your delectable wares, Shopkeeper! But I do not stand to be humiliated !"
The sect cultivator snorted, wiping noodle broth from his chin with the back of his hand. "Provoking you? How self-centered. No wonder you're a rogue cultivator. Just because I looked in your direction, you took it as me humiliating you? I can even buy you one if you want!"
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between the two men with both amusement and mild exasperation. What the heck is this minor squabble?
The [Spirit-Dispersing Beacon] continued its low hum, ensuring neither could escalate the situation beyond harsh words. He stepped closer as his voice carried the weight of authority without needing to raise it.
"Alright, let's not turn a noodle into a petty feud. You," He nodded at the rogue cultivator, "if you're short on spirit stones, that's no reason to pick a fight. The last customers I need in our store are the troublesome ones. Don't become like that.
"And you," He turned to the sect cultivator, "eating loudly doesn't give you a free pass to stir the pot. If you're going to buy him one. Then do it. You're all our valuable customers. Here, conflict is not encouraged, especially when you won't be able to compensate us for the damage inflicted."
The rogue cultivator scowled, his fingers still hovering over his talisman pouch, though the beacon's suppression kept any activation at bay. "Shopkeeper, I don't need his pity noodles! I came here for a Viewing Jade, not to be mocked by some sect dog flaunting his meal."
The sect cultivator grinned, clearly enjoying the jab. "Pity? It's called generosity, you scruffy leech. Maybe if you weren't so busy glaring at everyone, you'd have enough stones to buy your own. Shopkeeper, this one's got a chip on his shoulder bigger than the Abyssal Forest. Here's a mid-grade spirit stone for the trouble."
Lin Mo sighed inwardly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Should I just kick them out? What I think I can do that now…"
"Alright, if you're here for the Viewing Jade, go stand on that line." He pointed the rogue cultivator to the counter before turning to the sect cultivator, "And dear customer, learn some humility. Do not further escalate this by being condescending otherwise…"
He intentionally trailed his voice there before letting his aura flare up, intimidating them both.
For the first time since the store's opening, Lin Mo flaunted his current cultivation to intimidate. After all, he's stronger than the two if the measurement is only their cultivation bases.