Jiang Jianxin's brow arched slightly, her spiritual senses catching the faint undercurrent of something more in the First Princess's demeanor. She wasn't just a shop assistant, that much was clear, but the Sword Fairy had no interest in unraveling mysteries that didn't concern her mission.
"There's no need," She shook her head before pointing at the Celestial Duel Gear Bundle set up like a tower behind her as well as the display shelves filled with boxes of Celestial Duel Card Packs. "Please give me five of them. And a few of those Card Packs."
Wu Meiyu's smile widened. Surprised at how much the Sword Fairy was willing to spend on an artifact that's unrelated to her sword path. But then again, Wu Meiyu understood its value as she also got first-hand experience with them when she arrived earlier.
They're artifacts that would change the landscape of the Eastern Abyssal Domain. Or perhaps, the entire realm. "Right away. The Shopkeeper's recommendations are never wrong."
She handed her the bundles and packs before stepping aside gracefully, allowing Jiang Jianxin to move toward a different aisle.
Lin Mo, catching the exchange as he returned to the counter, suppressed a chuckle. The First Princess playing floor staff was a sight many customers had yet to come to terms with. A lot of them would sometimes stutter or outright avoid her the moment they recognized her. Nevertheless, it's impressive how she's getting the knack of slipping into the role without breaking character in just two days.
He had no idea how long the Princess would keep coming back but since she's helping in the store, he's not going to stop her.
Perhaps, if she kept that up, he'd access the [Staff Management] interface and see if she could hire her officially.
That aside, he picked up how the Sword Fairy sized up the First Princess after failing to recognize her. He couldn't help but feel like a weird misunderstanding had rooted in her head regarding his preferences.
Eventually, as Jiang Jianxin began picking up products and filling her basket, Lin Mo turned his attention to the entrance as the familiar pompous smug of Yan Wei appeared alongside the other Azure Gale disciples.
Given the 3-day cooldown of re-challenging the Tower, they, too, had returned from the Jade Hollow Plains.
"Shopkeeper! We're back! Are those the [Celestial Duel Gear]?! Give all of us one of them. My treat! Also… how much do you charge for using the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall]?"
Yan Wei opened up as he strutted toward the counter, his haughty air as the young master of the Azure Gale Sect.
Yan Wei's voice carried across the store, turning heads among the cultivators browsing the aisles. His entourage of Azure Gale disciples trailed behind him, their eyes sparkling with excitement at their young master's declaration.
Having gotten used to his usual boisterous antics, Lin Mo offered him his unfazed smile as he turned to the wealthy young master. "Dear customer, it's always a pleasure to hear from you. But I think I must inform you first of the bundle price. The gear plus starter pack bundle costs 20 high-grade spirit stones. It was the lowest it could get. If you want to enable the option of activating the [Awakened Celestial Duelist] mode, it will cost an additional 50 high-grade spirit stones. As I've stated in the announcement, it was an optional add-on to fully exhibit its potential in real combat. As for the renting of the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall]... It'll be 50 high-grade spirit stones per hour – the maintenance of the formation inlaid in our multipurpose hall was staggering, after all."
That last sentence was just Lin Mo adding a value to it. The maintenance and repair of it was automated by the Divine Interface System. As for the cost… it was probably being taken from the store sales.
It's still the same as before. The divine beings of the pantheon had no actual need for the spirit stones. The products they're sending to the store were all made without thinking about making a profit.
Yan Wei put a hand on his chin and contemplated. Eventually, his eyes gleamed with the reckless confidence of a young master who'd never known a lean purse.
He waved a hand as his jade ring flashed, summoning a small mountain of high-grade spirit stones in front of him. "Pricey, Shopkeeper, but I'll take ten bundles with the Awakened Celestial Duelist mode. I don't want my junior brothers and sisters slacking against those Tower beasts. Also, book the Divine Arena for five hours. I want to see these duel gears in action before we head back to the Plains and hold that duel I've posted in the Bulletin Board! I'll prove to everyone that I'm the strongest below Foundation Establishment!"
Lin Mo's lips twitched, his Stillwater Perception catching the faint stir of envy from nearby customers.
Yan Wei's spending was a spectacle, as always, but it was good for business. "Ten bundles with the add-on and five hours in the arena? Done. Pleasure doing business, dear customer. Remember, the [Celestial Duel Gear] is like the Viewing Jades. It is soulbound. It cannot be stolen but it can be destroyed. You can get a replacement here in our store but I have to warn you, it won't be cheap."
After getting Yan Wei's acknowledgement, Lin Mo called Xiao Ya, who immediately operated the cash register, logging the transaction.
With a grin, Yan Wei turned to his fellow disciples with a swagger, "You lot better not embarrass our sect in the arena. You're going to thin out those who wish to challenge me, understand? Shopkeeper, you're coming to watch, right? Need someone to appreciate my genius."
Looking at the Azure Gale disciples who looked like they had just been handed an important task, Lin Mo snorted and shook his head. "I'll pass, dear customer. Got a store to run, isn't Elder Yan Chen coming for the showcase? Don't worry, I'll make sure the arena's set up for your… genius. Xiaoyu, get those bundles ready for our dear customers. Also… since they're going to do some exhibition matches – be it traditional or celestial duel – set up our betting station and open the doors to spectators."
Liu Xiaoyu, who had been listening throughout the conversation, swiftly answered and saluted, displaying the Celestial Duel Gear on her wrist as though showing off to Yan Wei that she's also looking for a challenger. Even Xiao Ya was acting restless as she wanted to try playing again.
"On it, Boss! Ten bundles, coming right up! You Azure Gale folks better not break them. And whoever wants to challenge me. Don't hesitate to call." Her teasing grin drew chuckles from the disciples, though Yan Wei just huffed, undeterred.
As Xiaoyu hustled to gather the bundles, Lin Mo's gaze drifted to Jiang Jianxin, who was now browsing the talisman aisle, her basket already brimming with [Emergency Escape Talismans], [Windstrike Talismans], and packs of different varieties of Card Talismans. She had another basket filled with different snacks, but the most prominent were the chocolate tablets. And she was not done yet. With razor-sharp focus, each item was chosen with the precision of someone preparing for war.
Somehow, the spark in his chest pulsed faintly as if reacting to her resolve. He shook it off and muttered silently, "Faith energy, my foot. I'm not signing up for divinity school."
Wu Meiyu happened to catch his voice upon her return to his side. She shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curving with amusement. "Are you talking to yourself, Shopkeeper? Careful, or the Convenience Saint rumors will start saying you're communing with the heavens."
Lin Mo shot her a flat look. "Keep that up, Your Highness, and I'll have you man the register or maybe sweep the inventory room instead of charming customers."
Her soft laugh followed, but she wisely shut her mouth, her eyes following the backs of Liu Xiaoyu, Yan Wei and the rest of the Azure Gale disciples.
Minutes later, Zhou Rui and the Crimson Vale disciples also arrived at the store, followed by Grandmaster Lian, a few professors, and students of the Red Lotus Academy.
When they heard about Yan Wei holding exhibition matches in the multipurpose hall, they didn't waste a moment and immediately marched towards it to join in the festivity.
Bulletin Board threads talking about it started gaining traction and it didn't take long before it rose to the top.
As for the store, the initial stock of the [Celestial Duel Gear] bundles was sold out in less than two hours after the store's opening. And while not all 500 units had their Awakened Celestial Duelist mode activated, it still netted the store with 10000 high-grade spirit stones. Already double the sales figure of yesterday with just the bundle alone!
With the release of Viewing Jade and Celestial Duel Platform, reaching the next tier of the store had been accelerated. The First Heaven will soon welcome the second branch of the Divine Convenience Store.