"Boss!" Liu Xiaoyu's voice cut through the din, her figure bounding from the multipurpose hall's entrance. Her green-and-white uniform was slightly disheveled, a testament to her earlier performance. "You went on an adventure without me? What's the deal? I thought I was your trusted assistant?!"
Lin Mo raised a hand, deflecting her enthusiasm with a flick on her hand as soon as she got in range.
"Easy, Xiaoyu. It was a scouting trip, not a duel. Besides, you were busy inside there. Good job, by the way. You made Yan Wei and Zhou Rui eat stage dust and earned us more spirit stones."
Xiaoyu puffed out her chest, her grin rivaling the brightness of the sun. "Of course! Those two didn't stand a chance against my [Diamond Serenade]. But seriously, don't change the subject! Is it really an Anchor? The one that's like a tower? Spill the details!"
"Later," Lin Mo said, nodding toward past her shoulder as the crowd within the multipurpose started spilling back out to the store proper.
The five hours plus another two that Grandmaster Lian added for renting the multipurpose hall were over, and so… the Celestial Duels were over.
Looking at their faces, be it the ones wearing Celestial Duel Gear or just spectators, they were extremely satisfied with the experience. Most of them already had this sparkle in their eyes that said how convinced they were about the Celestial Duel.
Those who failed to get their hands on one would surely try to buy one tomorrow or whenever there's an available stock.
Lin Mo had even received a lot of pre-orders for it from different sects and factions. Wu Meiyu also pre-ordered a thousand that she's probably going to send back to the royal capital.
To ensure that those going to the store would still get their hands on it if they walked in tomorrow or any other day, he limited the pre-orders that would be fulfilled to half of the current daily stock.
"Go and take a rest first. It must've been hard, right? Anyway, where's Xiao Ya? Did she also have fun?"
"Oh… She's with the Red Lotus Academy. She got too friendly with Grandmaster Lian's students after they played on the stage. Look, there they are."
Upon saying that, she pointed at the group of Red Lotus Academy led by Grandmaster Lian and a few professors. Xiao Ya was conspicuously sticking out within their group wearing red uniforms with her green and white stripes.,
"Huh. Looks like Xiao Ya's found her tribe," Lin Mo said, his wry grin softening slightly as he watched the girl chatter animatedly with the Red Lotus students.
Her small frame bounced with excitement, her hands gesturing wildly as she recounted some moment from the duels. The professors nodded indulgently. They also seemed so pleased to hear their discussion.
Xiaoyu crossed her arms but her gaze towards the girl was like a mother duck watching her duckling leave her nest. "Good for her, isn't it, Boss? Now, she can have someone to play with while her cultivation is still not up to par for the Awakened Celestial Duelist mode."
Lin Mo nodded but his mind focused on a different thing. Development possibilities. He knew that despite the availability of the Awakened mode, many would still become a fan of the casual mode, where it's a simple trading card plus autobattler game.
'Should I ask Taihao and Lihua for arcade machines? Or maybe an update to the Viewing Jade for an online Celestial Duel game.'
At that thought, he decided to write it on [Feedback and Suggestions] and let them decide what to do next. Apart from that, he also added the needed feature of posting images or videos on the Bulletin Board. Live streaming could wait after those were implemented. Because at the moment, only Lin Mo with the administrator privilege could do it in the announcement section.
Lin Mo chuckled, "Play with her from time to time too. We're also going to incorporate Celestial Duel in our training. It'll be very valuable when dealing with the threats near us. Anyway, 'Duel Queen'. Those Bulletin Board threads are calling you a legend. Go get us some snacks."
Xiaoyu's eyes lit up as she saluted. "On it, Boss! I'm grabbing some [Celestial Peach Gummies], okay? I like that new product!"
'Gummies? I didn't think they already made one like that. When will the alcoholic drinks drop by the way? I miss the taste of baijiu.'
As she darted toward the snack aisle, Lin Mo's gaze drifted back to the store's bustling interior.
Once again, the interior became a little chaotic as a lot of those who went to spectate the duels postponed their shopping. Now, they spread around different aisles. Some even went directly to the food section as they picked those packaged meals and instant noodles.
The sky outside had already turned dark. Another day was soon to be over again.
Wu Meiyu, still manning the counter while occasionally sipping her cup of [Spirit Rejuvenating Tea], caught his pensive look. "Shopkeeper, you're brooding again. Did the Anchor scare you that much, or is it the monk's cryptic nonsense getting under your skin?"
Lin Mo snorted and walked over to her, "Neither, Your Highness. It's nearing the time for you to go back, right? How is it? Are you returning tomorrow? Perhaps, I can hire you officially soon."
Along with the chime of the register, Wu Meiyu burst into soft laughter, "Shopkeeper, are you that short in staff? If you promise to send a caravan to the royal capital, I will work for you until you're able to find a new employee."
Lin Mo's lips curved into a wry grin, his merchant's instincts kicking in despite the playful jab. "A caravan to the royal capital? Your Highness, you drive a hard bargain. I'll consider it. It's hard to find a capable employee like you.
Her lips curved into a sly smile, her regal poise undimmed by the casual setting. "Your audacity to speak this casually to me is so admirable, Shopkeeper. If my Royal Father heard you, he'd ask for your head."
"My head is cheap, Your Highness. Your hand, however…"
"Shopkeeper, I have no idea you're such a flirt." With a hand on her mouth, Wu Meiyu acted surprised as she glanced at him. "If I marry you, will our son inherit the store?"
At that, Lin Mo's lips twitched. 'Shouldn't you be aiming for the throne?'
"Alright. You're thinking too far ahead, Your Highness. I concede."
"You're backing out? A shame, Shopkeeper. As the First Princess, I still have the right to pick my Prince Consort. And you're not so bad at all."
"Not so bad because of my backing?"
"It'll be a lie to say that it doesn't add to your value."
Wu Meiyu's soft laughter continued and her playful challenge sparked a flicker of amusement within. Flirting with royalty was a dangerous game, and he had a store to run, an Anchor to monitor, and a realm to continue spreading convenience to.
"Careful, Your Highness," He eventually said as he stepped forward, standing next to her at the counter. "Keep talking like that, and you might find yourself in a quagmire. There are many ears here. As for your Prince Consort, I'm afraid this humble shopkeeper's too busy selling talismans to chase royal titles."
Wu Meiyu's eyes gleamed with mischief, but she waved a dismissive hand, her jade bangle clinking softly. "A pity, Shopkeeper. You'd look dashing in imperial robes. But fine, I'll let you off. For now. Don't think I've forgotten about that caravan, though."
She turned back to dealing with the next customer, her fingers deftly scanning a cultivator's stack of [Spirit Replenishing Candies] with the practiced movements of someone who'd adapted far too quickly to the store's rhythm.
Before long, Grandmaster Lian approached, her red robes flowing with scholarly air. Her face showed how satisfied she was with their trip today.
Xiao Ya trailed behind, clutching a jade slip glowing with notes, her eyes bright with excitement as she ran to the other side of the counter, joining Lin Mo and the First Princess.
"Shopkeeper Lin," Grandmaster Lian said, her voice carrying the weight of authority tempered by respect. "Your Celestial Duel Platform is truly a marvel. And the Awakened Celestial Duelist mode is a welcome addition. My students have already drafted preliminary analyses of its new mechanics, and I intend to also integrate it into our Red Lotus Academy's curriculum. When do you think you will be available to visit our academy for its inauguration of our partnership?"
"Let's see. Maybe in a few days?" The partnership was nothing more than a verbal agreement but given that it would actually net the store a profit, he could spare some time for them. Especially now that he had finally taken his first step outside the store.
He was a little apprehensive before considering his fear of the unknown but now, he's ready to see the Realm of Nine Heavens in all its glory. This realm is now his home.