"My dear customers," Lin Mo began, his voice taking on a smooth, conciliatory tone. "If you truly wish to prove who can outspend the other, why not do so in a civilized manner? Step inside, where you can browse my wares at your leisure. After all, the best way to settle this is with actions, not words."
Yan Wei scoffed, crossing his arms. "Why should I step into your store alongside these ruffians? They'll only sully the atmosphere with their crude presence."
Zhou Rui bristled, his hand tightening on the hilt of his saber. "Ruffians? At least we don't strut around like peacocks in a storm! But fine. You can go inside. Most of us here have already bought what we need."
Lin Mo didn't say anything else. He just deliberately gestured towards the store's entrance, a subtle invitation designed to lure them inside.
It was almost like he was luring animals into a cage and in a way, that was almost exactly what he was doing.
He subtly turned his face to Liu Xiaoyu who immediately did her job as she grabbed both ends of the shop's door handles to push them widely open while also motioning Yan Wei and his group to walk straight towards them.
"You are welcome to browse at your leisure. We also have drinks if your throats are parched from all the shouting. And maybe, our latest line of noodles may tickle your palette," Lin Mo said, his voice deceptively welcoming.
Yan Wei, his pride clearly stroked by Lin Mo's 'respect', straightened up, his haughtiness returning. "Very well, Shopkeeper. I will show you the Azure Gale Sect's financial superiority! Watch closely, you ruffians. Your poor sect can never reach into the depths of our sect's coffers."
With a dramatic flourish, Yan Wei marched toward the entrance, his group following behind like a flock of colorful peacocks.
As Yan Wei and his entourage stepped into the store, a subtle shift washed over them as the Aura of Harmony set in. Their proud steps faltered and their rigid postures softened. The harsh lines on their faces eased into a look of… mild curiosity, almost as if their initial anger was fading into a distant memory.
Lin Mo, who was watching their every movement from just inside the entrance, felt a slight tingle of satisfaction and also admiration at how effective the bonus Zhenren Lihua granted the store.
Alas, it would only last for a few days. He had to think of a better countermeasure for the eventual expiration of it. If these cultivators were willing to draw the weapons over a small matter such as spending in a store, they would undoubtedly turn the store upside down if there was no magical effect calming down their nerves anymore.
"See, boss? Your magical Aura of Harmony is really working, I think?" Liu Xiaoyu whispered as she suddenly appeared behind him, barely containing a snicker.
Lin Mo shot her a sidelong glance before walking back behind the counter to wait and watch his new set of customers. "Of course it is. This is what proper customer service looks like, Xiaoyu. They even forgot about what they were fighting about."
[Repeat customers: 2/5]
'This is great. Three more and we're done with our daily task and it's still morning. Let's see… if this continues, our sales might not just double the amount from yesterday. I wonder who among them will be the first to get the Loyalty Card? I can announce its existence and let these fools empty their pockets to acquire it but the novelty will easily wear off. Better keep it a secret and hand it out like a priceless treasure when someone cleared the requirement to afford one.' Lin Mo thought to himself as he began planning for the future.
Inside the store, the Azure Gale Sect disciples wandered cautiously at first, their gazes darting between the shelves stocked with modern-looking products that seemed out of place in their cultivation world. They marveled at their peculiar designs as if someone who lived in a mountain arrived in a city.
Yan Wei, however, maintained his air of superiority, striding purposefully toward the weapons rack, checking each one of them. In particular, he was checking out every rapier or any weapon with a thin blade.
Alas, there wasn't any spirit-grade weapon anymore. They're all mortal-grade, the quality below it.
Disappointed, Yan Wei walked to the counter and complained, his tone a mix of arrogance and feigned politeness. "Shopkeeper, I thought you could provide anything your customers need. Why don't you have a better rapier in your wares? That talisman yesterday was pretty good but I need a weapon."
"Unfortunately, our weapon inventory is limited. Dear customer can come back tomorrow to check out our new wares. In the meantime, we do have several other high-quality goods that might interest you."
Yan Wei frowned but with the Aura of Harmony in place, that's the extent of his complaint, "Very well, what is the most expensive item you currently have in stock? Spare no detail. I wish to demonstrate the Azure Gale Sect's wealth."
Lin Mo's customer-service smile widened ever so slightly as he motioned toward the newly organized shelf of high-grade elixirs and talismans. They're items that the store only had one each in stock so their prices were higher than the standard elixirs and talismans.
Their packaging was also transformed to a modern feel though.
"If you're looking to make a statement, these items are sure to impress. We have this 'Phoenix Breath Spray', it is a body spray that's not only capable of restoring spiritual energy and vitality, but it can also dispel low to intermediate-grade curses. It's an essential item if ever you fall into moments of crisis. It has an affordable price of 60 spirit stones! Or perhaps you're looking for a stronger version of yesterday's talisman? Look no further, this is the Heaven's Barrier Cap, a defensive artifact capable of shielding against a full-powered attack from a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator and it can repair itself after some time. Wear this on top of your head and you're good to go! It's priced at 55 spirit stones!"
Lin Mo's sales pitch not only intrigued Yan Wei but also the other Azure Gale disciples inside the store as they peeked at the shelf he was pointing at.
Yan Wei's eyes gleamed as he inspected the items, clearly intrigued despite his attempt to maintain an air of nonchalance. In the end, he put on a face showing that he was unimpressed by the. "55 and 60 spirit stones? Surely you have something more exclusive. Something that truly reflects the grandeur of the Azure Gale Sect."
Lin Mo tried to suppress rolling his eyes as he maintained his smile to cater to him, "Unfortunately, the Celestial Wind Saber was our priciest item, and it has already been sold. However, if you're interested, you could always purchase multiple items to show your sect's... financial prowess."
He watched Yan Wei's eyes glint in satisfaction and that made him inwardly chuckle. Baited, hooked, and reeled in successfully!
Yan Wei's lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk, his pride practically oozing from every pore. "Multiple items, you say? Very well, Shopkeeper. I shall demonstrate the Azure Gale Sect's unparalleled wealth. Bring me those two items you mentioned—the Phoenix Breath Spray and the Heaven's Barrier Cap."
Lin Mo nodded, keeping his professional demeanor intact as he retrieved the items from the shelf and rang them in his register. "An excellent choice, dear customer. That will be 115 spirit stones."
Yan Wei waved a dismissive hand, producing a spatial pouch containing the spirit stones with a dramatic flourish. "A paltry sum for someone of my stature. Here, take it."
Lin Mo accepted the pouch, his eyes discreetly flicking to the system interface to confirm the amount. True to Yan Wei's words, the payment was exact. 115 high-grade spirit stones.
'Look at this. He's the real deal.' Lin Mo thought as his mind scanned each glowing stone before tucking them into the register.
On the side, he could see Liu Xiaoyu snickering, understanding that his boss once again scammed a rich cultivator by not specifying what grade of spirit stone he needed to purchase it.
In his defense though, if they're not going to ask, he won't tell them. He can be honest but he won't go out of his way to inform them of everything.
Pretty soon, they'll realize that they can ask about it anyway. By then, it will be too late for them to complain about their previous purchases.
And for the record, Lin Mo asked the system about its real price, and the items Yan Wei bought were listed in mid-grade spirit stones. Just like Zhou Rui's saber.