Lin Mo handed over the sleek packaging containing the Phoenix Breath Spray and Heaven's Barrier Cap, both perfectly wrapped in colorful, modern designs that looked utterly out of place in the hands of a haughty cultivator.
"Thank you for your patronage, dear customer," Lin Mo said, his customer-service smile firmly in place. "May these items serve you well."
Yan Wei, now holding his purchases, turned toward Zhou Rui and the Crimson Vale disciples outside. His smirk widening.
He then stepped out to brag.
"There. Do you see? The Azure Gale Sect's wealth is unmatched. 115 spirit stones spent in mere moments. Tell me, can your humble sect do the same?"
Zhou Rui sarcastically smirked, "Congratulations. You've proven how wasteful the young master of the Azure Gale Sect is. What's next? Wanna try its effectiveness against Celestial Wind Saber?"
With the Aura of Harmony wearing off the moment he stepped out of the store, Yan Wei opened his mouth, clearly ready to escalate the situation once again.
"That's right, I can show you the true capabilities of my latest purchases and put your cheap blade to the test. Do you dare?"
The young master opened the packaging of the Heaven's Barrier Cap and put it on before spraying himself with the Phoenix Breath Spray.
'That guy is serious about that. It's amusing to see someone spraying themselves before going to battle. Or... is that also his way of showing off?' Lin Mo mused. 'In any case, I've read this cliche many times before. It's still as stupid as it looks,'
He groaned inwardly as he could imagine another round of pointless boasting fueled by wounded pride and too much spiritual energy.
But a customer is still a customer. He remained to be the store's biggest spender. If the Azure Gale Sect was as prosperous as this young master claimed, Lin Mo only stood to profit from them.
No reason to drive them. He just had to coax them into becoming the store's loyal patrons.
After signaling for Liu Xiaoyu to take over the counter, he stepped outside.
Almost instantly, his presence caused a momentary pause in the escalating tension between Yan Wei and Zhou Rui.
"Dear customers," Lin Mo began, "I appreciate your enthusiasm for showcasing the effectiveness of our humble store's product. But I must remind you that you're still on our storefront. It can disrupt our business. If you insist on testing its quality, may I suggest you take it somewhere that isn't directly in front of my store?"
Yan Wei, still holding the Phoenix Breath Spray like it was a divine artifact, frowned. "Shopkeeper, are you suggesting I not demonstrate the Azure Gale Sect's dominance here and now? What better place than before the very establishment that provided these exceptional items?"
Zhou Rui smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of his Celestial Wind Saber. "He's right, Benefactor. Let him embarrass himself. We'll all get a good laugh out of it."
Lin Mo maintained his business smile, "That's not what I'm saying. What I'm suggesting is that you both channel your energy into something more productive. Perhaps, a friendly contest that won't create bad blood? As my assistant told me earlier. It would greatly benefit both of you and your respective sects if you continue your exchange, in a more... organized way."
Both groups of disciples exchanged confused glances. Yan Wei tilted his head, intrigued. "A contest? What sort of contest?"
Zhou Rui, who was itching to demonstrate the might of his new saber, paused as well. The prospect of having the haughty Azure Gale Young Master look so pitiful as he brags without doing anything piqued his interest.
"Oh, Benefactor. Should we have a friendly match in front of the store?" Zhou Rui asked. "As they said, 'actions speak louder than words,' correct?"
Yan Wei opened his mouth, clearly ready to accept Zhou Rui's suggestion.
But before he could utter a single word, a new voice cut through the air, its tone sharp and commanding.
"Yan Wei, is that you making a scene again? Did you bring our disciples out to posture in front of another sect?"
A middle-aged man with a stern face strode into the small clearing. His robes, embroidered with the same azure patterns as Yan Wei's, radiated an air of authority that made the young master visibly falter.
"S-Second Uncle!" Yan Wei stammered, his arrogance momentarily replaced with a hint of apprehension.
The man's gaze swept over the scene, taking in the Crimson Vale disciples, the open storefront, and finally landing on Lin Mo, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I apologize for my nephew's behavior, Shopkeeper," The man said, his voice carrying a tone of practiced politeness that seemed like it was forced, unlike those that they felt inside the store. "He has a tendency to let his enthusiasm get the better of him. I am Yan Chen, a senior elder of the Azure Gale Sect."
Lin Mo could only nod. He could instantly tell that this man might even be stronger than Yu Qingyan or the store's first customer just by his presence alone. As a mortal, he was feeling suffocated already.
Furthermore, he recognized that name in the system. He was among those that his store might cater to. It's like a reminder that powerful figures such as this man might take an interest in the store.
This meant he had to be even more careful with how he dealt with his next actions.
"It's no problem, Elder Yan. This is a business and all kinds of customers are welcome here. Feel free to browse our wares. If I have what you need, I'm willing to sell it to you. I am Lin Mo, the shopkeeper."
Yan Chen nodded, his gaze lingering on the store's peculiar design before turning to his nephew, his voice laced with thinly veiled annoyance. "Yan Wei, do not cause trouble in front of the store. If you wish to accept the friendly match, do it in a proper venue"
Yan Wei, visibly deflated by his uncle's arrival, mumbled a grudging apology, his previous haughtiness now reduced to a simmering resentment. He knew that if he continued, his Second Uncle might actually punish him later.
"Very well, Second Uncle. I shall adhere to your guidance." He glared daggers at Zhou Rui as if it was the Crimson Vale Disciple's fault that he was scolded by his own elder.
Zhou Rui simply smirked in response. He was enjoying Yan Wei's discomfort. However, because of Yan Chen's presence, he also couldn't say anything as he and his fellow disciples were mere ants against someone of his stature.
Yan Chen turned back to Lin Mo, his expression now neutral, though his sharp eyes held an underlying intensity.
"Again, shopkeeper, I apologize for my nephew's behavior. He is still young and has much to learn."
"It's no problem, Elder Yan. As long as everyone remains civil, I have no complaints." Lin Mo replied, his tone professional as he carefully sized up this unfathomable existence.
His mind whirled quickly as he thought of an idea, "I understand that you may want to continue the friendly match my other customer proposed, and my store is not the best venue for that. But in the future, to prevent conflicts from escalating to a worse direction, we'll provide an arena to settle disputes."
'Surely, Taihao expected conflicts to happen, right? Furthermore, as the store's name spreads further, conflicts will become a daily occurrence. The Divine Pantheon might have prepared something to handle that. For example, new facilities which might include an indoor arena as the store expands further. If there's none planned, I'll force them to do so.' Lin Mo thought. His idea already expanding far from simply just following the store's system. The system is merely a tool to assist the store's operation, not a guidebook on how to run the store.