"Please follow me. I'll be guiding you through our finest selections."
Liu Xiaoyu's energetic demeanor was impossible to ignore as she gestured enthusiastically for the Pavilion Master and her entourage to follow her. Her wide grin and sparkling eyes were a stark contrast to the stoic Jing'er and the composed Pavilion Master.
"This way, esteemed customers! We've got everything you could possibly need and maybe a few things you didn't know you needed!" Liu Xiaoyu chirped, leading them toward the shelves stocked with artifacts and elixirs.
The Pavilion Master raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Xiaoyu's exuberance. "You seem quite dedicated to your role, young lady."
"Of course!" Liu Xiaoyu replied without missing a beat. "Customer service is the heart of the store. Besides, it's fun seeing people's faces light up when they discover something amazing!"
Lin Mo, still behind the counter, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Liu Xiaoyu's energy was a double-edged sword, but in this case, it seemed to be working in their favor.
As they reached the artifact section, Liu Xiaoyu stopped by a shelf containing artifacts with a modern feel to them much like the umbrella and the raincoat.
She picked up a pair of small, rectangular devices with a sleek antenna that Xu Qi could recognize as a mock-up of a walkie-talkie from the shelf.
She held it up with a flourish like an experienced sales lady from Earth.
"This, esteemed Pavilion Master, is the Radiant Whisper Device! A mid-grade communication artifact that allows instant, private messages over long distances. Its function is no different from a communication crystal but this artifact's advantage is that… its signal cannot be blocked by isolation barriers."
The Pavilion Master's sharp gaze lingered on the walkie-talkies, her fingers brushing against their slick surface. "Interesting. If that's the case. I assume this cannot be intercepted as well?"
"Indeed. Its security is top-notch! You can set a unique frequency here and only a connected device can communicate with it." Xiaoyu declared, puffing out her chest. "It's encrypted with spiritual energy unique to the owner. Even the best spy wouldn't be able to intercept your messages!"
"I see… Then that means they're useless alone."
"Regrettably, that's the case. However, it guarantees that any messages can only be received by the designated recipient and no one else."
"Who forged this artifact?"
"I apologize, but the identity of the artisan who crafted this artifact is not disclosed," Liu Xiaoyu replied smoothly, her wide grin unwavering. "Our inventory comes from unique sources that prioritize quality and discretion. However, I assure you, Pavilion Master, the craftsmanship speaks for itself!"
The Pavilion Master hummed thoughtfully, turning the Radiant Whisper Device over in her hands. "Interesting. The design is… unconventional, yet practical. And untraceable communication is indeed a rare feature."
Jing'er, standing silently beside her, leaned in slightly to inspect the artifact. "Pavilion Master, this could be invaluable for securing communication lines during sensitive operations."
The Pavilion Master nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "How much for a pair?"
Liu Xiaoyu beamed, her enthusiasm palpable. "100 spirit stones for a pair! A worthwhile investment for peace of mind and security."
The Pavilion Master raised an eyebrow at the price but said nothing, instead placing the devices in her basket. "We'll take one set. Let's continue."
For the next few minutes, Liu Xiaoyu continued guiding the Pavilion Master enthusiastically.
Lin Mo watched from the counter, clearly pleased at Xiaoyu's sales pitches.
"Shopkeeper, your little assistant is improving." Suddenly, Yu Qingyan who was still waiting for her noodles to cook walked approached the counter and stood close to Lin Mo like another interested party, watching over what was transpiring.
"Is she? She's always that enthusiastic. What about you, Miss Yu? Are you not interested in other products? You always seemed content with just satiating your indulgences.
Yu Qingyan's cheeks flushed slightly at Lin Mo's comment.
She faked a cough, trying to regain her elegant composure as she crossed her arms, "Shopkeeper, are you implying that my interests are shallow? I'll have you know, strategic indulgence is key to maintaining focus and balance."
Lin Mo smirked, wiping the counter absentmindedly. "Strategic indulgence, is it? I suppose that makes your repeated purchases of soda and noodles a calculated maneuver for peak performance. I admire the dedication of Miss Yu."
Yu Qingyan raised her chin, feigning indignation. "Precisely. You should be honored that I've chosen your products as my go-to for such important matters."
Lin Mo chuckled, shaking his head. "Honored indeed. Just don't let your 'strategic indulgence' bankrupt you."
"Bankrupt? I'll let you know. I brought a thousand spirit stones with me today! And I'm intending to spend it all!"
"Oh? Are you also in need of a tour, Miss Yu? I don't mind leaving the counter to assist you." Lin Mo said as he continued to poke at Yu Qingyan.
"Very well… Let me see if there are things that can pique my interest more than your heavenly noodles and soda."
Yu Qingyan's declaration hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down, and Lin Mo couldn't resist a sly grin.
"Very well, Miss Yu," He said, stepping out from behind the counter with an exaggerated bow. "Allow me to personally guide you through the wonders of the Divine Convenience Store. Who knows? You might find something to elevate your 'strategic indulgence' to an art form."
Yu Qingyan arched an eyebrow, trying to maintain her composure. But no matter how annoyed she became at how Lin Mo acted, a faint smile couldn't help but tug at her lips.
"Lead the way, Shopkeeper. Let's see if your store lives up to your confidence."
As Lin Mo guided Yu Qingyan through the aisles, he gestured to a shelf filled with peculiar-looking trinkets. They're the ones that didn't have a modern feel to them. They're just regular artifacts that could probably be found in this world.
He picked up a small, orb-like device with a glowing core.
"This is the Spirit Resonance Sphere," He began, holding it up for Yu Qingyan to inspect. "An artifact designed for group meditation. It synchronizes the spiritual energy of up to ten cultivators, enhancing cultivation efficiency during group sessions. It also beats the regular Spiritual Gathering Arrays in its effectiveness. Ideal for sects or small teams out in the wild."
Yu Qingyan tilted her head, examining the orb closely. "Interesting. Does it have any limitations?"
"It's most effective for cultivators within one realm of each other," Lin Mo explained. "Any larger gap in cultivation stages reduces its synchronization efficiency. But for a group of similarly skilled individuals, it's unmatched. Furthermore, this is only usable for at most a year. Any more than that and the effectiveness will drastically lower until it breaks."
Yu Qingyan nodded thoughtfully, placing the sphere back on the shelf. "Practical. Give me ten of these. I'll have our disciples test it."
"How generous." Lin Mo commented as he put ten of the same artifacts.
Because of their functionality, they cost 30 spirit stones each. She already surpassed the record of Young Master Yang Wei.
"Now. Show me something… unique. Something that I can use."
"Unique, you say?" Lin Mo's eyes became that of a hawk watching his prey from up above."I think I have just the thing."
'Let's see if I can push you to spend your thousand spirit stones today.' Lin Mo inwardly laughed as his mind already drifted to that golden loyalty card waiting to be given to its first owner.