"That'll be 120 low-grade or 12 intermediate-grade spirit stones." Lin Mo with his usual business smile rang up the customer's items.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper. Your exchange is still baffling but I'm glad your items have become cheaper. I can now buy more of these."
The customer, who was a disciple from the Azure Gale Sect happily handed over the spirit stones as his eyes sparkled, lifting a box of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips that contained 24 60-gram packs. After the price adjustment, it went down from 2 Spirit Stones (Unspecified Quality) to 5 low-grade Spirit Stones.
Lin Mo tried to understand the reasoning for that price but since he had no idea about the actual economic state of this region of the Realm of Nine Heavens, he gave up and asked the system for an explanation instead.
Apparently, it was adjusted according to the data gathered from the past three days. The previous pricing was set roughly without considering the economic impact of the store's unique items because the Divine Pantheon simply wanted to sell them and spread the name of the store.
With the Pavilion Master raising the concern on the pricing, the need to regulate the prices is now adopted to the Divine System Interface.
The system's explanation made sense. However, Lin Mo had no idea if the Divine Pantheon's disinterest in their actual profit from the sold items changed.
Initially, Taihao told him that he just needed to sell and spread the name of the store.
He made a mental note to ask that when one of them showed up again.
Aside from that, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret at the lost opportunity to rake in even more spirit stones from the earlier clueless customers. He also benefited from those, after all.
Now, the +1 Spirit Stone for Customer Satisfaction has also been adjusted. Instead of the fix +1 Spirit Stone, he could only get at most, a fourth of the value of the transaction.
For example, the transaction just now.
[Customer Satisfaction Enhanced: +0.3 Spirit Stones]
While that's not too bad, he will now have to goad his rich customers to buy more and ensure their satisfaction to get a fat bonus to his Personal Balance.
Still, the adjusted prices seemed to be drawing more customers, or at the very least, they were getting convinced to fork out more of their stashed spirit stones whenever they thought it was a fair price for the item they got their eyes on. That ultimately worked in the store's favor.
As the Azure Gale Sect disciple left with his prized box of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips, Liu Xiaoyu who had nothing better to do again returned to the counter, grinning from ear to ear.
"Boss, is that snack really that good? While there's the additional value of the Spirit Infusion, isn't it merely a potato? And yet he bought the whole box!"
Lin Mo chuckled while shaking his head. "Why don't you try one for yourself? You'll know why they liked it."
"Oh? Is it a favorite snack from your world too, boss? Okay! I decided. I'll taste every cheap snack our store is selling! It will be easier to coax more customers into buying them if I recommend them because I can attest to their taste!"
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden enthusiasm.
"Sure, Xiaoyu. Go ahead. But remember, you'll have to pay for what you eat. No freebies, even for my prodigious assistant."
"Boss! I'm doing this for the store! It's research, not indulgence!" Liu Xiaoyu pouted, puffing her cheeks cutely while acting indignant.
But her cuteness was useless against Lin MO.
With a teasing grin, he said "Research or not, you still have to pay. Consider it part of your contribution to the store's success."
Liu Xiaoyu huffed in disappointment as she walked away.
After grabbing a small bag of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips from the shelf, the young woman brought it to the counter and paid for it through her Personal Balance.
"Stingy boss! Alright. I'll start with this one. Watch closely. I'll give you a detailed review that will convince every customer to buy them in bulk!"
Lin Mo silently chuckled, neither encouraging nor discouraging her, as he watched her tear open the bag and pop a chip into her mouth.
The moment the chip touched her tongue, her eyes widened and her ears twitched in delight.
Liu Xiaoyu chewed slowly, savoring the flavor, before breaking into an exaggerated gasp.
"What is this…?! Boss! Seriously amazing! It's salty, crispy, and there's this subtle tingle of spiritual energy that makes it so refreshing! No wonder that guy just now looks like he just bought an ancient artifact!"
Lin Mo smirked while clicking his tongue, "Told you. And that's just one flavor. There are more if you want to continue your 'research.'"
Liu Xiaoyu's eyes sparkled mischievously as she stuffed another chip into her mouth.
"Oh, I will, Boss. Just you wait. By the end of the day, I'll be the official snack connoisseur of the Divine Convenience Store!"
Lin Mo couldn't help but laugh at her antics, her boundless energy lifting the store's atmosphere.
Watching her enjoy that snack was also making him curious. He's wondering how different its flavor will be compared to the ones from Earth.
The Spicy Taihao Noodles have quite a distinct taste but at least, it's not unpalatable to his tongue. And he could guess why, it's because of the many artificial flavorings from modern Earth convenience store food.
While Taihao or whoever's making them from the Divine Pantheon could imitate its packaging, they still had to come up with their own mix of seasonings. On top of that, they also added those special effects that were beneficial for the inhabitants of this world.
The morning passed in a flurry of activity with a steady stream of customers coming and going.
Some were new faces, while others were repeat visitors who had clearly been impressed by their previous purchases. Lin Mo noticed a trend. More disciples from the various sects all over the region have started showing up. The visit of the Crimson Vale Sect, Azure Gale Sect and the Verdant Sky Pavilion had already spread far and wide.
And thanks to his newly enhanced Spirit Perception, he noticed some sketchy observers from outside the store. They were watching the activity inside in rapt attention. Most likely they were part of some forces, trying to gather information about the rumored store.
"Well, as long as they're causing trouble inside, it's fine…" He said before taking his attention back to the door and the upcoming new group of customers.
A group of female disciples from the Crimson Vale Sect entered. Their crimson robes are a striking contrast to the store's modern aesthetic.
With excitement in their eyes, they immediately began browsing the shelves before arriving at the one where the beauty set Xiaoyu arranged was located.
Upon spotting them, Liu Xiaoyu's eyes sparkled brilliantly as she stopped munching on her snack before darting toward them. Her sales pitch is already forming.
"Welcome, esteemed customers! May I interest you in our limited edition beauty set? Perfect for maintaining that radiant glow even after a grueling mission!"
Surprisingly, even Liu Xiaoyu was dumbfounded when all of them happily picked up the set without any follow-up questions.
Intrigued, Lin Mo asked them when they arrived at the counter, "Hmm? Dear customers, are you buying these because of feedback from someone who purchased them yesterday?"
"Oh! Yes, Shopkeeper! Yesterday, a group of our senior disciples went on a mission. They said the items they bought from the store became crucial to completing it flawlessly. Particularly this comb."
One of the female disciples answered as she raised the still-packed Spirit Tress Comb.
Upon hearing that, Lin Mo couldn't help but raise his brows, trying to wrap his head around it…
How did the comb become crucial to their mission? Did they comb the hair of an evil witch, satisfying her with her revitalized hair?