Back at the Divine Pantheon, Zhenren Lihua sat serenely on a floating jade platform within the Celestial Garden of Tranquility.
Streams of divine energy wove through the air like living threads yet invisible, their soft hums harmonizing with the faint rustle of ethereal flora in their surroundings.
Across from her, Taihao, the divine old man who brought Lin Mo to the Realm of Nine Heavens was stroking his long beard with a hint of amusement on his face.
His casual demeanor was quite a contrast to Lihua's composed elegance.
A soft breeze ruffled his robes, yet his expression remained one of mild curiosity.
"What do you find amusing, Taihao? Are you spending your days observing your little experiment in the realm below?" Lihua asked.
Taihao's eyes twinkled as his fingers idly twirled a strand of his long beard. "Lihua, my dear, I don't need to observe every moment to know the store is causing ripples. That little Shopkeeper of mine is resourceful. I've been busy with other matters such as finding inspiration for new products and telling Chuang what to create next. I trust the system to handle things."
Lihua arched a delicate brow, her serene expression unchanging.
"You truly are a hands-off overseer. Do you not worry that your so-called 'experiment' might spiral out of control? We've received a lot of complaints, you know? I even had to prepare the Customer Hotline. The Realm of Nine Heavens is not as stable as it appears."
Taihao chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Spiral out of control? Lin Mo is a mortal with a sharp wit, but he's not reckless. Besides, the system is designed to guide and protect the store. If anything goes awry, it'll handle it or notify us. Just like that Customer Hotline. There's no need for micromanagement."
"And yet, you brought a mortal from another realm to manage it. A bold choice, even for you. Are you not curious about how he's faring?"
Taihao shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Curious? Perhaps. But I've given him my Celestial Providence. He'll manage. I've learned that letting things unfold naturally often yields the most interesting results. Lin Mo has the tools he needs. Whether he succeeds or stumbles, it's his journey to navigate."
Lihua's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You're testing him, then. Seeing if a mortal can adapt to a divine undertaking."
"Testing, nurturing. It's all the same," Taihao replied. "Besides, isn't it more entertaining this way? Mortals have a knack for surprising us, don't they?"
Lihua's laughter rang out, light and melodic. "You and your penchant for entertainment.
A soft chime suddenly echoed, the sound emanating from a golden artifact hovering nearby.
Taihao glanced at it, his grin returning.
"See? The system's got it covered. If something's up, we'll know."
The artifact pulsed with light, projecting a stream of data into the air.
Taihao and Lihua leaned closer, their expressions shifting from curiosity to intrigue as they read the report.
[System Update: Divine Convenience Store
-Daily Tasks Completed 100%
-Customer Satisfaction Rate: 94%
-Major Purchases: Verdant Sky Pavilion Emissary Yu Qingyan, Verdant Sky Pavilion Master Yu Mingrou, Azure Gale Sect Disciple Yan Wei, White Ember Sect Master Lin Yuanzhi.
-Features Activated: Barter System (Trial Phase).
-Field Test Feedback: Products utilized effectively in high-stakes encounters. Overall effectiveness rating: 94%.
-Notable Incidents: Increased sect activity in Fanling City. Potential for external conflicts identified but mitigated through proactive measures by the Shopkeeper.]
Lihua's brows knitted as she absorbed the information. "A barter system? Field tests? It seems the store has been far more active than we anticipated."
Taihao chuckled, pulling on his long beard thoughtfully. "Looks like Lin Mo's been busy. And creative. A barter system for mortals? He's trying to catch every customer there is."
"Indeed," Lihua muttered under her breath before sighing. "This report is promising, but it also highlights potential risks. Will you go down after closing time? None of us did yesterday, he must've been raring to ask us more questions."
Taihao chuckled, the sound rich with amusement as he leaned back on the floating platform.
"Oh, I'm certain Lin Mo has a mountain of questions. The mortal mind is ever-curious, especially when thrust into something unknown. But no, I think I'll let him stew a little longer. Keeps things interesting. Let's wait until the store reaches the next tier."
Lihua's serene gaze sharpened, a hint of disapproval flickering across her face.
"You're far too lax, Taihao. All you think about is amusement. This is the result of you discovering that realm. You came up with this idea. The Divine Convenience Store is meant to be a cornerstone of our influence in the Realm of Nine Heavens. If we lose control of its operations, the consequences could ripple far beyond Fanling City."
Taihao waved a dismissive hand, his grin unyielding. "Control is overrated, Lihua. Trust in the system. Trust in Lin Mo. The young man is clever, and the system was designed with contingencies for every conceivable scenario. Besides, wasn't it your idea to add that hotline? You're also influenced by that realm."
Lihua sighed. "The hotline was a necessity, not a whim. Without that, they'd be flooded with complaints there. We've already received numerous complaints and inquiries and while most are mundane, some raise valid concerns. The major cultivation forces are becoming more entangled with the store. How do you think he will navigate the politics behind it?"
Taihao stroked his beard, his gaze drifting toward the ethereal sky above.
"How, you ask? Just watch. He's an outsider, unbound by the biases and politics of this realm. He sees things differently, acts differently. That's his strength."
"And his weakness," Lihua countered, "He's a mortal, Taihao. His perspective may be unique, but it's also limited. If he makes a mistake, it could cost us dearly."
"Mortal? No. Look again, he started his journey in cultivation."
"Huh? Wait… How is that possible? You reconstructed his mortal body, right? Did you open his meridians?"
Taihao chuckled, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he stroked his beard. "Ah, Lihua, you underestimate my foresight. Of course, I reconstructed his body, but I didn't open his meridians. That was his doing."
Lihua's serene composure faltered for a moment.
"You're saying he managed to open his meridians and start cultivating on his own? That's… unusual, to say the least. Even for someone under your Celestial Providence."
"Indeed. That's why he's interesting. For now, let's sit back and watch from the sidelines. Oh, about the suggestions raised in the hotline, send the list to Chuang. He'll make it."
After saying that, Taihao stood up and strode out of the garden.
Left behind, Lihua put a hand on her forehead, murmuring something to herself.