By afternoon, the advance forces of the Poison Demon Cult failed to gain any advantage. While most of the beasts they brought with them had been killed or injured by the cultivators of various forces that engaged them, there were few casualties on their Acolytes and Priests deployed to direct command.
Likewise, the scouting groups and the reinforcements from their respective sects also suffered less. There wasn't even a casualty, only a few injuries that had been tended to right away.
They held the line quite magnificently, preventing the forces from the cult from advancing out of the Abyssal Forest.
Still, the Elders who were dispatched to take command of their forces noticed that apart from the few Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Priests, the bulk of the cult's forces were those corrupted demonic beasts. It made them wonder if the cult was truly serious about invading.
Despite the chaotic battle beyond the walls, a strange balance had emerged. Both sides were engaged in combat, yet neither had suffered significant losses except the demonic beasts that the cult brought with them.
It was as if they were testing each other rather than committing to an all-out war.
Furthermore, every force had a group utilizing the products from the store. In particular, the ones at the forefront who were only supposed to be scout groups became the vanguard as they pushed back the front line to the edge of the Abyssal Forest.
Zhou Rui with his spirit-grade saber and the amplification of the Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals.
Yan Wei who's wearing a weird cap, wiping out the floor against the Acolytes of the cult.
The City Guards were also holding on. They weren't being pushed back despite half of them were still at the Body Tempering Stage of Body Cultivation.
"Is it just me or are our disciples unknowingly stronger? Their strength shouldn't be at this level. Those demonic beasts are enhanced too." A Core Formation Elder from the Azure Gale Sect asked the Elders from the other forces as they stared at the state of the battlefield.
"Indeed. That Zhou Rui… He just cut down a Nightmare Ogre with such ease. Did he break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage?" An Elder from the Crimson Vale Sect squinted at the scene, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Another Elder scoffed, crossing his arms, "Breakthrough? Even that one brat from our sect who's barely at the ninth level of Spirit Condensation Stage had taken down a Nightmare Ogre. It's not a difficult feat."
"Oh, is that so? You seem to be confident that it's because of his own strength. Can't you see the weapons and talismans they're using? Look at our young master." The Elder from the Azure Gale Sect chimed in again before pointing at Yan Wei.
Yan Wei, now darting through the battlefield like a ghost, sent another cultist flying with a single casual flick of his hand. The unfortunate Acolyte crashed into a tree, his robes tattered and unconscious before he even hit the ground.
The gathered Elders exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.
"It's not just them," One of the senior figures from the White Ember Sect observed. "The City Guards. Look at them. They should be struggling, yet they're holding firm. The balance shouldn't be this skewed, even if we reacted quickly. Are the demonic beasts of the cult these weak?"
"Are they using artifacts? Some secret technique?"
"No, look closely. I pointed it out already." The Elder from the Azure Gale Sect repeated.
There was a long pause before realization dawned upon them all.
The word left their lips like a revelation. It explained everything. Their disciples' sudden rise in strength, the guards' resilience and the lack of severe injuries.
"Are you saying this result is because of that peculiar store? Impossible!" One Elder who wasn't up to date with the influence of the Divine Convenience Store remained skeptical.
While the white-haired Elders were wondering what they were seeing, Yu Qingyan and Elder Chu were also having the same line of discussion as they spectated the state of the battlefield.
"I only equipped one group with those bundles from the store and they're already showing more results than the others." Yu Qingyan muttered while taking a sip of her Heavenly Dew Soda.
Elder Chu let out a spirited laughter, "Fufu. It is indeed a great purchase. Look at our sect disciples. They're leading the charge. Yu Qingyan, I'm planning to visit the Shopkeeper after this. Will you stop me?"
"What are you on about, Chu Yueying? Am I your babysitter?"
"Oh? You don't mind me flirting with him?"
"I don't care. You seem to carry some misunderstanding. My relationship with Shopkeeper Lin is purely business-related. I'm a patron of his store. Nothing else."
"Oh-hoh? Okay then. Noted. Don't come to me if I successfully seduced him."
"He won't fall for a vixen like you."
"Don't blame me if I go all out then," Elder Chu said with a teasing smile, watching Yu Qingyan out of the corner of her eye.
Yu Qingyan snorted, ignoring her antics.
Her attention remained on the battlefield, where the tide of battle was oddly stable. It was almost eerie.
Just a day ago, everyone was making it sound like they were going to face a calamity where battles were usually vicious, with losses mounting quickly. Yet here they were, not only holding the line but actually pushing the cult back.
All thanks to the Divine Convenience Store.
Her grip on the bottle of Heavenly Dew Soda tightened slightly.
'That store's influence in our region is enough to topple the balance out of the scale.' Yu Qingyan thought inwardly as she downed the last gulp of her soda.
"Priest, you're back!" One of the Acolytes standing guard at the hidden passage was surprised at Luo Ming emerging from the city so quickly.
Although he looked empty-handed, the spatial pouch tied to his waist looked like it was almost bulging with items.
"Let's go. I got my hands on what the High Priest wanted. Send word to our forces to retreat. We'll go back to the stronghold." Luo Ming commanded as they furtively slipped away from the western wall of the Fanling City and into the path leading back to the Abyssal Forest.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching them from far away.
"City Lord, why did we not capture them? That guy appeared to be a high-ranking figure from the cult. Is it true that his reason for infiltration is to visit the store?" Captain Zhao asked Wei Xian who also left the confines of his city to watch over the battlefield.
Yesterday, when Lin Mo sent him those three cult spies, he had long stationed people to follow their every move. And because of that, the moment Luo Ming made contact with them, the City Lord was already taking tabs on him. He even sent people into the store as customers, overhearing the conversation between them.
"Indeed. He visited the store and the Shopkeeper sold him a lot of their store products. He's truly a cunning figure despite his weak appearance."
"City Lord! That's… treason, isn't it? He sold powerful products to the enemy of our city."
"Normally, I'll agree with you, Captain Zhao but remember, the background of that store is as mysterious as the Poison Demon those cultists are worshipping. We'll observe first and see what they're going to do next. Good thing my daughter and Zhou Liang bought those bundles yesterday. Our City Guard's strength was also elevated."
Captain Zhao's face twisted in barely contained frustration.
"City Lord, we can't just let this slide. If the cult uses the store's products against us—"
Wei Xian cut him off with a raised hand. "That's exactly what I'm waiting to see. This could be a double-edged sword for them. If their products truly strengthen the cult's forces, then every faction in the city will unite against the store. But I believe that Shopkeeper had another idea."
Captain Zhao frowned but ultimately nodded. "Understood. We'll keep monitoring the situation."
As the two men observed the retreating figures of Luo Ming and his followers disappearing into the Abyssal Forest, Wei Xian fell into contemplation.
'Shopkeeper Lin, just how far ahead are you thinking?'