Lin Mo had anticipated some level of curiosity, but watching these powerful cultivators react like children given a new toy was truly amusing.
"Indeed, dear customers," He replied to one of the comments they left. "The golden badge and effects around your names indicate your status as Golden Patrons. This is part of the 'prestige recognition' I mentioned. Whenever you comment, your status will be reflected, making it clear to others that you are esteemed supporters of the Divine Convenience Store."
Yu Qingyan, no, MistyRain, smirked. "I see. So, Shopkeeper, this will distinguish us from regular customers once more people gain access to the Viewing Jades."
"Exactly," Lin Mo nodded. "And in future updates, there may be more customization options or even higher tiers of recognition. For now, this serves as both an honor and proof of your early investment in the store. Also, I advise you to keep your username a secret. The purpose of it is to remain anonymous on the Bulletin Board. That way, you all can freely state your opinions."
Pill Master Ying, or rather EmberAlchemist, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm. Indeed. Anonymity is necessary. If this Store Bulletin Board expands further, this will become a powerful tool for information dissemination."
Grandmaster Lian, now ScarletTalisman, glanced at him and nodded in agreement. "More than that, it will establish a network between your loyal customers, Shopkeeper Lin. A subtle yet brilliant method to ensure engagement."
Lin Mo smiled knowingly but didn't confirm nor deny anything. Instead, he gestured to their Viewing Jades again. "By the way, there is also a 'like' function. You may express appreciation for a comment without needing to reply."
Without hesitation, UnrivaledGale or Yan Wei tapped on his own comment.
"Hahaha! Look! Mine already has a like!"
Yu Qingyan rolled her eyes. "You just liked your own comment, you buffoon."
"Still counts," Yan Wei huffed.
While the group familiarized themselves with the Viewing Jades, murmurs began spreading through the store. Other customers who had been watching the demonstration closely had their curiosity and envy growing.
"Shopkeeper Lin, will more Viewing Jades be available in the future?" Someone finally asked from the crowd.
Lin Mo turned to them and nodded, "Of course, dear customers. However, the next batch will take some time. For now, our store has only prepared five Viewing Jades for the Golden Patrons. But it won't be exclusive for them in the future. As I've said, the Store Bulletin Board will be a place for any of our customers to connect to our store."
The murmuring grew louder. More customers were now determined to get their hands on it as soon as it became available. They couldn't miss gaining access to this mysterious new communication tool.
Lin Mo inwardly smirked. His vision of the store's future was shaping up.
The Store Bulletin Board was only the beginning. There are more to come. Maybe in the future, the Convenience might turn into an outright department store.
But even if that happened, Lin Mo would continue hoisting up the flag for 'convenience'.
After the demonstration of the Viewing Jades, the five Golden Patrons dispersed.
Grandmaster Lian and Pill Master Ying left with their group. Some were excited to analyze what they purchased, while the rest were curious about the Viewing Jade.
Yu Qingyan and Elder Chu continued their bickering but over steaming meals of Instant Cultivation Meal Kits that they had just heated from the store's microwave or Instant Heat Spirit Cauldron.
Yu Qingyan picked the Spicy Flamebird Mushroom Stew, while Chu Yueying opted for the Jade Seafood Congee. Their argument had shifted from the Bulletin Board to which meal had the superior flavor and cultivation benefits.
Somehow, since they were seated close to the entrance where the tables and chairs for dining were located, they ended up becoming promoters of those packed meals. The aroma of their food wafted around them and the way they bickered about its flavor and benefits made the other customers check out that new shelf filled with different packed meals made especially by the Ember Saintess, Huoling of the Divine Pantheon.
Meanwhile, Yan Wei was still marveling over his Viewing Jade, tapping through its interface with an almost childish fascination. Every now and then, he'd let out an excited chuckle, likely admiring his own username's golden glow.
The Azure Gale Sect disciples who he brought with him would occasionally wander around him, asking about it. And he was more than welcome to show them the new prestige he had gotten.
Just , the 7th day of the Divine Convenience Store started strong. A steady stream of customers filled the now-spacious interior and the Daily Task set by the Divine Interface System had gradually been fulfilled.
By midday, Lin Mo took over the counter and cash register again, letting Liu Xiaoyu relieve their little employee, Xiao Ya, from assisting the new customers.
He then glanced at the updated status of the Daily Tasks.
[New Golden Patrons: 2/5]
[New Customers: 35/50]
[Repeat Customers: 25/25 (Completed)]
"Not bad. New Customer count will slowly fill up, but Golden Patrons is still hard to go by." He mused
Spending 100 high-grade spirit stones was still a huge hurdle. As for the customers who visit the store for consecutive days, no one has made the streak of 5 yet. After all, even Zhou Rui, one of the store's most loyal patrons, had a day where he didn't visit the store, breaking his 4-day streak.
"Boss Lin, I'm back. Uhm, Sister Xiaoyu said you called for me."
Lin Mo looked up from the counter and saw Xiao Ya standing before him, her small hands clasped together as she awaited his instructions. She had been diligently assisting customers all morning, her enthusiasm evident in the way she dashed back and forth between shelves, carrying goods and answering basic questions.
Though her awakened bloodline physique gave her more endurance than an ordinary mortal, she was still, at the end of the day, a young girl without cultivation. Unlike cultivators who could go for days without rest, she still had limits. Lin Mo could already see a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, and though she was trying to hide it, her breathing was slightly heavier than usual.
"You're doing well today, Xiao Ya," Lin Mo said, giving her a nod of approval. "But you're still a mortal, and even with your awakened bloodline, you need rest. Go on and take a break. There's food in the Shopkeeper's Lounge. You can help yourself to whatever you like. You can ask Yangyang to eat with you. She must have been bored taking calls from our customers."
Xiao Ya blinked in surprise. "B-But, Boss Lin! I can still work! I'm not tired at all!" she protested, though her body betrayed her words.
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then tell me, what was the item the customer you last assisted purchased?"
Xiao Ya opened her mouth, then paused, her brows furrowing in deep concentration. After a few seconds, she pouted, realizing she couldn't recall.
Lin Mo chuckled. "See? You're overworking yourself. I hired you as our employee, not as a slave. Go eat, then rest for a bit. You can come back after you've regained your energy."
Xiao Ya hesitated for a moment, clearly torn between her newfound dedication to this job and the kindness of Lin Mo's words. In the end, her grumbling stomach made the decision for her.
She shyly nodded. "Alright, Boss Lin... I'll take a short break."
"Good," Lin Mo said, pointing toward the back. "Head to the lounge. You can see it right away. Our quarters aren't as spacious as our store anyway."
Xiao Ya perked up and dashed off, though at a much slower pace than usual. Lin Mo shook his head in amusement before turning his attention back to the customers.