Divine Convenience Store

Lin Mo's brow twitched at the sight of ArachnidMistress's latest thread. He had just decided not to bother too much with her posts. But here's the First Princess bringing it up again.

The spark in his chest pulsed faintly, as if mocking him for the web of intrigue tightening around the title the woman created for him. He leaned over, skimming the post with a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

[ArachnidMistress]: The Convenience Saint's wares reshape the battlefield, and now the Celestial Duel Platform arms the bold. Shopkeeper, your light casts long shadows. Will you step into them? My Arachnid Branch marches to spread your gospel, but I wonder… does the saint prefer his counter to a throne? The Inner Abyssal Circle watches, and here, I weave for you.

'What kind of drug did that woman consume?' He couldn't help but spit in his head.

The replies were a chaotic blend of awe, skepticism, and outright worship. Some users had even started speculating about a romantic entanglement, while others debated whether the Poison Demon Cult was angling for a monopoly on the store's goods.

He could only shake her head at how wild they could get with speculation. But then again, this was the nature of an online forum, especially one with anonymity. They could say anything they want and run with it.

Of course, if it went too far, it was fairly easy to use some moderation powers to ban the topic. In its current state, he didn't think he'd need to police it right away. It may be harmful to his reputation, but who's to say they know him personally? Only a handful could answer that.

As for the ArachnidMistress whose identity was pretty much confirmed to be Venom Master Xun of Arachnid Branch, he's waiting for his visit to the store – if ever she planned to do so. He's already imagining how disappointed she will be when he ends up being too far from the image she built up for him.

Lin Mo snorted, taking his attention away from Wu Meiyu's Viewing Jade. "Obsession, Your Highness? More like she's trying to rope me into her schemes. ArachnidMistress is just stirring trouble to catch my attention. You need not get sucked into her threads."

Wu Meiyu's lips curved, her eyes glinting with mischief as she tucked the jade away. "Trouble, perhaps, but she's got a flair for words. If I didn't know better, I'd say she's half in love with you, Shopkeeper. Or at least with the idea of you, the Convenience Saint."

She paused for a moment just to stare at him for a good few seconds. Most likely to observe his facial expressions. When she didn't find any satisfactory reaction from him, the First Princess sighed and probed him. "Are you not planning to answer her, Shopkeeper?"

Lin Mo waved his hand dismissively. The First Princess was fishing, but she's clearly ignorant of how he rolls yet.

"Answer her? I don't need to, Your Highness. I only post announcements and reply to the Golden Patrons. She isn't one yet, so I'm not obligated to do so. I say, let her have her fun. She might be trying to stir the pot but there was no meat in her stew. If she wants to play games, she can come to the counter like everyone else and I'll treat her the same as I treat you."

Ending his words with a wink, Lin Mo dropped the topic right there.

Wu Meiyu laughed softly, her regal poise softening as she adjusted her green-and-white uniform. "Impressive, Shopkeeper. But if she shows up, I'm betting Xiaoyu will start a racket on whether you sell her snacks or ban her from the store."

"Xiaoyu would bet on whether I blink too slow and then bring up another woman in the conversation." Lin Mo muttered, his gaze drifting to the store's entrance.

The crowd showed no signs of thinning, cultivators and mortals alike buzzed with excitement over the duel platform and Yan Wei's exhibition matches. The silent effect of the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] wove through the air, amplifying the store's spiritual energy and drawing in curious passersby like moths to a flame.

"Another woman, huh?" The First Princess whispered softly in which Lin Mo failed to catch.

His thoughts had already been caught by some parts of the ArachnidMistress's post. For example, the way she emphasized her branch's movement to spread his gospel.

The Poison Demon Cult was moving faster than he'd expected. Their pivot to 'spreading convenience' smelled like another move by the old man to cement his intention. The High Priest's message about becoming an Official Distributor was still sitting in his inbox, unanswered. He couldn't answer it yet since there wasn't any slot for another distributor yet. It had to wait until the store reached another tier.

"Shopkeeper!" Xiao Ya's voice cut through his musings, her small frame bouncing as she waved a scanner over a customer's purchases. "The multipurpose hall's packed! Can I also come there during my break? You know… Sister Xiaoyu says the betting stall is about to make a killing and it's a great opportunity to play Celestial Duel again!"

Lin Mo stared at the young girl for a moment before eventually giving in. "Alright. Go on. Let me take over."

"You're the best, Boss!" As if she had just been released from her cage, the girl immediately darted away after doing an awkward salute, copying what Xiaoyu used to do.

She picked up her Viewing Jade and then put on her own Celestial Duel Gear, ready to join in the fun.

"You're quite softhearted too, Shopkeeper." The First Princess commented with a teasing tone.

"Don't start me with that. The girl had been standing here since our day's opening. She deserved a break."

"Oh. Sure. If that's how you want to spin it, I'll be your guest."

Understanding it's pointless to convince her that it's not the case, Lin Mo put his focus back on his customers and the spirit stones they're bringing to the store.

A while later, Lin Mo's gaze shifted to the store's entrance as a thin, bald monk stepped inside, his patched robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. His staff rested lightly against the ground, its tip scratching the floor. The man's aura was serene yet heavy, like a still lake hiding a storm beneath.

Cultivators parted for him instinctively, their whispers trailing like ripples.

"A monk in this store? Where does he come from?" Some questioned but they couldn't truly block his path as the bald monk had this holy aura surrounding him as if it would be an affront to bother him

Lin Mo's spiritual perception zeroed in on the monk, catching the intricate flow of spiritual energy woven into his steady steps.

The [Thousandfold Spring Chant] was subtle but unmistakable. It's a technique that sharpened the mind and spirit, far beyond what most cultivators here could muster.

At the very least, he wasn't an ordinary wandering monk. He was someone who'd walked through storms and left scars in his wake.

A certain title popped up in Lin Mo's head as the monk approached. Towerbreaker

"Amitabha," The monk greeted softly, his eyes sweeping the shelves before settling on Lin Mo. His weathered face showed no hostility, only a quiet intensity that made the spark in Lin Mo's chest pulse harder.

"Shopkeeper Lin, I presume? Your Divine Convenience Store is… remarkable. It is a nexus of divine intent subtly hiding from this realm's perception."

Lin Mo straightened, his business smile sliding into place, though his senses stayed sharp. "Welcome, dear customer. Our store is a humble establishment, selling convenience, not miracles. If it's not trouble to ask, have you passed by the Jade Hollow Plains on your way here?"

The monk nodded, not even trying to hide it.

"I see. You've got a set of my customers buzzing. Towerbreaker, they're calling you. Care to browse, or is there something specific you're after?"

The monk's lips curved faintly, his fingers going through his prayer beads. "Amitabha. Names are but wind, fleeting and formless, Benefactor. I seek truth, not wares. Your store is tied to the Conduit Tower, is it not? I followed the divine thread connected to it here. It is a curious situation. One that I have not encountered from the previous towers I've… visited."

Lin Mo's smile didn't waver. The monk sounded reasonable enough but the fact that he didn't deny being called Towerbreaker and accepted it outright. There must be some truth in it.

WanderingLeaf's thread had mentioned ruined sects and shattered Towers. If this monk deemed the store as another extension of the Tower, things could get messy. He kept his tone light, laced with his usual pragmatism.

"Indeed, dear customer. The Tower is a trial ground. The divine connection you've sensed in it allowed challengers to have access to our store's wares. Tools, talismans, snacks, and anything useful – whatever helps cultivators face it. I assume you suspect a grand scheme. Fear not, for our store only spreads convenience."

The monk's gaze held his, unblinking. "Convenience that reshapes fates. Your wares empower one, but can they not also bind?"

"Hmm? Dear customer? Do you mean to say it is limiting my customers?"

"Is it not? People will become too reliant on you. Tell me, Benefactor, this convenience, do you wield this power, or does it wield you?"