Divine Convenience Store

The monk's words carried weight, each syllable probing him like a needle testing for weakness.

"Wield or be wielded, dear customer? That's a heavy question for a shopkeeper just trying to spread convenience." He gestured to the bustling store, where cultivators clutched store products with eager hands. "I am not wielding any power, nor am I being wielded by any power. Our store's customers choose what they buy and how they use it. Our only job is to provide what one might need. Even you, dear customer, may find things in here that you never thought you'd need. That's convenience."

With an unreadable expression on his weathered face, the thin, bald monk stared at Lin Mo with eyes glinting with something akin to approval.

"Amitabha. A deft answer, Benefactor. Indeed, it is not on you to decide. You merely provide. Yet the divine thread I sense here is no mere merchant's whim. The Towers disrupt the realm's harmony, drawing foreign energies that clash with its natural flow. Your store strengthens those who challenge it, yet it anchors the Tower's presence. Do you not see the contradiction?"

Lin Mo picked up the subtle shift in the monk's aura. A faint ripple of spiritual energy, like a breeze stirring a calm lake. The Towerbreaker wasn't accusing, not yet, but he was circling, testing the edges of Lin Mo's intent.

"How is it a contradiction, dear customer? The Towers are an opportunity for everyone, whether our store is linked to them or not. The way I see it, we're providing cultivators a supplement to their capabilities. You may have been enlightened about these towers' origins. As such, you made it your mission to destroy them. But to our store and everyone else… it is an opportunity provided to combat the real threat."

The monk's brow lifted slightly, his staff tapping the floor once, a soft thud that seemed to echo deeper than it should. "The real threat? Pray tell, Benefactor. Of which are these real threats you spoke of?"

Lin Mo picked up that the monk knew what he was talking about. He also had knowledge about Anchors.

"You know of those gateways, then. Curious, for a humble shopkeeper yet understandable if one glanced at who's behind this establishment of yours." The monk continued. "They are indeed a graver threat, their roots burrowing into the realm's foundation. Yet the Towers are their heralds, Benefactor. To destroy one is to sever a limb of the greater beast. Tell me, do you believe your store's convenience will outlast the chaos these trials unleash?"

Lin Mo's lips twitched into a wry grin.

This monk. He was aware but he's lumping them together. Either it was a misunderstanding on his part or someone told him that they are and he believed them.

"Outlast? I'm not in the prophecy business, dear customer. I sell what helps today. Tomorrow's chaos can sort itself out. Or a customer can prepare for tomorrow. I'd say the Towers are not limbs but treasure chests to empower us against what's waiting in those underground ruins. Dear customer, you may want to pause on destroying everything on your path – who knows? It may be you who's cutting the limbs of our realm's cultivators. By the way, let's not philosophize. Why don't you take your time browsing our wares first? Shall I introduce you to these 'conveniences'?"

The monk's lips curved into a faint smile, the first crack in his serene facade. "Amitabha. You are eloquent for a mere merchant, Benefactor. I have been enlightened. I will browse, as you suggest, but my eyes seek more than your shelves."

He stepped back, his staff making a light, steady rhythm as he moved toward the various aisles, browsing each product with abject scrutiny. His presence kept drawing whispers from the crowd.

Lin Mo exhaled slowly. How many times would he have to tell his new customers that he's only here to provide convenience? He gets it. The concept of a convenience is too foreign for anyone in this realm, let alone a convenience store heavily supported by divine beings.

'If he found out about the immortal-grade products, what would be his reaction?' Lin Mo thought inwardly as he watched the monk's figure stop right before the invisible divine-grade defensive formation. Unlike most of his customers, the monk could perceive that there was something there. It's just that, his perception and comprehension of the divine were still too low to totally uncover the formation.

Wu Meiyu, who had temporarily taken over the counter when he talked to the monk, quietly leaned in, her voice filled with her usual curiosity.

"That was… intense, Shopkeeper. Towerbreaker, huh? Why is he here and not on the tower? He smells like trouble. If this were our royal court, he'd be denied an audience. Are you sure you don't need to hire security who can turn away unwanted customers?"

With suppressed amusement, Lin Mo shot her a flat look. "Your Highness, if I need security, I'll just put Xiaoyu on the door. She'd talk any unwanted customers into buying half the store or challenge them to a duel. Now that she's busy, why don't you take up that spot and go charm some actual customers before I make you restock our shelves?"

Wu Meiyu's laugh was soft but genuine as she sauntered off with a pout as though Lin Mo had wronged her. Her convenience store uniform masked her royal roots but not her grace, as customers, be it male or female, followed her with their gaze.

—

In the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall], with the conclusion of the Celestial Duel match between the Azure Gale disciples and the mixed group of Red Lotus Academy, Crimson Vale, and White Ember disciples, the multipurpose hall and the threads in the Bulletin Board erupted in discussion of what they witnessed.

There were various talks and threads about different topics, not just the duel. For example, those who appreciated the Celestial Duel Platform and its seamless, almost life-like illusions – be it the Summoned Units, activated Spells or the Celestial Field.

Obviously, many focused on the appearances of the units and it came as no surprise that there were already dedicated threads or groups for the Celestial Idols.

Many talked about the Sapphire Melody, Emerald Florist. Ruby Minstrel, Opal Harmonist and Jade Serenade. They pointed out how they all looked alike as if they were quintuplets who took up different jobs but still became a strong unit. There's also the Diamond Melody, which Xiaoyu showed during the first showcase, but no one included that unit because it was a Level 4 and known to be the Sapphire Melody's upgraded version. Many speculated that if they used the same Spell Card on the other four gem units, they'd all become diamonds.

One of the comments even volunteered to uncover that.

Other than the birth of the Celestial Idol enthusiasts, the live commentary and the result of the match also drew a lot of attention. They even noted Liying of the Red Lotus Academy for being the first potential Celestial Duelist, while the others were not up to par when they couldn't even give their units proper commands.

Of course, the crowd who won the bet erupted and immediately surrounded Xiaoyu as spirit stones changed hands while the girl gleefully tallied the betting pool's winnings and the store's cut on them.

When the fervor died down, many noticed Yan Wei jumping down the stage.

"Not bad. You made my juniors look bad in front of everyone." He snapped his fan shut with a dramatic flourish and pointed up to the audience stand. "Let me recover our Azure Gale's glory. Who among you will take up my challenge in a Celestial Duel? Come down here. I'll bet 100 high-grade spirit stones on myself winning!"

Grandmaster Lian stroked her chin as she responded to him, "Young Master Yan, confidence is well and good, but strategy is key. You'll need more than that to best the challengers coming for you. The Celestial Duel Platform rewards foresight, not just power."

Yan Wei huffed but nodded. His [Celestial Duel Gear] was already alight with his spiritual energy, ready to activate the Awakened Celestial Duelist mode. He's still filled with his confidence as he shuffled his [Celestial Beasts] starter deck.

Eventually, someone jumped down from the audience stand, facing off with him.

It was Zhou Rui. His Celestial Wind Saber was hefted on his shoulder while his wrist also showed that he's equipped with a [Celestial Duel Gear].

The moment he was seen by those who witnessed their previous duel on the same stage, the crowd erupted in whispers and speculations. The Bulletin Board also became ablaze as they hyped up this rematch between the two representatives of the younger generation of Azure Wind and Crimson Veil.

Furthermore, users from the Northern Arctic Dominion and Southern Ember Territories promised to make the trek to Fanling City for a chance to face them.

As the Viewing Jade reached different territories, the store's influence spread to them, and Yan Wei intended to ride that wave to glory.

Liu Xiaoyu also didn't miss the opportunity to further promote the artifact as the recording of the earlier match had been posted on the Bulletin Board.