Divine Convenience Store

Elsewhere, the news about the Abyssal Forest and the Poison Demon Cult spread rapidly by the City Lord, reaching various factions and sects situated near the forest.

Each of them reacted differently, their responses shaped by their priorities, location, and internal politics. Some started moving right away while others chose to stand by and watch how it would unfold.

Within the grand hall of the Crimson Vale Sect, Sect Master Hong Ying sat on a raised platform, her crimson robes flowed like liquid fire. Her piercing gaze swept over the gathered elders and core disciples, their faces grim as they absorbed the report sent back by the inner court disciple Zhou Rui.

"The Poison Demon Cult has always been this ambitious to expand to the other side of the Abyssal Forest. They absorbed smaller unorthodox sects into their cult worshipping the Poison Demon. They may be corrupting demonic beasts and establishing strongholds within the Abyssal Forest but their strength still lies in their ability to concoct poison that could even affect the spiritual body of Nascent Soul Stage experts like me. The former sect master, my predecessor, had passed away while afflicted by it."

With a solemn tone laced with bloodthirst, Sect Master Hong Ying continued, her voice reverberating through the grand hall.

"Our Crimson Vale is situated at the southwestern mouth of the Abyssal Forest and has always stood here like a guardian to the plains behind us. We grow by using the forest itself as trial grounds for our disciples and hunt down any members of the Evil Faction that would dare step foot in our region. Let it be known, our Crimson Vale will not stand idle while these vermin fester in our backyard."

One of the elders, a middle-aged man who looked like a shrewd merchant with a perpetually furrowed brow, raised his hand. "Sect Master, while our sect is notoriously known to be bloodthirsty and never backed down against a challenge, the Poison Demon Cult's methods are insidious. They do not fight fair. I suggest we play dirty as well. Maybe that peculiar store which had been the talk of the disciples recently possessed things we might need. There's also the Azure Gale Sect."

Hong Ying's lips curved into a wry smile. "Elder Zhao, are you suggesting we form an alliance with those pompous fools at Azure Gale? They'd sooner take credit for our efforts than offer genuine assistance. As for the store… Elder Chu, can you repeat Disciple Zhou Rui's report?"

Elder Chu, a sharp-eyed woman with streaks of silver in her hair, stepped forward. "Sect Master, Zhou Rui's report mentioned the Divine Convenience Store. Its products played a critical role in their survival and the retrieval of this intel. They said they'd be introducing bundles and packages with reasonable prices that may be helpful to this incoming crisis. Shall we send someone to take a look at it?"

Hong Ying audibly tapped the armrest of her seat as she contemplated, "I am skeptical of this store that popped up out of nowhere. We have our own resources and supplies to distribute. Send an envoy to the store and retrieve some samples. We'll decide what to do afterward."

The elders murmured in agreement, their minds already strategizing how to leverage the store's influence to their advantage.

"Oh and do not forget to buy their touted indulgences." Hong Ying suddenly added, acting like it was an afterthought but every elder in the room could see their usually composed Sect Master smacking her lips as though she was remembering the taste of something she'd eaten recently.

"Understood Sect Master, we'll also procure samples of Heavenly Dew Soda, Spirit-Infused Potato Chips and Spicy Taihao Noodles," Elder Chu bowed, grinning secretly.

—

In the secluded Lightning Amethyst Sect located northwest of the Abyssal Forest, Sect Leader Xu Mingzhao paced the room, his usually calm demeanor replaced with visible agitation.

They had received words that surviving disciples from the Abyssal Forest incident were being transported by Crimson Vale disciples who incidentally rescued them. They were chased down by a horde of corrupted demonic beasts and got seriously injured. The report also mentioned how they were treated with products from the store whose name was spreading like wildfire in their region.

Xu Mingzhao clenched his fists as he listened to their harrowing account. "The Poison Demon Cult dares to encroach upon our territory? This is an affront we cannot ignore, especially when they dared ambush my youngest son Xu Ming who had brought over disciples to scout the premises and gather herbs for our sect's reserves!"

An elder with a long, flowing beard and a perpetually worried expression stepped forward. "Sect Leader, while it is indeed an insult, we must tread carefully. The Poison Demon Cult is not to be trifled with, it has grown a lot over the past few years. Our sect's current strength is spread thin due to recent expeditions."

Xu Mingzhao's piercing gaze locked onto the elder. "Are you suggesting we let them run rampant? That we cower in our halls while they strengthen their foothold in the Abyssal Forest? My son barely survived, and our disciples are being nursed back to health with products not from our sect but from a store! A store!"

The elder coughed awkwardly, muttering under his breath, "It's a very well-stocked store, Sect Leader… And it's the one closest to where they were found. I believe it was fortunate that they had been treated quickly."

Another elder, a sprightly woman with purple eyes, interrupted. "Sect Leader, do you suspect that they had something to do with it? Even if you do not, perhaps we should investigate this Divine Convenience Store ourselves. It may be possible they're not seriously injured at all and we're being scammed by them by colluding with the Crimson Vale. It won't be too late to correct our notion if we're wrong and it's pragmatic to use every tool at our disposal, even if it comes from an unconventional source."

Xu Mingzhao paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "Fine. Send someone to the store but do not be overly obvious with our suspicion. If it's truly backed by a divine being, we cannot offend them. Send a gift of gratitude and procure what we need in case they're legitimate. But remember, do not let the word spread that we're relying on outsiders. The Lightning Amethyst Sect's pride must remain intact."

The elders nodded, though a few exchanged knowing glances. The Sect Leader's pride was well-known, but even he couldn't ignore the practicality of the situation.

—

Like the Crimson Vale Sect and Lightning Amethyst Sect, similar meetings had been happening in the nearby forces while their decision differed from each other, like taking a backseat or using the opportunity to raise the prestige of their sects, each one decided to send a representative to the Divine Convenience Store regardless of hearing about the upcoming bundles and packages.

And deep within the Abyssal Forest, inside the reported stronghold, a wrinkled old man wearing moss-green robes was watching over the process of corrupting a demonic beast with the strength of a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

He's the High Priest of the Poison Demon Cult.

Next to him, a trembling young man had his back bent forward as he reported the failure of chasing after the rats that had been spotted nearby. He was afraid for his life but he had no other choice but to relay it to him.

"No matter. Let the worms struggle for a while longer all they want," the High Priest murmured, his voice like the hiss of a venomous serpent.

His sunken eyes shimmered with malice as he observed the grotesque transformation of the demonic beast before him. Its once-natural form was now twisted and bloated, pulsing with sickly green energy.

The trembling subordinate dared to lift his head slightly. "High Priest, what if the Righteous and Neutral factions unite against us? The Crimson Vale Sect is known for their ferocity, and the Lightning Amethyst Sect has deep reserves of spiritual power. If they mobilize—"

"Silence!" the High Priest snapped, his withered hand shooting out. A wave of toxic energy radiated from him, causing the subordinate to stagger and fall to his knees, gasping for breath.

"They will not unite," the High Priest continued, his tone dripping with disdain. "Their pride and petty rivalries will ensure that. By the time they realize the true scope of our power, it will be too late. Besides, our preparations are nearly complete. Soon, even their strongest cultivators will succumb to the Poison Demon's will."

The subordinate bowed his head deeply, his voice trembling. "As you say, High Priest. Forgive my doubt. What of the rumored store? Our spies reported it sprang out of nowhere and was backed by a divine being. It was slowly becoming a hub for the various forces on the other side. It may become a catalyst for their unity."

"Hmph! What can a puny store do? The Great Poison Demon is the terror of all divine beings! Send a word to the spies to burn it to the ground."

"B-but… They also reported that the store sells unique products. Here are the samples they retrieved."

Upon saying that, the young man produced a paper bag with the logo of the Divine Convenience Store.

The High Priest took it and pried into its contents, revealing a mix of items that seemed utterly mundane at first glance. His bony fingers sifted through the bag, pulling out a pack of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips, a can of Heavenly Dew Soda, and a single Spicy Taihao Noodles.

"What in the nine heavens are these?!"