Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 306: Splurging on the Dimension Essence Upgrades
Lin Mo watched in contentment at the reaction of the customers at the appearance of the Divine Guardian Construct from behind the counter. It was a one-million Dimension Essence well-spent.
The Divine Guardian Construct's arrival had done exactly what he'd hoped. It silenced the skeptics, awed the curious, and sent a clear message to any would-be troublemakers.
At the moment, the Bulletin Board was ablaze with speculation, and the crowd outside continued to grow by the minute.
Apart from the Divine Guardian Construct, he splurged on more upgrades from the menu.
The Beacon Relay allows the use of Viewing Jade inside the Tower and Anchors, which costs 100,000 Dimension Essence.
The Stock Expansion was purchased twice, raising the limit of the store products that can be configured to the Store Beacon from 15 to 30, and an additional Promotion Shelf slot, which costs 30,000.
The Lesser Auras of Combat, Restoration and Efficiency, raising their effects to 20% from the meager 5%, which cost a total of 4,500,000 Dimension Essence.
Furthermore, two more new upgrades had been unlocked from reaching the milestones of 1 million and 10 million, along with their additional requirement of Floor 5 and Floor 10 clearance.
Divine Resonance Amplifier and Celestial Shuttle Network.
The former, costing 3,000,000 Dimension Essence, could enhance anyone's resistance to the foreign energy influence inside the store's premises by 25%. Naturally, it's also applied to the Conduit Tower and Anchor connected to the store. The latter, priced at a steep 5,000,000 Dimension Essence, will activate a literal 'shuttle network' between the Divine Convenience Store and Towers or even Anchors connected to it.
He still has more than four million Dimension Essence in reserve. The Divine Resonance Amplifier was a necessary upgrade. Like with the Auras that could help them climb higher in the Towers or fight against the foreign creatures inside the Anchors. As for the Celestial Shuttle Network, it was an amazing addition. The idea of instantaneous travel between the store, the Jade Hollow Plains Conduit Tower, and any future Anchors or Towers was tantalizing. It would streamline operations, allow rapid response to threats, and make the Divine Convenience Store a hub of interdimensional commerce, travel and influence.
The five million Dimension Essence was a hefty investment, but he believed that it wouldn't be a waste.
The benefits of both upgrades were truly gearing the store to respond to any threats that would come from outside the Realm of Nine Heavens.
For now, he's just holding the four million Dimension Essence but he has already decided to use the three million for the Divine Resonance Amplifier. As for the rest, he's going to revisit the Anchor Interference Protocol and the upgrades associated with it after his trip with the Sword Fairy to the Anchor her sect discovered.
In any case, another crazy idea popped up in his head regarding the shuttle network. Its details sounded like it could be paired with the [Plane Portal].
If he could travel to the Fractured Plane of Martial World, maybe he could send out cultivators there? Have them scavenge for resources and treasures in exchange for Store Credits. Or perhaps, it can also be used in the future to send out units to the realms. The possibilities are endless!
He just had to hash it out properly and possibly with the bright minds of the divine beings.
But he's already thinking about issuing Bulletin Board missions in exchange for Store Credits. For example, finding more Towers and Anchors that can be connected to the store through the Tower Integration and Anchor Interference Protocols.
At the moment, only the Poison Demon Cult seemed to be actively looking for them, while the sects nearby Fanling City were still hooked at the Jade Hollow Plains Conduit Tower.
"Shopkeeper, what are you thinking? Your expression says you're scheming something again."
Bringing him out of his trance, Wu Meiyu glanced at him without pausing her hands from scanning the items for the customers piling up at the counter. Her royal poise didn't waver but he could sense her curiosity as if she could read the gears turning in his head.
Lin Mo shrugged and put on his usual smile, "Scheming? Me? Your Highness, I'm just a humble shopkeeper trying to spread convenience. Nothing more. Nothing less. But since you're asking, I might've had a stray thought about the future of our store. You'll be surprised, Your Highness."
Wu Meiyu's brow arched, her hands pausing mid-scan of a [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal]. "Hmm? What do you mean by that, Shopkeeper? Care to elaborate?"
Lin Mo chuckled, glancing at the obsidian-and-jade construct standing sentinel outside. "Nope. You'll find out soon enough anyway. Let's just say we've acquired a lot from the fiasco last night, aside from the troubles that's going to come knocking."
Wu Meiyu tilted her head as she resumed her work. But then, a moment later, she turned her head again, her expression seemed to be saying she's not going to back down without finding out what's in his head.
"Shopkeeper, a clue? Relay it to me through voice transmission. I won't tell anyone. Am I not an honorary Store Employee by now?"
"Persistent, Your Highness. I guess I can do that. Take it as my payment for your service." Lin Mo replied with a wink.
The First Princess widened her eyes for a moment, shocked at his unveiled audacity, before giggling as she found that act charming.
Following that, Lin Mo's voice echoed in her head.
"I might've had a stray thought about turning the Martial World into a… let's say, a treasure-hunting field trip for our loyal customers."
Once again, Wu Meiyu got stumped.
"A field trip? To that Fractured Plane? Shopkeeper, your ambition grows bolder by the day. The Martial World's energies may be volatile, even for seasoned cultivators."
"I won't be sending them in blind, Your Highness. The store may have a way to smooth out the foreign energy spikes. And as you may have been informed by Xiaoyu, we can open a Portal to that place inside our premises. Perhaps, we can also add another feature like a quick pop into a region, grab some relics, and be back in time for the afternoon rush. Think of it as… interdimensional commerce with a side of adventure."
Wu Meiyu furrowed her brows. She couldn't understand it clearly. After all, he's still withholding a lot of information about how he could accomplish it.
That's why in the end, she could only tilt her head in confusion and focus on serving the customers.
"Shopkeeper, I'll need a clearer explanation for it later. Won't you need to hear opinions about your idea? Not to brag but this Princess has been known to be the wisest among my royal siblings."
"I'll keep that in mind, Your Highness."
—
Eastern Abyssal Domain – Liu Family Estate
The gigantic Skystorm Ark's hull was a majestic view under the midday sun. Liu Zhongzu stood at its helm, his robes fluttering as he directed the Liu Family's elite disciples boarding it. Their auras were tightly restrained but brimming with purpose.
The patriarch, Liu Tianfeng, stood beside him, his gray robes billowing as he clutched a divine talisman. His communication tool that directs his voice to Zhenren Taihao.
"Father, are we truly defying the Zhenren's will?" Zhongzu asked, his voice low. "Xiaoyu's path was set by Him…"
Tianfeng's eyes narrowed, his spiritual senses probing the talisman. "Defying? No, my son. This is why you still cannot take a step to the Spirit Severing Stage. You still cannot cut off your emotions."
"Your daughter's path isn't set by him. He has only guided her to it. However, even if that store is as formidable as a divine abode, those fools hungry for the Nine Heavens Exquisite Body may just camp outside and wait for her to leave its premises. We must sweep them away and ensure nothing could threaten her, even if she stepped outside it."
Zhongzu's jaw tightened as he nodded. "Then we go as protectors, not captors. Xiaoyu won't return willingly. She's too stubborn, like her mother."
Tianfeng snorted as a rare smile tugged at his aged lips. "Stubborn, yes. But she's our blood. The Liu Family will not let its prodigy fall. Be that as it may, I am also curious about that establishment. A store, is it?"
Tianfeng's gaze softened for a moment, as if lost in a memory of his own youth, before snapping back to the present with the sharpness of a blade. "This Divine Convenience Store… its influence grows too swiftly to be mere coincidence. Taihao's hand is in this, I'm certain. We'll see for ourselves what kind of place has claimed our Xiaoyu's loyalty."
Zhongzu nodded, his peak Nascent Soul Stage spiritual senses spreading out as he inspected the Skystorm Ark's arrays, ensuring they were primed for the journey. "The store's reputation precedes it, Father. I've inquired with the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion's Elder Shen about it. It claimed to spread convenience with snacks that bolster cultivation, talismans that rival ancient artifacts, and a peculiar artifact that can summon life-like projections to battle. If Xiaoyu's thriving there, it's no ordinary shop."
