Divine Convenience Store

When Liu Xiaoyu returned with the profits from the betting stall she set up for the duel, the store earned another 100 high-grade spirit stones, thanks to the Ironclad Blood Sect cultivators who somehow bet a lot to their Elder's victory.

Although dejected when they stepped out of the multipurpose hall, their unbridled arrogance was already tamed and they all apologized with the lead of Elder Hu Zhen, vowing not to cause trouble anymore before leaving the store.

Unfortunately, without the [Aura of Harmony] calming the impulsive and explosive temper of some customers, trouble continued popping out.

Most were minor troubles that other customers could quell instantly, but the troublesome customers with sufficient influence or reputation, Lin Mo had to step in to either appease them or kick them out if they were proving themselves unreasonable.

After all, there's not always a Sword Fairy who would step in to propose a duel to keep the order within the store.

And then, a few hours later, another group of new customers belonging to an upper-grade sect appeared.

Unlike the rowdy and aggressive Ironclad Blood Sect members, these customers carried themselves with a refined grace but their eyes were sharp and filled with a silent scrutiny. They were evaluating the store, the people within, and, most importantly, Lin Mo.

Lin Mo was reminded of how Yan Wei was when he first stepped into the store. That's the kind of air they were exuding.

At the forefront of the group was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing blue eyes. His robe displayed a more intricate embroidery than the others, signifying his higher status within the sect. Beside him stood a younger man, his face cold and unreadable, yet his aura suggested he was far from ordinary and the way he eyed the other customers was like they were all beneath him.

Liu Xiaoyu instantly frowned at his sight as if she had seen someone so hideous, she'd rather hide than deal with him.

That's a first if her aversion to deal with the High Priest wasn't counted.

Whispers immediately spread among the gathered customers.

"The Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion… What are they doing here? They should be from the eastern part of the Eastern Abyssal Domain, past the borders of the Southern Wu Kingdom. They're the people of the sea." A merchant cultivator, who probably traveled the kingdom to visit the rumored 'divine store', had recognized them.

"Really? What is it with an upper-grade sect and their tendency to look down on people? This is not even their territory! Where are the elders from the surrounding sects? Shouldn't they help the Shopkeeper here?"

"Oh. I recognize that man. That's Elder Shen Liang, he's called the Storm Elder of the Ocean Pavilion. And the young one beside him… could it be one of their prodigies?"

Ignoring their words, the group strode further in, intimidating those who'd run into their path.

The Storm Elder's eyes focused on Lin Mo while the young man who's supposed to be a prodigy got his eyes on Liu Xiaoyu.

"Boss, I hate that guy's gaze. Also, he reeks of fish! I'm not good with seafood!"

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow at Liu Xiaoyu's sudden outburst. Her dislike for seafood was new information and it's probably not even literal. It was her reaction to the young man that intrigued him more. She wasn't just irritated. She was outright disgusted.

He shifted his gaze towards the young man and scrutinized him. He's really like the type of guy who had his head filled with his superiority.

The so-called prodigy of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion stood with his hands behind his back. His arrogance was brimming but it's not the overbearing kind like the Ironclad Blood Sect members, but a quiet, condescending one. Like he was someone from a high place visiting the back alley of a poor village.

Lin Mo's eyes flickered with amusement before he turned his attention back to the elder.

"Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store, dear customers. Please feel free to browse," Lin Mo greeted them with his usual tone and business-like smile.

Elder Shen Liang clasped his hands behind his back, looking around the store with an impassive gaze before once again settling his piercing blue eyes on Lin Mo.

"A Spirit Condensation Stage Shopkeeper? Looks like the rumors are exaggerated." He said. "A store that can provide miraculous products, that can elevate even a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator to fight on par with a Core Formation expert. It all sounds too fantastical."

Lin Mo chuckled. Even he wouldn't believe it if that's the rumor he heard. It's too exaggerated.

"It is indeed exaggerated. We don't sell fantasies, dear customer. Only convenience."

Some of the surrounding customers smirked, appreciating Lin Mo's nonchalant response. However, Shen Liang remained unreadable.

The prodigy beside him finally spoke.

"Convenience, huh?" His voice was calm but there was an underlying edge of mockery. "Then, I assume this… 'convenience' is for sale to anyone? Even those without true talent?"

The moment he finished speaking, regular customers who heard his remark scoffed and sneered.

"Heh. Look at him, he thinks he's some bigshot just because he's called a prodigy by his sect."

"He's only brave because he has his Elder by his side. If he's alone, he won't dare act that arrogant."

"I bet Miss Xiaoyu can take him down in a fight. She's quite formidable too. Have you seen her dashing around the store? She's so quick you can only catch her afterimage."

The so-called prodigy instantly showed irritation on his face as he looked around, trying to find who spoke.

But with the number of people in the store, pinpointing them was impossible for him.

Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoyu, who's now hiding behind Lin Mo's back, whispered, "Boss, I really hate this guy."

Lin Mo replied to her through voice transmission, "What? Is he someone who can recognize you?"

"... Psh. I hate that you're this sharp, boss. How did you know?"

"Honestly? I'm only guessing. But you confirmed it for me. Good."

"You tricked me!"

"Nope. You're just not thinking properly. So, out with it, Xiaoyu. Do you want me to hide you from him? He probably hadn't recognized you yet but he's close. You got saved by his own frivolous mouth."

At this point, the so-called prodigy of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion was already looking exasperated. Elder Shen Liang didn't intervene as it was a spat that the young man started. He would let him handle it himself.

Lin Mo watched the situation unfold with growing amusement.@@novelbin@@

The so-called prodigy of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion was clearly unused to being mocked in such a casual and public manner.

His gaze swept over the gathered customers but his cold, refined facade was beginning to crack.

Liu Xiaoyu, still hiding behind Lin Mo, remained unusually silent for a few seconds before she finally responded via voice transmission.

"Boss… Let's just say it'd be better if he doesn't recognize me."

Lin Mo's eyebrows lifted slightly at that. This was the first time he'd seen Liu Xiaoyu openly express her desire to hide from someone. Normally, she was mischievous and energetic. She even kept on fronting her face in front of the customers. Rarely was she ever this serious.

Still, if she didn't want to be seen then it was his job as the Shopkeeper to accommodate his reliable assistant.

Lin Mo smirked and lightly tapped her forehead with his knuckle. "Got it. Just go inside the quarters and watch this unfold with Miss Yangyang."

Liu Xiaoyu, though she grumbled, nodded and stealthily disappeared into the door behind the counter, ensuring the prodigy wouldn't get a good look at her.

As for the young girl on the counter handling the line of customers waiting for check out, he told her to relax and not mind the current commotion.

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Xiao Ya looked at him with a complicated expression and whispered, "Boss Lin, I need a break after this…"

Meanwhile, the prodigy took a deep breath and finally settled his gaze back on Lin Mo, as if deciding to ignore the whispers around him.

He frowned as he couldn't find the figure of Liu Xiaoyu anymore but because of his current state of mind, he didn't think too much of it.

"I see this place breeds arrogance." He once again put a calm facade but there was clear annoyance beneath his words, "A lowly shop that allows even the untalented to think they stand equal to true cultivators. That is the problem with 'convenience.' It allows those without the necessary talent to climb higher than they should."

Lin Mo's expression remained completely relaxed, but inwardly, he was shaking his head.

Yep. He's one of those geniuses who thought talent was everything and that effort meant nothing. His ego had been inflated too much, someone had to pop it.

It was the same kind of thinking that led some sects to abandon promising disciples just because they lacked natural-born brilliance. And yet, those same sects would later cry in regret when those so-called "untalented" individuals climbed to greatness through sheer effort, opportunity, or… yes, convenience.

Lin Mo could name a few but those people were protagonists of their own novel.