Chapter 411: Taking a look at the Branch Store
An hour later, Lin Mo, Wu Meiyu and Liu Xiaoyu used the Store Portal that had been generated inside the Shopkeeper’s Quarters to check on the new branch.
Xiao Ya and Liu Xiaoping were left behind. Not because they didn’t want to bring them, it’s just the young girl requested to use a cultivation room. She gained enlightenment on the cultivation technique Xiaoyu recommended to her, and her Golden Lotus Physique had reached a bottleneck. As for Xiaoping, the young boy wanted to explore the Anchor at Sunken Caverns, so he wanted to train for a bit. Furthermore, he presented himself to guide Xiao Ya in her cultivation if she needed any. The two had already become friends after working together for the past two days.
Stepping through the shimmering portal, the familiar, cozy confines of their quarters dissolved, replaced by the crisp and dry air of the Southern Wilderness. Nevertheless, it instantly dissolved as the room’s temperature was automatically regulated by the Divine System Interface.
Looking around, they found themselves in a room identical to the one they had just left, a perfect replica that served as the Branch Quarters.
"Whoa! It’s exactly the same!" Xiaoyu chirped as she immediately checked the beds that didn’t have their belongings, the employee’s lounge, and the bathroom. "So, the new branch has the same layout as ours. Is this done for convenience, Boss?"
"Don’t ask me. It’s what the system generated when constructing this place." Lin Mo shrugged.
Xiaoyu pouted as she didn’t like his answer. Instead, she turned to Wu Meiyu with the same sparkling eyes.
The First Princess glanced at Lin Mo first before slowly nodding her head, "I believe this does represent convenience. Furthermore, a seamless, instantaneous transition has just happened. It’s even smoother than riding the Celestial Shuttle Network."
Lin Mo pinched Xiaoyu’s cheek before leading their way out of the quarters and into the store proper.
The Southern Wilderness Branch of the Divine Convenience Store was a mirror image of the main branch in its ’Novice Store’ phase. The layout was identical: the single checkout counter, the familiar aisles, the dining area with its mystical appliances. But the atmosphere was entirely different. Instead of the polished tiles and bright lighting of the common convenience stores back on Earth, the store’s interior here seemed to have subtly adapted to its environment. The walls had a reddish, sandstone tint, and the air carried the faint and sizzling scent of sun-baked rock.
The branch store didn’t have immortal-grade products hidden inside a divine-grade formation, resulting in the spiritual energy density within the store being less than that of the main branch. Luckily, there’s a copy of the Spirit-dispersing Beacon that Yangyang crafted. It could help in maintaining order within the store, which could automatically disperse spells and techniques from a cultivator with a cultivation base lower than a Core Formation Stage.
The shelves were fully stocked with items that were already made popular at the main branch.
The store was empty of customers, a pristine, untouched temple of convenience. After all, even if the branch had successfully been opened, it’s not store hours yet. The Celestial Shuttle Network had also stopped working after sending the bulk of Poison Demon Cult reinforcements.
Outside, Lin Mo could see the cult and the Blazing Maw Tribe busily creating makeshift camps a distance away from the vicinity of the store. The defensive formation that was present before had already shrunk to the point that it only protects the branch store, with the Divine Guardian Construct still standing guard in front.
Standing just a step outside the door, talking to the villagers who had been escorted with her was Chi Yang, or SunnyDay in the Bulletin Board.
The new Branch Manager was no longer the dirt-smudged, terrified refugee. The store’s automated systems had provided her with a fresh set of the green and white uniform and she had clearly taken the time to clean up.
It made him nod as it suited her perfectly. Her weary but intelligent eyes held a spark of disbelief mixed with a profound sense of purpose. She stood straighter, her demeanor that of a leader who had been given a new purpose in life.
Lin Mo guessed that she had already read whatever instruction manual the Divine System Interface had given her.
As Lin Mo and his entourage stepped out, Chi Yang’s conversation with her villagers ceased. She turned, her eyes widening as she recognized Lin Mo from the images that had been unofficially circulating on the Bulletin Board.
She immediately dropped into a deep, formal bow, one filled with sincere, bone-deep gratitude.
"Shopkeeper," She greeted with a steady voice yet carrying a tremor of emotion akin to reverence. "On behalf of Sunstone Village, I... we thank you. You have given us more than just safety. You have given us a future."
"That is what convenience is for, Branch Manager Chi," Lin Mo replied with a warm and welcoming tone as he lightly waved his hand, "And a future is something you earn, not something that is given. You’ve already proven you’re more than capable of that. Welcome to the team."
He gestured to the two women beside him. "This is the Assistant Shopkeeper, Liu Xiaoyu of the Liu Clan, and our Temporary Staff Manager, Princess Wu Meiyu of the Southern Wu Kingdom. They will assist you with your initial setup."
Chi Yang bowed to them as well, her gaze lingering on both Liu Xiaoyu and Wu Meiyu with a flicker of awe. They’re both princesses. One of a cultivator clan and another, a mortal kingdom.
"Greetings," She said respectfully.
"Pleasure to meet you, Branch Manager! I’m Boss’s genius assistant. You can rely on me." Xiaoyu grinned proudly and put her hands on her hips as she returned her greetings, "Heh... You look really pretty in our uniform. Looks like appearance has been included in your criteria for selecting the Branch Manager, Boss."
Lin Mo wryly smiled as he pinched her ear next, "This is the first time I’m meeting her, you cheeky assistant. Forget what she said, Miss Chi."
Perhaps surprised at their playful dynamics, Chi Yang could only nod and wait.
While holding her reddened ear, Xiaoyu glared at Lin Mo before turning back to face Chi Yang. "Don’t worry, Sister Chi Yang. Boss may act like that but I’m the voice of his thoughts."
Pausing for a moment to stick her tongue out at Lin Mo, Xiaoyu continued, "Anyhow. You’re gonna be a great manager, I can feel it! Do you like spicy noodles? We have to get you started on the important things first!"
After surviving Xiaoyu’s antics, Wu Meiyu offered a more reserved, but no less genuine, nod. "Welcome, Manager Chi. Your resourcefulness is already well-known to us. I am certain the Southern Wilderness branch is in capable hands."
"Uhm. I haven’t produced any results yet but thank you for your trust." Chi Yang humbly replied.
Just as they were exchanging pleasantries, two figures approached from the Poison Demon Cult’s camp.
The first was Venom Master Xun, looking as immaculate and seductive as ever, as if she hadn’t just been in a life-or-death battle. The second was the High Priest, his skull staff radiating a menacing aura of satisfaction and restrained power.
"Shopkeeper!" The High Priest greeted with a bow that was far too deep for a man of his station. It was a theatrical display of his zealous loyalty. "The pests have been purged! The savages have been... educated! The Southern Wilderness is now ready to receive the glorious light of convenience! The Great Poison Demon is pleased with this offering!"
Venom Master Xun gave a more subtle, elegant curtsey. "The ’Landlord Eviction’ was a success, Shopkeeper. The Crystalweb Tyrant has been captured and is currently being... studied. We have detained the opportunistic Ironbone Clan and Spirit Haze Sect. They are very eager to discuss trade and... reparations. I believe they will make for excellent first customers for your new branch."
"Dear customer, quit with the act. It’s good that you’re championing our convenience, but don’t you think the Great Poison Demon up above must be crying over how you act right now?" Lin Mo said to the High Priest. Although he already heard about Taihao bringing or rather, kidnapping that divine being to the Divine Pantheon, the High Priest must’ve been still in the dark about it.
"And Venom Master Xun, I applaud you for your success, albeit diverted from a simple scouting mission to this. As I promised, I reserved a seat for you at the Divine Patron Tier of the upcoming Divine Lecture. As for the ’audience’ or a private meeting with me to discuss whatever personal matters you wish to bring up, we can schedule that after the lecture."
Xun’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she winked at him, making use of her charm again. "I look forward to it, Shopkeeper. Our discussions will be most... fruitful."
Lin Mo ignored her suggestive tone and turned his attention to the new Branch Manager. Looking at her expectant expression, Lin Mo guessed that she was waiting for his first instruction.