A few hours later, the Divine Convenience Store's doors swung open as Lin Mo flipped the sign to "Open."
The first wave of customers flooded in, picking up the shopping basket and disappearing into different aisles. All of them stayed in Fanling City overnight, either at the inn or any other lodging. That dedication showed how much they wanted to get their hands on the high-quality store products.
Liu Xiaoyu stood by the entrance, greeting new customers with her upbeat energy. Just her face alone could already calm down anyone but her smile? It was deadly, especially for the young cultivators.
In a matter of seconds, she was already surrounded by them but like always, she was an expert at handling any customers – except those from the Poison Demon Cult.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ya, refreshed after taking a nap, manned the counter and cash register, already dealing with the customers who only came to buy Viewing Jades..
Lin Mo stood behind the counter with spiritual senses spread across the entirety of the store. While his head still hummed with his study of the [Foundational Martial Technique], he pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he focused his sharpened senses, tuning into the flow of spiritual energy around him.
Floating on his left were the interfaces of [Area Monitor] and [Bulletin Board]. And on his left stood the temporary floor staff who had entered the story an hour earlier, the First Princess of the Southern Wu Kingdom, Wu Meiyu.
Unlike her gorgeous robes from yesterday, she's now also sporting the same green and white striped uniform of the Divine Convenience Store.
Wu Meiyu adjusted an apron over her uniform with a faint smirk, her elegant fingers smoothing the fabric as if it were silk instead of the sturdy cotton blend that the Divine Pantheon provides. The green and white stripes clashed amusingly with her regal bearing but she wore it with an effortless grace that made even the simple garb look like a statement.
Her presence drew curious glances from the customers, though none dared approach her directly, not with the subtle aura of authority she exuded and especially because she was standing next to the Shopkeeper behind the counter.
After surveying the area – be it the customers or even the dormant Anchor outside the city through [Area Monitor], Lin Mo turned to the First Princess.
"Your highness, you willingly wore what Xiaoyu presented to you, yet you're only standing here next to me. Are you waiting for my orders?"
Wu Meiyu's lips curved into a sly smile as she replied, "Perhaps, I am testing your ability to command, Shopkeeper Lin. I've heard much of your reputation in the Bulletin Board. Yesterday, I only stayed for a short time and failed to see how you truly managed this establishment. Let me put it this way, I'm curious about how you manage to achieve this unprecedented growth. Your assistant and this little girl must've been your very competent troops."
Her words carried ignorance, yet it was truly filled with curiosity.
Lin Mo didn't think much of it, however. In his head, the First Princess is just like any other customers who wanted to unearth the mysteries of the store even though they could easily point to convenient selection of store products.
If the store only sold pills or talismans, would it gain this much influence in a short time? Most likely not. It will just compete against those professionals like Grandmaster Lian and Pill Master Ying.
"My troops? That's such an unusual choice of word, Your Highness. I suppose Xiaoyu is the general of chaos, and Xiao Ya is the quiet strategist. As for you, Your Highness, I'd say you're the wildcard. Elegant but unpredictable. How about you start by helping Xiaoyu with the crowd? You wished to observe our operation. Isn't it best to experience it first-hand? She's got a swarm of admirers clogging the entrance, and I'd rather not have them delay the other customers. It will result in a troublesome situation."
Wu Meiyu raised an eyebrow, glancing toward Liu Xiaoyu, who was indeed surrounded by a gaggle of young cultivators, her laughter ringing out as she deftly deflected their flattery while handing out shopping baskets or pointing to where they wanted to go.
"Very well," The princess said, adjusting her apron with a mock sigh. "I'll lend my dignity to the cause. Establishing and fortifying the connection to this store is my duty as the Royal Envoy."
She stepped away from the counter, her movements drawing the crowd's attention like a magnet. Many wondered who she was or where Lin Mo picked up a new employee. And because of her peculiar attire, it was difficult for most who had only seen the First Princess in glamorous attire to connect the dots.
Still, her charm was undeniable.
With a single raised hand, her cool, commanding voice echoed, "Enough lingering by the entrance. Stop bothering Miss Xiaoyu or get kicked out of the store."
The chaos at the entrance dissolved instantly and those entering the store smoothly continued. However, more than half of those crowding around Liu Xiaoyu switched their target to the First Princess, resulting in both of them being unable to do what they're supposed to.
Lin Mo watched the exchange with a faint grin as he eventually saw Wu Meiyu's Royal Army escorts with the lead of Captain Zhu Min disentangling the mess at the entrance.
"Move along now! You're clogging the flow. Don't make us drag you out!"
The crowd parted reluctantly, some muttering under their breath but none daring to challenge the authority. And with their presence, some of them finally realized that it was the First Princess donning the green and white striped uniform of the storm.
Many became pale-faced as they hurriedly bowed in apology before dashing into different aisles to continue what they were meant to do in the store – to shop.
Wu Meiyu shot a glance back at Lin Mo with a bitter smile. "It seems my presence has complicated things rather than simplified them, Shopkeeper. My apologies."
Lin Mo waved it off. "No harm done, Your Highness. Chaos is part of our daily operations. Besides, Xiaoyu thrives in it. She'll have them sorted out soon enough. You're doing fine. Just keep the line moving."
Liu Xiaoyu, now free of her admirers thanks to Wu Meiyu and Captain Zhu Min's intervention, darted back to Lin Mo's side, her grin as wide as ever.
"Boss, I think Her Highness just earned her stripes! Did you see how fast they scattered? We should keep her. She's a natural!"
Wu Meiyu chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "A natural, am I? Perhaps I've found my true calling. Herding cultivators instead of negotiating trade deals."
Before Lin Mo could respond, the door swung open with a forceful thud as another group of armored soldiers entered the store, their bodies emanating spiritual energy as though they were ready for battle.
Considering the shouts coming from outside, Lin Mo surmised that they must've cut into the line and disregarded the order maintained there.
They're lucky no Sect Elder was currently present or they might have their ass handed to them. Furthermore, the City Guards possibly cowed by their identity.
Lin Mo narrowed his eyes at them but before he could say anything, the [Spirit-Dispersing Beacon] immediately went to work.
As the female captain strode in, her eyes suddenly went wide as she felt her spiritual energy dispersing.
She immediately raised her hand to order her men to stop but it was all too late. The moment they stepped inside the store, they were already in the range of the beacon.
With her hawkish gaze trembling in astonishment, the female captain swept the room, landing first on Wu Meiyu and then on Lin Mo behind the counter.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, clearly unimpressed by the sight of the First Princess playing shop assistant.
"Your Highness," Captain Ying said in an awkward yet resolute tone as she offered a shallow bow. "I see you've… acclimated to this place. Captain Ying of the Crown Prince's retinue. Per His Highness's orders, we've come to assess this establishment and its influence. Please give us the order to attack. This place… they employed formation dispersing our spiritual energy!"
Wu Meiyu's expression shifted from amusement to mild exasperation as she put a hand on her hip, "Attack, Captain Ying? Have you lost your senses? This is a store, not a battlefield. And I'd thank you to lower your voice. There are customers here trying to shop, not witness a military standoff. Are all my Royal Brother's subordinates this audacious?"
Captain Ying's jaw tightened, her gaze darting between the princess and Lin Mo. The soldiers behind her shifted uneasily, their hands hovering near weapons they couldn't empower without their spiritual energy.
The beacon's effect was invisible but overwhelming, leaving them as vulnerable as common soldiers. The realization seemed to dawn on Ying, her earlier boldness faltering.
"Your Highness," She began with a stiff yet careful tone, "Please be reasonable. This place employs formations that neutralize our cultivation. That alone makes it a potential threat and proves the Crown Prince's suspicion. This store is hostile."
Upon hearing that, Wu Meiyu facepalmed. She then turned to Lin Mo, her eyes filled with apology. Following that, she turned to the captain of her escorts, "Captain Zhu Min, do escort Captain Ying outside along with her men. Inform them what we are here for."