Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 487 - 487: More Upgrades

[Dimension Essence Upgrade]
[Current Essence Available: 5,489,232]
[Available Upgrades:
- Stock Expansion (100,000 DE): Increases Store Beacon product slots from 30 to 50 and Promotion Shelf slots from 2 to 3.
- Divine Resonance Amplifier (3,000,000 DE): Enhances resistance to foreign energy influence by 25% inside the Divine Convenience Store branches or any Anchor and Tower with a Store Beacon deployed.
- Greater Aura of Combat (15,000,000 DE): Increases the permanent aura enhancement in combat efficiency from 20% to 50% inside the Divine Convenience Store branches or any Anchor and Tower with a Store Beacon deployed.
- Greater Aura of Restoration (25,000,000 DE): Increases the permanent aura enhancement in spiritual energy and stamina restoration from 20% to 50% inside the Divine Convenience Store branches or any Anchor and Tower with a Store Beacon deployed.
- Greater Aura of Efficiency (20,000,000 DE): Increases the permanent aura enhancement in resource efficiency, such as spiritual energy consumption, talisman activation speed, and artifact durability, from 20% to 50% inside the Divine Convenience Store branches or any Anchor and Tower with a Store Beacon deployed.
- Guardian Construct Drone Enhancement (35,000,000 DE): Permanently activate the Tactical Convenience Protocol for all patrons and allow deployment of the drones inside Anchors and Towers with a deployed Store Beacon.
- Divine Guardian Construct Enhancement (50,000,000 DE): Summon additional Divine Guardian Construct in each branch of the Divine Convenience Store and enhance their combat prowess to the equivalent of a Tribulation Transcendence Stage.]
Looking at the newly updated purchasable list for the [Dimension Essence Upgrade], Lin Mo understood that he's still far from fully realizing the system's true potential.
The costs for the 'Greater' auras and the construct enhancements were staggering. 50 million Dimension Essence for a Tribulation Transcendence-level bodyguard? That was an amount that made his current balance look like pocket change. But then again, a bodyguard of that caliber could probably solo an entire Outer Realm invasion force. It was a goal to strive for.
"One step at a time," Lin Mo murmured, his finger hovering over the list. "We need to solve the immediate problems first. The patrons are pushing deeper into the Anchors. The suppression from foreign energies is their biggest hurdle."
He tapped the [Divine Resonance Amplifier].
[Purchase Confirmed: Divine Resonance Amplifier]
[Cost: 3,000,000 DE]
[Effect: Active immediately. All linked locations now possess a reinforced spiritual field.]
A subtle hum resonated through the store, a vibration that wasn't felt in the floorboards but in its entirety instead. The spiritual energy density didn't increase, but it felt… sharper. Cleaner. It was as if a heavy, invisible fog had been lifted.
Lin Mo could feel his own connection to the starlight qi in his dantian become slightly more responsive. If he felt it this clearly here, in the main store, the effect inside the oppressive environments of the Anchors and Towers would be game-changing.
"And let's not forget the logistics," He added, selecting the [Stock Expansion].
[Purchase Confirmed: Stock Expansion]
[Cost: 100,000 DE]
[Store Beacon Inventory Capacity Increased.]
[Promotion Shelf Slots Unlocked.]
"There. Now we can shove more snacks and talismans into the faces of our patrons while they fight for their lives. Truly convenient."
"Boss, I'll open a survey to ask our patrons what they want to see in the Store Beacon! We have plenty of new slots. It won't hurt if we take five of their most recommended products for their satisfaction! Oh… and the Promotion Shelf slot too. The [Spirit-Animated Battle Construct] is not that popular even with its discount, because of our Celestial Duel Gear. We should change what we put there!" Liu Xiaoyu jumped up with raised hands as she suggested.
Thinking about it, that Battle Construct was truly not that popular, considering it's more efficient to just buy a Celestial Duel Gear or a pack of Summoning Card Talisman.
"Alright. You handle that survey and make sure the selected products will be something everyone will find essential."
"No worries, Boss! I'll have Pan Ruo and Xiao Ya help me curate them. Hehe."
Upon saying that, she walked over to the still-elated new hire who was looking into the data she had just presented to Lin Mo earlier.
With 3.1 million DE gone, the store's Dimension Essence Balance took a significant hit, but the investment was necessary. He still had over 2 million left, a healthy buffer for emergencies or… future creative endeavors.
Speaking of creative endeavors.
He opened the [Feedback & Suggestions] tab. It was time to formalize Pan Ruo's brilliant idea.
[Proposal: Celestial Duel Arcade System]
[Concept: Standalone, coin-operated (Spirit Stone/DE) gaming cabinets linked to the Celestial Duel Platform server. Designed for casual play, deck testing, and spectator viewing. To be placed in high-traffic areas like the Shuttle Hubs and store lounges.]
[Purpose: Lowering the barrier to entry for the Celestial Duel system, fostering a competitive community, and creating a new, steady revenue stream from casual users.]
[Design Suggestion: Make them flashy. Bright lights, loud sounds. Make them impossible to ignore.]
He hit send. Knowing the Pantheon, especially Taihao, who seemed to enjoy these 'mortal' entertainments, the response would likely be swift and enthusiastic. There's also Zhenren Lihua, who would always back him up. And Yangyang too.
"Done," Lin Mo said as he closed all those floating windows in front of him. "The upgrades are live, the proposal is sent. The store is ready for tomorrow."
He turned to Wu Meiyu, quietly waiting for him, and said, "Shall we check on our Branch Manager, Your Highness?"
There wasn't any notification about what kind of rewards he would get for completing the first Weekly Tasks, so before ending their day, he decided to take a quick look at the Southern Wilderness Branch and see what could be improved. For example, sending out the Blazing Maw Tribe to search and make contact with the collective of Emberfall Tribes. They're still a part of it, after all. And with the foreign insectoids rampaging across that wilderness, stretching a hand of convenience to them would be a strategic move.
"It would be prudent," Wu Meiyu agreed, rising gracefully. "Manager Chi has been thrust into a cauldron of conflicting powers. A show of support from the main store and the Convenient Saint is never amiss."
Lin Mo's lips twitched at the playful tone Wu Meiyu used from adding that title but her words were correct.
Chi Yang may have attended the Divine Lecture yesterday but she's still adjusting to her current position. On top of that, the Southern Wilderness isn't as peaceful or united as the Eastern Abyssal Domain yet.
"I'm coming too!" Liu Xiaoyu reappeared, having seemingly delegated the survey task to Pan Ruo in record time. "I want to see if Chieftain Akasha and Venom Master Xun found anything cool from the Tyrant's lair. Maybe a baby crystal spider? Can I keep one?"
"Absolutely not," Lin Mo deadpanned as he walked towards the quarters. "We are not turning the store into a petting zoo for foreign creatures. Besides, didn't Venom Master Xun claim ownership of all things related to Crystalweb Tyrant?"
"Aww... Fine. But I'm still coming. You can't leave your Assistant Shopkeeper behind!"
Giving up on dissuading his prodigious assistant, the three of them entered the Shopkeeper's Quarters and stepped through the shimmering Inter-Store Portal.
The transition was instantaneous. One moment, they were in the cool atmosphere of Fanling City, and the next, the dry, heated air of the Blazing Ridge hit them, though it was quickly mitigated by the branch store's internal array.
The Southern Wilderness Branch was quiet, but not empty. Despite it being late, Chi Yang was behind the counter, organizing a shipment of raw materials that had just been dropped off by a Poison Demon Cult logistics team. They were to be sold on the Barter System for Store Credits. Some villagers that she hired to work for her were also still present in the store, helping her with other tasks.
Unlike the main store, she seemed to have kept the Store Hours longer for this branch.
Upon noticing their arrival, Chi Yang looked up with her eyes lighting up.
"Shopkeeper! Your Highness, Miss Xiaoyu. Welcome back."
"Working late, Manager Chi?" Lin Mo asked, "Don't burn yourself out. We have protocols for shifts now."
"I am merely finalizing the inventory for tomorrow's morning rush, Shopkeeper," Chi Yang replied with a humble bow. "And... meditating. The [Gemstone Heart Scripture] you gave me... it resonates with the sunstone ores beneath us. I feel energized here, not tired."
Lin Mo scanned her with his refined perception. Indeed, her aura was no longer that of a fragile mortal. A vortex of red and gold spiritual energy swirled gently in her dantian. She had successfully rebuilt her foundation and entered the Spirit Gathering Stage.
Her compatibility with the local environment and the technique was exceptionally high.
"Good progress," Lin Mo nodded approvingly. "But I'm here for a status on the locals, Manager Chi. Specifically, the Emberfall Tribes."
They worship the Ember Saintess Huoling, after all. While it's great that Chi Yang managed to rope in the Ironbone Clan and the Spirit Haze Sect, he still wanted to get his hands on those red-skinned warriors like Chieftain Akasha and her Blazing Maw Tribe.