Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 508 - 508: The Imminent Obstacle

A few hours later, the VIPs who had taken a dip in the newly opened Celestial Hot Spring had started checking out to return to their respective territories one by one.
Each of them left with a flurry of satisfied sighs and a promise to return as they returned their wristbands at the checkout counter.
According to them, the best feature other than the wondrous water in the spring was the private suites automatically adjusting to their preferences.
Lin Mo only learned about that from Sect Master Hong Ying. She said the view in her private suite granted her inspiration to condense a more robust form of her Frenzied Crimson Aura.
With that, she quickly wrapped up her relaxation and returned to her sect to assemble and prepare the deployment of her Blood-Forged vanguard that she promised.
She's going to select those willing to endure more training and eventually head to the Red Lotus Academy to use the soon-to-be-implemented Divine Simulation Exchange.
Same as Sect Master Hong Ying, Sect Master Lin Yuanzhi of White Ember Sect was full of praise about how the spring and the ambience of the private suite tailored by the system allowed him to clear his spirit channels, leading to him condensing a higher-quality white ember spirit flame.
Xue Biyu was even more surprised as he successfully broke through to the Core Formation Stage while meditating inside the sauna.
And before leaving, he mentioned going to the Sunken Caverns Anchor in advance to assist Chieftain Borok and Elder Liu Jingshan.
Many similar stories started appearing in the Bulletin Board which gathered interest for those who wanted to experience the same thing.
Due to that, even as the sun dipped lower, more and more patrons waited for their turn as the Celestial Hot Spring continued to be in full occupancy, even if it could admit hundreds of patrons at any given time.
After finishing his communication to Yu Qingyan, who had just ed that the five-storey tower at the Valley of Frozen Whispers had been proven to be more difficult than the ten-storey one at the Jade Hollow Plains, Lin Mo walked back into the Celestial Hot Spring area.
Just in time, King Wu Tianzhen emerged from the men's changing room, his face flushed with a healthy, ruddy glow that took ten years off his appearance.
He was no longer the stern monarch who had arrived with a cavalcade of guards; he looked like a man who had just discovered the meaning of life in a pool of hot water.
"Shopkeeper," The King approached Lin Mo with a stride that was energized and devoid of his draconic elegance as a ruler.
"That 'Infernal Dragon Spring' in my suite is a marvel. I've felt the innate dragon vein in my body nourished. You must allow my daughter to dip into the same spring."
Infernal Dragon Spring? What was that? Lin Mo tilted his head as he glanced at the system window that seemed to timely inform him of what had changed in the private suite of the Southern Wu King.
His lips twitched a bit as it described that a drop of a celestial dragon essence had been used to emulate the effect of a flourishing dragon vein for the suite's hot spring.
The more he learned about the facility's versatile customization, the more he feared for the Divine Convenience Store's future evolution as it reaches higher tiers in the future.
Of course, he's expecting it to be more divine as it was literally made by divine beings, but what should he expect next? He couldn't imagine.
"Mhm. I will inform Your Highness about it."
"Inform? Why not join her?" The way his lips curled seemed to imply something more.
And Lin Mo naturally picked it up. This man in front of him had transformed from a ruler into a matchmaking father.
"That is not my decision to make, dear customer." He politely bowed as he switched to 'dear customer'.
Sensing his aversion, King Wu Tianzhen also didn't push it anymore.
"Oh. And the machine that kneads the whole body once seated? I must have one for the palace. Name your price."
Lin Mo smiled professionally, accepting the wristband the King handed over. "I'm afraid the [Heavenly Touch Massage Chair] is currently exclusive to the store's facilities, dear customer. It requires a direct link to the store's system to function. However, you are always welcome to visit. Convenience is best experienced at the source."
The King looked disappointed for a moment, but then he chuckled. "A shrewd answer. You wish to keep this King coming back, do you? Very well. It worked. I feel my meridians flowing with a vigor I haven't felt since I was a prince. I may have finally touched the ceiling of the Nascent Soul Stage that my father failed to break through from."
Behind him, Left Minister Shen was busy settling the bill for the royal entourage. He looked at the total displayed on the crystal screen and didn't even blink. It was a sum that would make a mortal merchant faint.
He simply tapped his own spatial ring against the receiver, transferring the spirit stones with a look of profound satisfaction.
"The [Spirit-Cleansing Steam Room] was particularly effective," The Minister murmured to Wu Meiyu, who was assisting Li Li with the checkout process. "My mind feels as clear as a cloudless sky. The political headaches of the capital seem… distant."
"That is the goal, Minister Shen," Wu Meiyu replied with a graceful nod. "A clear mind makes for better governance. And better customers. I hope you can help royal father more with the current state of affairs."
On the other side of the lobby, a more chaotic scene was unfolding. The High Priest of the Poison Demon Cult was refusing to leave the reception area, engaging Tie Niu in a fervent discussion.
"Young man, you must tell me the exact ratio of heat to spiritual pressure used in the 'Venom-Soaking Spring' in my private suite!" The High Priest rasped with his croaky voice, his eyes gleaming with obsessive zeal. "I felt my poisons stabilizing! It was exquisite! If we could replicate this in our temple, we could accelerate the growth of our acolytes by threefold!"
Tie Niu, looking overwhelmed by the terrifying elder, looked to Lin Mo for help.
Lin Mo stepped in smoothly. "High Priest, you cannot just ask our staff for trade secrets. It's the lifeblood of a business. Besides, how would he know when this facility was made by the divine beings? I can only recommend that you bring your acolytes and priests here."
The High Priest's head snapped towards Lin Mo, and a grin that split his face appeared. "Oh. Indeed… Yes. Yes! The children must be cleansed here at your store instead of bringing the secrets of the divine to our temple! Excellent suggestion, Convenience Saint!"
Like that, Lin Mo continued solving some problematic inquiries from the patrons. Thankfully, he had Wu Meiyu, Liu Xiaoyu, and the other four roaming the place as well, maintaining order.
As the time for the store's closing approached, Lin Mo waited at the entrance door for Liu Tianfeng and Headmaster Feng to see them off.
They're the ones carrying the immortal-grade artifacts.
And looking up in the night sky, the imminent obstacle had arrived. Dark clouds had already started rumbling as if sensing the eventual leak of the immortal-grade artifact's presence.
"Dear customers, how fare your preparations?" Lin Mo turned around just in time as Liu Tianfeng and Feng Haoran walked almost side by side.
One had a wide grin on his face while the other was sweating slightly as if terrified of the consequences if he failed to transport the artifact to the academy.
Outside, the most notable presence was Wen Xinyi, and a group of Liu Clan elders. Experts from the other factions who joined in the Divine Auction could be seen. They all agreed to help defend the artifacts until they reached their respective territories. It was the first act of the newly formed Coalition of Convenience.
"We are ready, Shopkeeper," Liu Tianfeng said as his Void Refinement aura crackled as if he were ready to trade blows with the Heaven's Will.
The [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] was securely stored within his high-grade spatial ring, but its aura was so potent that it leaked out, acting like a beacon for the heavenly lightning gathering above. "My daughter-in-law and grandchildren are here. My son is holding the fort at the Anchor. It falls to this old man to show the heavens that the Liu Clan is worthy of this treasure."
"And the Academy?" Lin Mo turned to the Headmaster.
Feng Haoran wiped the sweat from his brow, adjusting his scholarly robes. "The Azure Gale Sect is positioned to act as decoys. The Crimson Vale Sect forms a perimeter to block for us. We… we will endeavor not to be turned into ash."
"Confidence, Headmaster. Convenience is on your side," Lin Mo encouraged with a smile.
He then signaled to the staff standing by. "Alright. It's time. Open the doors. Let the patrons depart."
RUMBLE!
The moment the door opened, the sky instantly made its presence known as a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the night sky as if issuing a warning.