Divine Convenience Store

Lin Mo had to close his eyes as the stone dissolved into a cascade of starlight, seeping into the weapon like ink into parchment. The spear was transforming from a high spirit-grade to the minimum of an ordinary heaven-grade weapon.

A pulse of energy rippled through the store, rattling the shelves and making Liu Xiaoyu yelp in surprise. Xiao Ya clapped her hands as she stared wide-eyed at the spectacle. Wu Meiyu's royal composure cracked, her spiritual senses tingling as the spear's aura climbed from high spirit-grade to something significantly stronger.

As the light faded, the [Starlit Dragon Spear], now subtly transformed, rested back in Lin Mo's hands.

The shaft now had a silver coating with shiny veins running through it like a cosmic river. The spearhead glowed with a sharper, colder light and its dragon motif now animated as if the etched beast could spring to life.

The collapsible feature remained but at the moment, Lin Mo couldn't think of any use for it other than ease of carrying.

[Starlit Dragon Spear (Enhanced)]

[Grade: High Heaven-grade]

[Description: Now infused with a Celestial Forge Ember, this spear channels starlight qi and amplifies the wielder's spiritual energy. Capable of piercing through defenses with precision strikes.

[Special Ability: Stellar Cascade – Unleashes a barrage of starlight projectiles with each thrust, scaling with the wielder's cultivation.]

[Note: Further enhancements possible with additional Celestial Forge Embers or Divine Essence.]

Reading through the updated details of the spear, Lin Mo audibly gulped. It jumped two grades! These divine beings are truly a cheat. While it's still not an immortal-grade, a high heaven-grade artifact will also make any faction wretch in envy.

Taihao clapped his hands, "There you go, young man! A proper weapon for a proper shopkeeper. Now, isn't that better than your firearm?"

Huoling smirked. "Not bad, old man. Chuang will be fuming, but the brat's got a fine piece now."

Liu Tianfeng, who had been watching with bated breath, finally let out a long sigh of envy and awe. "Heaven-grade… just like that. Zhenren Taihao truly bestows divine blessings upon those he favors. Such a weapon… cannot be found so easily in our realm. Even my Stormbreaker Gauntlet is only low heaven-grade!"

Lin Mo twirled the [Starlit Dragon Spear] in his hand and then collapsed it before putting it back into his inventory.

He suppressed a grin, but he's already calculating its potential. It won't just be for combat, of course. It can also be a spectacle to wow the customers. A high heaven-grade weapon in a Spirit Condensation Stage cultivator's hands? That was the kind of stunt that'd make the Bulletin Board explode.

"Mhm. This is great, old man. I'm not ungrateful so…"

He trailed his voice and bowed his head in gratitude while clasping his fists in front.

Not a second later, he straightened his back and returned to his usual nonchalant air when dealing with the divine being responsible for his arrival in this realm.

"The spear may truly help tide me through the exploration later. But you didn't come here just to hand out shiny toys, correct? Now, about those answers you promised… What's the real reason for this visit?"

Taihao chuckled loudly that his divine aura almost caused another wave that could make anyone faint.

"Cheeky young man! Fine, you've earned the truth. The Divine Pantheon has been watching your performance earlier. Blasting Mu Wuyan's scepter, roping in those ancestors, and turning a crisis into a sales pitch has us all nodding in approval. But the realm's about to get noisier. The Violethaven Temple may be licking its wounds but its allies in the Western Sacred Lands are stirring. Plus…"

He paused, his mischievous grin turning a little serious. "The Conduit Towers and Anchors are waking up faster than we expected. Some Anchors have already been stabilized. It won't be long before you hear about foreign creatures invading a territory. Other than that, you felt that tremor in the Abyssal Forest, didn't you?"

Lin Mo's eyes narrowed.

The sudden mention of the Abyssal Forest sent a spark in his head. "I guess that's normal. If this phenomenon is happening everywhere within the First Heaven, a neglected or undiscovered Anchor or two will be able to safely complete their Dimensional Bridge. Conduit Towers are not that bad, though. Conquering it is certain to be more rewarding."

"Conduit Towers, rewarding? Hah!" Taihao slapped his thigh as he cackled. Lin Mo's words were truly amusing to him. "Young man, you're not wrong, but don't get too cozy with those spires. They're bait as much as they are treasure chests. Dying inside is still a possibility. Even with the integration of our Divine Interface System to make them manageable, you cannot underestimate them."

Lin Mo understood that. But in Taihao's eyes, he was possibly seen as someone reckless, especially with his decision to explore the Anchor with the Sword Fairy.

"Alright. That's one thing out of the way. And more importantly, to discuss your next steps, particularly the new branch."

He floated closer, his playful demeanor replaced by a serious, almost somber expression.

"You are right to want to expand. The more connections you forge, the more stable this realm becomes. The 'convenience' you spread is quite a unique concept in this world where might makes right. Now you have turned it into a web of solidarity. A defense against the encroaching chaos."

He gestured to the [Convenience Nexus Hub] interface that still floated before Lin Mo's eyes. "Your first free branch. Where will it be?"

Liu Xiaoyu, who had been listening intently, bounced forward. "Western Sacred Lands, Boss! Let's open a shop right in their faces!"

Taihao chuckled, shaking his head. "A bold spirit, little prodigy, but reckless. Your Heaven's Reflex won't be enough to dodge their bombardment of spells. Hold off on going there. It won't benefit you at the moment. In due time, those who do not belong to the same umbrella as the Violethaven Temple will approach you themselves. For example, the Supreme Sun Church. The divine being they worshipped, Solaris, also follows the Heavenly Laws."

Supreme Sun Church. Lin Mo took a note of that name. It's a proper religion that was said to dominate the Western Sacred Lands. It's even a bigger force than the Violethaven Temple. But since they were rooted in that place, only missionaries would travel outside to spread the faith for their Supreme Sun.

Taihao let a few seconds pass before continuing, "The mortal kingdom princess's suggestion of the Southern Wilderness or Northern Arctic Dominion holds merit. They are less entrenched, their factions more open to new influences. You need not worry about the Eastern Abyssal Domain anymore. And you have the Poison Demon Cult spreading your 'convenience' at the Inner Abyssal Circle. Pick from those two places."

Wu Meiyu curtsied after being acknowledged by Taihao. Meanwhile, Lin Mo only nodded as he glanced around him, trying to see if Xiaoyu or Yangyang had something to say.

When they all seemed to agree to Taihao's suggestion, he nodded at the old man, "Alright. You know, we have been on that topic before your appearance. You just repeated what Her Highness said. But Supreme Sun Church, huh? We'll convert them to convenience. And as for the new branch. Southern Wilderness, it is."

"Hoho. My apologies then. Now, before I forget. Hurry up and cultivate that manual you received from the tower. Your Foundational Martial Technique won't be enough to fully harness the power of that spear."

"The manual? How did you even know that? I haven't taken it out ever since I exited the tower. Old man, are you also watching while I'm inside the tower? No… The better question is… Are you the one responsible for the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower's appearance?" Lin Mo narrowed his eyes as he pressed that question.

Despite facing divine beings, his words seemed to fall like a mountain of pressure.

Taihao's silver beard quivered with a mischievous chuckle, his divine aura rippling like a playful current through the Divine Convenience Store. "Young man, you're sharp. Since the cat's out of the bag… Let's just say the Divine Pantheon is indeed responsible for that one. How is it? Does the truth set you free?"

Lin Mo's lips twitched as he felt the urge to roll his eyes.

That confirmed it. After dealing with the Divine Pantheon for the past two weeks and hearing the information about the Fractured Planes, Towers, and Anchors from Zhenren Lihua, it wasn't hard to guess that the tower signifies the next step of their plan.

He shrugged. "Set me free? As if. I'm still doomed to manage your store for you. Anyway, you can go back now. We still have a lot to discuss here. And Saintess, please do not take offense at my audacity."

Huoling snorted, her crimson ladle reappearing as she pointed it at Lin Mo. "Why will I? You're an interesting brat. I'm looking forward to what else you can show us. Here, take my blessing."

A spark of ember-red light leapt from Huoling's ladle as it dashed toward Lin Mo like a playful firefly. It hovered before his chest before sinking into his body.

His spiritual senses tingled as a rush of vitality coursed through him. It was as if his dantian had been stoked like a furnace. The fleeting sensation left a lingering promise of resilience, like a hidden ember ready to flare in a crisis.