Divine Convenience Store

[Ember Saintess's Blessing]

[Description: A divine spark of Huoling's fiery essence. Enhances stamina and spiritual energy recovery by 50%. Enhances resistance to spiritual cressure and corruption by 30%.

[Side effect: Mild burning sensation in meridians during intense cultivation.]

[Special Ability: Ember Burst – Consume 50% stamina for a burst of fire qi energy, temporarily enhancing all three basic abilities of strength, speed, and endurance. Attacks will also be imbued with fiery essence.]

[Cooldown: 24 hours]

Huoling chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "That'll put some fire in your belly, Shopkeeper. Better than the abstract Heaven's Favor that Taihao had bestowed on you. At least, in terms of combat."

Taihao stroked his long beard before showcasing a proud grin as he waved his hand and three shiny orbs floated towards Xiao Ya, Wu Meiyu and Liu Tianfeng, "Hmm. I'm in a good mood, so… here you go. Consider yourselves my Blessed."

The three orbs pulsed with a soft, golden light, each one radiating Taihao's unmistakable divine aura. They hovered briefly before sinking into Xiao Ya, Wu Meiyu, and Liu Tianfeng, their expressions shifting from surprise to awe as the divine energy settled into their bodies.

Xiao Ya's cute little head bobbed as she giggled. Her tiny frame suddenly took on a golden shimmer as her Golden Lotus Physique flared.

"Boss, it feels great! It's like drinking a whole can of [Heavenly Dew Soda]! It's soothing."

Wu Meiyu's royal composure wavered, her spiritual senses buzzing as the orb's energy coursed through her meridians. Her cultivation didn't jump but the spiritual pressure she's emitting jumped a level. She became on par with Yu Qingyan.

She clasped her hands in gratitude and did a royal bow as she addressed Taihao with reverence. "Zhenren Taihao, this blessing… it is an honor beyond measure. The Southern Wu Kingdom will not forget your grace."

Liu Tianfeng's old yet storm-hardened features softened, his whole body trembled animatedly as he bowed deeply. "Divine Lord Taihao, your blessing strengthens the Liu Family's resolve. We will guard the First Heaven and continue worshiping you until the end of time!"

Taihao waved off their thanks with a playful grin. "Enough with the formalities! Those are just little blessings. Can't compare to the little prodigy's Heaven's Reflex or Lin Mo's Heaven's Favor. You're part of the store now, so consider it a signing bonus. And young man, don't worry. Your Distributor should've also gotten her blessing. Now, don't go crying to me if you feel a bit too sprightly during your next cultivation session."

Lin Mo's lips twitched at Taihao's words. Even Yu Qingyan has been granted a blessing?

The last message he received from her was when she was checking in on the aftermath of Violethaven Temple's appearance. She should've crossed the border already and had her caravan bearing the Divine Convenience Store products reach the Northern Arctic Dominion.

In any case, he couldn't help but glance at the Divine System Interface, which somehow also displayed the details of Taihao's blessings for the trio in the story. It possibly picked it up.

And unlike Huoling's fiery spark or the Celestial Providence he received two weeks ago, theirs were subtler, more versatile enhancements tailored to each recipient.

[Taihao's Blessing – Xiao Ya]

[Description: A spark of Taihao's divine whimsy. Enhances spiritual sensitivity and luck by 40%. Grants a passive ability to sense hidden opportunities or dangers within a 50-meter radius.]

[Special Ability: Lotus Essence – Raise the accumulation of Golden Lotus Petals of the Golden Lotus Physique.]

[Side Effect: Occasional bursts of childlike curiosity, leading to impulsive exploration.]

[Taihao's Blessing – Wu Meiyu]

[Description: A spark of Taihao's divine harmony. Enhances charisma and spiritual resonance by 30%. Improves the effectiveness of diplomatic or leadership-based abilities by 20%.]

[Special Ability: Unity Pulse – Once per week, emit a calming aura that boosts allies' morale and coordination within a 100-meter radius for 10 minutes.]

[Side Effect: Mild compulsion to mediate conflicts, even trivial ones.]

[Taihao's Blessing – Liu Tianfeng]

[Description: A spark of Taihao's divine storm. Enhances physical resilience and spiritual energy circulation by 35%. Increases the potency of storm-based techniques by 25%.]

[Special Ability: Thunderheart Surge – Once per day, channel a burst of storm qi to double the power of a single attack or defense.]

[Side Effect: Occasional irritability during calm weather, craving turbulent skies.]

Liu Xiaoyu burst into laughter as she read those descriptions. Compared to her Heaven's Reflex which didn't have any side effects, Taihao's blessings for the three were as quirky as the divine being himself, perfectly matching each recipient's personality and role.

Xiao Ya, the lucky mushroom girl who got her Bloodline Physique Awakened by being hit by the leaking luck of Lin Mo, would make her even luckier.

Wu Meiyu's blessing would cement her as a diplomatic powerhouse. She's really doing great, especially when she decided to come and work for free. But at this point, she's an employee in all but the store's register.

And Liu Tianfeng… The old patriarch would become a walking thunderstorm. Perhaps, it could even give him a chance to reach the next stage, Law Integration.

With him and the Divine Guardian Construct standing guard, no one would make trouble for the store. Or at least, until someone stronger than them appeared.

"Old man, why are they all with a side effect? Did you copy it from the Saintess?" Lin Mo said, his merchant smile sharpening.

"Who's copying who? She picked that up from me!" Taihao declared and Huoling didn't deny it. She simply tapped his shoulder with the ladle.

"Oh… Is that so? They like it, so I guess there's nothing to complain about. Now, about that branch in the Southern Wilderness… any divine tips on where to start? You know. Maybe you have a suggestion like a place where believers of one of the divine beings are located. That could speed up the process of their acceptance of our peculiar store."

Taihao's grin returned as he glanced at Huoling.

"Southern Wilderness, eh? Good choice, young man. It's a wild land. Tribal confederations, spirit beast hordes, and rogue cultivators ran amok. It also borders the Abyssal Forest but those trees near their border could resist the demonic energy."

"There are small mortal kingdoms there but you already have them traveling here. They also have less political quicksand than the Western Sacred Lands. What you need is to charm some prickly chieftains."

"Look for the Emberfall Tribes; they're a loose coalition of fire-worshipping clans near the Blazing Ridge. The spiritual density in that place is decent and they're open to trade if you can prove your mettle. Plus, Huoling's got a soft spot for them. They worship her. What do they call you again? Ember Wardress. Because when you–"

Before Taihao could finish, Huoling tapped him with her ladle again, cutting him off.

"Stop, you old man! You don't have to tell them an embarrassing story!"

"What? How is it embarrassing? You just hit their chieftains' heads with your ladle and had them drink a poisonous amount of your purified spirit chili oil that their skin turned red. In the end, it became a tradition. The greatest warrior of a tribe will have the deepest shade of red skin."

Huoling's ember-red eyes flared, her ladle twirling dangerously as she glared at Taihao.

"Old man, you're begging for a taste of my [Inferno Dragon Broth] straight from the cauldron! The Emberfall Tribes are my people, and their traditions are sacred, not fodder for your gossip!"

"Sacred? Last I checked, their 'Rite of the Crimson Skin' had half their warriors crying for milk after your chili oil baptism! Young man, they'll be loyal patrons of the store once you introduce a milky drink to them. They'll trade their spirit beast hides for it faster than you can say 'convenience.'"

Lin Mo suppressed a chuckle as he filed away the information. The Emberfall Tribes sounded like a lively bunch, and Huoling's connection could be the key to planting the Divine Convenience Store's flag in the Southern Wilderness.

A fire-worshipping coalition with a penchant for spice? They'd probably go wild for the store's [Infernal Ghost Pepper Potato Chips] and [Taihao Spicy Noodles]. He could already picture a new thread on the Bulletin Board: [Emberfall Chieftain Downs Ten Bowls of Inferno Noodles! – SpiceChief420].

"Emberfall Tribes, got it. Any other divine wisdom, old man? Like, say, how to avoid getting my head bashed by Huoling's ladle when I show up at their doorstep?"

Huoling snorted, her crimson ladle vanishing in a flicker of sparks. "Keep my name out of your sales pitch, Shopkeeper, and you'll be fine. The tribes respect strength and sincerity. You might be challenged by them. Win and you'll have the right to take that Rite of Crimson Skin. Lose and you'll be disdained by them."

"That's a lose-lose situation, Saintess. I'll decline their challenge then. Anyhow, I guess that's it. Unless you have something to add, Xiaoyu?"

As if waiting for her turn, Liu Xiaoyu bounced on her heels, "Boss, we should totally bring a [Celestial Duel Gear] set! Challenge their chieftains to a duel, win, and boom. Instant respect! I'll post the highlights on the Bulletin Board. It'll go viral!"

Lin Mo flicked her forehead, earning a pout. "Xiaoyu, we're opening a store, not a coliseum. But… that's not a bad idea. After all, they'll also be hooked by everything our store is going to offer. But what's more important is to find out if there's a Tower or Anchor in their vicinity. I guess, we just have to see it after opening the new branch there."