Divine Convenience Store

Jiang Jianxin's face paled slightly as she processed the data. "Over 200? Our previous exploration had not revealed this layer of threat. Is this still going to be an invasion for resources, Shopkeeper? It's like they're gearing for a full-scale colonization, and they are using insidious means to prepare our realm. To top it all off, they're just one of the four Outer Realms eyeing our realm."

Liu Xiaoyu and Xiaoping also had the same reaction but as always, his prodigious assistant could always turn a grim situation into something light.

"Whoa, Boss! This means more fighting, right? And more Dimension Essence for everyone! We can buy all the coolest upgrades and beat those Western Sacred Lands sects with all our cheat items!" Liu Xiaoyu's eyes gleamed with a strange mix of battle lust and mercantile ambition.

Didn't she want to manage the branch store?

Lin Mo sighed and flicked her forehead lightly. "Xiaoyu, don't turn a potential apocalypse into a shopping spree. And yes, Miss Sword Fairy, this does look like a full-scale colonization. Not just resources, but territory. The 'insidious means' are their way of acclimatizing our realm to their energies, making it easier for them to spread their influence and, eventually, their forces. The fact that they've enslaved other races suggests a ruthless, expansionist empire."

He paused, a thoughtful frown on his face. "Dreilling… long-lived, magic-wielding, mentally superior. They sound like the masterminds, pulling the strings while the Decrint Tribe acts as their cannon fodder. And Gremblins… likely even weaker, perhaps shock troops for future invasions."

"But what does 'HLFB' mean?" Xiaoping asked, tilting his head in confusion.

To Lin Mo, that kind of thing was easy to interpret, even if he didn't know its true meaning, but for the inhabitants of this cultivation world, they weren't that technical when it came to using codes.

"Let's see. It's possibly an identification code for the Highland Realm's Anchors," Lin Mo put a hand on his chin as he also recalled the Anchor outside Fanling City. "HL for Highland, FB for… maybe 'Forward Base' or 'Fractured Bridge'? And the numbers could indicate a sequence. If there are 200 of these active, or even dormant, then our realm is in deeper trouble than anyone realizes."

Jiang Jianxin gripped the hilt of her sword. "That… My sect and the others mobilized to defend against the Violethaven Temple, but this is a threat on an entirely different scale. We need to relay this information to the Ancestors immediately. The Divine Lecture cannot come soon enough, Shopkeeper."

"Indeed," Lin Mo agreed as his smile faded. "The Divine Pantheon will need to accelerate their plans. I'll make sure Miss Yangyang relays this full report. But first, let's reset this Anchor Core."

He gestured to the pulsating obsidian altar in the center of the chamber. "The core needs to be reset to prevent the Dimensional Bridge from fully stabilizing. That'll buy us time, even if it doesn't stop them completely. And in return, we'll get a reward."

[Anchor Core: Reset – HLFB#0227]

[Effect: Dimensional Bridge stabilization halted. Anchor will remain active but will not progress towards full breach for 72 hours. All entities within the Anchor will be refreshed upon next entry.]

[Reward: 50,000 Dimension Essence]

[Note: Subsequent resets will yield reduced Dimension Essence rewards for each explorer.]

The obsidian altar, which served as the Anchor's Core, pulsed violently, then slowly began to shrink. Its oppressive aura receded until it dissolved into pure Highland Energy, which streamed directly into their bodies.

Just like the earlier reward, each of them received 50,000 Dimension Essence. If converted, it's equivalent to 500 high-grade spirit stones. More than enough for a normal store patron to buy themselves anything they want from the store.

"Shopkeeper, I'd like to–"

Before Jiang Jianxin could finish her words, Lin Mo raised his hand.

"You should keep that, dear customer. Xiaoping too. You earned that amount. I'll suggest to the divine beings to include the Dimension Essence wallet in the next update of the Viewing Jades. That way, you can see how many you earned even outside Towers or Anchors. It can also be used as a substitute currency for our store products. It won't be exclusive currency inside the Conduit Towers anymore."

Considering the [Celestial Shuttle Network] and the portal to the Fractured Planes also required Dimension Essence to use, it's only right to stop being vague about it anymore.

At this point, they had already figured out that every foreign energy could be transformed into Dimension Essence.

"What about me, Boss? Do you want my 50,000?" Liu Xiaoyu asked.

"Well, you should keep it as well. Buy yourself something. Naturally, I also won't transfer mine to the store's balance. I should also reward myself, right?" Lin Mo smirked, causing his prodigious assistant to burst into laughter, calling him shameless.

With that, the Anchor exploration had finally come to an end.

As soon as the Anchor Core was reset, a temporary Exit Zone appeared on one of the walls of the chambers.

On top of that, Lin Mo also found the small rift that was labeled 'Dimension Door' connected to the Highland Realm. That was where the Decrint Tribe was passing through and beyond it was the Dimensional Bridge.

It was temporarily closed since they were still inside but it would open again the moment they stepped out of the Anchor.

Before leaving, they went to get all the hidden chests of Area 4, leaving nothing behind. The items originating from the Highland Realm would be properly studied and used by the cultivators of the Realm of Nine Heavens.

"Alright, everyone," Lin Mo said, a weary but satisfied smile on his face, "Let's head back. I'm pretty sure the Bulletin Board is going to be even more chaotic after the Abyssal Forest Tower tomorrow."

Liu Xiaoyu grinned, clutching her spatial pouch filled with strange Highland Realm artifacts. "More chaos, more sales, Boss! This is great! I can't wait to tell Father and Grandfather everything. They're gonna be so proud!"

Xiaoping nodded vigorously, his eyes still sparkling at the experience. "I want to come back here, Shopkeeper Boss! And next time, I'll have a Celestial Duel Gear too!"

Jiang Jianxin offered a rare, genuine smile. "It was an enlightening experience, Shopkeeper. Your insights into the Outer Realm threat are invaluable. My sect will mobilize our best scholars to study these artifacts immediately."

As they stepped through the shimmering Exit Zone, the familiar sensation of shifting space washed over them. When their vision cleared, they found themselves back at the Anchor entrance in the secluded valley. The night sky was still dark but tinged with the distant glow of the approaching morning sun.

The illusion array around the Anchor wasn't disturbed at all, keeping the foreign energy contained and the demonic beasts away.

"Let's fly back to the Abyssal Forest Tower, Shopkeeper," Jiang Jianxin suggested, producing their Cloudstrider Blades. "I imagine the situation there has only escalated."

—

Meanwhile, at the Jade Hollow Plains, the third bolt of heavenly lightning roared down at the two young men facing their breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm. The lightning split once more, streaking towards Yan Wei and Zhou Rui, who both maintained their composure.

On Yan Wei's side, the [Tribulation-repelling Umbrella] was straining under the immense force. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface as it absorbed the bolt, but it held.

Yan Wei grunted as a trickle of blood escaped his lips, but his spirit remained unyielding. He quickly consumed a [Spirit Replenishing Candy], feeling his meridians thrum with renewed vigor.

For Zhou Rui, the crimson aura around him flared, transforming into a swirling vortex of blood-red qi that met the lightning bolt head-on. The impact was deafening, shaking the ground beneath the Jade Hollow Plains. Zhou Rui cried out and his body trembled. However, his eyes burned with fierce determination. He had not moved, meeting the tribulation with raw, unyielding power, his [Crimson Bloom Elixir] still flowing through his veins.

The crowd gasped, their murmurs turning into shouts of awe and concern.

Chu Yueying, watching from the Crimson Vale Sect's perimeter, couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. She's still in contact with Yu Qingyan through the Viewing Jade.

CrimsonDaisy: Third bolt. Both held. Yan Wei's umbrella barely survived. Zhou Rui is a beast! The [Crimson Bloom Elixir] is truly potent. His aura is solidifying.

MistyRain: Impressive. Their foundations and the store products are truly exceptional. But it looks like it won't stop at three bolts. They might flinch at the fourth one. They could only hope for a Solid Foundation.

CrimsonDaisy: Indeed. The Shopkeeper's assistant set a new standard that isn't easy to replicate. But if they can take an additional bolt like that, I believe they'll be stronger than those who only took three bolts to break through.

Rumble! Rumble!

Just like they feared, the sky turned a darker, ominous violet as the fourth bolt gathered.

It was thicker, denser, and crackled with an otherworldly energy that made even the Core Formation Elders flinch. It was no ordinary minor tribulation anymore. The Tower's lingering influence once again amplified the tribulation lightning which could push the two young men to their limits.