Divine Convenience Store

[System Alert: Anomaly Detected at Branch Location - Southern Wilderness]

[Alert Type: Divine Guardian Construct - Defensive Stance Activated]

[Details: The newly deployed Divine Guardian Construct at the Emberfall Tribes Branch Site has detected a significant, non-native energy signature approaching the branch's construction zone. Threat level is currently assessed as 'Moderate' but escalating. The construct has established a defensive perimeter.]

Lin Mo's relaxed posture vanished as his brows furrowed. The branch store, although still a mere blueprint in the system, was already under threat. The deployment of the Divine Guardian Construct early there must've alerted the scattered tribes within. And given its peculiarity, it was only a matter of time before those curious about it approached it.

He's still not ready to depart to open it and with Venom Master Xun having just departed to scout out a candidate to be a Branch Manager, what's happening over there was out of his hands.

"What is it, Boss?" Xiaoyu asked, sensing his sudden tension.

He showed her the alert. "Trouble in the Southern Wilderness. The Divine Guardian Construct has attracted attention."

Another notification immediately followed the first.

[Incoming Transmission from Divine Guardian Construct #2]

[Message Type: Visual Feed]

Lin Mo accepted the transmission. An image materialized in the air above the counter. It was a real-time view from the perspective of the Divine Guardian Construct.

He had no idea the construct could do that, but it was a convenient feature. Most likely, the Divine Guardian outside could also do the same. The feed showed a rugged, sun-baked landscape of red rock and sparse, hardy trees. Despite being in the Southern Wilderness, the location seemed to be in a huge clearing but with uneven terrain. The location must be the Blazing Ridge.

In the distance, a group of figures was approaching.

They weren't spirit beasts. They were cultivators with most men and women barely having any clothing. Most of them wore beastskins and their skin had a reddish hue, which reminded him of the Rite of the Crimson Skin of the Emberfall Tribes.

Leading them was a woman clad in crimson and black armor. A fearsome, beast-like mask obscured her face. Noticeably, the color of their skin had a deeper shade of red than the rest of their group. She might be the greatest warrior among them or a chieftain of one of the Emberfall Tribes.

"Who are they?" Xiaoyu whispered, her hand instinctively moving to her gauntlet.

Lin Mo zoomed in on the tattoo on their right arm. A stylized, snarling flame. "Let's see. Looks like Zhenren Huoling filled in the system with the information about the Emberfall Tribes. They seemed to be from the Blazing Maw Tribe. An outcast tribe known for practicing forbidden fire arts and ritual sacrifice involving demonic beasts. They were supposedly living at the edge of the Abyssal Forest. Why are they here?"

Through the construct's enhanced senses, Lin Mo could see the Blazing Maw tribespeople stop before they barged into the invisible defensive formation that was also camouflaging the unopened branch store location.

No doubt, they were about to prepare some kind of ritual. The masked woman held a dark red crystal, similar to a demonic beast core. It vibrated with a chaotic, violent energy.

Following that, the other tribespeople began arranging smaller crystals around the perimeter of the Divine Guardian's defensive field as they began chanting in an almost incoherent and guttural language.

"Are they… conducting a ritual? What are they trying to do?" Wu Meiyu asked, having approached quietly.

"Maybe they're trying to break through the barrier? If I'm not wrong, they sensed the presence of something appearing in that location, which was our branch store. But because they couldn't see it through their naked eye, they're now doing some kind of ritual to make it visible." Lin Mo observed with narrowed eyes. "That crystal is likely a core from a demonic beast with strength equivalent to the Core Formation Stage. What is it called again, Xiaoyu?"

"Bloodstone, Boss! It's a valuable treasure that even orthodox sects not dealing with demonic qi can find use for. Hmm… I get it. They're trying to burn a hole through the formation and check out the unusual energy coming from the construct." Liu Xiaoyu answered before clapping her hands as an imaginary lightbulb seemingly lit up on top of her head.

"Can't the Guardian just... blast them away? It's strong enough to defeat even the Liu Clan Patriarch, right?" Wu Meiyu asked.

"Well, its primary directive is defense, not pre-emptive strikes. And they had yet to breach the perimeter, which was encompassed by that formation," Lin Mo explained. "And if it does attack, it might just prove to these tribes that this 'divine object' is a hostile force, uniting them against us."

The best option here was just to wait and see. He couldn't go there himself. He couldn't send Xiaoyu. So, what could he do? He looked down at the interface, a new menu having appeared under the Divine Guardian's controls.

[Divine Guardian Construct #2 - Remote Command]

[Available Actions:

- Reinforce Defensive Field (Cost: 10,000 DE/min)

- Issue Verbal Warning (Audio Projection)

- Deploy Temporary Pacification Aura (Non-lethal deterrent, Cost: 50,000 DE)

- Activate Convenience Propagation Protocol (Cost: Variable)]

'What the hell is that?' Lin Mo couldn't help but blurt out inwardly.

The last option surprised him. Convenience Propagation sounded like something he would come up with but to see it as an option was still unexpected for him.

He tapped it, and a description popped up.

[Convenience Propagation Protocol: A non-combat function designed to demonstrate the core principles of the Divine Convenience Store. The Guardian will project a localized field of 'convenience', manifesting a limited, temporary selection of basic store products. The protocol's goal is to turn potential hostiles into potential customers by showcasing overwhelming value and goodwill.]

A slow grin spread across Lin Mo's face. This was perfect. It was absurd, brilliant, and exactly the kind of solution only his store could provide. The Divine Convenience System was adapting to his frenzied approach to spreading convenience.

"Boss, you have that scheming look again," Xiaoyu noted.

"Xiaoyu, I'm liking this system more and more. Watch. I'm about to prove that the best way to deal with a barbarian ritual is not to beat them up but to let them experience our lauded convenience."

He selected the 'Convenience Propagation' Protocol. On the visual feed, the Divine Guardian Construct began to change. Instead of emitting a threatening aura, its light softened, becoming warm and inviting.

Then, with a soft chime that echoed throughout the surroundings, the formation opened slightly and a small vendor stall materialized within the Guardian's defensive perimeter.

The stall was stocked with a familiar, tantalizing array of products: packs of [Taihao Spicy Noodles], frosty cans of [Heavenly Dew Soda], and a pyramid of [Pizza-flavored Spirit-Infused Potato Chips]. On one side, there was even a thermos and a stack of bowls that they could use in preparing the noodles.

The Blazing Maw tribespeople faltered. Their guttural chanting trailed off as their heads snapped towards the sudden appearance of the stall.

The masked woman, who had been raising the Demonic Bloodstone high, froze mid-chant.

A holographic message then appeared above the stall, its characters shimmering in the air, written in the ancient script of the tribes. It was another convenient feature added by Zhenren Huoling to help him quickly stabilize the Branch Store in the midst of the Emberfall Tribes' territory.

[Hungry? Thirsty? The Divine Convenience Store offers a temporary respite. All items are complimentary for first-time visitors.]

With that, a single beat of stunned silence ensued. Then, one of the younger tribesmen nudged his companion, pointing a shaky finger.

The masked woman shot him a silencing glare, but the seed of curiosity had been planted. Their ritual was designed to probe the unknown, and the unknown had just offered them instant noodles.

"Boss, they're confused," Xiaoyu giggled. "Their brains probably can't process it."

"Give them a minute," Lin Mo said. "The best marketing is a live demonstration."

He navigated to a sub-menu of the protocol. [Activate Demonstration Module].

On the visual feed, the vendor stall came to life. A pair of ethereal, glowing hands materialized. They deftly tore open a pack of noodles, poured the contents into a bowl, added steaming water from the thermos, and placed the lid on top. A projected timer counted down from three minutes.

Gradually, the tantalizing, spicy aroma, enhanced and projected by the system, wafted out from the stall, carried by a gentle breeze. It was a scent that seemed so familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time to the Southern Wilderness. A complex blend of spices and savory broth that promised warmth and satisfaction.

The stomachs of several tribespeople rumbled audibly. They had likely been subsisting on tough, roasted beast meat and whatever hardy roots they could find. This aroma was like a call to their deprived taste buds, craving for spices.

"Food… with lots of spices. I want to gulp it down." It started with the young tribesman before eventually, more of them began crawling towards the stall.